FADE IN
Act 1
INT. STUDY - 15:30
Surfing the web on his mobile, PETER types "Peter Cheung" in the search bar and scrolls through the results.
PETER (V.O): Peter Cheung is a common name - they're mere sounds not for people to remember.
His eyes widens as he sees: The Secretariat pays tribute to Mr Peter Cheung.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): It can't be me yet.
Clicking the link, Peter sees the Federation of Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE) and the image of a handsome gentleman.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): OMG, it's Cheung Po Tak.
Peter reads on: ...honour his wish of simplicity...
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Oh, my namesake passed away in June this year.
Peter reads on:... Anyone who had worked with him would find him a legend with a high level of persistency, resiliency, adaptability...multilateral work experience...
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. OFFICE, ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS - DAY (1989)
Peter (35) is studying his namesake's reports from Geneva.
PETER (V.O.): Copied to the Foreign Office, the reports update what's happening during the GATT - TRIPS negotiations in Geneva.
Reading negotiating parties' positions.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): As a "developing economy", Hong Kong is playing the bridging role between developed economies and the least developing ones.
Reading his namesake's assessment on the way forward.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): On IP matters, I was a "capital expert", advising on what should be the appropriate IP standards for the international community.
Peter drafts his comments via a Wang computer.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): I contributed on legal policy, and my namesake would strategize on getting international support in the law-making process.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Championed by my namesake, Article 6 (Exhaustion) of the WTO-TRIPS Agreement 1995 was called the "Hong Kong article".
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): My visible contribution were the Agreement's footnoting format and the interpretation of "nationality" for non-sovereign entities (at footnote#1).
INT. RESTAURANT, HONG KONG - DAY
Peter and his NAMESAKE are having lunch.
PETER: In the IP context, I wonder if people can tell which Peter Cheung they're referring to.
PETER (Geneva): Actually, my initials are PT. But people in Geneva call me "Peter", believing "PT" is "Peter"...they name me!
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): On behalf of Hong Kong, we did create public value at the multilateral level.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Personally, my namesake shared with me his wise counsel...
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): In 1991, when IPD had legal policy vacancies at senior professional and Asst Director levels, I was thinking of applying for both. My namesake remarked that if so, I wouldn't be recruited at the higher rank.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Heeding his advice, I just applied for the post of Asst Director and got an accelerated promotion.
MONTAGE OF PETER'S MEMORIES OF HIS VISIT TO GENEVA & FRANCE (1993)
A. Peter visits his namesake in Hong Kong's Economic & Trade Office in Geneva.
B. In a green Mercedes 220E, his namesake drives Peter to his home in France.
C. Peter meets his namesake's WIFE and SON and has dinner with the family.
END MONTAGE
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Peter's last post with Govt in 2008 was Secretary-General of the University Grants Committee.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): From 1998 - 2011, I remained at the Deputy Director level, and I consoled myself with my namesake's wisdom.
Smiling.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): He observed that not holding the top position, one didn't have to be held accountable for anything!
Breathing out deeply.
PETER (V.O.)(Cont'd): Just before Covid, we had a good chat in a social function, I didn't know it was the last one.
Act 3
INT. STUDY - 23:30
Working on his laptop, Peter selects an AI drawing, depicting a handsome Chinese without wearing glasses.
PETER (V.O): I know my namesake underwent a laser eye surgery as soon as that was doable. He stretched himself into everything he could become.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): Whenever I think of myself now, I remember my namesake too. I feel there's a corresponding soul or form.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O) (Cont'd): In search of Peter Cheung, I treasure the bonds I form with others as they not only shape my life but also leave a lasting impact in my heart.
FADE OUT
THE END
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