English Society A.A.H.K.U.S.U. Session 2019–2020
Meet the excos Freshmen Guide Annual Creative Writing Competition 2020
Acknowledgments Publisher: English Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., Session 2019–2020 Editor: Pauline Wong [pauline.hkuengsoc@gmail.com] Cover Art: Carman Cheung [carmanc.hkuengsoc@gmail.com] Facebook: www.facebook.com/HKU.English Instagram: @hkuengsoc Issuu: issuu.com/hkuengsoc Email: engsoc@connect.hku.hk Address: 2A01(1), Fong Shu Chuen Amenities Centre, The University of Hong Kong Disclaimer: English Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U. does not own any of the graphics in this publication (except for certain photos). 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prologue
About Us
5 Foreword
6 About English Society 7 Meet the ExCos
Freshmen Guide
Freshmen Guide
18 Academic Tips
24 Our Academic Experiences
Freshmen Guide 12 Five Facets of University
Annual Creative Writing Competition 27 Winning Entries 43 Editor’s Choice
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FOREWORD 4
As the semester ended I remembered joking to my best friend about how we would basically still be freshmen when we go back to campus in September, but would we? “I make films to leave something behind. Something to prove that I lived,” — Letter from a Yellow Cherry Blossom (2002) dir. Naomi Kawase. The fleeting moments of life are a reminder of how trifling our existence could be. Every year we attempt to scribble something into the invisible book that epitomizes our year. How do we contribute to the book that writes 2020? 2020 has been hectic, but in no way a year we could just wipe from our memories. Every day, whether we are in quarantine or not, we’re writing our stories, and leaving a mark in our community. We are growing in the experience we have gained, and learning from the knowledge we were taught. We’re writing stories that will hopefully be told one day. I would like to thank my fellow ExCo members for being there with me along the way for the making of this journal: the new messages in the group chat the next morning after a late night grind on InDesign was everything I needed to finish these 44 pages. Naomi Kawase makes films to leave something behind, and this, is the mark the cabinet of Session 2019–2020 wishes to bury deep into the depths of the ever-falling soil, words we wish one day would be remembered again, skin-tight with dust.
pauline wong editor 5
E Founded in 1960, English Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U. strives to promote the welfare of members and the use of the English language. As an academic society, not only do we organize academic events such as the English Festival and the High Table Dinner, we also hold exciting social activities such as our ball and our upcoming orientation programme, encouraging others to use the language in different settings. Besides organizing various events and activities, we also act as a bridge between the School of English and English students, representing them and helping them to build a better learning environment.
Like the motto of our session, “Kindle the ardour within your soul�, we believe that everyone has a young spark within their hearts. It starts as a young glow but grows into a sweltering fire that warms our hearts. By sharing our passion for the language that we learn and love with our fellow members and HKU students through the events that we hold, we hope to inspire others to ignite the flickering flare in their hearts, to find the zeal in life, and together create a shining blaze that could light up all of us.
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diplomats
THEY WORK WITH EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR THE SOCIETY!
Renee Lui External Vice-Chairperson Majors/Minors: English Studies, Art History (Majors) Spending two semesters with my friends in the Society was the best part of my one-year university life. I am not even joking. Apart from what happens within the Society, as the External Vice-Chairperson, I have to handle external affairs as well. Hence, I get to meet a lot of new friends outside of society work and we have fun playing online games together during the lockdown as a means to maintain our external relationships. I really enjoy how vibrant and fruitful my Society life has become.
Loris Gosamkee Chairperson Majors/Minors: English Language and Linguistics (Major) Music (Minor)
renee
loris
Well, it has been quite a year: online schooling for almost the entire year. For me, it has been quite a blast, and it’s all because I joined the Executive Committee. When I first stepped into HKU, I never imagined myself being an Executive Committee member of any society, but here I am now with my lovely team. It has given me a chance to step out of my comfort zone, meet different people and explore the world around me. We have supported one another through thick and thin, making our bond exceptional. If there is any advice I would give, it is to not be afraid to challenge yourself. Who knows, maybe you will find something you never knew you needed!
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executants THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING MOST OF THE SOCIAL EVENTS OF THE SOCIETY!
Lacus Cheng Programme Secretary Majors/Minors: English Studies, Translation (Majors) Being a part of the Society is indubitably the most unforgettable and rewarding experience in my first year at HKU. I am very grateful that I could work with such a competent team. Every single one of them strives for the best despite facing the pandemic and having so many of our plans put on hold. Not only do they spare no effort in accomplishing every task, they also motivate one another. All in all, the Society has brought some wonderful memories and experiences to me.
Grace Ngan Social Secretary Majors/Minors: English Studies, Global Creative Industries (Majors)
lacus
carman chan
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grace
The year has passed by in the blink of an eye and I couldn’t recall everything that has happened being a part of the ExCos of the Society. However, what I can vividly recall are the lame inside jokes that we shared and the small talks we had about our dreams and goals. We had our arguments, sure, when we were having our meetings to prepare for events. But like any family, we do care and love one another very much. I could never thank them enough for they have been so important in my first year in HKU.
advocates
Timothy Lo General Secretary Majors/Minors: Comparative Literature (Major) Music, Art History (Minors)
they share an mbti personality type: INFJ!
It is amazing how fate connects us. We are all quite different. We have different backgrounds, personalities, attributes and passions. And being the only boy made it a bit harder at first. But as we spent more time with each other, we gradually discovered our common grounds of interests, and thus I was able to bond with the team. As I got to know more about my team, I gradually discovered how amazing they are.
Joyce Mak Promotion Secretary Majors/Minors: English Studies, History (Majors) Spanish (Minor) This year has been such a learning opportunity for me. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and learned a lot of new things. I won’t conclude this year as perfect because we all have our ups and downs during this journey. Take myself as an example, I made many silly mistakes when I first joined the Society, but my team has helped me to improve and work as a team. I am so lucky to meet a group of dedicated and talented friends in the Society who support one another unconditionally in every adversity. Although all of us have very different personalities and backgrounds, they are the people who I can share my happiness and worries with.
timothy joyce
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Carman Chan Internal Vice-Chairperson and Acting Financial Secretary Majors/Minors: English Studies, Global Creative Industries (Majors) Translation (Minor)
multi-taskers THEY work for more than one position for the society!
This year has undoubtedly been overwhelming for many of us. We were faced with event after event that seemed to tilt our lives off the axis. Fortunately, I have my dearest ExCos by my side as my companions during these hard times. This year, I am most amazed by how we support, respect one another, and overcome the hurdles one by one together. My fellow team certainly is the silver lining in the dark clouds. Pauline Wong Publication Secretary and Acting Academic Secretary Majors/Minors: Comparative Literature (Major) Being part of an executive committee is a rabbit hole that I fell into accidentally and honestly an accident I would forever be grateful for. I was able to handle my academic goals and my own side projects, all while balancing my work in the Society. As a creative person, I was given so many opportunities to design and write about my passion. The Annual Journal alone is a product of our creativity and this is a project I would not be part of if I wasn’t in the team. Carman Cheung Promotion Secretary and Acting Marketing Secretary Majors/Minors: Translation, German (Majors) I was doubtful of my worth at the beginning of my society life. Now, I would never regret being part of the executive committee of the Society. It is a precious opportunity for me to learn more about myself. I got to see how I am as a team player and from this, I was able to improve a lot. I am sure that the skills I am able to gather as part of the committee would definitely help my personal development and future career as well.
pauline carman chan
carman cheung
FRESHMEN
GUIDE
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studying
THE THOUGHTS OF AN AMBITIOUS HEART STUDYING FOR ONE MAJOR AND TWO MINORS by timothy lo Life as a student in high school is very much different from being a university student. For studying, you must understand that no one is going to be monitoring you and your studies anymore. So, you must learn to be proactive and disciplined when managing your studies.
W
hile some courses have weekly homework to make sure you’re up-to-date with your lectures, most courses don’t test you on your knowledge until your midterms and finals. No one is going to remind you to start working on your lessons, so you must be disciplined enough! How do you be more proactive? Never procrastinate on emailing your tutors and professors if you encounter any questions during classes or tutorials. It’s much easier to clear up on concepts and theories bit by bit than save them up for an entire hurricane at the end of the semester. Also, try to read up on the extra readings instead of doing only the necessary ones. You’ll find yourself learning a lot more with them! And to be more disciplined, one must manage their time wisely. Spend around
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30 minutes every day summarizing what you have learned and another 30 minutes to prepare for upcoming lectures. For me, I jot down notes on my notebook as I listen to lectures and reorganize them on my laptop back at home. Alas, each student has their own best way of learning. The most ideal situation is of course you come into university already with your best learning method in mind. However, it is perfectly normal to have to take time to ease into your unique ways of learning. As long as you work hard and are eager to do your very best in your academic studies, I’m sure you’ll find your rhythm fairly quickly. Happy learning!
living in halls
N
by timothy lo
one of us in the team are living in halls. I had, however lived in a hall before I quit. Despite my experience, some of my friends enjoy hall life very much. I think it is a personal choice when it comes to deciding whether to live in a hall or not. It’s up to one’s personal preferences and lifestyle to see if you would fit to participate in hall culture, and it can certainly be very much enjoyable for many. If you want to live in halls but are having a difficult time choosing which one to apply for, there are many ways you can do to learn more about the various halls in HKU. If you plan to join orientation camps, orientation days or other society-organized activities, do not be shy to ask your senior peers about their hall life if they are living in a hall. Having a simple Google search could also lead you to multiple discussion forums by past/current hall residents writing about their hall life. All the information will surely be helpful! Of course the best information is your own hands-on experience, so it would be great for you to try out hall-organized orientation events. Have a taste of what it’s like to live in a hall and sort out whether hall life works out for you. No matter what the outcome and your experience is, believe in your gut and make your decision without being influenced by others. After all, no one understands your thoughts and emotions more than yourself! 13
THE
dating
RULES
OF
ATTRACTION
W by renee lui
C
Being an eighteen-year-old is like being a red rose in full bloom. We are in our prime time to seek a fiery romance: burning and pining and perishing for those we love.
ertainly, I am not encouraging you all to fall in love with someone at first sight then stab yourself with a dagger without confirming whether your partner is really dead or not. But dating as a university student is surely something different, and not as rosy as what we see in rom-coms. Before we jump to the not-so-rosy part of the content, let us talk about something more exciting to us single folks— how do we find a partner in university? Studying at a university would mean you would not have a fixed group of classmates like you did in high school. Every day you will see fresh faces in the courses you have chosen. Taking the initiative to start conversations with strangers and engaging yourself in various circles (eg. joining academic societies) would earn you friends and maybe meet your lover! However, it would be challenging to juggle between dating, striving for a decent GPA and being involved in part-time or society work. I once was bothered by the same problem when I first entered HKU. But then I realized that you can always head to the library or cafÊ with your partner and treat it as a date. Bringing them over and having them help you with society work would create more lovely memories for the both of you! Only by soaring through great waves in a tempest would you know if a ship is imperishable. Once both of you have found the balance between your school lives and your dating life, you would earn a relationship that is steadfast like the bright stars in the night sky.
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by grace ngan At the beginning of my university life, joining an academic society as an ExCo member has never been a thing on my bucket list.
S
o what changed my course of navigation? By being convinced by my best friend and partner-in-crime. Our dearest Internal Vice-Chairperson Carman persuaded me to sign up to be a member of the team. In the end, I’m so glad that she pulled me into this beautiful mess that made my freshman year so fruitful! If you think that you have already experienced being part of an executive committee in high school, both Carman and I can tell you the experience in university is a lot more different. (We were both part of the Student Union in high school!) Is it tougher than what we have expected? Not really. Rewarding? Definitely yes. Though organizing activities in a larger-scale is much more daunting, you will have the
opportunity to meet so many people and spice up your social network and connections. It’s even better than being on Linkedin! Apart from Carman, I have come to get to know a bunch of amazing people in the team that we all became friends eventually. We all come from different backgrounds with different networks, and from friends to mutual friends, I was introduced into the unknown. Whether it be new personalities, or fun hobbies, my university life is now more rewarding than ever. When even people who tumbled into the ExCo life (like me!) become so invested and grateful for this experience, why don’t you grasp this opportunity and sign up to be an ExCo as well?
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GETTING A PART-TIME JOB by carman chan Throughout this academic year, a part-time job has undoubtedly taken up a large part of my life. Reminiscing my experience, I would say I was a bit extreme back then.
F
or many freshmen, having a part-time job is like an indispensable mission they must complete in order to be a “qualified” university student. It’s a symbol of entering adulthood or maturity. Working a part-time job unquestionably has many benefits, and I do recommend you take one up in your first year. Enriching yourselves with the confidence to face the changes of life, jumping out of your comfort zone, and enlarging your social circles: these are only a few advantages of working a part-time job. You expose yourself to different things: interpersonal relationships, administration work, to name a few. All these seem to be profuse at first, but eventually, if you can get yourself into a suitable and rewarding part-time job, the benefits will undoubtedly over-weigh the drawbacks. Yet, remember not to overwhelm yourself with work or let it interfere with your studies. A good balance between schoolwork and your job is a must. Planning and balancing are key. Tailor your schedule so you can make a good balance between work and lectures. Start working on your deadlines earlier so that you don’t need to struggle too much. After all, school is still important no matter what.
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GUIDE TO YOUR FIRST
Course SelectioN
X
by grace ngan and pauline wong
Prerequisites:
HKU’s course selection is special in the sense that you will be choosing your courses for BOTH semesters at once. So choose wisely and if you plan to major/minor in Language and Communication (LCOM) and/or English Studies (ENGL), make sure you have: 1. a minimum Level 5 in English Language in the HKDSE examination, or an equivalent score; 2. chosen the right courses to fulfill your prerequisite in Year 1: ENGL: pass at least one introductory ENGL course from List A LCOM: pass at least one introductory LCOM course from List A
- I N T E R E S T S -
You might be motivated to choose courses that are known to give you a decent grade, but we highly encourage you to choose according to your interests! On the School of English website, you will have access to course descriptions, assessment methods and assigned texts for each course. Have a read through the web pages and do some research on the texts that you would be studying in the course. Most importantly, make sure that your chosen courses see fit to your preferred style of learning and that you would enjoy yourself studying the texts. After all, how could you handle all the readings and lectures every week if you aren’t even enjoying yourself?
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- S I T E S
T O
V I S I T -
GOOP
REGCOURSE.COM
Goop is a discussion forum app that you can download on your phone. You can either start a new discussion post, or search in the search bar to see if HKU students have talked about the courses you are interested in!
This site allows university students to comment on their experience in the course. While not all courses can be found on this site (some courses are less popular than the others), it is still a useful tool to grasp a glimpse of the courses offered by the School of English!
- a d d / d r o p
p e r i o d -
The Add/Drop period happens usually on the first two weeks of classes. In these two weeks, while some professors may start their lectures right away, some will opt for casual housekeeping, talk about the course outline, what they expect of students, etc. You might think this is a good chance to skip classes to catch up on some more beauty sleep.
DON’T DO THAT.
The Add/Drop Period is your BEST chance to confirm if those 4–6 courses really are your cup of tea and if you want to spend four months working with the material. If you are having a difficult time choosing among a few courses, you can always “sit in” during the lectures to better help make your judgment. It’s also a great opportunity for you to realize your expectations versus reality, and drop the courses that you don’t actually enjoy. If you are put on the waiting list for a course that you want to take, you can also sit in during a lecture and approach the professor after class. In some cases, they will be able to help you get into the course! Utilize the Add/Drop period wisely and you might as well get a head start into a successful semester. 19
THE HKU LOCATION GUIDE FOR ARTS STUDENTS by loris gosamkee and joyce mak UNIVERSITY STREET
Find references and books for your assignments in the Main Library, or enjoy the quiet spaces at the Think Tank and the self-study rooms when you want to focus on your work!
MAIN LIBRARY
HAKING WONG BUILDING
LIBRARY BUILDING KADOORIE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BUILDING
LOKE YEW HALL
MAIN BUILDING
MAIN BUILDING
COMPOSITE BUILDING
Finding the classroom for your Common Core tutorials? The main building is most probably the place you’re looking for.
Loke Yew Hall is where various social activities are often held, such as the High Table Dinner, but it is also the place where students take their exams.
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loke yew hall
Getting lost on campus on our first day of school: trust me, we all had that experience. Believe it or not, one of our ExCos still couldn’t remember the different locations in the university! To help you all adjust to your new life as a university student, here are some of the most common places an Arts student would probably go on a normal day! The garden is a great place for students and staff members to relax after an exhausting school day. Beware of mosquitoes!
SIMON K.Y. LEE HALL
COMPOSITE BUILDING
CHOW YEI CHING BUILDING
CENTENNIAL GARDEN CENTENNIAL GARDEN
JOCKEY CLUB TOWER UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE AND CHI WAH
You can find many facilities here Inside composite building, including restaurants, a printing shop, and vending machines. If you want to find a place to hang out, there’s an area on the 1st floor to sit around!
RUN RUN SHAW TOWER
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE You can get your textbooks, stationery and RRST other leisure books here. It is right under Chi Wah, so it is very convenient. Most classrooms and offices CHI WAH under the Faculty of Arts are located in this tower. Make sure The Chi Wah Learning Commons is the you don’t mix it up with Run go-to place for students to work on their Run Shaw Building, which is at assignments, stay overnight to revise for Run Run Shaw Podium, a good their tests and exams, or just chill and ten minutes away from RRST! relax between classes.
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10 FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE ENGLISH STUDENTS Feeling confused as you get hoards of emails sent to your new HKU mailbox? Don’t fret, we are here to help you get to know what it is like to be an English student amidst the overwhelming amount of information you are bombarded with right now. 1. How are online classes at the university different from the normal arrangements? Lecturers will upload the readings, PowerPoint slides and lecture scripts to HKU Moodle. Tutorials will be held on Zoom in some cases, while other lecturers may select to replace it with discussion forums online. Lectures may be held live on Zoom or prerecorded beforehand to be uploaded to Moodle. 2. I’ve never attempted writing academic essays before. Where do I start? There are a lot of guides on Google that teaches you how to plan, research, draft and write your first academic essay. You can also enroll in the CAES1000 course that explores plagiarism, citations and referencing and how to write academically. As you write more and more essays, you’ll find yourself improving gradually! 3. What are my career prospects as an English student? As English students, we have a wide range of career pathways to choose from. You don’t really only have the option to become a teacher upon your graduation (as if your relatives didn’t ask if you are going to be a school teacher). BA graduates are employed in various sectors in society. You can work in the publication sector, media sector and even the business sector! 4. Is being an English student basically being a literature student? What are my options? People usually associate an English major with literature, but in fact, we also learn about the language itself. If you are interested in both the literature and linguistic aspects of the English language, you can choose English Studies. But if you are not a big fan of literature and you still want to learn about the language, you can try enrolling in Language and Communication courses!
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5. What’s the difference between Linguistics and Language and Communication? We will learn about the linguistic aspects of different languages in Linguistics courses, like how languages affect societies. Similar things will be taught in Language and Communication, but it mainly focuses on the English language. Check out our “Are you fit to be a LCOM student” to find out more about this! 6. Are the amount of readings tough for an English student? How should I manage them? If I say it is not tough, I would be lying to you. But studying as an English student would not be difficult if you are self-disciplined enough. Just read Timothy’s work on studying and you’ll be able to survive your first year at HKU with ease. 7. Can I still handle literature courses even if I have never taken literature before? Absolutely! Our introductory courses will be providing you with the basics of analyzing different texts and you should be fine after taking those courses! If you want to see how Renee managed to pull herself together in her first year of studies, her piece on being a literature student is going to come in handy. 8. Is it difficult to balance society work and university work at the same time? How does one manage being an ExCo and having a good GPA? Juggling is not an easy trick at the circus, so is juggling between different duties. Personally, having society work pushes me to work more diligently in order to catch up with my schedule. If you want to read more about how my teammates managed their time, Grace’s piece on becoming an ExCo is going to be helpful to you. 9. Where is the School of English? It is located at Room 735, 7/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus. If you’re looking for professors from the School, their offices are usually on the 7/F as well. Look them up on the School of English website! 10. Would the School of English provide us with academic research opportunities? You will be working on research papers in your senior years in capstone courses. However, if you want to look for extra opportunities, you can always email professors who have the same research interests as you do to see if they are willing to take you in as a research assistant/mentee.
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Are You Fit To Be
A LITERATURE STUDENT?
I
by renee lui
still remember how my heart pounded when I first got my BA sticker on Registration Day. My head was flooded with anxiety and fear. After I had my first lecture in September, I was shocked by the amount of readings a university student has to do within a week. I stared at the huge pile of A4 paper in awe— “Wow. I’m a university student now,” I thought to myself. I could not help but wonder, am I fit to be a literature student? I carried this question with me and went on with my studies. At first, I was not used to how interactive and fulfilling the literature classes were: group discussions took place in both lectures and tutorials, where I got to exchange opinions with my classmates. By then, I realized that not being able to decipher some parts of the text is completely fine: discussions offer you chances to listen to your classmates’ different perspectives.
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Setting aside what happens in class, what matters the most to a literature student would be doing our own readings. Spending time at the library and doing close reading on our own before going to lectures is crucially important. We can always generate questions as we try to analyze the texts. If they baffle you, you could always shoot your professors an email or bring up those questions in class. Studying literature at HKU does not mean that you must have prior academic knowledge of literature. Anyone who sees the beauty of language and is passionate enough to devote time into reading and analyzing various literary works would be apt to be a literature student. Now, are you ready to hit that course selection button on Portal and start your journey as a literature student?
by carman cheung Many of you may wonder what it’s like to be a Language and Communication student. Before I answer this question, you need to know what it is. Language and Communication, or rather, LCOM, focuses on the usage, and the social and linguistic aspects of the English language. LCOM may give you a boring impression by its name, but it is actually much more interesting than you may think! Not only does it involve social and linguistic aspects, it also relates to many other subjects, such as philosophy, psychology, and history. If you wish to learn about the relations between the English language and the world, LCOM is a great choice for you.
A
t the beginning of my university life, I was afraid that LCOM might not be my cup of tea since I knew nothing about it. But I found its charm after having my first LCOM lecture. What amazed me is the great influence of using the language differently, like how the way
we speak and the words we choose in structuring a text could turn the abstract into concrete. You can acquire a much more diverse amount of knowledge from LCOM courses than you can imagine. Apart from the social and linguistic areas, we also focus on communication in LCOM courses. That is, the theories behind using English in different ways will be taught in the lectures. We will also learn how to communicate in different venues and situations. If you would like to learn about the deliberate differences in the usage of languages, LCOM will be a great choice for you. Generally speaking, we do not have a list of conditions that you must have to fit to be a LCOM student. You should definitely try enrolling in a LCOM course if you’re curious! As the old saying goes, “if you never try, you will never know!”
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BALANCING AS A DOUBLE-DEGREE STUDENT
(OR FINDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COURSES)
by loris gosamkee As a BA&BEd student, balancing two degrees sounds impossible, but it’s better than you may think. You might wonder why it only takes 5 years, and not 8 years, to acquire the two degrees. Well, like all other double degree programmes, the courses offered by the degrees are interdisciplinary and they interconnect in many different areas. In fact, it is quite easy to find the connections between them. For example, when you learn about the different pedagogical theories and teaching methods, you are introduced to a different perspective to understand theories taught in English courses. On the other hand, various English courses give you a more in-depth understanding of why some language-based pedagogical theories work a certain way. The same applies not only to other double degree programmes but also in different Arts courses or even your Common Core courses! Arts courses, generally speaking, often surround themes that are interconnected. Take feminism as an example: you might be studying feminism in an English course about women’s writing, while also reading about it in a Gender Studies course or a Common Core course. The knowledge you acquire in the English course will help you analyze the issue of feminism through women’s writing and explore it from a distinctive viewpoint. The possibilities of how different courses connect are truly endless! In short, don’t worry that you’ll be in much stress balancing a double degree because, at the end of the day, the various knowledge you gain in the two degrees compliments each other and will guide you through your 5-year journey.
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ANNUAL CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION 2020 EPIPHANY WINNING ENTRIES 27
Champion
Sleep, Whale Ng Yee Sum Summer TW: mental disorder
Do whales dream? And if they do, what kind of dream would they have? Whenever he let his mind wander, these thoughts would creep in like little mice lurking in the shadows, waiting just for the right timing to seize control of his brain. On better days, he would share his thoughts, sprouting what others would deem as nonsense. They usually let him talk for as long as he could, waiting patiently before the string of words finally died upon his lips. They were not unkind, but they never took him seriously. So, most days he just kept to himself. He was well aware of the weird, pitiful glances people sent him when the topic spun out of control, their initial amusement faded after his fourth attempt to convince them his dreams were real. It was the look you gave someone when they were just over the edge of sanity. He was alone now, but there used to be someone else. She was his best friend, they had adopted a stray cat together and she had named it Whale, said the irritated snarl it produced was like how you pronounced the word “whale”. She was an odd one, even to his standard. There was always an air of detachment surrounding her being. Whatever she did and wherever she was, veils of loneliness shrouded her eyes. And she seemed to have a habit of talking to herself when no one was around. He had never told a living soul, but one late afternoon, when the sun was just below the horizons, throwing their long shadows against the wall, he saw her shadow splitting into two, and one of them was crooked with jarred edges. It looked like a pair of wings. Not knowing what to do with the discovery, he pretended it was the trick of the light. It added to her charm, peculiar though it was. When she was in high spirits, she always sang a lullaby. It went like this: Blue whale, killer whale, humpback whale. And don’t forget the Belgian whale! The white, lovely creatures that always smile. They sing like sirens, dance like faeries, and laugh like humans. And so they smile even as they mourn their lovers’ deaths. That pretty, permanent curve, where did it go? In a circle, they grieve, heedless to the hunter’s sly grin. And in a circle they die, their last breath bubbled red overhead. From time to time, he found himself humming to this tune unconsciously, his eyes tracking distant rolling mountains and rivers through the barred window of his room. It was two months after she had left that he was clinically diagnosed with mental disorder. Nobody had believed him until the result came. Indeed, some still held onto their doubts. “You look fine to me.”
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“Everyone feels unmotivated sometimes, it’s not a big deal.” “I don’t see how you are different from yesterday, or the day before yesterday.” He didn’t feel different too. Or maybe he was different, but telling that to yourself a thousand times a day and anybody would start to believe it was true. “Stop being so negative!” “Stop being so unhappy!” “Cheer up!” Bold of them to assume he had control over his body. He didn’t think he was being negative, or unhappy, this was just the way he perceived things. And yet their words, most likely unintentional, cracked something not to be named inside him. Sometimes, he felt the need to cater to their stereotypes, to prove to them that he was indeed over the edge. He could hear their voices, see their sneering faces, mocking and jeering at his bad attempt to mimic the abnormal normality. He could be screaming his lungs out, but to their ears, they would say he was laughing. He could be cutting his wrists open, blood soaking his sleeves, claw marks tracking his blood-stained cheeks, and they would say he was doing it for show. It was all bluff in their eyes. These were all quite hard to bear. Some days, the weight became so crushingly heavy that even breathing was a laborious task that demanded every ounce of strength. He wanted to tell them that depression was not a state of unhappiness. It was the sense of despair toward life itself, the belief at the prospect that nothing could ever lift his spirits. It was an anchor hurled deep into the Arctic Ocean, the rusted metal chains firmly attached to the vessels of his heart, the only key lost on the other side of the ocean. It was difficult for him to recall a time when chocolate still tasted sweet, when singing was the outlet he needed, when writing could still mend his broken soul. Had stars always looked this dull, had trees forgot to wear their evergreen coats? What was this feeling that refused to be named? Was it sorrow, was it grief? He had the impression that something hidden deep inside him was crumbling, he could hear how it slowly fell apart, the sound was delicate, like a child playfully stepping on seashells, yet it rattled into the marrow of his bones, tearing apart the very fabric of his being. Unable to stop the ruination, he abandoned himself to Fate and watched how it continued to tear him limb by limb with helpless indifference. Amazingly, despite the chaos within him, the external world moved on without a care. The sky was still blue, beautiful as ever, it was only he who couldn’t stop staring at the grey tiles coated with blood from his bleeding wounds. When she told him all these were happening inside her, he didn’t understand. He couldn’t forget the disappointment in her eyes. Then, one day, when Whale, the stray cat, went missing, she went to search for it and never came back. In one way or another, the two were not so different. Underneath their soft exterior was a beast that refused to be tamed.
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Memories of her were what kept him going. Every night he longed for dreams to come, to return to the days when she was still there to share the weight of the world with him. In his dream, he was swimming in a pool made of galaxies, soaked in a bath of twinkling stardust. The glowing waters were soft like the finest silk, cool and smooth against his skin. His tears were comets streaming across his cheeks; they gathered at the chin, and fell into the pool, breaking the calm surface with gentle ripples. Then a sunflower popped up out of nowhere. It was facing away from him. Lifting his gaze to search for the sun, none could be found. Rather, more sunflowers sprouted from the soil that were the clusters of constellations. Soon, his vision was filled with yellow, brown, and green. They kept growing, fed by an impalpable force that was his mind, stretching their leafy stems to touch the intangible. Their roots coiled around his body into a tight embrace, he wanted to return their passionate display of love, but he couldn’t feel his arms. It was a beautiful cage of sunflowers. That was before they began to burn. The sun must be hidden somewhere invisible to his human eyes, it set the sea of sunflowers on fire. It was truly a devastating sight to behold. Then, her familiar figure entered his vision. She was dancing not far away with the grace of an elf, beautiful in a way he knew would not last. The fluid spinning of her legs sent water splashing in all directions. Woven in her hair were plastic sunflowers, he wanted to take them down. He plucked some flaring flowers, their petals ablaze in magnificent flames of orange and gold. They licked at his fingers greedily. For a second, he forgot he could burn. She shook her head and laughed. In her arms were a bunch of forget-me-nots. Handing them over to him, she sent him away with a teary smile, though her eyes were dry. Her lips opened and closed in a soundless song, then she kissed his fingertips and disappeared like a waft of smoke. The world was caught in flames, with him the only onlooker. He should get out, though he didn’t have the heart to leave. “Do you know whales could fly?” She said in earnest, her arms flailing to imitate the flapping of wings. “They used to be the most magnificent being, their large wings brighter than even starlight.” Out of the blue, her words came back to him. They flashed through his mind, tracing back to a past long buried, an unremembered tune that celebrated the origins of all whales. Blue whale, killer whale, humpback whale. And don’t forget the Belgian whale! The white, lovely creatures that always smile. They sing like sirens, dance like faeries, and laugh like humans. And so they smile even as they mourn their lovers’ deaths. That pretty, permanent curve, where did it go? In a circle, they grieve, heedless to the hunter’s sly grin. And in a circle they die, their last breath bubbled red overhead.
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There was more to her lullaby. Whales, whales fly away, Far from the gaping jaw of clay, or the bumpy tumbling of waves, Dive into clouds and don’t be the prey, Unless it is to dig their graves. Like the reawakening from an ancient calling, he finally remembered who he was. He was the whale, asleep in the deepest part of the oceans, not knowing how he used to fly. He was the whale, huge and bulky, weighted by the chains of the ocean, the axes of her words pierced through the thick skin straight into his beating heart. The ghost of her was the guardian of his prison cell, the seaweeds intertwined to become prickling thorns, and laced in them were their memories. If only whales could fly once more. If only he remembered how to fly. But they were indeed born to soar the sky. His fins, heavy and clumsy, used to be layered with feathers, stretching long into wings. His body was slender and light, made to glide the horizons with ease. And so he flapped his wings, and let the innate, wild animal named desire took over his body. Up he went, leaving behind his beloved ocean that was engulfed in red. The wind caressed his cheeks, they sang in the chorus of ancient languages long forgotten by humans. He howled with them, his loud roar echoed through far-off fields. Clouds floated around him like fluffy cotton candy, teasing him with their softness. He dove into them and felt their whisper on his skin. There, he heard it. The wind carried the sound of a horn back to his ears, it was calling to him. Wiggling his tail to better pivot his flight, he flitted across the sky like a shooting star. A white whale greeted him, she brushed her rostrum against his lovingly and slid up her wings at his side. A sweet sensation burned his throat, as though he had swallowed red-hot coal. A sharp cry pierced the air. Without any warning, she crumbled, a splotch of crimson bloomed at her chest, a silver, honed tip poking through her skin. She plummeted back to the welcoming embrace of the ocean, lost, and never to be found. At that moment, he understood the helplessness all living beings must acknowledge — the inevitable solitude that came with existence. The expiration of life made any forms of sensation surreal, intangible, and obscure. Like a shooting star, it was often brief, the fire burned out too quickly before he could register its beauty, though the knowledge of its impermanence made it ever more lovely. Perhaps that was the price stars must pay for breaking free from the boundary of earth. Couldn’t be touched, captured, or even remembered, he could only flail his hands blindly in the darkness as waters closed over him. She was the dying star he couldn’t save.
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A new weight settled on his chest that was unlike what he had felt before. It was feather light, soft and almost gentle, like the thin thread bounding a balloon. Nonetheless, a binding was a binding, changed in form but the purpose was the same. It tugged the thrashing animal within him persistently. Once, twice, he was still struggling against the hold. Made it one thousand and he stopped resisting. As he readjusted himself to the new cage, he came to the conclusion that he had been chasing the wind on foot all his life, dragged by the heavy, broken wings at his side. As weariness overwhelmed his senses, he relaxed his body, tucking both his wings and tail so he could just float in the void. So, once again, he fell into a long, peaceful slumber, his wings melted back to fins, then to human limbs. The memory of the ever mounting sky dissipated like an early morning mist, leaving only a lingering aftertaste of bemused sorrow. This was the dream of a whale. In his last moments of clarity, he had the brief, epiphanic sensation that there were no shapes, forms, and states that could remain unchanged; no mind, heart, or soul that could escape the deformity of another. The corruption would continue to permanently bend the will, the human bonds always marred by mutual destruction. The beautiful wings of the whale were clipped, torn, and distorted into monstrous claws by none other than the envious, cruel hand of time, only so it could have their wings. Only in a dream could the whales be free. So sleep, whale, and dream of a world before even time began.
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1st Runner-up
More When Needed Bewley John Kevin Valentine In her bed, Mrs. Wong’s body sensed the warmth of sunlight and decided to rise. She tottered through her apartment’s corridor and made her way to the kitchen, still squinting from morning fatigue. A quiet clanging of utensils began as she got herself a white ceramic plate, a sharp knife and some kitchen towel on the counter. She then proceeded to wash an apple and orange in the sink and dry them. Struggling the blade through the flesh of both fruit in her old age, she quartered both and meticulously laid down the pieces of fruit in the shape of a round flower on the plate. One piece after another. Feeling more awake, she took the plate and made her way next to the doorway, where the family altar cabinet stood. Unhurriedly and mindfully, she placed the plate in front of a big collage of monochrome photographs and grabbed a lighter and three incense sticks from an in-built drawer. Lighting them after aligning them against her palm, Mrs. Wong held them against her forehead and bowed thrice while facing the collage, subsequently affixing them in a stout terracotta jar filled with a thick grey paste. A testament to Confucian filial piety. Such were the old ways, and the old ways were best, she thought. This daily ritual acted as a reminder for her. It was a solemn moment for her to reminisce. As a woman, she had done well by marrying up to the Wang Family in Shanghai. As a wife, she had done better by giving birth to two sons and a daughter. But it was her role as a mother that had made her truly surpass herself. Her three children were successful in every sense of the word and caused the envy of many. To speak freely however, she did have a favourite, and that was her younger son. A product of an Ivy-League education and a junior partner at a Manhattan law firm, GuoYong was Mrs. Wong’s pride and joy. His only problems were, unlike her other children, he was single and not in Shanghai. She fondled her late husband’s photograph in her hand and spoke to herself softly, “We have done well, my love. We have done well. I wish you were alive to see him. You’d be so pleased.” Today was no ordinary day. It was her seventieth birthday and GuoYong was flying back from New York to celebrate it with her. What was even better? A little bird in the family had told her he was seeing someone ‘special’ and she was joining him on the trip home. Mrs. Wong was thrilled at the prospect of him having a family of his own. Even from the aisle seat, GuoYong could see the rippling sparkles on the Huangpu River through the aircraft window. It was nearing dusk and the plane would land shortly. He still had time to gather his thoughts. Behind nearly every tale of success, there is a hidden backstory. There was no doubt that Mrs. Wong had done a good job in raising her children, but in GuoYong’s eyes, that was all an opulent façade. His father was too busy handling the family business and was never home, leaving his mother fully in charge of parenting. She was a tiger mother to say the least, and pushed him and his siblings within an inch of their lives. They were forced to study hard in an English international school, play the piano and play the violin. That was it and Mrs. Wong would not let anything else pass. What could be more depressing than three children jokingly referring to their mother as ‘Empress Dowager’ behind her back?
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He assumed it had paid off, since the 1595 points he got in the SATs earned him a scholarship to study Government at Princeton. Graduating magna cum laude, he went to Yale Law School. He thought it was a nice way to get back at his mother, since she had always wanted him to do an MBA. Being a reputed criminal lawyer, as opposed to a corporate lawyer (an intentional decision), which was what his mother wanted, he felt happy for once. The love of his life was by his side, gradually awakening. “Darling, we’re here. Are you nervous?” GuoYong whispered softly. He got an affectionate answer. “How can I be nervous? I’m with you.” There was to be an evening banquet in the exclusive VIP room of the Golden Lotus Restaurant. Mrs. Wong’s daughter rendezvoused with her at the flat and arrived first. Her husband and children then came and Mrs. Wong’s eldest son arrived with his family shortly after. Everyone was excited about GuoYong returning and his ‘special’ guest, though the children did not seem to care. Playing with their mobile devices for them was far more interesting than family gossip. Just in the midst of some chitchat, the door opened slowly, and they could see GuoYong leaning against the frame like James Bond and greeting them eventually. Yet, the air of merriness was instantly suspended by the further turning of the door. The silence in the room was only punctured by Mrs. Wong dropping her teacup on the lazy Susan. “Ma, happy birthday! I’ve missed you so much. Here, come meet my mother. Ma, this is my girlfriend, Olivia.” GuoYong was overjoyed to see his mother. “Hi, Mrs. Wong! Happy Birthday! It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you!” Olivia smiled warmly and held out her hand. Still, silence. But worse, there were no smiles, only expressions of mixed emotion. One of the children said, “Mama Mama, she looks so different! Is she one of us?” Suddenly their uncle’s girlfriend was more intriguing than watching Peppa Pig on an iPad. “Ssshhh.” Mrs. Wong’s daughter could not think of a better response. Mrs. Wong thought she saw it coming the day she had heard the gossip. With GuoYong being the rebellious one, he might come home with an American girlfriend. However, Mrs. Wong’s mistake, as she put it that instant, was a failure of colourful imagination. Olivia was not the typical, well-to-do, all-American girl next door with green eyes and blonde hair. She was anything but that. She was, as some traditional Chinese might say, a ‘Serena Williams’. “Hi, nice to meet you.” Mrs. Wong gestured Olivia to sit down indifferently. GuoYong sensed something was wrong as even time itself seemed to have stopped. GuoYong’s brother seemed to grasp the zeitgeist perfectly and broke the tension, “So! Wow! This is great! I can’t believe it; my younger brother finally has a girlfriend! Tell me, GuoYong, how did you two meet?” He was doing a beautiful job and GuoYong was grateful.
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“Haha, we met in law school. Yale was playing a basketball game against Penn State and we met in the students’ seating section. We started talking and just hit it off, you know? Olivia plays the violin too! We duet sometimes and……” GuoYong was genuinely getting carried away, like any other guy in love. His sister played along, “Olivia, can I just say that I love your dress. It’s beautiful, and of course, you’re in it. Your shoes too! Wow! They really suit you. Girl, we have got to go shopping and paint the town red sometime.” She admired Olivia’s fine figure so much that she even ignored the fact that her young son was staring closer at the iPad more than the recommended distance. “Thank you! I made it myself. I’m a bit of a designer if I say so myself.” Olivia felt more at home. Even the kids started surrounding her and gently pulling her arm. They were laughing and wanted to play with her. GuoYong was relieved that he had such wonderful siblings, but his hopes were dashed when his mother chimed in. Dinner had not even been served yet. She was not looking at Olivia. “Well, son, I’m glad your girlfriend’s skills extend to that of the basketball court. She must’ve been very bright to have got into law school. Do you really love her?” There was a splash of sarcasm. GuoYong replied, “Ma, what could you possibly mean by that? Olivia was one of the brightest students in our class. And yes, I love her very much. Nothing is going to change that.” He was marginally containing his anger, but he knew answering back would have been disrespectful. Olivia did not say a word. GuoYong could sense that she was getting uncomfortable so he placed a hand on her lap. Mrs. Wong only made things worse, “What do you mean you love her?! Do you even know what you’re talking about? I think you’re just confused, my boy. If you like, I can always find you a nice Chinese girl. How does that sound?” “Ma, what are you saying? Olivia is perfect!” GuoYong’s brother tried to salvage the situation, but to no avail. “GuoYong, I’m not going to lie. I am disappointed in you. What would your father think about this? You marrying someone who is not one of us. Even kids know better.” Mrs. Wong glanced away from her son. GuoYong could take it no longer and held Olivia’s hand firmly. For the first time in his life, he openly confronted his mother. “Well, Ma, I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you, but I’m in love with Olivia. That’s that and if you can’t accept it, then there’s nothing I can do. Let’s go, sweetheart.” GuoYong beckoned Olivia to leave and she did. She was just as confused as the children, but she was also hurt.
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The following morning, Mrs. Wong was at the altar again, clenching her late husband’s photograph and crying profusely. “My love, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and it was her daughter. They walked towards the living room and sat opposite each other at the antique mahogany table. Her daughter broke the difficult silence. “Ma, what were you thinking last night?” “Don’t you speak to me like that. You know exactly where I was coming from.” “No, Ma, where exactly were you coming from?” Mrs. Wong was astounded by her daughter’s apparent ignorance. “Are you daft? She’s not one of us! GuoYong is ruining himself by dating this girl. I mean, now it’s all rosy, but what if they have children. Whatever homunculus comes out of her, I’m not going to touch it.” Her daughter was not surprised by the words of the family taskmaster and she tried. “Ma, that is just cruel. How can you say such things! They are in love. IN LOVE! Can you blame GuoYong? Olivia is a wonderful girl and they’re great for each other.” “What nonsense! You know it’s not true!” Mrs. Wong was defiant like a child. Mrs. Wong’s daughter was dumbfounded by her mother’s stubbornness, but was also saddened. It reminded her of something that happened in her childhood. She looked at her mother deep in the eyes and said, “Ma, remember when we were in that English international school?” “What the hell does that have anything to do with this!?” “It does. As you will recall, us three were bullied day in day out because of what we looked like by the other kids. You said there was nothing we could do about it and told us to beat them in the exams, which we did. But the most profound thing you did, was be by our side when we needed you most. You loved us much more. Don’t you think this is similar?” “H-how so?” It was a befuddling statement for Mrs. Wong, since she did not make much of it at the time. “Ma, your son is in love with a ‘Serena Williams’ and there is nothing we can do about it. Yet, the only thing you can and should do, is love him even more. I understand your worries, and I think you are right. The world is not going to treat them well and they might not be respected. There’s nothing we can do about that too unfortunately. It’s very cruel and they’re being very brave. So, the best thing you can do now, is to love him even more and be there when he needs you. You can probably start doing that by accepting his girlfriend.” Mrs. Wong could not breathe. She returned her daughter’s stare. It was not of seriousness,
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but of revelation. It had never occurred to her that her actions the previous night was a direct opposite of what a proper mother should do. Her daughter was right. Mrs. Wong ordered her daughter, “Give me my damned phone.” “I’m sorry I’ve made things so difficult for you, honey.” Olivia was apologetic and ashamed. “Olivia,” GuoYong stroked her face. “Don’t you ever say anything like that. Falling in love with you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life and there’s nothing that will change it. You were very graceful yesterday so don’t even be sorry.” She felt better. They were caressing under the hotel sheets until the phone rang. Olivia was closer so she answered it. “Hello, who is it?” “Hi, Olivia, it’s me! Can I speak to you for five minutes?” Olivia covered the handset and whispered, “It’s your mum!” GuoYong smiled embarrassingly and was about to take it from her. “No, I’ll answer it.” “Hey, Mrs. Wong, how are you?” Olivia gradually stood up. “Olivia, I apologize for what I said yesterday. It was completely out of order and I am ashamed of myself. I’m so glad you make my son happy and it’s totally my fault to have to tell you this through the phone. You’re one of us. Will you ever forgive me?” Tears were welling up in Olivia’s eyes and threatened to fall. GuoYong was infuriated and asked Olivia for the phone. Olivia refused. “Of course, I will. Of course.” It was a profound moment. “So, I hear you’re a bit of a designer. Why don’t you come over to my place this afternoon so we can have a bit of a showdown?” Olivia let out a smile and what continued was a combination of jokes and laughter. GuoYong was absolutely flummoxed as Olivia put down the phone. She pushed GuoYong onto the bed violently with a smirk and straddled his stomach with her thighs. Leaning her upper body forward teasingly, he could smell her natural scent and feel her warm hand brush against his chest onto his face. She was looking at him with a passion. What the devil? “Your mum has just invited me to her place tonight. Problem is, I don’t know the way so you’ll have to take me. But I say, we still have a couple more hours until then, don’t you think?”
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2nd runner-up Bitter Kan Anson
TW: slight profanity, sex-trafficking
EXT. LOST ANGELS’ DRIVE, ORANGE COUNTY – RAINY MORNING We see an ambulance and a few police cars around. A girl is lying on the road. PLAYS THE THIRD AND FOURTH VERSE OF MOBY’S “THE DAY” SOFTLY. GIRL (Confused) Mamá... On the screen it writes “The life too short, and the craft too long to learn. – Hippocrates” After that, it fades to the scene. CUTS THE MUSIC. INT. ER AT ORANGE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER – RAINY AFTERNOON MELANIE – a 8-year-old Hispanic girl just received for getting run over by a car afer escaping from the sex traffickers. She lies still on the gurney, appearing in pain. She rests alert, though tired and frightened. We observe her reactions when medical workers are busy walking around. DR. LUCAS – a late twenty-something anesthesiologist who is confident with his hands. He has just finished with something else and comes to Melanie’s. He knows nothing of Melanie’s background. Melanie leers at him. DR. LUCAS Hey, little one. I’m Lucas. I’m gonna take good care of you. Dr. Lucas goes straight to the back and starts getting things fixed. Melanie monitors his movement for a few seconds before switching to another direction. DR. LUCAS So, now. I just wanna tell you that your situation is more than fine. Well, other than your somewhat low blood pressure… Dr. Lucas turns around and finds Melanie staring fearfully at a kid receiving his injection.
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DR. LUCAS (Laughs) I understand it’s kinda scary, but I’m gonna tell you it’s gonna be alright, okay? We’re gonna stop the bleeding, and there’ll be no pain at all under my care. You’ll do just fine. Dr. Lucas takes out a sour candy from his pocket and hands it to Melanie. Melanie stares at the yellow candy, and takes it after seconds of hesitation. Melanie frowns after putting it in her mouth. DR. LUCAS (Laughs) You missed some good stuff, honey. Dr. Lucas hands her a piece of tissue. She stares at him for a few seconds and spits out the candy. Dr. Lucas then installs the injection on her. Melanie manages to tolerate the pain. DR. LUCAS It’s gonna hurt a little bit… Done, as Dr. Lucas is fixing to leave, Melanie grabs his sleeve and speaks deeply. MELANIE ¿Donde es mamá? ¿Puedo ver a mi mamá por favor, señor? Dr. Lucas is confused for a few seconds. He sits on Melanie’s gurney. DR. LUCAS I’m sorry but, ah, you mean your mom? Yeah? The police are working, and I’m not sure I understand— Puzzled, Melanie interrupts, and manages to get closer to Dr. Lucas, who is standing next to her gurney, despite the pain in her abdomen. MELANIE Quiero ver a mi mamá, señor. No la he visto por mucho tiempo. Algunos años, creo. ¿Puedes llamarla y pedirle que— DR. LUCAS Alright, honey. I don’t... (Hesitates for a moment) No hablo españa… ah español. Melanie stares at him for a few seconds, then she looks down sadly. She bites her lips, and lets go of Dr. Lucas. Tears slowly come out of her eyes. Dr. Lucas does not know what to do because he has never dealt with this alone. He also feels guilty since he feels his words have not soothed her soul.
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He squats down and wipes her tears. Melanie curls up. Dr. Lucas puts his hands back sympathetically. DR. LUCAS (Remains in his squat) What’s your name, baby? Name, like… nombre… Llamar… MELANIE (quick but soft) Melanie, señor. (Looks back down) DR. LUCAS Melanie… Look. Me, Dr. Lucas. Dr. Lucas stands up and acts as if he is Superman shooting out laser rays from his eyes, and plays a monster getting defeated right afterwards. He pretends he is falling down, and grabs Melanie’s shoulders with both of his hands with a funny face. Melanie is stunned for a second, then giggles. Dr. Lucas is relieved and puts his hands back. He offers a hug. Melanie hesitates and embraces. DR. LUCAS I try to understand what it’s like to be here, but I can’t. But look, Melanie, Dr. Lucas will be with you through all this. After the surgery, I’ll take you back to your mother. Melanie leans on Dr. Lucas’ arms. Dr. Lucas sings John Lennon’s “Beautiful Boy” while patting Melanie’s arm softly with the rhythm. DR. LUCAS “Close your eyes Have no fear The monster’s gone” We slowly close on Melanie, as she slowly closes her eyes slowly and peacefully. DR. LUCAS “He’s on the run and your daddy’s here” We look at the whole ward from the outside. The raining sound blurs the singing.
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DR. LUCAS “Beautiful, beautiful beautiful Beautiful girl—”
FADES TO BLACK QUICKLY. INT. OR AT ORANGE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER – CLOUDY AFTERNOON FADES IN SLOWLY. PLAYS MOBY’S “THE DAY.” A SLOW LONG-TAKE ON THE MEDICS AND THE INSTRUMENTS. DR. KINNEY – a senior surgeon operating the surgery for young Melanie. Some junior surgeons are assisting him with the surgery. The room is cold-colored yet bright. Dr. Lucas is working on the “cell saver” with a nurse. Dr. Lucas is discussing with his nursing with reference to the vital signs of Melanie. He gives his nurse a quick order and turns around and looks at Melanie. He smiles at her with confidence. About time for “Just disappears.” Dr. Kinney’s voice telling her students to stop is heard. CUTS THE MUSIC. Dr. Lucas looks confused. The long-take ends. DR. LUCAS Excuse me, ma’am? DR. KINNEY (handing her instruments over to the nurses) We’re gonna have to stop. DR. LUCAS (puffs) What? I’m sorry, but what are you talking about, ma’am? DR. KINNEY (shakes her head) The patient’s hepatic vein was torn off her inferior vena cava. It’s not reparable. DR. LUCAS (looks at Melanie and looks back at her) (dubiously) What does that mean? I thought that’s why you’re here? Operating on her?
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Rescuing this little— DR. KINNEY (Interrupts) THE VEIN IS NOT ACCESSIBLE BEHIND THE LIVER. From my experience, I can tell you there’s not thing we could do. You’re gonna have to stop transfusing her. Dr. Kinney asks her students to look after the vital signs, and she comes to Dr. Lucas’ side. Dr. Lucas looks completely shocked. DR. KINNEY Look, Anesthesia. There’s nothing we could do at the moment. Now, I’m a little bit concerned about you, though. I might have to request the assistance of another anesthesiologist if you’re not doing it, I’m afraid. Dr. Lucas does not respond. DR. KINNEY Anesthesia? Dr. Lucas says nothing and comes to Melanie. He knows Dr. Kinney’s words are final. DR. LUCAS (murmurs) Melanie, Melanie… Dr. Lucas’ gonna… He wants to touch her little hand, but he takes that back. PLAYS BLANCO WHITE’S “COLD HEAVENS.” STARTS FROM THE FIRST VERSE. DR. KINNEY Anesthesia? DR. LUCAS (Gestures her to stop without raising his head) (Spits out each word slowly, hesitatingly) I hear you, ma’am. We follow Dr. Lucas as he walks fast away from Melanie and toward the “cell saver.” He pauses and hesitates. He clicks the “stop button” without looking at the girl. After a few seconds, he walks back to Melanie. He squats down, and hold Melanie’s right hand with both of his hands, crying. The music goes on. It should be the part where there are no lyrics.
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DR. LUCAS (Sings softly, not on key) Close your eyes… Have no fear… Daddy’s here… Amen. Blood keeps leaving Melanie. She is turning paler and paler. But nobody is doing anything. We then look at everyone else’s reactions as they watch. The whole room is silent. We smoothly zoom to the vital signs meters when the final part “Heavens over now” starts. The rhythm kind of matches the heart rate which is in decline. As it comes to the third “Gone away,” the meter reads no heart rate. We hear someone say, “…Code called at 4:39 pm. Today is July 6, 1976. Patient is declared dead.” The final shot comes with Dr. Lucas putting his head on Melanie’s little hand. Melanie dies peacefully in Dr. Lucas’ company. (to be continued...) (This is only a short excerpt of the entire script. Due to editing constraints, it is our greatest misfortune that we are unable to publish our 2nd runner-up’s entire piece of work. If you would like to read the rest of the writing, please access it via the QR Code attached.)
Editor’s Choice If you would like to read the pieces selected for Editor’s Choice, you may access them via the QR Codes below.
Glass Written by Leung Fung Yee
Verse to My Heart from My Heart in Two Parts Written by Julia Emilia Elisabeth Verdickt
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