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Writer's picturePeter K F Cheung SBS

No Leagues

  1. FADE IN


  2. Act 1


  3. INT. KENNEDY TOWN COMMUNITY COMPLEX - 15:58


  4. Entrance. Having cleared the pandemic control, a masked PETER walks towards the lift lobby.

  5. PETER (V.O.): I believe the man who was in front of me should have taken any waiting lift up.


  6. Arriving, Peter sees a lift with the door open. Entering, Peter sees the MAN checking the buttons - nos. 10, 12, 13 & 14 are lighted up.


  7. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I go to the Dental Clinic on the 10/F.


  8. Peter presses the "Door Close" button, and the door closes.


  9. MAN: Oh, the button is there!


  10. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): He has tried three buttons in a column without success.


  11. Recalling.


  12. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yesterday at the Families Clinic, when my number was called, I went to the wrong room. Are we in the same league?


  13. On 10/F, the man gets out. Peter captures an image of the remaining lighted-up buttons before leaving.


  14. Act 2


  15. INT. KENNEDY TOWN DENTAL CLINIC - 16:00


  16. Reception. A card and an I/D in hand, Peter waits for the man in front to complete the attendance formality.


  17. FLASHBACK


  18. INT. HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL - 08:00 (2003)


  19. Canteen. Peter (49) is having a breakfast meeting with his COLLEAGUES#1-4 from Mainland China.


  20. PETER (V.O.): They feel so out of league here. They've asked me to brief them every morning about the gist of study materials that we should read before lectures.


  21. In a lecture theatre later. In the presence of a PROFESSOR (70s), Peter is presenting to the CLASS at the podium.


  22. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I enjoy public speaking. I'm out of my league here.


  23. In a foyer later. Peter gathers with his Mainland Chinese colleagues.


  24. COLLEAGUE#1: Just then, Peter has brought glory to the country! You all should follow Peter's example!


  25. END FLASHBACK


  26. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): After graduation, he became the Minister of Commerce of China.


  27. Pausing.


  28. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I remained the Deputy Director of Intellectual Property in Hong Kong, China for many years.


  29. Pausing.


  30. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): We weren't in the same league.


  31. INT. KENNEDY TOWN DENTAL CLINIC - 14:03


  32. Dental room. Having presented a card and a declaration to a NURSE in PPE, Peter sits in the dental chair of the dental engine.


  33. NURSE: Take off your face mask.


  34. PETER: Yes.


  35. PETER (V.O.): How stupid am I!


  36. Having seen Peter rinsing his mouth with a cup of coloured liquid, a DENTIST in PPE examines Peter's teeth, gums and oral tissues.


  37. DENTIST: Okay, I'll polish your teeth, remove plague, tartar and stains.


  38. Peter immediately opens his mouth wide.


  39. DENTIST: Half-open and half close would be fine.


  40. PETER: Ah.


  41. PETER (V.O.): The first time I hear such a caring instruction.


  42. DENTIST: If deemed necessary, breathe through your nose; and you may raise your left hand if you need a break.


  43. PETER: Ah.


  44. PETER (V.O.): So compassionate. Another first!


  45. While the Dentist is giving him dental treatment, Peter looks at her eyes.


  46. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But that doesn't distract my pain and suffering.


  47. Peter shows terrible facial expressions.


  48. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My gag reflex is getting exaggerated too.


  49. DENTIST: Nearly done now!...Done!


  50. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What a relief!


  51. Exhaling deeply, Peter follows the Nurse's advice to rinse his mouth. He sees blood and water.


  52. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The dental profession is way out of my league.


  53. Act 3


  54. INT. KENNEDY TOWN COMMUNITY COMPLEX - 16: 15


  55. Peter checks the time.


  56. PETER (V.O.): Suffering is a very long moment.


  57. Pausing.


  58. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I've thanked the dental team sincerely. They protect my teeth and reinforce my oral hygiene.


  59. Getting inside a lift, Peter presses the "G" button and then the "Door Close" button.


  60. PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The man and I aren't in the same league. Actually, there're no leagues. We just keep our humanity differently.


  61. THE END


  62. FADE OUT







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