Kaji: The House Is Sweet Again
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. BEDROOM - MORNING
Quiet, except for the rhythmic breathing of the PACK LEADER and PETER. KAJI lies at their feet. She shifts her weight. Her ears are perked.
KAJI (V.O.): I haven't eaten since last night. Our maid has abandoned us.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): There's no smell of sandwiches. The Pack Leader is a heavy sleeper.
She stands, walks over to Peter to sniff his face. He doesn't stir. She leans in. Her wet. black nose hovers over his. She gives one quick, precise lick to his nose.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd):One is a suggestion. Two is a request.
She licks again. Peter's nose twitches, He mutters something.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Three is a declaration of war.
She delivers a third, enthusiastic lick. Peter's eyes snap open. He looks at Kaji's expectant, judgment face.
PETER: I'm up. I'll go and buy bread from the bakery.
Act 2
MONTAGE
A. Peter returns holding a bag. The aroma of a soft bread hits Kaji's nose.
B. Peter opens the bag and pulls out a soft bread. He snaps it into slices and offers them to Kaji.
C. Having eaten the last slice, Kaji looks content.
END MONTAGE
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER
Peter sits on a sofa, scrolling his phone.
KAJI (V. O.): He knows his role.
Kaji approaches him. She gives a slow, deliberate lick from his nose, up to his eye and finally his forehead.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): This is coronation. You've served me well.
Kaji then trots to her toy box. She sniffs. She digs. She rejects a rubber chicken. She pulls out her prey - a plush squirrel. She carries it back to Peter. She drops it at his feet. She sits. She stares.
PETER: You want to play fetch?
He picks it up. He throws it high in the air.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The sky-fox. It has wings! I must destroy it.
With explosive power, Kaji leaps.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I wouldn't wait for it to come down.
She uses her nose like a volleyball player, bumping the squirrel upward again, sending it higher, and then catches it mid-air.
PETER: Chomp...well done!
Kaji walks around the room, the squirrel hanging limply from her mouth.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The kill is mine.
They play the game again and again, until Kaji is tired.
INT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Kaji is lying on the cool tile floor, She hears the jingle of keys. The Pack Leader and Peter are at the door, putting on shoes.
PACK LEADER: We'd only be back at night. Stay home. Be a good girl.
The door clicks shut. The lock turns.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): They've left without me.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The sacred riverside walk is at dusk. It's the pinnacle of the day.
She lets out a single, mournful Woo.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're robbing me of the pinnacle.
She lies down, head on her paws.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The house is a prison. I can only...wait.
The sun tracks across the floor. She doesn't move.
Act 3
INT. HOME - NIGHT
The front door opens. The smell of food fills the air. Peter walks in with a takeaway box. Kaji is instantly alert.
PETER: We'll have an early dinner together.
They take their seats at the dining table. Peter opens the box of grilled chicken.
KAJI (V.O.): He has returned from the hunt! The riverside walk is forgiven.
They share the hunt equitably. Then, the door opens again. The Pack Leader walks in, tired but smiling.
PACK LEADER: Good girl. I'm serving you dinner.
After finishing her proper dinner, Kaji walks between them, pressing her furry side against their legs.
KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): Peter is here. The Pack Leader is here. The food is in my belly. It's a good life.
Kaji takes a look of Peter.
KAJI (V.O.)(Cont'd): Tomorrow, I'll wake you up again...but for now, the house is sweet again.
FADE OUT
THE END
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