Chương 4: S.04 Memory of the Clock 01(04)

Scene 15. The streets past early evening blazed with garish light and grew more congested by the moment. People who were not even drunk yet brushed past one another on the indulgence-soaked streets, men and women alike blocking the way as they collided. Touts indiscriminate of gender drew out each other's appetites, wrapping broken emotions and desire in a veneer of innocence, filling the road. Si-yeon's motorcycle cut straight through the middle of it all.

On the clogged back streets, Si-yeon threaded the bike dangerously close to the pedestrians. After a long stretch through the teeming road, a quiet street arrived belatedly. At the end of the road, on a gentle slope, stood an upscale hotel. Large vehicles discharged guests of no small standing, who funneled themselves inside. The building posed as a hotel, but a portion of it housed every conceivable entertainment facility for client reception.

Beneath the lavish interior decor and the immaculate hospitality, the appetites of those ascending to the upper floors were never what they appeared to be on the surface. Si-yeon parked the motorcycle at the ground-floor entrance and tossed the key to the bellboy who greeted Si-yeon warmly. Si-yeon: Bro, could you fill it up for me. Bellboy: Sure. Mind if I take it for a quick ride then? Si-yeon gave a half-hearted nod and carried the tall heels into the lobby.

Waving a hand while walking away, Si-yeon delivered a fading, irritated voice. Si-yeon: Just don't get a ticket. Cops are a pain in the ass. Bellboy: Oh right. Hey! Lee Si-yeon! Si-yeon stopped mid-stride and glanced back at the bellboy with an annoyed expression. Bellboy: Your boss is pissed as hell. Watch yourself. Si-yeon: Whatever, the hell is she going to do about it. Si-yeon walked on without concern and inserted a key into the gold-plated elevator button.

The idle doors opened, and with familiar steps, Si-yeon stepped inside. Women who spotted Si-yeon bowed respectfully and entered behind. Si-yeon raised a hand and returned a halfhearted greeting. With both hands tucked inside the leather jacket, Si-yeon rocked one foot back and forth. One of the two women standing ahead turned to Si-yeon with a quiet question. Jin-ju: Um, Si-yeon sis. Si-yeon, rocking the foot with a vacant stare, answered the voice with a flat response. Si-yeon: What.

Jin-ju: The other day, when you collected the money for me — I never got to say thank you, so — At Jin-ju's hesitant voice, Si-yeon waved a hand back and forth in refusal. Si-yeon: Forget it, just go pick up my acid reflux meds tomorrow. For me. The clinic director is my regular — drop my name and she'll hand over the prescription. Jin-ju: Oh, yes. Thank you. The elevator stopped and Si-yeon stepped out first.

Hands back in the pockets, Si-yeon trudged toward the room of the boss who was said to be furious, grumbling all the way. Si-yeon opened the door and walked in without a sound. Jang Yeon-jin hurled an ashtray at Si-yeon without a word. The blow left a large gash on Si-yeon's forehead. Si-yeon smacked the lips and crushed the anger down. Yeon-jin: You SSibal bitch. The client you took last night. Did you kill her?! Si-yeon: What? Blood running down the forehead, unwept, Si-yeon stood still and fired back.

Yeon-jin watched the blood on Si-yeon's face in silence for a while. Recalling the outburst a moment prior, Yeon-jin raised the voice again. Yeon-jin: The bitch who SSibal slept with you turned up as a corpse, and the SSibal cops have been coming and going all goddamn morning losing their minds!! What the SSibal are you!!? Si-yeon: Some dumbass bitch drops dead and you're Jiral-ing at me? You think I only did one last night!? Huh?! I don't even SSibal know who I spread my legs for and you're coming at me!!

You insane boss bitch!! Yeon-jin: Are you a thug? You a good fighter?! Want to hit me?! Huh!? Si-yeon: Oh yeah. Sure. SSibal bitch, thanks for asking. Just promise you'll keep paying me. I'll beat you like a dog on slaughter day, as much as you want. Yeon-jin: What!? You absolute bitch!? Si-yeon let out a heavy sigh, swallowed the anger, and walked further inside. Reaching up belatedly to touch the blood on the forehead, the wound had already settled long ago — only the bloodstain remained. It did not hurt.

And yet, it hurt. What it was, precisely, was sorrow. Even under persecution, there was nowhere to go. Even bravado came with fear underneath. What Si-yeon could do out there — Si-yeon knew the self exactly. That was why the deeper anger could not surface, and not even a hint of it was shown. Si-yeon sank onto the sofa and spoke in a grumbling voice. Pulling out a cigarette, Si-yeon lit it and exhaled a long stream of smoke. The ashtray that had struck the forehead lay scattered on the floor.

Si-yeon leaned down with indifference, picked it up, and dropped it onto the sofa table. Exhaling smoke, Si-yeon asked Yeon-jin. Si-yeon: Do I have any bookings today? Yeon-jin: No. Stand by. The police are going to call you soon. If you run your mouth — Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. Si-yeon: Ah, I don't know about any of that, so do whatever the hell you want on your own. The phone on Yeon-jin's desk rang loudly. Yeon-jin glanced at Si-yeon.

As Si-yeon moved to leave, Yeon-jin covered the receiver and quickly called out. Yeon-jin: Hey. You've been specifically requested. High-ranking official's kid, they say. Maybe you'll get lucky? Maybe it clears your charges? Go put that mouth to work. Si-yeon: Ah-ni, SSibal, I'd have to have killed someone first for anything to be cleared. The only thing I know how to Clean off shit clothes. SSibal. This is so SSibal. Yeon-jin shot Si-yeon a look that said get lost, then picked up the call.

Yeon-jin: No, I'll send her up now. Yes, yes. Oh, we're just happy as long as you're generous. Yes, yes. Room 1201. Yes, yes. Thank you. Scene 16. A corridor of indulgence. From the hallway beyond the door, where gaudy luxury surely waited, all manner of nasal, breathy voices drifted in. Seated at a vanity, applying makeup a shade heavier than usual, Ye-eun looked at the phone that had begun to ring. After confirming a familiar number, the receiver was lifted. Ye-eun: Yes.

The voice on the other end was listened to in silence. The commotion from outside was no different from any other day. But the voice coming through the receiver was clearly not the usual one. Ye-eun offered no words in response. Only after slowly lowering the receiver, which had been held for a long while in silence, did Ye-eun realize the other party had already hung up — that was how thoroughly no words had been spoken.

After continuing to think for a moment, Ye-eun typed out a message on the phone and sent it somewhere. Scene 17. The night had deepened. Doe Yu-seok's family estate, without a sign of life. Everyone who had once filled the place was gone, leaving only the biting air. As Baek Jeong-hyeon passed indifferently in front of Lim Yeong-min, Yeong-min asked offhandedly. Yeong-min: The 유물 (Yumul_Relic). You really didn't find it? The question had come so many times there was no energy left to bristle.

When Jeong-hyeon walked past without stopping, Yeong-min issued a warning. Yeong-min: If you're planning to pocket the Relic and keep it for yourself — or if you've so much as compared notes with the 사무장 (Sa-mu-jang_Executive Secretary) — I'm warning you now. Jeong-hyeon: Give it a rest, will you? Jeong-hyeon stopped walking and fixed Yeong-min with a sneering look. Yeong-min stopped mid-sentence and glared back. At Jeong-hyeon's mocking composure, Yeong-min countered with a derisive grin.

Jeong-hyeon: How many days are you going to keep this Jiral up? It's just me, sis, and Ye-ju here. Plus whatever scraps of hangers-on are left? So what's the issue? What about me? Yeong-min walked down the languid corridor with arms folded. 인불(In-bul_Ghost Light) flickered on every side, casting a soft glow across the outdoor corridor. Jeong-hyeon moved as well, closing the distance. The two stood straight at their considerable heights, eyeing each other with mutual contempt.

Jeong-hyeon: What, does it break your heart that Doe Yeon-hui went into the 시간수 (Si-gan-su_The Chronostump)? Feel guilty? Suddenly playing nice so you can pin the blame on me? It wasn't there. Didn't you hear the final will? If the Relic had been there, do you think I'd be standing here doing this with you!? Yeong-min: Then why did you meet with the Executive Secretary in secret? Jeong-hyeon: What?? Yeong-min: You said you'd never seen the Executive Secretary.

Then — Yeong-min brought up a photo on the phone and held it out to Jeong-hyeon. Yeong-min: What's this? On the screen was Jeong-hyeon, photographed standing back-to-back with the Executive Secretary, apparently in conversation. Jeong-hyeon went silent for a moment. Yeong-min: You do know some 재무관 (Jae-mu-gwan_The Treasury) people are still here, right? The 교정관 (Gyo-jeong-gwan_Office of Rites) crew didn't even bother coming over — because you were too pathetic to follow. But Treasury sent quite a few.

You don't take me for an idiot, do you? You thought I wouldn't know?? Jeong-hyeon: I just wanted to ask about 본청 (Bon-cheong_Headquarters). What's the big deal. Yeong-min: Headquarters? Is the Executive Secretary at Headquarters? There's already an Acting Secretary inside. The Executive Secretary is suspended from duty, isn't that right? On life support? So what's there to ask? Jeong-hyeon paused to collect the breath. There was no pulling out of this any further.

Jeong-hyeon folded both arms, leaned against the corridor railing, and let out a sigh. Jeong-hyeon: The Executive Secretary asked me to clean up after the whores. Yeong-min: What kind of. Jeong-hyeon: Get rid of someone. Up in the northwest. Said the Executive Secretary wanted something in return for the dirty money. Looks like the Deputy 향주 (Hyang-ju_Master of the Province) made the request directly. To the owner of this estate. Yeong-min: Is that why you went out yesterday? Jeong-hyeon: Yeah.

Yeong-min: But why would that cleanup suddenly be assigned to you and only you. Jeong-hyeon shook the head. Jeong-hyeon: If I knew that, I'd have The Oldest's Relic too. Yeong-min also folded both arms and settled near Jeong-hyeon. Jeong-hyeon: Satisfied? Yeong-min shook the head. Yeong-min: The Executive Secretary seems to be quietly scheming something again, but nobody knows what. Jeong-hyeon: It's obvious, isn't it. Yeong-min: What's obvious. Jeong-hyeon: None of us managed to take Headquarters back.

That's the bottom line. Yeong-min deliberated for a moment. The conviction grew that it could not be just that. While Yeong-min paused, Jeong-hyeon sank into a belated thought as well. Jeong-hyeon: By the way — who was that. What kind of mirror was it trying to hide? Yeong-min: The two mirrors that were supposed to be with the Key? Jeong-hyeon nodded. Yeong-min unfolded the arms first and rose slowly from the seat. After stretching out a stiff back, Yeong-min answered Jeong-hyeon's deep deliberation.

Jeong-hyeon: Why were there two mirrors in the first place? I get that one is the Key's mirror, but the other one seemed like the 안내자 (Annae-ja_Guide) — so why did it take the form of a mirror? Do Guides have mirrors now too? Is Doe Yeon-hui the mirror? Yeong-min: Is there anyone else who'd know that? Jeong-hyeon gave a disinterested nod. Jeong-hyeon: Fair point. Yeong-min: The Executive Secretary and Su-jeong seem to know something, and obviously the 책사 (Chaek-sa_Strategist) would know too.

Yeong-min, who had started the confrontation in the first place, shrugged and stepped back. Yeong-min: Oh. One more person would know. Jeong-hyeon: Who. Yeong-min: The cultist. Scene 18. There was no appetite. In all the long years spent at 본청(Bon-cheong_Headquarters), no one had been as close as I-sim — that was certain. Because of that, I-sim's absence struck Hyang-rim as no small blow. Hyang-rim had not eaten for days, and the worry was palpable. The firmly shut door had not opened in days.

Yoon Jeong-seon sat on the wide wooden floor, restlessly fluttering the hem of a hanbok skirt — showing both boredom and worry at once. After a quick glance around, Jeong-seon steadied the voice and spoke carefully through the door. Jeong-seon: Mom. Hyang-rim's room had been silent as the dead. The presence inside was unmistakable, yet even at Jeong-seon's call, Hyang-rim did not answer. Jeong-seon: Mother of Yoon Jeong-seon, Ms. Lee Hyang-rim. A sunken voice arrived belatedly. Hyang-rim: Jeong-seon.

Jeong-seon nodded as if finally relieved. Jeong-seon: Yes. Hyang-rim: I am sorry, child. Give your mother some time. Jeong-seon: I just. I was worried about you, Mom. Hyang-rim: I know, child. I know it all. I am sorry. Just give me a little more time. I know a good deal of time has already passed, but just a little. Just a little more. Jeong-seon: How much more? Hyang-rim: Before the day is over, I will let you in. Jeong-seon: There are about two hours left in the day, aren't there?

Hyang-rim: You are so strict, child. Hyang-rim's laughter-laced complaint was brimming with tears. Hearing that voice, Jeong-seon's own large eyes felt tears welling up in an instant. Jeong-seon: Mom. Hyang-rim: Yes. Jeong-seon. Jeong-seon: Can we not cry together? Hyang-rim: I have always wanted to be a strong mother to you. Jeong-seon: I just want to share it. Jeong-seon's pleading was a comfort. As though surrendering any further resistance, Hyang-rim rustled inside and carefully opened the door.

Jeong-seon darted in at once. Closing the door behind, Jeong-seon threw that tall frame into Hyang-rim's arms. Hyang-rim patted Jeong-seon's back in silence. Jeong-seon: I can't pretend I don't see you hurting, Mom. Look at the older sisters. They tried to stay with The Oldest until the very end. Patting the back of the child nestled against the chest, Hyang-rim nodded. Hyang-rim: They did. Yes. That is right. Your mother was thoughtless. I am sorry. Jeong-seon. Jeong-seon: Mom. Hyang-rim: Yes. Tell me.

Jeong-seon: I want Spam. The kind you grill for me. Hyang-rim: All right. Let us go to the kitchens together, for the first time in a while. Your mother will grill it delicious for you. I am sorry for not looking after you all this time. Jeong-seon pulled away from Hyang-rim's embrace, sprang to the feet, and pulled Hyang-rim up by the hand.