Kaji: Tail High, Patience Low

1. FADE IN

3. Act 1

5. INT. HOME - DAY

6. 
   

7. A gloomy sky. KAJI sits by the kitchen. Her nose twitches.

8. 
   

9. KAJI (V.O.): No breakfast scent?

10. 
    

11. Kaji goes inside the kitchen.

12. 
    

13. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): The new maid...gone. Humans. So unrealiable.

14. 
    

15. Kaji goes to the bedroom. She glances at the PACK LEADER and PETER, still asleep in bed.

16. 
    

17. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Usually, Peter would get breakfast for me if the maid isn't home.

18. 
    

19. Kaji rests by the bedside.

20. 
    

21. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): It seems that I've to wait for the Pack Leader to serve me brunch.

22. 
    

23. Later, Kaji glances at the Pack Leader and Peter again.

24. 
    

25. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): My brunch time has already come and gone.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS

30. 
    

31. The Pack Leader finally moves and puts dog food into Kaji's bowl.

32. 
    

33. PACK LEADER: Here, eat up!

34. 
    

35. Kaji sniffs. Stares.

36. 
    

37. KAJI (V.O): I don't eat on human schedule.

38. 
    

39. Kaji turns her nose up and trots away.

40. 
    

41. PACK LEADER: Hmm!

42. 
    

43. The Pack Leader adds treats to her bowl.

44. 
    

45. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I spot that, but I'm not happy.

46. 
    

47. Kaji ignores the Pack Leader's treat.

48. 
    

49. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I'll starve before I lower my standards.

50. 
    

51. Pausing.

52. 
    

53. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): But I'll stare at you while doing it.

54. 
    

55. Later, Peter spots Kaji's untouched bowl. He stares at Kaji.

56. 
    

57. PETER: Aw, you didn't eat?

58. 
    

59. Peter crouches, pushes the bowl toward Kaji.

60. 
    

61. PETER (Cont'd): You must be very hungry. Eat up!

62. 
    

63. KAJI (V.O.): Hmm...

64. 
    

65. Kaji hesitates - then begins eating.

66. 
    

67. PETER (Cont'd): Good girl!

69. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I obey when I approve - this isn't disobedience, it's quality control.

70. 
    

71. Later, rain taps the window. Kaji watches the grey sky.

72. 
    

73. PACK LEADER: It's wet outside. We won't go out today.

74. 
    

75. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): No riverside park and no birds to chase.

76. 
    

77. Pausing.

78. 
    

79. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Must I endure such boredom?

80. 
    

81. Pausing.

82. 
    

83. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): My patience is like a leash: short, and entirely in my control.

84. 
    

85. INT HOME - NIGHT

86. 
    

87. Kaji stares at the Pack Leader.

88. 
    

89. PACK LEADER: I remember your dinner time, only that you had your brunch at tea time.

90. 
    

91. KAJI (V.O): But a wise Shiba knows patience is just anger with better timing.

92. 
    

93. The Pack Leader puts dog food into Kaji's bowl.

94. 
    

95. PACK LEADER: I leave it to you to decide whether you'd have it or not.

96. 
    

97. Tail high, Kaji stares at the bowl and then the Pack Leader. A tense silence.

98. 
    

99. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): By tomorrow, she'll remember: The bowl comes on time.

100. 
     

101. Act 3

103. INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS

104. 
     

105. Having had her dinner, Kaji rests on a sofa, comfortably nestled between the Pack Leader and Peter.

106. 
     

107. KAJI (V.O): Walk with purpose, nap with pride, and never settle for late meals without conditions.

108. 
     

109. Thinking.

110. 
     

111. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Love is stored in the "respect my routine" compartment.

112. 
     

113. Reflecting.

114. 
     

115. KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Tail high, patience low - this is the way of the enlightened dog.

116. 
     

117. FADE OUT

119. THE END