Top Management-Chapter 235

In the midst of back and forth jockeying,

"Director Park! Director!"

Treading on the verdant grass, Director Park halted on his way to the smoking area. Someone was hurriedly approaching.

An unremarkable man of no distinct features.

Son Chaeyoung's head of department, and ever since leaving the company, Jo Byunghwan, who had been acting as the temporary director of the second team, was approaching.

"Wait, huff, just a moment, let's talk...!"

"Why are you alone today?"

Director Park, seated on a wooden bench, inquired.

"Usually, you have the members of the second team flanking you. I thought the Attorney General himself had arrived at our company."

"Flanking? It's just trying to forge some team spirit amid this unrest. No, that's not the issue. Have you finished talking with Jung Sunwoo?"

"I wouldn't be here if our talk hadn't ended."

"Any intelligence? Eh? Is Ji Joon really going to stamp it?"

Tsk, Director Park clicked his tongue and drew a cigarette.

"I wondered why Acting Director Jo was calling me so desperately."

"Not acting director..."

"Right, Acting Director Jo. I could use some alone time right now. It's been mentally taxing these last couple of days."

"I heard rumors outside that Jung Sunwoo is keen on Director Lee Geumhyung's new project. Is it true? Just tell me that. Our team is curious about what Jung Sunwoo's next project will be. I'm carrying this burden because of them."

"..."

"You know, don't you? You two are close."

"It's just a baseless rumor about Director Lee Geumhyung's project."

"Really?"

His small eyes rolled suspiciously.

"It doesn't seem like just a rumor?"

"Why is Acting Director Jo so keen on Mr. Sunwoo's affairs? You seem to know his news best."

"It's not that I'm particularly interested!"

Jo Byunghwan jumped as if scalded.

"People are salty about such news. How does it make sense that folks in the same company hear about it later? There are actors waiting for a project, and if there seems to be a promising one, we should share it. Everyone's complaining about it. Isn't it too much of a solo play for someone who isn't a freelancer?"

Drowning in grievances, Director Park sighed irritably.

He then carelessly rubbed out his half-smoked cigarette and stood up.

"Go ask him directly. Stop bothering me with this."

Watching Director Park's receding back, Jo Byunghwan frowned.

***

The evening meeting took place in a private room of a frequently visited restaurant.

Not about the botched intelligence meeting from yesterday. Another matter.

"The male lead is a snail, right?"

"Exactly. A snail..."

"It's okay if they're not humans, like a wolf or a fox. Oh, and aliens too. They're major worldwide. But a snail might face some prejudice. After all, it's a mollusk."

"A mollusk..."

"Mollusks, you know, creatures with feet on their bellies. So, my snail has to be a handsome snail. His face should be good enough that it wouldn't matter if he were a worm."

The director threw a spanner in the works.

"Worms won't do. No matter what."

"I'd be okay with a worm, with that face."

The writer stared at Song Inho with a sticky gaze, akin to flypaper. Eating abalone porridge, Song Inho paused his spooning and smiled timely. It was a perfectly timed smile. The studio head across laughed along.

"I think it would be okay too."

"You're okay with a worm? Do you know what a worm is?"

"What's the big deal about a worm? As long as he transforms into that face when he becomes human, anything is fine. Just not a cockroach."

"I might consider even a cockroach... Ah, I'd need some time to think about that."

The writer, seemingly deep in thought, suddenly turned to me, his eyes burning hot enough to rival a volcano. From within, a fiery passion erupted.

"Manager Jeong. Don't ponder any further, trust me just this once with Song Inho. I can truly make him the best snail actor. Wasn't the script good? I'm really confident about this one."

"Yes, the script was quite captivating. That's why I'm here now."

She responded with a smile meant for guests.

The script was good. Having read up to episode 8, it consistently entertained without dips. Perhaps because the writer had been dedicated to romantic comedies, she seemed to have a ghostly knack for what the audience wanted.

The lead character suited Song Inho perfectly.

A seasoned writer, so there was little chance of a collapse later on.

The director was known for his refined directing.

With positive feedback in company

meetings, barring any major issues, I intended to give a favorable answer at this meeting.

Surrounded by hopeful gazes, I paused for a moment.

Just in case something might appear or be heard.

Nothing.

There's an old saying about being scared of a turtle and then a pot lid.

I shook my head slightly and spoke.

"Then, today."

[Could a drama with a snail as the lead actually succeed? Doesn't it remind you of a snail wrap?]

"..."

Damn.

I clenched my teeth hard to prevent any swear words from bursting out.

It wasn't Director Park's voice this time.

It was a mocking, sneering tone from an unfamiliar man. I didn't need to see him to know who it might be. A drama with a snail as the lead, what about it? What's wrong with a snail?

What's been going on since yesterday?

Is my future prediction broken?

Has the service changed from video to audio?

"Manager Jeong? Today?"

"Today... having met and had a good chat, I'll contact you immediately after our internal meeting."

"Ah, why, why, why...!"

The writer abruptly stood up.

"Manager Jeong, what's bothering you? We had a good atmosphere while dining. What more meetings are needed? I'll really do a good job."

She was restless, nudging the director beside her, glancing back and forth between Song Inho and me. Her demeanor was desperate, as if losing this snail meant there would be no next one.

"It's just a formal meeting. I'll contact you as soon as possible."

"Please, do contact us. We'll be waiting..."

After parting with the production team, I sent Song Inho off in the road manager's car. Then I headed back to the office.

My stomach boiling, I bypassed the elevator and climbed the stairs. The building, mostly emptied by now, echoed with my heavy footsteps. As soon as I entered the office, I took deep breaths until my lungs felt tight.

I pulled out a chamomile tea bag, known for its stress-relieving and calming effects.

As I steeped the tea bag in hot water, a subtle fragrance spread. I took a sip. It didn't seem particularly calming, but it was better than nothing.

I set the mug on the desk and pulled out all eight parts of the script 'So What If It's a Snail (working title)' from a drawer. I neatly stacked the scripts, then, feeling it was too altar-like, scattered them again.

Crossing my legs, I leaned back and said leisurely.

"This..."

I glanced at the firmly closed office door and spoke again.

"I'm going to do this."

Whether it's the thought of a dish of Woorung ssambap or Woorung seasoned salad that comes to mind, I had to do this.

Among the options available to Song Inho, this seemed the best.

The script was good, the male lead role was excellent, the character was compelling, and the actors were agreeable. The writer and director were eagerly seeking it. Thinking it over, this was the best choice.

So if the incessant whispering in my ear since yesterday sounded like an annoying, unrefined audio version of future prediction, I'd rather they just tell me the exact viewership ratings, or else they should shut up.

If it's auditory hallucinations... well, that's a problem.

Could it be that I'm too shocked by seeing a future where the intelligence fails?

Am I suffering from neurasthenia due to the psychological compulsion and anxiety that other projects might fail in the same way?

That's quite possible.

Pushing the Woorung script aside, I then pulled out another project. It's Lee Songha's top candidate for her next film, a movie synopsis titled 'Repetition.'

I spoke with a tone of finality.

I'll do this one too.

All was still.

No sign of anything. Whether by sight or by sound.

Then. I pulled out the script for a medical drama being considered for Im Joowon's next project, only to let out a curse-like sigh. I burst into laughter without realizing it.

What am I even doing, really?

"I'm going crazy."

*

-Mr. Sunwoo, is this intelligence about Mr. Seo Jijoon's next project correct?

"No."

-Manager Jung said this is definitely it, that's the rumor going around?

Reporter Park Woojeong spoke with a sleepy voice.

"Really? I haven't heard."

-Okay. So, Mr. Seo Jijoon's next project is still undecided? Please let us know if it gets fixed. And feel free to call me anytime if you need anything for the article.

"Yes, hold on a moment."

I pushed open the door to a 24-hour pharmacy.

Inside, it was eerily pale. The sharp ring of the bell pierced my sensitive ears. The pharmacist, half-closing his eyes, yawned and stood up.

What are you looking for?

What's good for recovering from fatigue?

-You must be tired. I guess you're really busy...

Reporter Park Woojeong's voice trailed off.

The pharmacist, looking at my face, pulled out several bottles of pills and liquid medicines.

"It depends whether your fatigue is physical or mental, but generally, it's good to take a lot of Vitamin B group, magnesium, things like that. What exactly are your symptoms?"

-When you're tired, it's best to go to a hospital and get an IV.

[Repetition is too repetitive. It's complicated.]

It's driving me crazy.

No, it's too late.

It's complicated, it's late!

What, are you an alien?

Is it because you're sending signals from outer space hundreds of light-years away?!

"Customer?"

"Ah. Just give me something effective. And, do you have any medicine for when you hear hallucinations?

"Go see a doctor for that."

Then give me something for when I feel like I'm going to explode.

I left the pharmacy loaded with fatigue recovery drugs and CheongSimHwan.

After ending the call with reporter Park Woojeong, I bought some bottled water at a convenience store. I sat at a bright blue parasol table and tore open a liquid fatigue recovery medicine. It tasted nauseating. I also popped a CheongSimHwan.

I slumped into a creaky plastic chair and took a moment to breathe.

Closer to morning than to the night.

Only a few staggering drunks, looking like rotten zombies, and some office workers, unclear whether coming from or going to work, with haggard faces, were visible on the street.

Should I go home? Or back to the office?

As I fiddled with my car keys, pondering, my phone vibrated. It was an SNS notification. I checked it to find that Im Joowon had posted a rather gloomy selfie on his account.

What are you doing at 4 AM?

*

"Did you really come?"

I said I would, on the phone.

Im Joowon, wearing striped pajamas, opened the door with a bewildered look.

No way, I thought youd come by morning. It's 4 AM now.

Why are you on SNS at this time?

Just... feeling down. Im tired but can't sleep. So.

Want a fatigue recovery drink?

I offered the bag of medicines. Im Joowon looked at it blankly and then took one.

He handed me a glass of water, and

I sat down on the sofa.

Unlike Seo Jijoons home, which felt lived-in, Im Joowons place felt like a model home.

It looked like one of those celebrity homes set up for a reality TV showperfect for taking selfies anywhere without a hitch.

So, why are you feeling down? And why cant you sleep?

"I heard Seo Jijoon is entering a project with Director Lee Geumhyeong?"

Im Joowon asked with a slightly hoarse voice, sitting beside me.

Thats not true. Where did you hear that?

"Just, I have ears, so I heard. Is it not true?

No.

He paused briefly then asked again.

I heard you had drinks at Seo Jijoon's place recently?

Where did you hear that... Yes, we had things to discuss.

Im Joowon fiddled with the bottle of fatigue recovery drink, his face half-shrouded in shadows. The sorrow seen in his SNS photo seemed to flicker across his expression. Was he angry? Or perhaps feeling wronged, or somewhat dispirited?

Seo Jijoon... no.

Im Joowon clicked his tongue, a gesture I caught as I took a sip of cold water.

He's a proud person, especially conscious of Seo Jijoon.

It's understandable. After all, Seo Jijoon had hit it big with a role Im Joowon had turned down due to an injury.

Because of the casting behind 'Cat Guardian Ghost', Im Joowon had been dubbed 'the actor who kicked away a lifetime role' by journalists that year. Its a title that still pops up every now and then.

Mr. Joowon. The issue with Mr. Seo Jijoon...

I know, I do.

Im Joowon said, looking at the table.

Hanging on to old issues is useless. But every time my mood dips, I keep thinking about that time.

He chewed on his lip.

Back then, I wasnt even badly injured. I could have adjusted to the drama schedule. Even if the company said not to, if I had pushed for it, I could have done it... such thoughts.

I should have bought alcohol instead of a fatigue recovery drink.

Im Joowon slumped over his knees, his voice muffled.

What if that choice was the biggest mistake of my life? What if it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? I keep thinking about that...

No.

I cut him off.

Its not like it was the biggest mistake. There will be more opportunities in the future.

I tried to soften my voice as much as possible, pulling together comforting words.

Im Joowon glanced at me and then said.

Since today has turned out like this... I just wanted to say.

Yes.

Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon, sir, have their own stories tied up with the manager, and naturally, they have a closer relationship... I can bear being pushed aside by them.

...Yes?

But falling behind Seo Jijoon doesnt seem right.

Im Joowon tousled his hair roughly.

Lately, Ive been feeling like my place in this team isnt so good.

No.

I was at a loss for words. It felt like being hit in the back of the head with an axe.

Priorities? Have I acted in such a way? To the extent that the concerned person could feel it?

I really didnt want to say this because it hurts my pride. But originally, I signed with W&U because of you, Manager Jung. I had other companies calling me... Anyway. So, I think its time to ask this.

Im Joowon looked me straight in the eye.

Am I even in your consideration?

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