Kaji: Tonight, This Is Enough
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
INT. HOME - LATE AFTERNOON
Sunlight slants through windows. The PACK LEADER is turning the kitchen into an emergency zone. KAJI watches.
KAJI (V.O.): Our maid left home early in the morning.
Kaji stares at her leash. Hanging on its hook. Untouched.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): She knows. We go when the sun is this low. We walk the path. I sniff the grass. This is the way.
Kaji stares at the Pack Leader. She doesn't turn. PETER appears and talks to her.
PETER: Are we taking her to the park?
PACK LEADER: Not today. No maid. No park. I'm in the middle of preparing tonight's dinner.
Kaji tilts her head. Her eyes rotate like satellite dishes.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): "No" I understand. "Park" I understand. "No park" is a contradiction. Like "quiet bark".
Act 2
DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE OF KAJI GOING TO THE RIVERSIDE PARK
A. Golden light. Grass whispering. Kaji sniffs.
B. Kaji walks briskly. She doesn't care about other dogs.
C. Finding her favourite spot, Kaji does her business.
END DAYDREAMING SEQUENCE
Kaji is still on the tile floor.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The mind can go to the park. But the paws know the difference.
INT. ANOTHER APARTMENT - NIGHT
A narrow corridor. Peter stands on one end. Kaji at the other.
KAJI (V.O.): Peter will throw a toy towards me.
Kaji focuses on Peter's gestures.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm going to snatch the toy before it falls on the floor.
Peter throws the toy, and Kaji catches it mid-air and returns it to him with her mouth.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Do it again!
Peter throws the toy towards Kaji again. And again.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): The corridor is the same corridor. But to my eyes, it's the park now.
Later, doorbell ringing. Peter pats Kaji on the head and goes to open the door. Gang MEMBERS #1 and #2 appear.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, they're home. I haven't seen them for many days.
Kaji follows Peter to welcome them. Gang Member#1 reaches down, Scrubs Kaji's ears.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): They must be coming home for dinner.
Kaji jumps up onto a dining chair.
PETER: Ha! You're the first one to take the seat.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tonight, here's the park.
Kaji sighs - the most complete sigh a Shiba Inu can make.
PACK LEADER: I think she forgives us.
PETER: She never blames us.
PACK LEADER: We'll definitely go to the park tomorrow.
Kaji's ears shoot up.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Tomorrow the park. Tonight, this. Both are good. Both are home.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Happiness is who I'm with.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I observe, adapt and eventually accept.
Pausing.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Patience is a form of intelligence.
The TV mumurs. No one watches.
Act 3
INT. HOME - CONTINUOUS
A dinner table with five seats. Conversations between the tired Pack Leader and the Gang Members.
Kaji is no longer at her seat. Under the table, Kaji rests her head on Peter's lap.
KAJI (V.O.): The chairs are for eating. the floor is for belonging. Tonight, I chose right and wrong at the same time.
Peter keeps his face neutral as he passes food to Kaji beneath the table. Kaji catches it. Takes a tiny silent bite. Peter's hand on her head.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): I don't have to be seen to be fed. I just have to be close to someone who notices I'm gone.
Reflecting.
KAJI (V.O.) (Cont'd): Stop asking for a walk. Just sit, Just breathe. Just watch the tired shoulders soften and other Gang Members come home. Tonight, this is enough.
FADE OUT
THE END
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