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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

A Promising Career

  1. FADE IN.


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. BEDROOM - 15:30


  4. Listening to radio, Peter is resting in bed, touching his upper left arm with his right hand.


  5. PETER (V.O.): Having taken my 3rd jab yesterday evening, I didn't sleep well and have been having a sore arm.


  6. We hear a radio voice calling for action: ...Join the housing management sector to have a promising career...


  7. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): That was what I initially believed, back in 1974.


  8. SEQUENCE OF PETER'S HOUSING MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE (1974 - 1980)


  9. A. INT. HOUSING ESTATES - DAY. Accompanied by an ESTATE CARETAKER, Peter (20-22) visits units and collects rent.


  10. B. EXT. NEAR ESTATE MARKETS - DAY. Wearing a helmet, Peter heads a team of a dozen LABOURERS, persuading HAWKERS to leave the scene.


  11. C. EXT. YUEN LONG DISTRICT - DAY. With Police escort, Peter (22-26) heads a squatter control UNIT, demolishing illegal structures.


  12. D. INT. HKU CAMPUS - DAY. Peter (23 - 26) is among over 100 STUDENTS, attending lectures.


  13. END SEQUENCE


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS


  16. PETER (V.O.): Attending the part-time day-release courses at HKU was the only upside in my housing management career. I didn't have any promotion.


  17. Peter takes a look of the mini-deck-chair-shaped radio.


  18. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): It was a souvenir from the manager of "R66" - the closed Revolving Restaurant at Hopewell Centre.


  19. Recalling.


  20. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When I was with the Government, I liked to entertain overseas visitors there as my office was just a block away.


  21. Pausing.


  22. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): The manager there was grateful for my staunch support, as the revolving gimmick was no longer trendy.


  23. Recalling.


  24. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I had the experience of working in a hotel which was about to close down.


  25. SEQUENCE OF PETER'S WAITING TABLE EXPERIENCE AT CASTLE PEAK HOTEL (1969-1973)


  26. A. OPEN-AIR CAFE - DAY. Peter (15 -19) serves Coke, 7-Up and Green Spot to dozens of Japanese TOURISTS.


  27. B. TEA HOUSE - DAY. Taking orders, Peter serves soft drinks and club sandwiches to CUSTOMERS.


  28. C. RESTAURANT - NIGHT. Acceding to their orders, Peter serves Western/Chinese food and drinks to GUESTS.


  29. END SEQUENCE.


  30. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I liked to work the tea-dance sessions. But full-time waiters/waitresses got the jobs.

  31. Pausing.


  32. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I knew selling labour for meagre wages couldn't be promising. My 1st full-time job in 1973 was a teacher in Pak Kau Secondary School in Kam Tin.


  33. Recalling.


  34. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): When I got an offer as a Government Housing Assistant in 1974, I accepted it gladly.


  35. Pausing.


  36. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): But my unfulfilled dream then was to study at HKU.


  37. Pausing.


  38. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Without my 1st taste of the law in the Housing Management courses, I wouldn't be able to respond smartly at the admission interview in 1981.


  39. Pausing.


  40. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And the 4-year Government scholarship I got earlier would be a waste.


  41. Pondering.


  42. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): Even if I didn't make it, I don't think I'd retire as a Housing Manager.


  43. Pausing.


  44. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): My plan B was to become an Estate Surveyor. I was actually studying the subject at HKPolytechnic while doing my 1st year Law at HKU.


  45. Pausing.


  46. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): A promising career is one that requires skill and judgment more than labour.


  47. Reflecting.


  48. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): Having worked for the Government for 40 years, I retired at the age of 60.


  49. Pausing.


  50. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): Since Sept 2017, I began my private practice, revolving around Law.


  51. Thinking.


  52. PETER (V.O)(Cont'd): Working in retirement, I don't expect my current career will be promising.


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS


  55. Peter touches his sore arm again.


  56. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Looking back to my work experience, I'm proud of the positions that I've worked, whether they're promising or not.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Even a little radio remark can bring so much memories of my struggle for a promising career.


  59. Pausing.


  60. PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Could my inner voice stop talking so that I can enjoy a lazy afternoon?


  61. Peter closes his eyes.


  62. FADE OUT


  63. THE END




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