All About Eve 'Uncut' � The Cold War
by AAEfanatic
Episode 13A
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's kitchen, night
SCENE: Yoon family living room, night
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's apartment, night
SCENE: Yoon family dining room, night
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's apartment, night
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
SCENE: Yoon family dining room, night
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
SCENE: Parking lot outside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
SCENE: Parking lot outside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
Act 1
SCENE: Hyung-Chul's kitchen, night
Hyung-Chul enters his apartment door, followed by Woo-Jin.
Hyung-Chul....... I'm glad we could reach an accommodation, Reporter Kim.
Woo-Jin............ Yes, I'm looking forward to working with you.
Hyung-Chul....... If you do well, we need a good Manager in Video Production.
Woo-Jin............ Thank you, Director Yoon.
They pass by the kitchen, where Sun-Mi and Young-Mi are still at odds.
Young-Mi quickly changes her dark expression to a pleasant smile
Young-Mi.......... (cheerfully) Everything will be ready soon, Director Yoon.
Hyung-Chul....... (nods) Good job, ladies...
Then Hyung-Chul notices Sun-Mi glowering face.
Hyung-Chul....... Ehm... Jin Sun-Mi? Is something wrong?
Sun-Mi.............. (turning away) Oh... It's nothing...
(O.S.) The doorbell rings, then voices sound out as Sun-Dal, Ki-Jong, Kyung-Hee, and Jin-Soo appear in the entrance.
Sun-Dal............ (calling loudly) Anyone home?
Jin-Soo............. Are we late?
SCENE: Yoon family living room, night
Director Kim Eun-Ki continues his conversation with his sister, Eun-Ok, in the Yoon living room.
Eun-Ki.............. What's wrong with Huh Young-Mi? She has good ratings, is attractive...
Eun-Ok............. (sighs) All men see is the surface... a pretty face. But women look at things differently.
....................... If Huh Young-Mi would betray Director Yoon, she'd betray you, too, if it's to her advantage.
He picks up his teacup and drains it before answering...
Eun-Ki.............. I'm willing to take that risk, if it means beating him.
Eun-Ok............. How will that beat him? He'll just bring in another pretty face to replace Huh Young-Mi.
....................... If you want to beat Director Yoon, you have to attack indirecctly.
Eun-Ki.............. What are you proposing?
Eun-Ok............. While you were losing to Hyung-Chul, I looked into some things myself. I still have my spies at MBS, you know.
Eun-Ki.............. So did you dredge up anything interesting?
Eun-Ok............. (smiles enigmatically) Yes... The real reason why Hyung-Chul came back to Seoul and took over MBS...
Eun-Ki.............. Huh... who doesn't know that?
Eun-Ok............. (shakes her head) Men... still just looking at the surface.
Eun-Ki.............. You mean... there's something more?
Instead of answering immediately, Eun-Ok refills their tea cups. Then she replies, in a deliberately understated manner...
Eun-Ok............. Why don't we discuss it over dinner?
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's apartment, night
The entire Eve's Morning announcer team is now present at the party in Hyung-Chul's home...
In the living room, seated around the coffee table, Hyung-Chul, Sun-Dal, and Woo-Jin are talking shop...
Sun-Dal............ If Reporter Kim is off the desk, we can move Choi Jin-Soo over, next to Sun-Mi.
Hyung-Chul....... What is your opinion, Reporter Kim?
Woo-Jin............ I think that gives a more balanced look for the camera.
Hyung-Chul....... (nods) Let's do it then. Besides, I've wanted to see if Announcers Choi and Jin have good rapport as a team...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Standing by the display shelf that separates the living room and bedroom, Ki-Jong and Jin-Soo are checking over the apartment...
Jin-Soo............. (gawking) Wow! So this is how a Director lives!
Ki-Jong............. Look carefully, because you'll never have a place like this for yourself!
Jin-Soo frowns, unhappy at Ki-Jong's assessment of his potential, and digs back...
Jin-Soo............. Not if I follow in your footsteps, for sure!
Ki-Jong chuckles uncomfortably...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the kitchen, Sun-Mi and Young-Mi are finishing up preparations for the party.
As she works, Sun-Mi unconsciously keeps looking into the living room, towards Hyung-Chul.
Young-Mi follows her eyes... to the open space on the couch between Sun-Dal and Hyung-Chul. This sets her to thinking...
Kyung-Hee steps into the kitchen, joining the two younger women.
Kyung-Hee........ Need some help?
Young-Mi points to the refrigerator.
Young-Mi.......... Can you bring the beer?
Kyung-Hee opens the refrigerator door and reaches in to grab several bottles.
Young-Mi.......... (calling loudly) Food is ready!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As Jin-Soo and Ki-Jong walk over to take a seat, Jin-Soo ogles the fruit plates on the kitchen table.
Jin-Soo............. Wow! You ladies worked hard!
Sun-Mi turns to smile at Jin-Soo.
Sun-Mi.............. Thanks.
While Sun-Mi's back is turned, Young-Mi takes the opportunity to surreptitiously slide Sun-Mi's plate a bit over the table's edge.
Jin-Soo............. Can I sneak a bite?
Sun-Mi.............. Sure... Here...
Sun-Mi turns back to pick up her plate...
Kyung-Hee, just leaving the frig with the beer bottles in her hands, is first to see the impending collision.
Kyung-Hee........ (loudly) Sun-Mi... be careful!
The warning is too late. Sun-Mi's arm contacts the plate, knocking it off the table.
Kyung-Hee, Sun-Mi, and Jin-Soo watch as -- [depicted in slow motion] -- the plate flips as it drops to the floor, landing upside down.
Sun-Mi gapes with dismay at the disaster.
Young-Mi.......... (scornfully) What a mess! And just as the party is starting... Why are you so clumsy, Sun-Mi?
Hearing the commotion, Hyung-Chul looks over at Sun-Mi, wondering what just happened.
Sun-Mi looks back ruefully at Hyung-Chul, feeling humiliated.
Sun-Mi.............. Sorry... I'll clean it up...
SCENE: Yoon family dining room, night
At the Yoon's home, Eun-Ki and Eun-Ok continue their conversation at the dinner table...
Eun-Ki.............. All right, what is this 'secret' you uncovered? Why did Hyung-Chul come back?
In response, she shows him a photograph taken in Hyung-Chul's office.
Eun-Ok............. What do you see here?
Eun-Ki.............. It's just Director Yoon's office.
Eun-Ok............. Look closer, at the desk.
He studies the photograph, then shrugs.
Eun-Ki.............. Okay, I give up... what?
Eun-Ok............. Look closely... there... on the corner... that figurine...
Eun-Ok............. Doesn't it strike you odd that the Director of Planning has a child's music box? Especially when he has no children?
Eun-Ki ponders the question as he takes a another bite.
Eun-Ki.............. That never crossed my mind. So what?
Eun-Ok............. So obvious you couldn't see it... Hyung-Chul's Achille's heel, that's what!
Eun-Ki.............. (scoffs) A child's toy? Now you're talking nonsense!
Eun-Ok............. Would Hyung-Chul buy something like that for himself? Obviously someone gave it to him.
....................... It's not the toy, but what it represents, since he keeps it in such a prominent place.
He catches on to her thinking ...
Eun-Ki.............. So the giver must be very important to him! So how can we find out who that person is?
Eun-Ok............. (smugly) It's simple... Jin Sun-Mi gave it to Hyung-Chul, in London, in the summer of 1995.
Eun-Ki.............. How can you be so sure? Did you get her to confess?
Eun-Ok............. As good as! Inscribed on the bottom is her name, with the place and date.
Eun-Ki finally puts the pieces together in his head...
Eun-Ki.............. Then, those rumors of their relationship beginning in London were true!
Eun-Ok............. Which answers the question of why Hyung-Chul faked a failed engagement -- to protect Jin Sun-Mi from scandal.
He immediately grasps her scheme ...
Eun-Ki.............. And prompts the next question ... What else would Director Yoon do, to protect his Lady Love's career future?
Eun-Ok............. Exactly!
Eun-Ki............. So how is Jin Sun-Mi our poisoned arrow?
Eun-Ok looks at her brother like he hasn't a clue...
Eun-Ok............. (grumbling) You really are dense. Do I have to spell it out in detail for you?
Eun-Ki.............. Well, Mother always said you were the smarter one, dear Sister.
Eun-Ok............. And Mother was right! ... Now, here's my plan...
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's apartment, night
While Sun-Mi finishes cleaning up, Young-Mi, Jin-Soo, and Kyung-Hee carry the refreshments to the living room.
Young-Mi passes behind Hyung-Chul to access the coffee table, to guarantee she gets the empty seat next to him.
When Sun-Mi arrives, late and empty-handed, the only seat remaining is at the far end of the couch, across the table from Hyung-Chul.
Young-Mi.......... (smiling at Hyung-Chul) It's fortunate we had two plates. I hope it meets your expectations.
Hyung-Chul....... (smiles back) It looks delicious! You worked hard, Young-Mi.
Young-Mi dips her head modestly, but shoots a veiled smirk at Sun-Mi, letting her know that what had happened wasn't coincidental.
Sun-Mi looks enviously at Young-Mi, as it hits her what just occurred... Young-Mi out-witted her again, and made her look the fool!
Jin-Soo............. Why just talk about eating? I don't know about all of you, but If I don't eat soon, I'll faint...
While everyone is laughing at Jin-Soo exaggerated expressions, Young-Mi picks up a fork and spears a piece of fruit...
Young-Mi.......... Here, Director, let me give you the first bite...
She hands the fork to Hyung-Chul, who self-consciously take the fork from Yung-Mi, holding it awkwardly.
Everyone takes notice, as an uncomfortable stillness settles in place of the former jovial mood.
Woo-Jin hangs his head, helpless in his loss of face.
Sun-Mi is angry at Young-Mi's blatant flirtation, and disappointed at Hyung-Chul's willingness to play along at Woo-Jin's expense.
With the celebratory mood faltering, Sun-Dal takes charge...
Sun-Dal............ Choi Jin-Soo is right, we're all famished. Let's have a toast, then dig in!
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
Seated in a circle around the coffee table, the Eve's Morning team all bring their beer bottles together in a toast.
All.................... Cheers!
Ki-Jong............. Hey, Director Yoon. the ratings for the first show are already 25%! What are we going to do now?
Kyung-Hee........ Let's all pass out from being happy.
Hyung-Chul....... I'd love for that to happen.
Jin-Soo............. Yes, we'll just keep going up and up. We'll be angels!
All laugh.
Hyung-Chul....... Good work today. Good job to our main announcers Kim Sun-Dal and Huh Young-Mi.
Sun-Dal............ I hope we will continue to do well.
Young-Mi.......... It will, we have the Lucky Goddess on our team. Isn't that right, Sun-Mi?
Young-Mi turns to Sun-Mi with a smile. Sun-Mi looks up at Young-Mi, then down as she show a thin, uncomfortable smile.
Woo-Jin............ What's that supposed to mean?
Young-Mi.......... That things will go well.
Sun-Mi frowns and looks away.
Jin-Soo............. That's right. Many people will watch to see Sun-Mi. Many people were watching when the cell phone went off...
Sun-Mi is embarrassed at having her blunder be the focus of the conversation.
Jin-Soo............. (continuing) My friends couldn't stop laughing...
Ki-Jong laughs uneasily and slaps Jin-Soo on the back.
Ki-Jong............. Forget about it. No need to bring it up again.
Jin-Soo............. I'm not trying to make fun of Sun-Mi...
Hyung-Chul looks at Sun-Mi. Sun-Mi looks back at Hyung-Chul uncomfortably, certain he is remembering all the mistakes she's made.
Jin-Soo............. (continuing) It's just funny. When the phone started ringing...
Sun-Mi looks down, wishing she was anywhere but here.
Jin-Soo............. (continues) and she was confused and didn't know what to do...
Hyung-Chul is feeling the building tension as Jin-Soo continues to ramble on...
Ki-Jong............. You idiot. (laughs nervously)
Hyung-Chul takes out a cigarette -- his way of easing tension -- and puts in his mouth.
Observant Young-Mi is ready to 'helpfully' light Hyung-Chul's cigarette.
Ki-Jong............. I'm sure she's sick of all the compliments.
Jin-Soo............. I really like Sun-Mi, but that whole situation was funny, right?...
Sun-Mi glances over at Woo-Jin to gauge his reaction at Young-Mi continued flirtations.
Woo-Jin looks away upset but unable to do anything.
Jin-Soo............. Don't you think, Sun-Mi?...
Finally, Ki-Jong bats Jin-Soo to make him shut up.
Jin-Soo............. (to Ki-Jong) Why did you hit me?
Young-Mi ignores Woo-Jin, but continues looking on attentively at Hyung-Chul.
Ki-Jong............. (to Jin-Soo) Enough! Even interesting anecdotes will irritate others!
....................... (to Hyung-Chul, changing the subject) Director Yoon, wanna go to the baseball game tomorrow?
Hyung-Chul....... (a bit reluctantly) Sure.
Jin-Soo............. (pleading) Does that mean you're covering dinner for us? Please come. Promise? That's a promise, OK?
Hyung-Chul....... (chuckles) OK.
Hearing this, Young-Mi starts hatching a new plot.
SCENE: Yoon family dining room, night
Eun-Ki and Eun-Ok wrap up their discussion at the dining table about Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi, he ponders her plans ...
Eun-Ki.............. So it's Jin Sun-Mi, not Huh Young-Mi, who I should recruit?
Eun-Ok............. If Sun-Mi is the host of your new program, Hyung-Chul will have to let you do whatever you want.
He chuckles at the cunning effectiveness of her idea ...
Eun-Ki.............. Force my enemy to become my ally, against his own interests? You're a genius, Sister!
Eun-Ok............. How long will it take to get the new program on air?
Eun-Ki.............. Several months, at least. But are you certain we can convince Jin Sun-Mi to accept?
Eun-Ok............. If you make the right pitch, like I explained, it's practically guaranteed.
Eun-Ki.............. (nods) It's a go, then. I'll call Yoo Joo-Hee tonight, and get things in motion.
A servant appears with an ice bucket holding a bottle of champagne and two tall glasses.
He places the bucket on the table, pops the cork and fills both glasses.
Eun-Ok motions for her brother to take one glass.
Eun-Ok............. I propose a toast...
She picks up the other glass and raises it to his.
Eun-Ok............. To the successful career of MBS' future top celebrity, the illustrious Announcer Jin Sun-Mi!
Eun-Ki.............. And to the equally rapid demise of the infamous Director Yoon Hyung-Chul!
They bring their glasses together with the clear, bright clink of expensive crystal...
SCENE: Inside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
At Hyung-Chul's apartment, the celebration party is winding down...
Still seated on the loveseat with Ki-Jong, Jin-Soo holds up a beer bottle and scrutinizes it closely.
Jin-Soo............. (sadly) All gone...
Ki-Jong............. You've had enough. Stop complaining!
As they talk, Kyung-Hee comes up.
Kyung-Hee........ I'll take that.
She grabs the bottle from Jin-Soo's hand, places it on a tray with other bottles, then continues picking up the living room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Meanwhile, Sun-Dal and Hyung-Chul are talking business as they stand by the window.
Sun-Dal............ Let's go over the financials tomorrow, before Director Kim can lodge a complaint.
Hyung-Chul....... I agree. Come by when it's convenient...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In the kitchen, Young-Mi and Sun-Mi are cleaning up, and Young-Mi takes the opportunity to needle Sun-Mi...
Young-Mi.......... Now that Yoo Joo-Hee is out of the picture, who is next in line for Director Yoon?
Sun-Mi.............. (derisively) It seems you're auditioning already.
Young-Mi.......... Does it? Is it wrong to be helpful?
Sun-Mi.............. (acidly) You mean shameless, don't you? Acting like that, in front of Woo-Jin...
Young-Mi.......... Is it for Woo-Jin you're concerned, or yourself?
Sun-Mi.............. What are you implying?
Young-Mi.......... Isn't it obvious? You claim you're only the Director's 'good friend', yet all night you act like the offended 'girlfriend'.
....................... You say I'm shameless? I've never met anyone as shameless as you!
Sun-Mi.............. (irritated, loudly) Huh Young-Mi!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Everyone stops what they are doing and look over at Sun-Mi and Young-Mi, wondering what is going on.
Sun-Mi is embarrassed once again to be the center of attention.
Sun-Mi.............. Er... I was just...
Sun-Dal steps in again to rectify the situation...
Sun-Dal............ (looking at his watch) It's getting late. Let's give the Director our appreciation for tonight.
Everyone applauds.
Hyung-Chul....... Thank you. But it's all of you who deserve applause. Let's go forward and continue our success!
Everyone applauds again.
Sun-Dal............ (motioning) Come on, let's go out...
SCENE: Parking lot outside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
Leaving Hyung-Chul's apartment building, Ki-Jong and Kyung-Hee come out first, followed by Young-Mi.
Then everyone else comes out in a group, along with Hyung-Chul. They walk along the sidewalk in front of the row of parked cars.
Ki-Jong............. It's really getting late.
Kyung-Hee........ Give me the key.
Ki-Jong............. I'll drive.
Kyung-Hee........ What? But you were drinking!
All.................... (calling to each other) Take care... See you later... Be careful... OK, see ya later...
Ki-Jong............. (to anyone) OK, have a good break. (to Hyung-Chul) We'll see you at the baseball field.
Young-Mi goes first, while Woo-Jin walks with Sun-Mi. He hits the remote to unlock his car.
Woo-Jin............ I'll drive you back.
Young-Mi is getting into Woo-Jin's car, and the last thing Sun-Mi wants to do right now is ride in a car with Young-Mi.
Sun-Mi.............. Sorry, I have to go back to the station.
Woo-Jin............ This late?
Sun-Mi.............. (nods) Good bye.
Sun-Mi waves to Woo-Jin.
Woo-Jin............ Take care.
Young-Mi waves impatiently at Woo-Jin from inside the car.
Young-Mi.......... Let's go!
Hyung-Chul is talking with someone as he/she gets in a car.
Hyung-Chul....... Take care.
Hyung-Chul notices Sun-Mi walking away by herself.
SCENE: Parking lot outside Hyung-Chul's villa, night
As Woo-Jin starts backing his car out, Hyung-Chul catches up to Sun-Mi...
Hyung-Chul....... Do you have a moment?
Sun-Mi.............. (coldly) Sorry, I have to go back to the office now.
Hyung-Chul....... Is it that unpleasant to face me?
Sun-Mi considers for a moment, then lightens her attitude.
Sun-Mi.............. Actually... I suppose we have no reason anymore to hold personal grievances.
Hyung-Chul....... Then we're on speaking terms again?
Sun-Mi.............. As long as we keep things strictly professional between us. Let's not dwell on the past anymore, and move on...
Hyung-Chul....... (resigned) If that's how you feel...
Sun-Mi.............. Isn't it the best way? We do have to work together...
She holds out her hand.
Hyung-Chul initially hesitates, but then accepts, and they shake hands briefly.
Sun-Mi.............. Thanks for the party. Good night...
Hyung-Chul is about to reply, when a car horn beeps. He turns to look.
Ki-Jong is waving through the open window of his car.
Ki-Jong............. Director Yoon! We'll see you at the game tomorrow!
Hyung-Chul....... (waves back) Sure! ... Goodnight!
The car starts off, and Hyung-Chul turns back to continue his conversation with Sun-Mi.
But while he was talking with Ki-Jong, she hadn't waited. She is walking away, and is almost at the gate to the street.
Hyung-Chul considers the situation with Sun-Mi and what to do. This isn't the outcome he'd expected when he set up the party...
To Be Continued� in two weeks
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Episode 12b Act 4
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