All About Eve 'Uncut' -- English Style

by AAEfanatic

 

Episode 3B

 

Act 1. 2

 

SCENE: Cambridge street near Magdalene Bridge, morning. 2

SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's photo studio,evening. 2

SCENE: Seoul, apartment building stairwell, night 3

SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's apartment, night 3

SERIES OF SCENES: Cambridge, Darwin College, morning / Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, night 4

SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's apartment, night 5

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin campus, afternoon. 7

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin classroom, morning. 10

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin Porter's Lodge, morning. 12

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin campus, afternoon. 13

SCENE: Cambridge street, afternoon. 15

SCENE: Cambridge, Don Pasquale Pizzeria, afternoon. 17

SCENE: Cambridge train station, afternoon. 19

SCENE: M11 to London, afternoon. 19

SCENE: London, Arirang Restaurant, night 20

 

 


 

Act 1

 

SCENE: Cambridge street near Magdalene Bridge, morning

 

The next morning, on her way to class, Sun-Mi makes a call to Woo-Jin's studio from a phone booth.

 

 

The answering machine plays a recording...

 

Recording......... This is the office of Ahn Jun-Mo and Kim Woo-Jin.

....................... If you're a girl, please leave a message. If you're a guy, hang up.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Woo-Jin, it's Sun-Mi. No one's at home. I'll call again this hour tomorrow...

 

 

SCENE: Seoul, Woo-Jin's photo studio,evening

 

In the photo studio on the pretext she'd forgotten some things during the move, Young-Mi checks the answering machine.

 

She sees a message was left and plays it back...

 

Recording......... I’ll call back at this time tomorrow. It’d be great if you would pick up then. I’m hanging up.

 

 

 

Young-Mi reaches over to the phone and presses the DELETE button.

 

Recording......... The message has been deleted.

 

She smiles, pleased with herself for thwarting Sun-Mi's attempt to connect with Woo-Jin.

 

 

Woo-Jin enters the room.

 

Woo-Jin............ Did you get everything?

 

Young-Mi.......... Yeah. I don’t think I left anything here.

 

Woo-Jin walks over to the phone and presses the MESSAGE button.

 

Recording......... You have no messages.

 

 

She walks over to Woo-Jin and grabs his arm, urging him to come with her.

 

Young-Mi.......... Let’s have some coffee. In my room.

 

 

He picks up his mobile from the desk and looks at the call list...

 

Woo-Jin............ All right. I missed a call.

 

They leave the studio together...

 

 

SCENE: Seoul, apartment building stairwell, night

 

Young-Mi and Woo-Jin are heading upstairs to her new apartment. She is excited to entertain him there for the first time.

 

Young-Mi.......... Come on, let’s go!

 

Woo-Jin............ Let’s drink some coffee!

 

 

 

 

SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's apartment, night

 

Young-Mi is making coffee in the kitchenette, while Woo-Jin waits, sitting at Young-Mi’s desk.

 

Young-Mi.......... Wait just a little more.

 

Woo-Jin looks up at Young-Mi from a book he is reading.

 

 

 

Young-Mi.......... The room’s pretty crazy, huh?

 

Woo-Jin............ I like it. … I'm gonna use the bathroom.

 

He gets up and heads for the bathroom door.

 

Young-Mi.......... OK.

 

 

After Woo-Jin goes in the bathroom, his mobile rings.

 

Young-Mi hurries over to pick up the call for him...

 

Young-Mi.......... Hello?

 

 

SERIES OF SCENES: Cambridge, Darwin College, morning / Seoul, Young-Mi's studio, night

 

 

 

 

Darwin College, classroom building corridor, morning

 

Sun-Mi is calling from a public payphone in her classroom building. She is not happy to hear Young-Mi's voice.

 

Sun-Mi.............. It’s me, Sun-Mi.

 

 

Seoul, Young-Mi’s apartment, evening

 

Young-Mi.......... Oh, hey Sun-Mi.

 

She glances over at the bathroom door, aware that Woo-Jin can hear the conversation, so she feigns interest.

 

Young-Mi.......... Did you get there OK? … Are things going well? … It’s hard? I’m so jealous of you.

 

She sits down on the bed.

 

Young-Mi.......... Woo-Jin? ... Huh...

 

She smiles to herself, pleased she has again intercepted Sun-Mi's attempt to speak with Woo-Jin...

 

Young-Mi ......... Hey, if I were you, I’d be studying my butt off. Why are you so concerned about Woo-Jin? ...

 

Then she lowers her voice, so he can't hear...

 

Young-Mi ......... It’s a bit awkward, anyway, when you call like this...

 

Young-Mi ......... All right, I’ll tell him you called...

 

 

Darwin College, classroom building corridor, morning

 

Young-Mi.......... (on the phone) Oh, yeah, we sent you a letter. Look out for it.

 

Sun-Mi.............. OK, got it. Bye.

 

Frustrated that she was unable to speak with Woo-Jin, Sun-Mi hangs up, disappointed.

 

 

SCENE: Seoul, Young-Mi's apartment, night

 

A FEW MINUTES LATER ...

 

Young-Mi has finished making the coffee and is sitting on her bed, waiting, when Woo-Jin comes out of the bathroom.

 

Woo-Jin............ Who called?

 

Young-Mi.......... (nonchalantly) Sun-Mi...

 

 

Woo-Jin appears surprised as he sits down in the desk chair, on the other side of the table.

 

Young-Mi.......... She said 'hi' to both of us...

 

She adopts a concerned expression and tone of voice as she continues.

 

Young-Mi.......... She must really like you. If I were in London I wouldn’t think of Seoul. Why think about Seoul?

 

Woo-Jin............ Still … Since she’s alone in a foreign country, she could be a little lonely.

 

 

Sensing that he feels guilty about missing the call, Young-Mi suggests it's not a big deal...

 

Young-Mi.......... She’ll probably call again.

 

Woo-Jin............ (smiles) Yeah. She will.

 

He picks up his coffee cup and takes a sip.

 

 

 

Young-Mi picks up her cup too, but waits, looking expectantly at Woo-Jin for his opinion.

 

Young-Mi.......... How is it?

 

Woo-Jin............ Wow. It’s really good.

 

Happy to hear this, Young-Mi laughs.

 

 

Woo-Jin looks over at a framed photograph of Young-Mi, taken when she was a child, with her parents.

 

 

Young-Mi picks up the frame for a closer look.

 

Young-Mi.......... When I was this young, I wasn’t like I am now.

 

Woo-Jin............ What are you like?

 

Young-Mi.......... I’ve become bitter. When I was young, I thought the world would be nice to me...

....................... I thought I’d live with my parents and be happy, until I’d meet someone like my dad and get married ...

 

She pauses to consider...

 

Young-Mi.......... I didn’t think I’d be on my own like this.

 

Woo-Jin............ I think the world is fair.   If you lose something, you also gain something.

....................... As early as you left your parents' care, you’re strong.

....................... You know, there’s that slogan: "What’s strong is pretty." Don’t be so pessimistic.

 

 

Young-Mi puts the picture back on the nightstand.

 

Young-Mi.......... I’m jealous of Sun-Mi...

 

She puts her cup down.

 

Young-Mi.......... The more I try not to be the more jealous I become.

 

She stands up and walks over to the window.

 

 

Woo-Jin............ Sun-Mi’s Sun-Mi and you’re you. How can you confuse that?

 

Young-Mi smiles at his simple logic.

 

Young-Mi.......... That’s right … But I keep feeling competitive with Sun-Mi. Even if I look at Mr. Jin my temper rises...

 

Woo-Jin looks up at Young-Mi, surprised to hear that she harbors such strong feelings.

 

Young-Mi.......... What’s so different between us that she got a father like that?

....................... I’m so jealous that a fire ignites within my chest.

 

 

Woo-Jin looks on Young-Mi sympathetically, wondering how a person can be so confused, and what he can do to help.

 

She turns her head to look over at Woo-Jin with a troubled expression, and the answer to his unasked question...

 

Young-Mi.......... Please take care of me. Please extinguish the fire in my heart.

 

Woo-Jin ponders this for a moment, then stands up to comfort her with his embrace.

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin campus, afternoon

(All dialog in this scene is in English)

 

AFTER CLASS ...

 

Sun-Mi is sitting on one of the benches in the garden fronting Newnham Terrace, by the River Cam.

 

 

The overcast sky had turned gloomier during class, and her mood is grey as the low hanging clouds.

 

An open textbook is on Sun-Mi's lap, but she ignores it, gazing out over the River Cam, lost in thought...

 

 

 

FLASHBACK  [Scene from Episode 2, in Sun-Mi's bedroom]

 

 

Sun-Mi............. It's OK to like Woo-Jin. Don't hold back because of me. You don't have to.

                       Woo-Jin and I have known each other for a long time... too long. Don't feel sorry for me...

 

 

Her conversation with Young-Mi that morning still rings in her mind...

 

Young-Mi.......... (voiceover) Why worry about Woo-Jin? It’s a bit awkward, anyway, when you call like this.

 

Feeling she's become an unwanted 'spare tire' between Woo-Jin and Young-Mi, tears well up and spill over...

 

 

As the first teardrops fall on her textbook pages, a hand appears in front of her face, holding a folded white handkerchief.

 

Sun-Mi looks up, and sees John smiling down at her.

 

John................. Here, take it...

 

Sun-Mi.............. (mumbling) Thanks.

 

 

She takes his handkerchief and daubs at her eyes.

 

John sits down next to Sun-Mi, waiting until she has wiped away her tears before he speaks...

 

John................. I was looking in every nook and cranny for you this morning.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Huh?

 

She looks at him blankly, not comprehending...

 

John................. (grins) It's just a saying, an idiom.

 

 

Her brow wrinkled, Sun-Mi concentrates, repeating the words slowly as she tries to make sense of them...

 

Sun-Mi.............. "looking ... ev'ry ... nook ... and ... clanny?"...

 

He uses her innocent ignorance to embellish the meaning...

 

John................. What it means is that I was searching everywhere for you, because I missed you so much.

 

Flattered, while wondering if he is being straight with her, Sun-Mi tries to sound skeptical.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Tsst! Really?

 

His grin, accompanied by the twinkle in his eye, leaves her wondering...

 

 

John................. (concerned expression) What happened to your face?

 

Peering closer at her, he feigns ignorance of the cause...

 

She touches the plaster on her cheek.

 

Sun-Mi.............. This?

 

The unpleasant incident with Hyung-Chul is something she doesn't want to discuss...

 

Sun-Mi.............. (dismissively) It just a scratch. No big deal.

 

 

Gazing intently at her, he tilts his head as if contemplating what to say.

 

John................. I certainly hope not, because your face is... extraordinarily pretty.

 

 

At his effusive compliment, Sun-Mi's cheeks suddenly flush.

 

She quickly hides her burning cheeks with her hands, and lowers her eyes modestly.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Don't be joking me, John.

 

He chuckles at her discomfiture.

 

John................. Don't be so modest. Anyway, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', right?

 

With a bashful smile, Sun-Mi nods...

 

John................. That's better. I'm glad we agree that I can say you're pretty as you really are.

 

She glances up, their eyes meet, and they share a laugh.

 

 

Still feeling a bit awkward, Sun-Mi changes the subject...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Can we do the lesson now?

 

But instead he takes the text book from her lap and closes it.

 

Sun-Mi looks at him, puzzled...

 

John................. Let's have lunch first, then hit the books.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (smiles) Okay, one minute.

 

Sun-Mi puts her backpack on while he collects her textbooks.

 

John................. I'll carry these for you, Sun-Mi.

 

Surprised at his offer, she sees he is serious, and accepts, pleased that he is pampering her.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (shyly) Thank you, John.

 

 

They start off, side-by-side, headed for the main campus entrance.

 

Sun-Mi glances surreptitiously at John, aware that he is holding the door open, wondering if she should walk through it...

 

She ponders the advice she'd received...

 

Cho-Jeh............ (voiceover) Don't be afraid to show him you're interested.

 

Sister Agnes...... (voiceover) 'Carpe diem' ... seize the day...

 

 

Tentatively, Sun-Mi slips her hand into John's, and gives his a light squeeze.

 

When he turns his head to look at her, she smiles and raises an eyebrow...

 

 

He smiles back, recalling her reply after he'd confessed that he wanted to get to know her better.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (voiceover) I let you know later, okay?

 

 

John squeezes her hand back, then releases it and moves his arm up, over her shoulders, pulling her closer.

 

In turn, Sun-Mi slips her arm around his waist.

 

Having broken the barrier to a closer relationship, they contently stroll off together...

 

 

 

Behind the couple, Hyung-Chul steps out from the door of Newnham Terrace, where he'd watched from the start.

 

He frowns, his brow furrowing, as he considers the latest development in his wager, and the likely outcome...

 

Hyung-Chul....... He might actually pull it off! ... I'll be buying that jerk steaks for TWO whole weeks!

 

 

His eyes narrow and his jaw sets defiantly as he challenges himself to nip this insipient romance in the bud...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Hmm... What that girl needs is an older brother, someone to give her some sound advice...

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin classroom, morning

(All dialog in this scene is in English, except as noted)

 

THE NEXT DAY ...

 

Instructor David Robinson teaches his eclectic class of English as a Second Language students...

 

Their chairs are arranged in a semicircle with Robinson at the center.

 

 

 

Robinson.......... 'P' sound. We find in the letter 'P' as in the word 'Pastry', and 'F' sound...

 

He points to the words on the chalkboard.

 

Robinson.......... We find in the letters 'F' or 'PH' together as in the words 'Form' or 'Phone'. Would you read the first one?

 

 

Bored, Sun-Mi covers her mouth as she yawns, and turns to look across the circle at her Japanese classmate.

 

Student............ Party ... Party.

 

The Japanese girl's natural reaction is to yawn when she sees Sun-Mi yawning.

 

Robinson.......... And Kate, would you read this word.

 

He points to the word on the chalkboard.

 

Kate................. Form.

 

 

Sun-Mi and her classmate both laugh quietly when they see each other yawning.

 

Robinson.......... 'Form' ... Very good. And this word...

 

He points to the word on the chalkboard again.

 

Kate................. Phone.

 

Robinson.......... Good.

 

 

The instructor sees Sun-Mi is not paying attention, and decides to make an example of her...

 

Robinson.......... And Sun-Mi?

 

Hearing her name, Sun-Mi looks over at him, puzzled.

 

Robinson.......... Korean student Sun-Mi?

 

She raises her hand tentatively...

 

Sun-Mi.............. (in Korean) Yes?

 

She realizes she'd answered in Korean and corrects herself, raising her hand again, a bit higher.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Yes.

 

Robinson.......... Would you read the line at the top of the page?

 

 

Nervously, Sun-Mi fumbles with her book, belatedly turning to the correct page.

 

She glances around, seeing that all eyes are on her, and uneasily holds the book up to read...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Stephanie (pronouncing the 'PH' as 'P' not 'F') and Laura are in the picture.

 

 

Robinson.......... (correcting her pronunciation) Wrong. 'Stephanie' and 'Laura' are in the 'picture'.

 

Sun-Mi looks at the book again, embarrassed at her mistake.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Stephanie and Laura are in the picture.

 

He nods.

 

Robinson.......... Well done. Very good.

 

 

Sun-Mi smiles uncomfortably, unhappy at being singled out and made to look foolish, as Robinson moves on...

 

Robinson.......... Won, I'd like you to pronounce the word 'phonetic'.

 

Sun-Mi's Japanese classmate gives her a thumbs' up signal.

 

Won................. Phonetic.

 

Partially hiding her face behind the book, Sun-Mi mouths the words "Thank you" to her classmate.

 

Robinson.......... Very good. Well done.

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin Porter's Lodge, morning

(All dialog in this scene is in English)

 

Hyung-Chul stops in at the Porter's Lodge, going straight for the mails bins.

 

He takes some letters from his pigeonhole, then comes over to the counter, where the female clerk is stationed.

 

She greets him with her usual dour demeanor.

 

Clerk................ May I help you?

 

He looks at a wire basket on the counter, where mail for the short-term summer students is held...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Just checking the mail. You just started here a few weeks ago, right?

 

Clerk................ Yes.

 

Hyung-Chul....... My name is Hyung-Chul, from Korea. I'm a graduate student here.

 

Clerk................ Yes, I've seen you come in before. I'm Nancy.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Pleased to meet you. You just changed your hairstyle, right? It looks very nice.

 

 

Flattered that this handsome man had noticed, she self-consciously puts her hand up to push her hair back...

 

Nancy............... Thanks. It's just a trim.

 

Hyung-Chul....... By the way, there was a letter here yesterday from Korea, for a 'Sun-Mi Jin'. Did she pick it up?

 

Nancy............... Why do you want to know?

 

Hyung-Chul....... She's my distant 'cousin'... Could you check for it, please?

 

 

She starts looking through the mail bin.

 

Nancy............... Yes. here it is.

 

She shows him the letter.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Can I deliver it to her?

 

Nancy............... Sorry. Technically, no one but the addressee can pick up their mail.

 

Hyung-Chul....... I'm planning to meet her today. It would save her the trouble of coming back to campus.

 

He flashes a charming grin at Nancy...

 

Hyung-Chul....... But rules are rules, I suppose... I'll tell her to come tomorrow for it.

 

He shrugs indifferently, as if it's no big deal to him whatever happens.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Sun-Mi will just have to cancel that appointment for today.

 

 

He rests his hands on the counter and leans in closer, fixing his gaze on Nancy...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Thanks for checking, anyway.

 

All she can see is his intense eyes focused on her...

 

Nancy............... Umm... It's nothing, really.

 

Hyung-Chul....... You know, I'm doing an independent study this summer. I'll have lots of free time to hang out.

 

She readily interprets this as a hint he wants to hang out with HER...

 

Nancy............... I get off every day at three...

 

Nodding to acknowledge that he heard her, he makes his next play...

 

Hyung-Chul....... It's a pity about the letter, but something good came of it, because we met, right?

 

He grins at her again with a raffish lift of his eyebrow.

 

Hyung-Chul....... I'll be off, then...

 

 

He pulls back and starts turning away, then stops and turns back...

 

Hyung-Chul....... You can't do me a favor, just this once?

 

He looks at her hopefully, as she ponders his request.

 

Nancy............... You said your cousin really needs this letter today?

 

Hyung-Chul....... It would be very helpful to her.

 

She hands him the letter.

 

Nancy............... Just between us, okay?

 

He gives her a conspiratorial wink with his most charming smile.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Thanks, Nancy. You're a real peach...

 

Pleased with his success, he waves the letter at her as a farewell.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Well, I've gotta go now... See ya soon?

 

Nancy............... (smiling) Yeah. See you soon...

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge, Darwin campus, afternoon

(All dialog in this scene is in English, except as noted)

 

 

After class, Sun-Mi leaves the building and takes the way along the River Cam, past the Newnham Grange building.

 

Sun-Mi's female Japanese classmate appears and runs to catch up to her.

 

Classmate......... (cheerfully) Sun-Mi! Let's go together.

 

Sun-Mi.............. OK.

 

Classmate......... Are you hungry?

 

Sun-Mi.............. (nods) Umm...

 

Classmate......... Let's go to Macudonaldos.

 

Sun-Mi.............. What?

 

Classmate......... Macudonaldos. Hamburgers.

 

Sun-Mi.............. What?

 

Classmate......... Macudonaldos! Ham-bur-gers.

 

The classmate gestures like she is holding a hamburger to eat.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Macdonalduh?

 

Sun-Mi gestures like she is holding a hamburger.

 

Classmate......... Macudonaldos.

 

Sun-Mi laughs.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (in Korean) Your accent is terrible.

 

Classmate......... What did you say?

 

Sun-Mi.............. (smiling) No...

 

She holds her hand up in a 'hold on' signal.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Let's go.

 

She links arms with the Japanese girl and they walk on together.

 

 

 

 

Hyung-Chul, waiting outside the Old Granary, sees them approaching, still in conversation...

 

 

Classmate......... Cheeseburger.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Cheeseburger.

 

Classmate......... Hamburger.

 

 

Sun-Mi sees Hyung-Chul and stops walking.

 

Hyung-Chul holds up the letter for her to see.

 

Seeing him again brings back her negative feelings about the accident and their bickering that day.

 

She wonders what his sudden appearance at her school is all about... How did he know where to find her?

 

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge street, afternoon

(All dialog in this scene is in Korean except as noted)

 

Hyung-Chul follows Sun-Mi out of the Darwin campus entrance to the sidewalk along Silver Street.

 

Now that they alone in a place where they won't be overheard, she turns on him accusingly...

 

Sun-Mi.............. How did you find me here?

 

He smiles disarmingly, countering her hostile attitude...

 

Hyung-Chul....... I'm a graduate student in Darwin. I've seen you around campus the last several days.

 

He extends his hand...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Let me introduce myself... Yoon Hyung-Chul.

 

Still wary, she eyes him suspiciously, declining to shake hands.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Then why didn't you approach me before?

 

Hyung-Chul....... We didn't exactly part on the best terms, so I felt I needed an excuse or you'd brush me off again...

 

Although he is correct on that point, she doesn't let up on her attitude.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Humph! ... Do you always snoop other people's letters for excuses?

 

Hyung-Chul....... Since it was still in the Porter's Lodge from yesterday, I figured you didn't know where to get your mail.

 

Again he is right... she had never asked. But she's not about to admit it...

 

Sun-Mi.............. (irately) Do you really think I'm a dummy? You're so arrogant!

 

 

By this time, Hyung-Chul realizes that Sun-Mi is still upset about the way he'd treated her previously.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Look, about the other day. I misjudged you. I'm sorry."

 

Not expecting his apology, she doubts it's veracity...

 

Sun-Mi.............. NOW you're saying sorry?

 

This is harder than he'd expected... but he swallows his pride now, to keep it in front of John, later.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Yes. I'm truly sorry. I acted like a real jerk.

 

But the more he pleads his guilt, the firmer she resists...

 

Sun-Mi.............. (coldly) I didn't ask for your apology.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Then what? Do you want me to kneel for you? ... If that's what it takes, I'll do that.

 

 

Aghast, and not wanting him to make a public spectacle with her, Sun-Mi quickly puts a stop to the idea...

 

Sun-Mi.............. You don't need to go that far! This is England, not Korea.

 

He grabs at this fleeting chance to settle their differences, extending his hand again...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Then we're good?

 

With her pot of anger still percolating, she hesitates to make a peace treaty prematurely.

 

Hyung-Chul....... C'mon... People might think I'm proposing, if I get down on my knees in front of you...

 

That abhorrent thought swings her mind around to a quick settlement... Reluctantly, she shakes his hand.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Thanks. I'm really not such a bad guy, once you get to know me.

 

 

Though he says that jokingly, she shoots a dart his way with her eyes...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Don't press your luck, okay?

 

Hyung-Chul....... Let me make it up to you. How about lunch? My treat.

 

 

But Sun-Mi's not interested in furthering a relationship. As before, she coolly brushes off his invitation...

 

Sun-Mi.............. I really must be going now. But thanks for delivering the letter, Mr. Yoon.

 

 

His first attempt rejected, he appeals to Sun-Mi's sense of traditional propriety...

 

Hyung-Chul....... There's no need to be so formal. We're in the same college now, so that makes me your Senior...

 

 

She can't argue his reasoning, so she grudgingly concedes.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Fine. But let me thank you first, for sending me to the hospital. My treat, this time...

 

 

Content at getting his foot in the door for now, he's willing to give her some leeway, this time.

 

Hyung-Chul....... (enthusiastically) I know a great place close by ... Shall we go?

 

 

He immediately starts off, walking at a good clip toward the River Cam bridge.

 

 

Caught unawares, Sun-Mi is already two steps behind as she hurries to catch up, calling to him...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Hey! Senior! Wait for me!

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge, Don Pasquale Pizzeria, afternoon

 

Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul are finishing up their lunch at an outdoor table on Market Hill.

 

 

 

Reading the letter he delivered, in a fit of exasperation she crumples it up.

 

After sipping his coffee, Hyung-Chul looks up, surprised at her reaction.

 

Uneasily, she searches for a way to explain herself without revealing too much...

 

Sun-Mi.............. I'm sorry. I keep showing you my angry face.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Is there some bad news written there?

 

 

Sun-Mi forces a smile, then shrugs off the matter as trivial as she opens up...

 

Sun-Mi.............. It's from my savior. My life's savior. I was being a burden to some people in Seoul.

 

 

She puts the letter back in her bag, to signal she's done talking about it.

 

But he ignores the hint, to offer some advice...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Nobody lives alone. Everyone leans on other people and burdens them.

 

 

Sun-Mi looks down, making it clear that she wants the matter dropped.

 

Taking her hint this time, he changes the subject...

 

Hyung-Chul....... Oh yeah, did you go to the hospital the next day?

 

She nods.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Yeah, I'm all right.

 

 

Hyung-Chul sips again from his cup, timing his next move...

 

Hyung-Chul....... There's a Korean restaurant I go to often. Want to go together?

 

To ease her concern, he makes it clear that he's not proposing a date, but a therapy session...

 

Hyung-Chul....... When you're upset it helps to eat something comforting.

 

 

But once more, she puts him off...

 

Sun-Mi.............. No thanks. I have to go to work right now.

 

He nods amicably, accustomed to her turning him down.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Thanks for lunch.

 

 

They both stand.

 

 

Hyung-Chul....... (jokingly) Look out before you cross the road.

 

She laughs, and jokes back.

 

Sun-Mi.............. Yes. I don't want to have a second car accident.

 

 

They laugh together, then she dips her head in farewell...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Goodbye.

 

 

Again, Hyung-Chul watches her back as she walks away.

 

Again, she doesn't look back...

 

 

SCENE: Cambridge train station, afternoon

 

Sun-Mi is deep in thought as she boards the train back to London, debating with herself aloud...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Can't Woo-Jin see what Young-Mi's scheming? Why won't he listen to me? What an idiot!

 

The car is mostly empty, so she takes a seat by the window and drops her bag on the adjacent aisle seat.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (sighs) But what can I do from here? Young-Mi holds all the cards now...

 

 

She takes out the letter and looks at the pictures again... then starts thinking...

 

Sun-Mi.............. She's just trying to make me jealous, but two can play that game... All I need is 'boyfriend'.

 

Thinking seriously, she considers her options...

 

Sun-Mi.............. On one hand, John's sweet, and seems to really likes me, but is he the right type?

 

 

The train starts moving, gathering speed as it leaves the station.

 

Sun-Mi.............. On the other hand, Hyung-Chul's handsome, well off, and has a nicer car... but he can be so arrogant!

 

She sighs deeply, starting to question her plan before she even tries.

 

Sun-Mi.............. This isn't going to be easy...

 

 

SCENE: M11 to London, afternoon

 

Driving on the M11 back to London from Cambridge in his silver BMW Z3, Hyung-Chul is thinking...

 

Hyung-Chul....... (voiceover) Even if she's obnoxious, is it right to play so cavalierly with someone's feelings?

 

 

He decides to make a call on his car mobile...

 

Hyung-Chul....... John? It's me... Sorry, I need to cancel our match for tonight... Something came up.

 

John's voice comes over the car speakers...

 

John................. Again? Is it really something? Or someone?

 

Hyung-Chul....... No, I'm not going on a date. I'm doing some 'research'.

 

John................. Sounds boring.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Yeah, probably... How's it going with that girl?

 

John................. Sun-Mi? Everything's moving right on schedule. She's warming up to me nicely already.

 

Hyung-Chul....... That means you haven't succeeded yet, right?

 

John................. Yeah... but I'll have her eating out of my hand soon. There's still a few days left.

 

Hyung-Chul....... Don't be so sure of yourself. Some Korean girls are very conservative. I should've warned you.

 

John................. (jokingly) Why are you so concerned? It's my reputation at stake... for steaks.

 

They laugh briefly at his word play.

 

 

Then Hyung-Chul offers him an out...

 

Hyung-Chul....... It's not too late to drop the bet.

 

John................. No way! I can taste those steaks already! Are you having second thoughts about winning?

 

Hyung-Chul....... Nah, just thinking that it's not fair keeping Sun-Mi in the dark. She seemed pretty innocent that day.

 

John................. Maybe she's not the girl you take her for. Anyway, I won't do anything she's not consensual with.

 

Hyung-Chul ...... Okay. I've gotta go.

 

John................. Bye... See ya.

 

 

Hyung-Chul hangs up, and ponders his next move...

 

Hyung-Chul....... How to make it seem like a coincidence?

 

He rehearses what he'll say at the restaurant...

 

Hyung-Chul....... "My! It's a small world, isn't it?" ... Nah, too trite...

 

Shaking his head, he tries a different line...

 

Hyung-Chul....... "Jin Sun-Mi, what a surprise! Don't they say, three times is charm?"

 

 

SCENE: London, Arirang Restaurant, night

 

Sun-Mi is waiting tables in the busy dining room of the Arirang Korean Restaurant.

 

 

Seeing her clearing a nearby table, a customer calls to get Sun-Mi's attention...

 

Man................. Miss!

 

Sun-Mi.............. (looking up) Yes?

 

Man................. Please give us Kal-Bi for two.

 

 

She comes over to his table, to take the used dishes away.

 

Sun-Mi.............. For two?

 

Man................. Yes.

 

Sun-Mi.............. One moment please.

 

 

She hurries back to the front desk and speaks to her aunt...

 

Sun-Mi.............. Kal-Bi for two people.

 

 

It's just a few days since she'd allowed Sun-Mi to work in the restaurant, but Gwi-Sun is already regretting her decision...

 

Gwi-Sun............ You should be studying.

 

 

In response, Sun-Mi makes a face and leans closer to her aunt.

 

Sun-Mi.............. (joking) Just give me a lot of spending money, then.

 

 

Gwi-Sun taps Sun-Mi's forehead.

 

Gwi-Sun............ Quit fooling around.

 

They both laugh.

 

 

Just then, Hyung-Chul enters the restaurant.

 

Hyung-Chul....... I'm here.

 

Gwi-Sun............ Welcome. Come in...

 

Gwi-Sun............ (quietly) Sun-Mi, show him to his table.

 

 

Sun-Mi turns around and is surprised to see the customer is Hyung-Chul.

 

Hyung-Chul does his best to appear surprised at seeing Sun-Mi there, too...

 

 

 

 

To Be Continued...