Kaji: Smile On
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - DAY
Picturesque. Leading the PACK LEADER, KAJI walks towards the exit. PETER pushes a pet carrier cart ahead of him. They leave the greenary behind them.
PACK LEADER: As she has already finished her business, let's go to the mall.
KAJI (V.O.): I'm now ready for the next adventure.
PETER: Yes, I'm not fond of the kid's approach toward our darling.
At the exit, the Pack Leader opens the well-padded cot and puts Kaji inside.
PACK LEADER: I don't want people to step on your paws accidentally.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Yes, I feel safe and comfortable in my cot.
As Kaji happily nestles in her cosy cot, they walk on.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The street is bustling with people, but there're no dogs in sight. I love going places though.
Act 2
EXT. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING - CONTINUOUS
They, along with many OTHERS, wait for the traffic lights to change. A woman PEDESTRIAN nearby gazes at Kaji.
PEDESTRIAN: Judging from her sweet smile, I believe she's a girl.
PACK LEADER: Yes.
Peter smiles.
KAJI (V.O.): I think he's saying that I'm a woman now.
Kaji shifts her gaze back to the pedestrian.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Actually, female dogs don't smile differently from male dogs.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): My smile is a behavoural expression rather than a gender-specific trait.
Kaji pulls back her lips to expose her teeth slightly.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): A dog's smile is a combination of facial muscle movements, body language, and context.
Kaji smiles again.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I smile because I'm relaxed and happy.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): So her interpretion was wrong.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I believe it has a lot to do with her being a woman; and only women's smiles are truly sweet.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): She might be raised in an environment that emphasized gender roles, leading her to associate sweetness with women's smiles.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The dog's way to determine gender is to check the genital area.
FLASHBACK
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK -EARLIER
KAJI trots and sniffs along the grassy area. The Pack Leader and Peter watch nearby.
KAJI (V.O.): Which is the perfect spot?
A KID and WOMAN come close to Kaji as she's squatting down.
WOMAN: She's about to relieve herself.
The Kid kneels down, watching intently as Kaji does her business. The woman shakes her head, smiling. The Pack Leader picks up the mess.
PETER: She hasn't finished her work yet.
The Kid watches on until Kaji has no other business. Kaji looks back at the kid.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): How would you feel if I stare at your private area while you're going about your business?
RETURN TO PRESENT
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I felt very uncomfortable with the kid's demeanour.
As the traffic lights turn green, they go their separate ways.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): If the kid were a dog, I'd bark fiercely, ready to defend myself and threathen to bite.
Kaji's mood has soured.
Act 3
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - LATER
Upon returning, the Pack Leader makes Kaji posing as a model for her to take a photo of her. She says: Smile!
KAJI (V.O): A smile is the little happiness I carry right under my nose.
Smiling at Peter.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Let's greet each other with a smile, for in every smile lies the seed of love.
Smiling at other PASSERS-BY.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Smile on, folks. Life's too short to share your smile with just some - give it to all.
FADE OUT
THE END
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