Kaji: My New Normal

1. FADE IN

2. 
   

3. Act 1

4. 
   

5. INT. DINING ROOM - MORNING

6. 
   

7. Following Peter, KAJI walks gingerly with her left leg raised.

8. 
   

9. KAJI (V.O.): When breakfast was ready, I used to rush to the bedroom, jump onto bed, step on Peter's chest to wake him up.

10. 
    

11. Pausing.

12. 
    

13. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I can't jump onto the bed anymore. Peter has to help himself to wake up.

14. 
    

15. Then, Peter sits in a chair, Kaji sits on the floor.

16. 
    

17. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I used to share a chair with him, checking our breakfast.

18. 
    

19. Kaji waits for whatever Peter might offer her.

20. 
    

21. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Now, I've no idea what my next bite would be.

22. 
    

23. Pausing.

24. 
    

25. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't like my new normal.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER

30. 
    

31. Kaji brings to Peter her favourite toy.

32. 
    

33. KAJI (V.O.): And after breakfast, we'd play the fetch game.

34. 
    

35. Observing.

36. 
    

37. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): But Peter doesn't throw the toy in the air anymore...

38. 
    

39. Kaji looks sad.

40. 
    

41. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): He isn't engaging and enthusiastic as before.

42. 
    

43. Kaji hides herself in her soft small house near the massage chair.

44. 
    

45. EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - AFTERNOON

46. 
    

47. From her carrier cart, the pack leader lifts Kaji and puts her on the green grass.

48. 
    

49. PACK LEADER: You're getting all the royal treatment.

50. 
    

51. KAJI (V.O.): I used to be the queen here, fast, adventurous and bossy.

52. 
    

53. Shifting her weight, Kaji tries to balance on three legs.

54. 
    

55. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm still me!

56. 
    

57. Kaji quickly finds her favourite spot, squatting down to relieve herself.

58. 
    

59. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I'd still kick the grass with my strong legs...

60. 
    

61. Seeing Kaji kicking the grass like a three-legged ninja, Peter smiles a little.

62. 
    

63. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): But I won't join the other dogs now.

64. 
    

65. At the sideline, Kaji just watches them playing.

66. 
    

67. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm not fit at the moment.

68. 
    

69. INT. MALL - LATER

70. 
    

71. Pet-friendly area. Kaji sits inside her carrier cot, watching PEOPLE come and go. SOME would pet on her head.

72. 
    

73. STRANGERS: Such a good dog...

74. 
    

75. KAJI (V.O.): They're having fun and can't see the sadness in my eyes.

76. 
    

77. Pausing.

78. 
    

79. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Would I become fit once again?

80. 
    

81. INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING

82. 
    

83. With Kaji in her arms, the PACK LEADER puts her on the sofa.

84. 
    

85. PACK LEADER (to Kaji): Just sit here.

86. 
    

87. Peter joins them.

88. 
    

89. PACK LEADER: Our darling will have her surgical operation in days.

90. 
    

91. Kaji looks up at them with wide eyes.

92. 
    

93. KAJI (V.O.): She looks very serious.

94. 
    

95. PACK LEADER (Cont'd): I'm considering postponing our Nov trip so that we can take good care of her.

96. 
    

97. PETER: We're in it together.

98. 
    

99. They share a loving glance.

100. 
     

101. Act 3

102. 
     

103. INT. DINING ROOM - NIGHT

104. 
     

105. Sitting on the floor, Kaji stares at an empty chair.

106. 
     

107. KAJI (V.O.): Life has ups and downs. The Pack Leader and the Gang should know the challenge I'm experiencing.

108. 
     

109. Pausing.

110. 
     

111. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having injured myself unintentionally, I've been trying to be resilient and adaptive.

112. 
     

113. Pausing.

114. 
     

115. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I may be learning new ways to be me. But with the Pack Leader and the Gang, I'm never alone.

116. 
     

117. FADE OUT

118. 
     

119. THE END