Unveiling Mars
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Nov 8, 2023
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 16:30
PETER wakes up from an afternoon nap.
PETER (V.O.): I dreamt I was somewhere...
Aimlessly, Peter begins to have screen time.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, this article I'm reading is about discoveries in Mars.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I had my first lecture on Space Law in 1986, Prof Bin Cheng remarked that the subject wasn't about the law of the Martians.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Space law is about binding standards that regulate human activities in Space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.
Researching.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But law can be quite dry, like the Moon (about 356,000 km away) and Mars (about 225 million km away).
Act 2
INT. STUDY - CONTINUOUS
As Peter researches on discoveries on Mars, we see on screen: Curiosity rover finds new clues to Mars' waterly past.
PETER (V.O.): In supporting life, water is vital, equilibrium is necessary.
FLASHBACK
EXT. DEEP WATER BAY - 11:00 (Earlier)
We see Peter swimming from one floating platform to another.
PETER (V.O.): Realizing my aqua aura results from regular swimming in sea waters, I enjoy my hobby more.
INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 13:30
Plates of sashimi and sushi are on the table. Peter and his WIFE enjoy food from the sea.
PETER (V.O.): The food is unlikely to have been contaminated with high level of radioactivity, I hope.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having exercised and eaten a lot are right conditions for an afternoon nap.
Following Peter to read another article on Mars, we see: ...first tangible evidence... the ancient climate of Mars had such regular, Earth-like wet-dry cycles...
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Mars' sell-by date has long gone. Heaven is now on Earth.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Who designed the Curiosity Rover's robotic arm and did the rock analysis?
Researching and reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's Jack Matijevic, a NASA engineer. He oversaw the development and integration of the robot's robotic arm and the instruments it carried.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He was also actively involved in the examination of rocks and the characterization of Martian rocks, helping to interpret their composition and geological history.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, Jack Matijevic died unexpectedly on Aug 20, 2012 at the age of 64.
Peter looks concerned.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What are the possible reasons for working men in their 60s to die unexpectedly?
Researching and reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Cardiovascular events, cancer, respiratory conditions, infectious diseases, neurological conditions, accidents...
Exhaling a deep breath.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The list is long. I've got to be careful.
We follow Peter to continue the research.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After Matijevic's passing, a rock on Mars was named as "Jack Matijevic" on Sept 27, 2012 and a hill the "Matijevic Hill" on Oct 5, 2012.
Sighing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The late Jack Matijevic didn't know about all that!
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): When I was with Govt, I recommended in confidence individuals who had made significant societal contributions to be honoured.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But when they were honoured, I observed that they had never thought about me as the one who was instrumental in the process.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 22:30
Instructing his assistant in All_The_Photos, Peter types on screen: Create a Pixar animation style image about the discovery of the Matijevic Hill and the Matijevic Rock by the Curiosity rover. Within seconds, an animated image appears.
PETER (V.O.): That humans on Earth can learn something about the past and present of Mars is thrilling.
Gazing at the animated image.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Recognizing and honouring the significant achievements of individuals should be done during their lifetime so that they'd know.
Pondering.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Apart from sharing my creative stuff to all, what more legacies might I leave behind for future generations?
FADE OUT
THE END
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