Kaji: The Bread Contract

1. FADE IN

3. Act 1

5. INT. HOME - DAY

6. 
   

7. The world is quiet. The clock reads 08:00. KAJI lies curled in a tight, doughnut-like circle at the foot of Peter's side of the bed. Her ear twictches.

8. 
   

9. We hear the soft click of a door latch.

10. 
    

11. Kaji's eyes open. They're dark, intelligent, and focused. She lifts her head slowly, sniffing the air.

12. 
    

13. KAJI (V.O.): Our maid has just left home.

14. 
    

15. She looks at PETER. He's a lump beneath the duvert, breathing deeply.

16. 
    

17. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): He usually wakes up around this time.

18. 
    

19. Recalling.

20. 
    

21. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): But he stayed up late last night.

22. 
    

23. Kaji shifts her position, moving from Peter's foot to curl up against his side, resting her chin on his hip.

24. 
    

25. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): My stomach gives a small hollow rumble.

26. 
    

27. Act 2

28. 
    

29. INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS

30. 
    

31. Kaji looks at Peter again.

32. 
    

33. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): He will wake up. He'll find the bread and share it with me.

34. 
    

35. Pausing.

36. 
    

37. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've absolute confidence in Peter.

38. 
    

39. Kaji closes her eyes.

40. 
    

41. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Not to sleep. But to wait.

42. 
    

43. Pausing.

44. 
    

45. KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): My patience is deep.

46. 
    

47. Time passes. The clock reads 10:00.

48. 
    

49. Peter stirs, groans. Kaji's eyes snap open.

50. 
    

51. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): I can be instantly alert.

52. 
    

53. Peter blinks. He sees Kaji.

54. 
    

55. A small smile touches his lips. He doesn't speak.

56. 
    

57. Peter pushes himself up slowly. He shuffles to the bathroom and Kaji watches him go.

58. 
    

59. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): After that, he'd find the bread.

60. 
    

61. Then, Peter leaves home.

62. 
    

63. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): He'll be back soon, with the bread.

64. 
    

65. Soon, Peter returns with the bread in a transparent bag and shows it to Kaji.

66. 
    

67. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): I know I'm the center of his world.

68. 
    

69. As Peter places the bed on the dining table, Kaji takes her seat.

70. 
    

71. Peter breaks the bread into small bite-sized pieces and passes them to Kaji.

73. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): This is the bread contract. It's unbroken.

74. 
    

75. They share the bread until nothing is left.

76. 
    

77. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): What I'd reciprocate is to lick his face. He's mine.

78. 
    

79. Pausing.

80. 
    

81. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): If I just want to wake him up, I'd only lick his nose briefly. He understands my cues.

82. 
    

83. Kaji looks out of the window.

84. 
    

85. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): The world is right again. There's no more rain.

86. 
    

87. Pausing.

88. 
    

89. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): For the past few days, the Pack Leader hasn't taken me to the riverside park.

90. 
    

91. Pausing.

92. 
    

93. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): I had to relief myself indoors. I wouldn't do that if I had a choice.

94. 
    

95. Pausing.

96. 
    

97. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): The contract to the park is broken.

98. 
    

99. Pausing.

100. 
     

101. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): Can't wait to feel the park breeze.

102. 
     

103. Act 3

104. 
     

105. INT. HOME - NIGHT

107. Kaji rests in the massage chair.

108. 
     

109. KAJI (V.O.): We went to the riverside park. I did my routines.

110. 
     

111. Pausing.

112. 
     

113. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): Life is a series of small, sacred contracts with the ones I love, with my routines and the world around me.

114. 
     

115. Pausing.

116. 
     

117. KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): Honouring those contracts, especially the bread contract, with patience and quiet confidence, is what make my life feel whole.

118. 
     

119. FADE OUT

121. THE END