1: Working on mental topic? (13)
8: Closer to morning, sound of storyteller follows organ (7)
9: Ray's about to remain undisturbed by reflections (7)
11: Couples posed for an intimate snapshot (5-2)
13: Prepares for rest? I object, returning firstborn's gifts. (7)
14: Whacked repeatedly in the ear (5)
15: Article about reckless flogging (9)
16: Tries getting involved in real drama practice (9)
20: Man, and French Impressionist (5)
21: Nothing taken in easing random pains (7)
22: Cover-up file conceals, ultimately, wrongdoing by one female (3,4)
24: The ultimate objective is not to achieve the goal. (2, 5, 1, 3)
25: I fall over myself to get a bad reputation (3,4)
28: Shredded chad, he decrees, is one ingredient (7,6)