---

PRELAP: tip-tip-tip... Sound of keyboard typing.

---

tip-tip-tip... Ye-Ri types on the computer when--
Skatch!!! Manager Jang snatches the keyboard from her!!

-

!!!

Manager Jang sets the keyboard aside and picks up the mouse.

(clicks on "filter by available rented property")

(anxious, "she analyzes my performance")

-

(scrolls through successful files) You're a hit with the customers.

-

... Thank you, Manager Jang.

-

(satisfied, drops mouse) Are you ambitious, Ye-Ri?

-

I try to do my best, Manager Jang.

-

That's not enough!!!

-

.... ! ("I don't work hard enough")

-

Do you know what a big company needs most?

-

(confused) ... Motivated people? People who work well, fast and hard?

-

NO!! Responsible people! People who can lead well.

-

...... (outdated)

-

So when I see a competent, responsible person... ... My only watchword is: Be ambitious!

-

...... (gradually, understand... "she's talking about me")

-

(challenging, authoritative) I hope we understand each other.

-

(serious) Yes, Manager Jang.

(leaves, annoyed by her lack of ambition)

:

(watches her leave) She's right. An opportunity I never dared dream of. I've got to move up in the hierarchy! To earn more money for my daughter.

---

(One week later.)

We approach Lee Seol's store, with the notice: "Closed".

~

Since we have nothing more to say, and EVEN Ji-Hoon liked it...

---

The quartet finish drinking coffee, sitting in the armchairs.

-

... Ji-Hoon, it's your turn this week.

-

(Clac! stands up curtly) AAAH-- AH-Ah-Aaahhh... (the moment he was waiting for)

He picks up a big bag from the floor and--
SBOM! throws it on the table, Bling! knocking over a coffee cup.
He pulls out a stack of 6 books and Spof! places it on the table. Spof! another, Spof! another.

PAF! He taps a stack, stares at them like "it blows your mind, doesn't it?".

(somehow worried, looks at the stack, Ji-Hoon, the stack)

(somehow worried, stares at the stack)

(somehow worried, stares at Ji-Hoon)

(looks at them proudly, nodding several "yes", a bit crazy)

Lee Seol picks up the first book of her stack: "Dune" by "Frank Herbert".

-

Dune, by Frank Herbert.

-

(fiery enthusiasm) The GREAAATEST science fiction saga ever written!!! "THE" saga you must read before you die! If you were to read ONLY ONE BOOK in your life, this is THE ONE!!!!

-

Only one book?! But there are six tomes on this!

-

You don't expect us to read all that by next week, do you?

-

?!! (shocked) ... Of course YES!! What kind of defeatism is that? How else can you make sense of this ~mooOOOnumental MAS-TER-PIECE?

-

Ji-Hoon, I trust you. It's certainly a very good book, "so"...

-

... ?! ("so?", big eyes, "careful not to say any heresy")

-

Let's just read the first volume. And uh... we'll read the others quietly outside the club.

-

WHAT HERESY!!! No way! AHGRrrrr, I hate it! THE ~ "Ah, that's nice, but I'll read later", THE ~ "Ah, I promise, I'll read everything when I have time". BULLSHIT!!! You'll just give up! NO, under these conditions, it's ALL or NOTHING!!!

-

(intimidated, low voice) ... then it's nothing.

-

HOW THAT?!! What did you say?!!

-

(loudly) It's: Nothing! (sorry smile)

-

(fulminates) ... Mmpfffrrrrmm... you overlook such genius... ... it's beyond comprehension... (an idea! calms down) ... ALL RIGHT! (Splof! falls back in the armchair) But in that case...

(anticipates a dirty trick)

-

In that case, let's read George Orwell's 1984. (sadistic sneer) You DESERVE to be depressed!!!

-

Heol. (so painful) I've read it twice... It's depressing.

---

In the distance, a luxury car is parked in front of the hospital...
... from which exit Secretary Do, and Gong Yu in suit, walking with a crutch.

---

Secretary Do opens the rear door of the car.
He helps Gong Yu aboard but--

-

(snarling) Leave me! I can do it alone!!

(steps back)

(struggles to get in, fails, stumbles)

-

(comes to help) President Gong.

-

(poc! pushes him away with the crutch) (angry) Let me do it, I tell you!!!

---

Ye-Ri at her desk, sees Manager Hwang coming.

:

(stomach knots) Can't he leave me in peace?!

-

Clerk Han, we need to examine a file. Come into my office.

-

(!!) ... ("to escape") When, Manager Hwang?

-

(obvious) What is this?! Right away!!! (goes to the administration corridor without waiting)

-

... (bad feeling) ... (gets up reluctantly)

---

Manager Hwang holds the door open. On the landing, Ye-Ri sees...
... A small room, a two-seater sofa, and a desk at the back.
No chairs except the desk one. A claustrophobic, suffocating atmosphere.

-

Make yourself comfortable. (points to the sofa)

(very bad feeling, goes to the sofa)

Manager Hwang closes the door and discreetly Latch! locks it.
Ye-Ri sits on the sofa, tense. But instead of coming with her...
... Manager Hwang sits down at his desk. Ye-Ri, ?!!, feels better.

On the desk, a family photo: Manager Hwang, his wife, teenage son and daughter.
Manager Hwang uses the computer, goes into a folder "save".
He opens a rental file, "Jongno, Duplex 85 m2", clicks on "print".

-

Just a second, Clerk Han...

ziv-ziv-ziv... A small printer outputs a double-sided document.

-

... ?! ("he really wanted to work?", reassured)

Manager Hwang takes the document and sits down next to Ye-Ri.

-

(shows her the document without giving it) Clerk Han, do you recognize this file?

-

(reads) .... (recognizes) Yes, it's this customer to whom I rented a duplex.

-

A wonderful deal. By the way, Manager Jang congratulated you?!

-

(?!) ... Yes? ("what's he getting at?")

-

This is the old version of the contract, prior to the transaction... And unfortunately, Clerk Han... (turns back the document)

-

... ??! (anguish rising)

-

You rented it when... (gives her time to find it)

-

...... (frantic eyes searching the document)

-

An option was already in progress!

Ye-Ri sees on the document: "Quick option with guarantee". (close-up)

-

!!!!! (DUMM!! like a punch in the stomach!)

-

The kind of serious mistake Manager Jang doesn't forgive, Clerk Han.

(cold sweat, tetanized, her memory flashes...)

-

Fortunately, I was around for the damage control. I fixed it... and no one knew.

(upset, "how did I make this mistake?", tries to remember)

-

The problem, Clerk Han... You made this mistake, then another, then another, and AGAIN another.

-

?!!! (appalled!!) ... (dreadful guilt)

-

And EVERY TIME, to save you from a difficult situation, I discreetly arranged things. (begging gesture with hand) Because... (thoughtful)

(confused, contradiction)

-

As Manager Jang, I like you, as a colleague and...

("so, I should thank him?")

-

... as a woman.

-

... ?! (doubt, "as a woman?" ... anguish)

-

I'm a man of great professional conscience, and this disturbs me, Clerk Han. Is it ethical to bury these mistakes? Is it better for your career?

-

... (stomach terribly knotted, guesses his purpose)

-

I'm aware that you really need this job, Clerk Han. But I can't go on lying indefinitely... unless... (index finger on his mouth)

(pleads with her eyes, "no, not that, by mercy")

-

(big smile) ... We'd come to an arrangement...

(contracts eyelids, grimaces in horror)

-

(puts hand on her thigh) ... My little Ye-Ri.

-

!!!!! (DOOM!!! eyes bulging, knows she's doomed!)

Ye-Ri is unable to react because she's an expertly trapped prey.
A series of contradictory shocks, dashed hopes, pressure and blackmail that could destroy her life.
Manager Hwang, seemingly quiet and harmless, masters every stage of sexual predation.

-

You're exceptionally beautiful, for a woman in her forties. It's the age I prefer, the age of maturity. (caresses her cheek with the other hand)

(shivers, prostrate)

-

Some men prefer young women. Yes, they're cute, but... ... they often cause complications. (hand goes up her thigh)

-

(squeezes her legs) ..hh..hh..hh.. (gasps in fear)

-

Whereas mature women know the limits and don't put themselves at risk for I-don't-know-what uncontrolled youthful impulse. (face close to hers, caresses her belly!)

-

hKk! (nervous shock, stops breathing)

-

They're responsible, they decide what's best compromise for their family and career. (mouth brushing her cheek, hand rising to her breast)

-

... !!! (glares at his hand, disgusted, endures because...)

-

Even when the task is difficult, they don't overreact or... ... make a mountain out of a molehill. (kneads her breast) And also...

-

(sobs) ... agh... sob... (grimace of despair)

-

They're more experienced... Yes, yesss, they know a man's desires and are competent to satisfy them. (other hand in her hair)

(shakes all over, in hell!)

-

They submit easily to any fantasy... (licks her cheek)

(nightmarish, closes eyes as hard as possible)

Manager Hwang removes his hand from her breast, and while Ye-Ri can't see...
... ziip, he unzips his pants, the other hand still in her hair.

-

... Nothing disgusts them. (pulls on her hair, towards his genitals)

-

!!!!! (opens her eyes wide, terrified)

As she sees herself slowly approaching the open pants, that nightmare becomes real...

:

(cries) If I give in once, it'll happen again, I'll be his slave. But without that, I lose any means for my daughter to survive. (more crying)

In the last moment before the irreparable, Manager Hwang's words echo in her mind...

~

I'm aware that you really need this job, Clerk Han.

~

They're responsible, deciding what's best compromise for their family and career.

And suddenly-- She has a visceral reaction! Instinct to be manipulated.
Without weighing the pros and cons, without fear of the consequences...
... She pushes Manager Hwang away with all her might!!!
She ignores the pain of a few accidentally torn hairs and gets to her feet.

-

??!

(can't stand to see him, turns her back, panting...)

(smiles, "nothing's lost yet", stands up)

(panicked, "leave now? convince him to spare me?")

-

(embraces her from behind, one hand on her breast) Come on, my little Ye-Ri, I have no intention of forcing you.

-

(!!!!) Stop! Stop! (pushes his hands away, takes two steps forward) (turns around, sickened) Don't touch me. Don't ever touch me again!

-

(serious) Be reasonable, Clerk Han. You're dead weight to this company. You're in no position to be capricious. But despite your incompetence, I'm offering you an opportunity to be useful.

-

(confused) ... What?! (realizes, "his every word is abject")

-

You help me relax, SO, I do a better job, SO, you're useful to the company... SO.... Just be my little Ye-Ri and keep that dream job.

-

..... !!! (mortified by his obscene gall) ("I've never met such a despicable man")

Ye-Ri can't stand being in the same room as him, breathing the same air.
She goes to the door, Latch! unlocks it, grabs the handle, and--

-

Clerk Han, if you walk out that door, you'll suffer serious consequences.

(doesn't turn around, determined stare and--)

Ye-Ri opens the door and leaves!!!

-

(barely annoyed, "too bad") (realizes) Oh! (looks at his pants)

ziip, Manager Hwang zippers up, with an amused pout.

-

(wandering gaze, thinking serenely) ....... How do I fire her? Light mistake, Heavy mistake? ... Or... (convinced) Cataclysmic mistake.

---

Ye-Ri staggers towards the exit of the administrative area.

Nauseous, she shakes and shivers, when--
Stomach spasm, mbgl! about to vomit.
She sees the toilet next door. Runs to it!!!

---

No time to reach a stall, Blewwargl... Ye-Ri barfs into the sink.
Fshhh... She opens the tap, sprays her face, drinks clumsily.
When she sees her swollen face in the mirror...

-

(bursts into tears) Boo hoo hoo... Bwahah Boo hoo hoo...

The backlash! An abominable crying fit, the suffering of a desperate one.

---

Secretary Do is driving. Gong Yu in the back. Outside, a Seoul avenue.

-

Where shall I take you, President Gong?

-

(pensive) I've had time to thank you... ... for those long hours you spent by my bedside at the hospital.

(masks his gratitude)

-

(in the rear-view mirror, guess he's moved) Then I should also thank Manager Jang, for her kindness.

-

At this hour, she's working at the Jongno agency. Would you like to meet her there?

-

Yes... She deserves to be the first person I pay attention to.

---

Manager Jang is working on the computer, behind a large desk.
The room is large and airy. Sophisticated decor, several sofas.

Knock! Knock! Knocks on the door.

~

(behind the door) Manager Jang? It's Manager Hwang.

-

Come in! (without stopping to work on the computer)

Manager Hwang opens the door and slavishly walks into the office.

-

(while working) Have a seat. What's the matter?

-

(sits down opposite the desk) I've noticed an anomaly on a file, Manager Jang.

-

(working) And yes, Manager Hwang. (jaded) There are anomalies here every day. Why don't you take care of it? You think I've got time for peccadilloes?

-

This is real estate leased by Clerk Han.

-

(stops working, looks at him) Clerk Han... Han Ye-Ri?

-

Yes... Our little Ye-Ri, so promising. (hidden cynicism)

-

(surprised) Mmh?! ... Something serious?

-

(phony) You're the best judge of that, Manager Jang. It concerns a property... (evasive on purpose) at Ikseon-Dong Village.

-

!!! (afraid of something) ... The file number.

(takes out a note and gives it to her, hiding a smile)

Manager Jang takes the paper and reads the number. (?!) Vaguely recognizes.
But unsure, doesn't know the number by heart. Her concern grows!!!
Manager Hwang watches her reactions, satisfied, feels he's handling her well.
While she types the number on the computer, he looks around the room, relaxed.

-

Your office is so pleasant...

Manager Jang types in the last digit, clicks on "view file", and--

-

!!!!!!! (as if decapitated)

(hides a toothy grin, eyes shining with malice)

On the computer, what she'd been dreading: the photo of Lee Seol's store!
But in its previous state, dark and sinister, front closed with rotten boards.
From that moment on, Manager Jang doesn't look at Manager Hwang. She's obsessed with the file!

(emotional cataclysm, "not this, not this, anything but this")

-

It seems to me... it's a blacklisted asset.

On the computer: "Blacklisted - Unavailable for rent".

(death row face)

-

And... probably... our little Ye-Ri charged the original rate... ... A rate devalued by the years, so low that no one could believe it.

On the computer: "Basic rate: 700,000 won".

(grits her teeth, desire to kill)

-

If I remember correctly... ? ... Lease with an imprescriptible clause of at least three years.

On the computer: "RENTED - 3 years minimum - Legal clause imposed on the owner.".

(successively terrified, enraged, catastrophized, desperate, terrorized, angry)

(discreetly imitates her grimaces, enjoying her affliction)

A peak of hatred and with both hands--
VRASHHH!!! She razes her desk!! The computer and other objects shatter on the floor!!

(mimes "ouch", amused, "does that hurt?")

Her face hideously deformed with furious madness, Manager Jang rushes out of the office.

(mimes "wooooow", "this is going better than expected")

Then Manager Hwang admires different parts of the office...
... nodding with a satisfied smile, "this could be my home".

---

Secretary Do parks the car in front of the building.

In the car, Gong Yu, dressed in a designer suit...

-

Wait for me here.

(nods slightly "yes")

In the rear-view mirror, Secretary Do watches Gong Yu get out of the car with difficulty.

---

Ye-Ri is prostrate with anxiety behind her desk.
Her paranoid eyes wander, her chin trembles with uncertainty.
She is obsessed by the echo of her thoughts....

:

What's he going to do? ... Is this the end for me? ... How can I stay here?

Ye-Ri is tetanized, unable to decide or work, when...
... tloc-Tloc-TLoc-TLOC... The sound of a woman's heels, walking rapidly towards her.

-

(looks and--) !!!!

Manager Jang strides towards her, furious! No, worse, psycho eyes!

-

(shakes all over) mm... mm.... mm.....

Manager Jang comes behind the desk and--
Sbom!!! She bumps into Ye-Ri and pushes her further away, not even paying attention.
She grabs the keyboard and Clac!! puts it down roughly in front of her.

-

.... ?!! (fear and confusion)

(tip-tip-tip... types a file number on the computer)

(looks at her scary face, then at the computer)

TIP!!! Manager Jang brutally presses the "view file" button.
The screen shows Lee Seol's store in its old, grim, boarded-up state.

-

?!

Paf!! Manager Jang slaps the back of Ye-Ri's head.

-

!! (surprised)

-

What's THAT ?!!

-

It's... It's....

SPAF!!! Manager Jang violently taps the back of Ye-Ri's head!

-

!!! (shocked)

-

(snarling) That's WHAT, THAT ?!!!

-

It's a store I rented!

In the agency, attendants and customers look on, surprised by the commotion.
Manager Jang grabs Ye-Ri's hair and pushes her face toward the screen.

-

?!! (pain!)

-

(rage!) AND THAT, WHAT'S THAAAT ?!!!!

-

... (frantic eyes searching the screen)

Manager Jang grips Ye-Ri's hair tighter and...

-

(?!!) AahouhAaah (moans in pain)

... she pushes her face in front of: "Blacklisted - Unavailable for rent".

-

(furious) WHY DID YOU DO THAT, WHYYYYY ?!!!!

-

(crying) It was... Boo-hoo... It was the very first property I rented. Boo-hoo-hoo... I didn't pay any attention to--

-

FUCKING BITCH !!!!!

Manager Jang pulls Ye-Ri's hair back, then forward and--
SCRASHH!!! She smashes her face into the screen!!! Nose shattered, screen smashed!!!

-

AAARHHGG!!! (bloody face)

Manager Jang pulls Ye-Ri's hair to force her to stand up, to leave the desk.

-

GET OUT OF HERE, GET OUT !!!

-

(in pain) AaARAAaahh... AYYaaRRrr... ARRaAAH...

People are shocked, "This manager is crazy?", "To treat an employee like that, what a scandal!".

(looks from a distance, eyes shining with sadistic joy)

Two meters away, Ye-Ri collapses to her knees, forcing Manager Jang to let go of her hair.

-

?!! (a handful of torn-off hair in hand)

-

(bowing, rubbing hands) Sorry!!! Boo-hoo... Sorry!! I beg you, Manager Jang! Boo-hoo... I've improved since... Please forgive me... Boo hoo... I won't make any more mistakes...

-

Shut up!!! SHUT THE FUCK UP !!!

-

(bowing, rubbing hands) By pity, don't fire me.... Boo hoo hoo... I need this job to take care of my little daugther!!! Boo hoo hoo... She'll die if I lose my job...

Manager Jang, going even crazier, looks around...
... on the next desk... she grabs the computer keyboard and--
SMASH!!! She slams it against Ye-Ri's cheek!!!

-

AARRAGH!! (blood flying)

-

GO TO DIE, YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER !!!! (SMASH! slams keyboard into Ye-Ri's back.)

-

AaRH!

-

YOU'RE FIRED !!! (SMASH!, keyboard strike)

-

AGGH!

-

FIREEEEED !!! (SMASH!, keyboard strike)

-

ARGH!

-

NEVER COME BACK HERE !!!

SMRATSH-Splank! One last blow, the keyboard shatters, the buttons fly.
Ye-Ri is crushed! Broken, lying on the floor.

:

(mimes "ouch", cynically) What a pity to ruin such a pretty girl.

In the agency, people: "Whatever the fault, you can't do that to an employee",
"This manager thinks she's back in Joseon?", "Nothing justifies such madness".

-

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO LEAVE ?!!

-

(paralyzed, crying in pain) Mmwahaaa boo hoo mwooh hoo...

-

GET OUT !!! (BOM! Heel strike on Ye-Ri's back)

-

ArAAhh!

-

GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE !!! (BAM! Kick in Ye-Ri's stomach)

-

ArGGggh!!! ....... mercy... mercy......

-

!!! (ulcerated by her motionlessness)

Manager Jang looks around and sees a cleaning cart nearby.

She picks up a large bucket filled with dirty soapy water.

-

Of all the mistakes, you've made the only one worthy of death.

SPLASH!! Manager Jang throws the dirty water in Ye-Ri's face.
A large soapy puddle spreads around, making the floor slippery.
SBLONK!! She rams the empty bucket into Ye-Ri's head.
She grabs Ye-Ri's collar and Zwiiiiz! drags her over a meter, thanks to the slippery floor.

-

You irresponsible bitch, you filthy piece of shit, you useless trash.

Zwiiiiz! She drags her another meter, with difficulty, arriving...

---

... in the exhibition area, near the entrance.

-

(exhausted) Crawl, CRAWL out of here!!!

(desperate, crawling to escape this hell)

-

Good girl! CRAWL!!! Fucking worm, CRAWL!!! Go throw yourself in the garbage, you incompetent old scumbag.

Ye-Ri crawls out of the agency, bellowing indistinct sobs...
Manager Jang returns to grab the mop from the cleaning cart...
... under the stunned gaze of the people, and the amused eye of Manager Hwang.

---

SFLAF!, Manager Jang whips Ye-Ri's face with the dirty mop.

-

Get up! Walk out of this building!

Ye-Ri tries to get up on her elbows, but has no strength left.
Some passers-by look on, not understanding.
SFLAF! SFLAF! Manager Jang whips Ye-Ri's stomach, urging her to get up.

-

Don't stay here! You're a disgrace to our reputation.

Coming from the outer entrance of the hall, seeing this cruel and humiliating spectacle...

-

(shouts) What's going on here?!

-

!!!!!! (livid in a flash, as if decapitated)

Sbling! The mop falls to the floor, Manager Jang has lost the strength to hold it.
Ye-Ri collapses into a fetal position, convulsing, physically and mentally traumatized.
poc... poc... poc... Gong Yu limps towards Manager Jang, leaning on his crutch.

(trembles in terror, staggers back)

-

MANAGER JANG!! I asked... (poc... poc... goes to her)

(terrified, steps back)

Gong Yu arrives near poor prostrate Ye-Ri.
He looks at her with pity. Bloody face, broken nose, dirty and wet, in shock.

-

... WHAT'S GOING ON ?!!

Manager Jang retreats into the agency, speechless...

---

poc... poc... Gong Yu enters, with cold, intense anger.

-

How can you treat a woman like that? How dare you torture one of our employees?!

-

(recoils, trembles) it's... she... I.... it's....

-

(like a whip) MANAGER JANG!!!

Sbom!!! Manager Jang collapses to her knees, seeing death coming.

-

Manager Jang and her employee rented a blacklisted property.

-

?!

(shakes head frantically)

-

It's about... a bookstore... (sparkling eyes) ... in Ikseon-Dong.

-

......... (confused, stammers silently, can't believe it immediately)

-

(bursts into tears, quietly) b... bb... b... b... bb.....

-

(horrible suffering, accepts the truth in consecutive complaints) hhHa... HHhaa.... HHhHaa.... HhAhhhAAhh.

(stares at him like "yes... yessssss... here we go")

-

(tears and snot running down) ... agh... gh...

-

(face distorted with demented hatred) YOU... DARED... TO RENT... THIS PLAAAAACE ???!!!!!!

-

(bowing, rubbing hands) SORRY!!!! SORRYYYYY!!! She was a new employee, her first transaction, she didn't--

-

(screaming insanely) ARRRAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!!!!!!

-

??!!! (raises head)

(grabs the building model on the next table and--)

-

!!!

SBRASHH!!! Gong Yu smashes it on her head!! Model parts fly!!
She collapses half-stunned. Her head pisses blood, bits of model in her hair.

-

(madly furious) YOU HAVE - NO EXCUSE !!!!

SBIM!!! Gong Yu slams Manager Jang's back with his crutch.

-

AgRAAAhh!!!

-

What did I tell you?! (SBIM!! hits her with the crutch)

-

ARRhh!!

-

DOZENS OF TIMES ??! (SBIM!! hits with crutch)

-

AGgAAh!!

-

I told you WHAAAAAAT ????!!!! (SBIM!! SBIM!! SBIM!! hits her frantically)

-

(SBIM!! SBIM!! ) ARAggH!!! ... ~Delegate (SBIM!!) AGRaAh!!... ~training (SBIM!! SBIM!!) ARGarg !!! ... ~of new (SBIM!!) Agh!! ~employees...

(sadistically amazed by the spectacle)

-

(presses her face with the tip of his crutch) You INCOMPETENT OLD CRONE!!! Why do you insist on taking care of newbies?! When it's NO LONGER YOUR ASSIGNMENT and you're MESSING IT IN FOURTH SPEED ??!!! FUCK THAAAT !!!!!!!!!!!

SBIIIM!!! Devastating crutch blow to her ribs!!! Crack, two broken.

-

AARRAAAAHHH!!!

Gong Yu kneels down and grabs Manager Jang's bloodied face.
He squeezes hard, contorting her cheeks, inflicting pain. Glues his face close to hers...
... his crazed eyes into hers in terror, as the blood from her skull floods her face.

-

(clenched teeth) Cancel - this - rental.

-

Gniii... gniii... I... I can't... The legal prescription is to--

-

(sputters in her face) You're saying I have to TAKE CARE OF IT MYSELF??!

-

(bursts into tears, shaking all over) 3 YEARS!!!! The minimum lease is 3 years!!!

Gong Yu drops her and stands up, with a vengeful, ruthless stature.
poc! He presses the crutch to her chest and pushes her...
Splat! She collapses lying on the floor, in the puddle of dirty water and her own blood.
She writhes in pain in the dirt and blood, like a fat worm.

-

(snarling) Take care of it any way you can. In the meantime, since you don't want to take responsibility...

(unhealthy hope, "yes, yes! me, me!")

(overcome by pain and fear)

-

MANAGER HWANG!

-

(bowing slavishly) Yes, President Gong!

-

You take over this agency! And call an ambulance for these two women!!!

-

(stays bowed) Right away, President Gong!

(poc... poc... exits the agency)

(remains bowed, raises sly eyes at him, smiles mischievously)

---

poc... poc... Gong Yu walks past Ye-Ri without looking at her, locked in his pain.

(too sore to move, watches him go, shocked by his actions)

---

-

(points to an employee) You! Call an ambulance.

The girl bows her head and exclaims, "Yes, Manager Hwang!".

-

(points to another employee) And you! Get rid of Manager Jang's things, and put mine in the director's office.

The girl bows her head and exclaims: "Yes, Manager Hwang!".

-

(watches them obey) Brave little ones, so devoted...

-

(crying abominably) Boo... ooh ooh... ooh ooh...

-

(fake sorrow) Oooh, I'm so sorry, Manager Jang. But President Gong doesn't leave me much choice...

(dismayed)

-

(smiles cruelly) Kkkh... (leaves the agency)

(in disbelief, "he planned this?")

---

Manager Hwang kneels beside Ye-Ri.

(horrified, disgusted)

-

(puts his hand on her head) Smack! (simulates a kiss from a distance)

-

... !!! ("unthinkably obscene")

-

Thanks for your help, my little Ye-Ri. At least you were competent for something.

-

(gasps, groans) Hhha... hh... hhaa...

-

Since you really need a job that pays well...

Manager Hwang pulls out a card and puts it in front of Ye-Ri's eyes:
A drawing of three sexy girls and "Bar Men Paradise - Cheongnyangni 588".
(Cheongnyangni 588 is a neighborhood known for prostitution.)

-

If you work there, I'll be a loyal customer. That's a promise! (pushes the card into her bodice)

-

!!!!

-

I can do no less than sacrifice myself... ... for a beautiful woman who must save her daughter.

-

... !!! ("despicable beyond words!")

-

(smiles excessively) Kkkh!! (gets up and goes back into the agency)

-

(watches him go, feeling of injustice and ignominy) ahhag... gghaa... arhhh...

---

Manager Hwang strokes the desk. A satisfied smile.
Pfoo... He blows on it, flaps his hand to remove the non-existent dust. Then...

(frowns, serious, remembers...)

Manager Hwang pulls out his smartphone and clicks on a number nicknamed "Chrysanthemum".
dzzz... dzzz... Rings... He waits, anxious... Clic! The caller picks up !

-

Hello... Mrs Chrysanthemum? I've got something new... ... about Gong Yu and a bookstore.

---

poc... poc... Gong Yu arrives, leaning on his crutch.
Dressed in a designer suit, with a satchel slung over his shoulder, he sees the storefront...

-

... !!!!! (emotional hell, overwhelmed by moral pain)

He sees a paper taped to the window (written by Lee Seol):
"Here, BOOK CLUB - Free registration - Whoever you are, we don't turn anyone away!"

-

(hesitates, groans) Hahaa... hahhah... (then decides, opens the door!)

---

Dunn... Doorbell rings!

-

?! (sees at the entrance...)

A handsome man wearing a suit and carrying a satchel, supported by a crutch... Gong Yu!

-

(looks tragically inside) HhHhh... hhh.... (cataclysmic suffering)

-

... ??! (worried, "is he sick?", goes to him)

Gong Yu takes a step, but overcome by emotion...

SLOW MOTION:
His crutch betrays him. He stumbles!
Lee Seol rushes forward!!!
He's collapsing, but--
Snap!! She catches him before he falls!
(?!) Lee Seol, embracing an unknown man, doesn't see...
... his dark, fulminating gaze.

-

(tense) Don't - touch - me!!

-

... ?!

-

Don't (screams) TOUCH MEEEEE !!!!!!!

-

!!!!! (startles, takes two steps back)

He limps toward her, raising his crutch to her chest and--

-

You!! (poc! crutch blow, pushes her backwards)

-

?! (frightened, doesn't understand)

-

How dare you... (poc! crutch blow)

-

??!!! (forced to step back, feeling like a nightmare)

-

(crazy scream) ... DESECRATE THIS PLACE ?!!!!

-

(!!!, startled) wAaAh!!!

VRASHH!!! He razes a display stand with his crutch!! Books fall down!!

-

(!!!!) Hiiiiiii!!!!

-

(takes the book from the bookholder -offered by Kyu-Hyung) Books?

-

(shakes) Why... Why are you doing this?!

-

I HATE books (voshh! throws the book at her)

-

AAH!!! (reflex! shields arms, spof! cushions book)

-

And I HATE you!!!

-

(appalled) What do you waaant?!!

-

THAT - YOU GET - OUT - OF HERE !!! (approaches her)

-

(backs away, about to cry) No... No... Why?

(comes closer, threatening)

-

(hits counter, !!!, can't back away, terrified!!!) Who-who-who... Who are you?

SBAM! He knocks his crutch to the floor!!!

-

(!!!) Hiii!!!

-

(crazy eyes in her terrorized eyes) This place belongs to me!!!

-

Wha... wh... What?!

(takes a deed out of his satchel and sticks it in front of her eyes)

-

?!

-

I'M GONG YU, SOLE OWNER OF THIS PLACE !!!

-

(!!!) ... (trembling, reading the document and crying) Boo-hoo... Booh ooh ooh.....

The deed is authentic, with Gong Yu's name and precise address.

-

So... You filthy cockroach infesting this temple... (screams in her face) FUCK OUT FOREVER !!!!!!!

-

(traumatized, panting) Boo-hoo... No... No... You can't... Boo hoo hoo... I have a right to be here... I have a rental contract... Boo hoo hoo... This is the only place I can afford.

-

(disgusted by her) AAaah... Is that all it is?

He calms down, though still frighteningly insane...
... pulls some deeds out of his satchel and lays them on the counter.

-

... ??!

On the documents, photos of superb, spacious boutiques...
... only a millionaire could afford them, yet their price is... 1 won!!!

-

Gangnam, Ihwa, Sinchon... Or any other prestigious location you can dream of. Choose!! IT'S FREE! And no rental to pay. It's ALL YOURS!!!

-

Hhh... hh... hh... (gasps, tries to calm down)

-

Do you have any friends or loyal customers here? Would you rather stay in Ikseon-Dong? No problem!

He slides a deed from the counter and PAF!!! taps it.

-

.....?! (recognizes the place...)

-

Twice as big as here, better located and better maintained.

(admires the document, but feels uneasy)

-

(wild-eyed, senses she's baited) No rent to pay... ... All you have to do... (takes out a pen and puts it under her nose)

(looks at pen, but suffers, hand over her heart)

-

... You sign this document, and buy it for ONE symbolic little won! Here, NOW!!! Then you tear up your rental contract.

-

(clutching her aching heart) I can't!

-

(brings his face close to hers) What? What did you say? You CAN'T?! (face distorted with madness, inches from hers) WHY ?!!!!

-

(sobs, clutches her heart tighter) I... I... Boo-hoo... I... Boo hoo hoo...

-

(mad anger rising) why... Why... WHY... (demented scream) WHY YOU CAAAAAAAN'T ??!!!!!

-

AAaaAahhh... (terrified) I... I don't know... Boo-hoo... ... You wouldn't understand. Booh ooh ooh...

-

(suffering crescendo) AaAahhh.... AAaAHHhh... AAAhAAHHHHhh...

-

(complaints, tears) ahhh... Aagh... gahhh...

-

(shaking with convulsions) You don't KNOW AND... (screams even louder) ... I CAN'T UNDERSTAAAAAAND ???!!!!

-

(desperate cry) THIS IS THE TRUTH!!! Even if I don't understand IIIIT !!!

The horizon seems to shift, like Gong Yu's mind losing all sanity.

(clenched teeth, brandishes pen like a dagger)

-

!!!! (sees death coming)

A moment of motionless terror, as Gong Yu prepares to stab Lee Seol, and...

---