Kaji: Anchor My Day
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
A silver grey light cuts through a gap in the curtains. KAJI wakes up in bed. Her nose twitches.
KAJI (V.O.): The air is wrong. No scent of toasting bread.
Kaji gets out of bed.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
Empty. Clean.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): No prepared breakfast.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): No sign of our maid either.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The protocol has been breached.
Act 2
INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Kaji approaches the bed and leaps up onto it with energy. PETER is a lump under the duvert. The PACK LEADER sleeps beside him, one arm flung over her face.
KAJI (V.O.): I can only see Peter's face.
She hops near Peter and extends her tongue.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I want to wake him up.
Kaji licks Peter's slighty parted lips. Peter remains motionless.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): No response?
Then, Kaji lands her legs on Peter's and stands there.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm not slim.
As Peter doesn't move, Kaji whines.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Lunch is often a chaotic and delayed affair because the Pack Leader always wins her alarms.
As Kaji's anxiety spikes, she whines, a high-pitched, urgent sound that vibrates in her throat.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): You must get up!
Kaji tirelessly licks and nudges Peter until he finally gets out of bed. Peter stumbles out of the room as Kaji follows.
INT, DINING ROOM - LATER
Sitting across Peter, Kaji's world has narrowed to a loaf of bread. Peter breaks a big piece for Kaji first.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Peter knows the protocol.
Kaji eats with joy.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): We're sharing a ritual. The world is back in order.
Soon, the breakfast is complete.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Kaji leaps lightly onto the foot of the bed. The PACK LEADER is still asleep, a mountain of blankets. Peter rests beside her.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Pack Leader doesn't condone my treatment of Peter on her.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I know the only protocol is my patience.
Kaji waits quietly.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): My lunch can be a distant agenda item of the day. That's why my breakfast is non-negotiable.
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
The Pack Leader places a bowl of kibble on the sofa.
PACK LEADER: Sorry, girl.
KAJI (V.O.): I eat without complaint.
After lunch, Kaji surveys her domain. Her eyes land on the massage chair.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): When the Pack Leader and Peter sit in it, their bodies relax. It's the best spot.
With a hop, she settles into the deep contours of the chair.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): When they want it, they will find me here.
The sound of the front door. Peter returns. When he finds her, Kaji just gives him a look.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): No treats, maybe just a pat. Not worth dismounting from my throne.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Kaji is still occupying the massage chair.
KAJI (V.O.): What's a day but a series of moments? The anchor is the moment I choose to give meaning to all the others.
Thinking.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): To anchor the day is to claim self-determination as early as possible. It's my whining declaration that I'll not be ruled by chaos.
Reflecting.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Anchor my day is a ritual, not a reaction. The first thing I reach for determines the tide of all that follows.
FADE OUT
THE END
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