Kaji: Nothing But Fur
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. LIVING ROOM - MORNING
Sunlight streams onto a plush dog bed. KAJI is sprawled in a circle of light.
KAJI (V.O.): This is as it should be: Breakfast with Peter, the sun shining, my fur flowing, and the air on my bellly.
Recalling.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the past few days, whenever we go out, the Pack Leader has been dressing me in festive red, white and green outfits.
MONTAGE
A. The Pack Leader pulls outs a small garment, primarily red with white stripes.
B. With gentle but firm hands, the Pack Leader dresses Kaji and begins to take photos.
C. Later, as they walk to the park, Kaji attempts to shake it off, but all she manages is to tilt her little green hat sideways.
D. The Pack Leader swiftly puts the hat back on Kaji's head, and Kaji obeys.
END MONTAGE
Act 2
INT. RIVERSIDE PARK - LATE AFTERNOON
Path. Wearing a white outfit, Kaji walks slowly and stiffly, trailing behind the Pack Leader and Peter.
PACK LEADER: The white outfit is perfect against her fur.
Peter looks at Kaji sympathetically.
PETER: She looks uncomfortable. I doubt she'll be able to relieve herself.
KAJI (V.O.): I will not assume that position. It'd be a performance. An endorsement.
Kaji continues her stiff-legged walk.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): My dignity has a price and its higher than doing my business.
Grass. A Poodle passes by with her HUMAN. Her topknot is perfect. She glances at Kaji's outfit and looks away.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): This is a low point.
Later. A Shiba Inu bounds over. He is wearing nothing but his own fur.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I feel so embarrassed in this outfit.
Kaji doesn't want to engage.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm an object of pity.
The Shibu Inu is confused, and is pulled away.
Bench. Peter pats the space beside him on the bench.
PETER: Up you come...
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Normally, I'd spring up effortlessly...but not with the outfit.
As Kaji hesitates, Peter understands. He leans down.
PETER: Fly...
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): That means he'll take me to the spot and I won't have to do a thing.
Peter lifts Kaji gently onto the bench. Then, Kaji rearranges herself.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I want to minimize the outfit's visibility.
The Pack Leader snaps photo after photo.
PACK LEADER: Look here!
Kaji looks away. Her mouth is a firm, straight line.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): You'll get no smile. The smile is for the removal of this fabric disgrace.
Peter gets behind the Pack Leader and makes a noise that doesn't capture Kaji's attention.
PETER: She looks like a four-legged philosopher pondering the absurdity of existence.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The greatest luxury isn't a treat or a bed. It's the uncomplicated truth of my own skin.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Humans spend their lives adding layers. For me, wisdom is the pursuit of nothng but fur.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): True care involves reading my subtle signs of discomfort, not just the obvious signs of compliance.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Love is sometimes expressed through silent endurance for another's joy.
Act 3
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Without wearing anything, Kaji nestles comfortably in a cosy bed surrounded by soft quilts.
KAJI (V.O.): The first step toward authenticity is to recognize what is me and what is fabric. I'm fighting for nothing but fur.
Thinking.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Pack Leader wants me to be festive. I want to be free. It's a crash between a dog outfit and nothing but fur.
Reflecting.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The uniform of my true spirit is nothing but fur.
FADE OUT
THE END
Comments