All About Eve 'Uncut' -- A Spring Apart
by AAEfanatic
Episode 18A
SCENE: Outside the Jin home, night
SCENE: Gwi-Sung's living room, night
SCENE: Children's Charity Gala, night
SERIES OF SCENES: Seoul Performing Arts Center, night
Act 4 - Part 2A
SCENE: Outside the Jin home, night
SCENE: Gwi-Sung's living room, night
Kui-Sung and Jin-Suk are watching the Gala on TV.
Announcer........ The curtain is down on tonight's record fund-raising Children's Charity Gala.
....................... Hosted by MBS' Director Yoon Hyung-Chul and Announcer Jin Sun-Mi,
....................... from the celebrity red carpet to the children's musical program, it was a memorable night
....................... of spectacle, entertainment, and heart-warming stories of the needy children in our midst.
Announcer........ To close our coverage, we'll return live to the Gala and MBS Reporter Lee Seung-Kui.
....................... Reporter Lee?
SCENE: Children's Charity Gala, night
Reporter Lee..... This is MBS Reporter Lee Seung-Ku, live at the Children's Charity Gala.
....................... After tonight's record breaking fundraiser, it's a celebratory mood here,
....................... as the crowd slowly clears out of the Seoul Performing Arts Center.
....................... With me is MBS Announcer Jin Sun-Mi, co-emcee of tonight's program.
....................... Announcer Jin, is there anything you'd like to say to our TV audience?
Sun-Mi.............. I want to thank everyone who contributed with your donations and pledges.
....................... Your generosity will bring needed care, and hope, to thousands of disadvantaged children.
Reporter Lee..... How did you feel when you announced that donations had surpassed last year's record?
Sun-Mi.............. It was an amazing moment when that happened, and more so when the pledges kept coming in!
Reporter Lee..... Tonight's Gala had the highest TV viewing audience ever.
....................... Do you think that your being one of MBS' most popular celebrities boosted the ratings?
Sun-Mi.............. It was only last night the emcee was changed, so how could that be?
....................... The Gala's success was due to hard work by all the people behind the scenes that made it happen.
....................... They deserve the credit for making this the most successful Gala ever.
Reporter Lee..... You've been labeled the "Queen of Love" for your evening radio program.
....................... And the "Queen of 'Arts" for your top rated cultural program.
....................... The recent national People's Choice poll has ranked you in the top ten female celebrities.
....................... Will you be "Queen of the News" next?
Modestly lowering her eyes and covering her mouth with her hand, Sun-Mi laughs uneasily.
Sun-Mi.............. Er ... That's not something I'm considering right now, as I'm fully invested in my current work.
....................... Is there another question, please?
Announcer........ That was Reporter Lee Seung-Kui interviewing MBS Announcer Jin Sun-Mi.
....................... This ends our coverage of the Seoul Children's Charity Gala.
Announcer........ Thank you for watching this special broadcast of MBS Entertainment News. Good night.
The announcer bows her head.
[ program theme music ]
Cho-Jeh points the remote control at the TV and turns it off.
Cho-Jeh............ Wasn't Sun-Mi gorgeous tonight? She was like a Princess next to Director Yoon.
Jin-Soo............. I thought Young-Mi was hilarious as Buzzy, wagging her fat bee-hind at the camera!
....................... I'm just glad it wasn't me! I hope I'm done with Buzzy for good!
Cho-Jeh............ You better be! I won't be tied to a chubby insect for the rest of my life!
Jin-Soo............. Are you saying if I had to play Buzzy permanently, you'd break off our engagement?
Cho-Jeh............ What self-respecting woman wouldn't? The embarrassment of it all! My family would insist!
Jin-Soo............. You'd side with your family, against your husband?
Cho-Jeh............ We're not married yet, so you're not my husband!
Jin-Soo............. We'd be married already, if your family would compromise on the wedding date!
Cho-Jeh............ My family? It's your family that won't come to an agreement!
Jin-Soo............. I've told you, they're only holding onto their traditions.
....................... The way your family is acting is an embarrassment to be related to them!
She stares at him, astounded by his attitude.
Cho-Jeh............ If that's how you're going to be, I can cancel the wedding any time I want!
Jin-Soo............. No, you won't! I'll cancel the wedding first!
The factious couple glare at each other, neither willing to give ground.
[ mobile phone ringtone ]
She picks up her phone and flips it open, holding it up to her ear.
Cho-Jeh............ Hello? ... Sun-Mi?
SERIES OF SCENES: Seoul Performing Arts Center, night
Main Floor
Sun-Mi.............. Sorry I can't come to the hospital tonight. I'm still at the Gala.
....................... Tell Jin-Soo I hope he's feeling better ... See you tomorrow at the station.
Sun-Mi.............. I've gotta go now. ... Bye.
She closes her phone and looks toward the auditorium stage.
Sun-Mi.............. I hope it's not too late!
Rear Entrance
Hyung-Chul is backstage, at the place where he had agreed to meet up with Sun-Mi.
As he waits, he recalls their conversation in the limousine on the way to the Gala ...
Hyung-Chul....... (V.O.) Can we meet after the program?
Sun-Mi.............. (V.O.) Sorry, I have a date afterward ... but I can give you ten minutes ....
Checking his watch, he exhales a disappointed sigh.
Hyung-Chul....... Jin Sun-Mi, what happened this time?
[ mobile phone rings ]
He takes his phone from his jacket, flips it open, and holds it up to his ear.
Hyung-Chul....... Yes?
Male voice........ (V.O.) Director Yoon, I'm outside the main entrance.
Hyung-Chul....... Bring the car around to the rear doors ... I'll meet you there in ten minutes ...
Backstage Corridor
Meanwhile, Sun-Mi is hurrying to meet up with Hyung-Chul.
[ heel taps echoing ]
She recalls what Hyung-Chul said previously ...
Hyung-Chul....... (V.O.) There's something I wanted to tell you ... Can we meet afterward?
Sun-Mi.............. What was so important, that he had to tell me tonight?
Then she thinks back to what they were discussing when interrupted by her "wardrobe failure" ...
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FLASHBACK [ Previous scene from this Episode ]
Hyung-Chul....... I don't know what I did to make you break up with me.
Sun-Mi.............. ME break up with YOU?! ... Hah! ... You were the one who broke up with me first!
Hyung-Chul....... It seems we have a misunderstanding ...
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Sun-Mi.............. Could it be, that Senior never intended to break up with me?
....................... That I've been wrong about him all along?
Buoyed by the possibility, she accelerates her pace into a quick trot.
Rear Entrance
Hyung-Chul is walking toward the exit doors, having given up on Sun-Mi coming.
[ high heels clattering rapidly, becoming louder ]
He turns around expectantly, hoping it is her.
Sun-Mi stops, panting hard from her rush.
Seeing her, he grins, relieved.
Hyung-Chul....... What happened? I thought you weren't going to come.
She steps closer.
Sun-Mi.............. Sorry. I was held back by the reporters.
Hyung-Chul....... Do you still have time to talk? What about your date?
She smiles uneasily.
Sun-Mi.............. Er ... What was it you wanted to tell me before?
Sensing an opportunity, he responds eagerly ...
Hyung-Chul....... Are you hungry? My car is waiting. We can change at the office, then get something to eat.
But before she can accept, looking over Hyung-Chul's shoulder, Sun-Mi sees Young-Mi approaching.
Sun-Mi.............. Um ...
Young-Mi walks up to join Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul.
She smiles as she greets him keenly.
Young-Mi.......... Director Yoon? I'm glad I found you!
Hyung-Chul....... Young-Mi, good job tonight! You worked hard.
Young-Mi.......... You worked hard, too.
Hyung-Chul....... It's late. I'm surprised you're still here.
Young-Mi.......... It took longer to send the children off safely, so I missed the Company limos.
....................... Someone said they'd seen you back stage, so I came to ask for a ride ...
She briefly eyes Sun-Mi, before continuing.
Young-Mi.......... That is, if it's not inconveniencing you too much.
Desiring to talk with Sun-Mi, but feeling responsible to help Young-Mi, Hyung-Chul equivocates ...
Hyung-Chul....... Umm ... Actually, the situation is ...
Seizing on his ambiguity, she twists it into an affirmative.
Young-Mi.......... (gushing) Thank you so much! I knew I could count on you!
Belatedly, Sun-Mi glances sternly at Hyung-Chul, silently conveying her displeasure at the imposition.
Too late, Hyung-Chul realizes he has been hoodwinked.
Hyung-Chul....... But ...
Young-Mi.......... Actually, it's only because I feel a bit foolish taking a taxi, dressed like this.
She turns toward Sun-Mi, finally acknowledging her presence ...
Young-Mi.......... Oh ... Sun-Mi ... What about you? Did you need a ride, too?
After her incident with Young-Mi's dress, there is no way Sun-Mi would ride in the same car!
Sun-Mi.............. I'll catch a cab instead.
With a self-satisfied smirk, Young-Mi seals her coup.
Young-Mi.......... Looks like it's just the two of us, Director. After changing at the station, we can go to eat together.
....................... I'm hungry, and I heard you say you were, too. Right?
Caught between the rival women, he tries to thread the needle.
Hyung-Chul....... Uh, sure ... A reward for a job well done.
....................... Sun-Mi? You'll come, too?
But she is having none of it.
Sun-Mi.............. (icily) Actually, there's another date that I'm late for, so I'll leave first.
She gives Hyung-Chul a perfunctory nod.
Sun-Mi.............. (sarcastically) Have a good night, Director Yoon!
Turning abruptly on her heels, Sun-Mi strides off in a huff, headed back in the direction she had come.
[ high heels clacking harshly ]
Young-Mi looks at Hyung-Chul with a quizzical shrug.
Young-Mi.......... Then, shall we go?
They start off walking toward the exit.
She slips her hand around his arm.
Hyung-Chul glances her way, but doesn't say anything.
Young-Mi.......... Last time, I really enjoyed the club you took me to.
Hyung-Chul....... Once in a Blue Moon?
Young-Mi.......... Yes. Can we go there again tonight?
Hyung-Chul....... If you prefer.
Young-Mi.......... About Sun-Mi -- I'm sorry if I caused a problem just now.
Hyung-Chul....... It's nothing. Don't be concerned.
Young-Mi.......... Thanks. And thanks again for the ride ...
Riding in a cab after leaving the performance center, Sun-Mi reflects on the day's critical events ...
Sun-Mi.............. (V.O) What if I'd listened to Su-Jin, and not my own instincts?
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FLASHBACK [Previous scene from this Episode ]
Sun-Mi.............. This dress isn't right ...
Su-Jin............... But you look gorgeous!
Sun-Mi.............. I know, but it's just not who I really am.
|
Sun-Mi.............. Instead of just being embarrassed in front of Hyung-Chul ...
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FLASHBACK [ Previous scene from this Episode ]
Sun-Mi.............. Senior! ... Don't Look!
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Sun-Mi.............. I'd be the laughingstock of the Gala, and everyone in Seoul, too!
Eyes flashing with outrage at the shame and humiliation that Young-Mi had intended for her, she seethes ...
Sun-Mi.............. That witch would've gotten away with it like she did with hiding my mobile in the News Center.
....................... How can Senior ditch me, and just go off with her as if nothing happened?
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FLASHBACK [ Scene from this Episode ]
Young-Mi.......... Last time, I really enjoyed that club.
Hyung-Chul....... Once in a Blue Moon?
Young-Mi.......... Yes. Can we go there again tonight?
|
Sun-Mi.............. Maybe, instead, I WAS right all along about him! ... Well, two can play at that game!
She takes out her mobile and makes a call ...
Sun-Mi.............. Hi, it's me ... It's been a long time ...
She listens briefly, then continues ...
Sun-Mi.............. Yes, I'm fine. Er ... I'm calling to see if -- that is -- what are you doing later tonight?
To Be Continued ...