Kaji: The Itch-Killing Hands

Peter K F Cheung SBS
4 hours ago
3 min read

FADE IN
Act 1
INT. HOME - NIGHT - (Three days ago)
Sound of a key turning in a lock. the front door squeaking open.
KAJI (V.O.): They've returned. The great absence is over.
Kaji gets to her feet.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): But the scent...it's wrong. There's more.
Kaji pads to the door. The door opens. PETER enters first, dropping a heavy suitcase.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Welcome back!
The PACK LEADER follows, laden with bags. Kaji sniffs them.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Any treats for me...there's a third scent.
Kaji freezes. And then a Gang MEMBER appears.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): No. It can't be. The long lost one!
Act 2
INT. HOME - THE NEXT MORNING
Sunlight streams in. Peter is at the dining table. Kaji sits in a chair near him.
KAJI (V.O): I miss this sacred ritual.
Peter breaks off a piece of bread and holds it out.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): It's mine.
Kaji doesn't have to snatch. She takes it, chews twice and swallows.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): The sharing is resumed. The world is in balance.
Peter gives Kaji another piece.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): And another.
Kaji accepts each one with quiet dignity.
INT. HOME - The NEXT DAY
Peter is having an ice lolly on a sofa. Kaji appears and sits right next to him.
PETER: Not for you. It has chocolate coating and may be poisonous to you...
After eating all the chocolate coating, Peter lets Kaji lick the vanilla icecream on the stick.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): It's cool and sweet.
Kaji then leans her full weight against Peter's body. The Pack Leader appears and notices that.
PACK LEADER: Why are you leaning so close to him? There's no storm coming.
EXT. RIVERSIDE PARK - NIGHT
The air is cool. Kaji sniffs every blade of grass. The Pack Leader lets her lead. Peter takes care of Kaji's trolley on a path.
KAJI (V.O): She's quiet, not her usual self.
Suddenly, she comes round to kneel in front of Kaji.
PACK LEADER: Listen to me, you fickle little fox. I'm the one. I buy you food, I schedule your vet appointments. I clean up your...your business. I worry about you. I'm the one who walks you.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): It seems she's not happy with me.
PACK LEADER (Cont'd): Peter shares bread and icecream with you, and you're his shadow for life. What about me?
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): She's upset, but the pack is whole.
PACK LEADER (Cont'd): You love me, right? I'm your Mom.
The Pack Leader scratches the spot at the base of Kaji's tail that she can never reach.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): That's blissful. She has the itch-killing hands.
Kaji turns and gives the Pack Leader's wrist a single, gentle lick.
PACK LEADER (Cont'd). Yeah, Okay. That's better.
The Pack Leader stands up, brushing off her knees.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Yes, remember the hands that scratch the itch, not just the ones that hold the treat.
PACK LEADER (Cont'd): Let's go see what other Shiba Inus have been up to.
Kaji trots on.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): Life is good. But I hope Peter has more of the cold sweet milk.
Kaji casts a glance at Peter.
Act 3
INT. HOME - NIGHT
Kaji gazes at the Pack Leader, Peter and the Gang Member.
KAJI (V.O): The deepest love is often seen not in big gestures, but in the subtle, caring actions that help me with what I can't manage on my own.
Thinking.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): I've learned to cherish the hand that quietly scratches the itch I never voiced.
Reflecting.
KAJI (V.O) (Cont'd): The itch-killing hands don't ask for gratitude; their language is service, and their reward is my peace.
FADE OUT
THE END