After Story 89

It was a day with clean air. The air he breathed in with every step tasted sweet. On a day like this, things were bound to go well.

The hot pack he had shaken beforehand as he got off the train started releasing heat. Maru pressed the heated pack against his cheek and left Tanhyeon station.

Not even 10 minutes away by foot, a production set for RBS was located. There was a giant RBS logo on a big building that seemed like a warehouse.

He checked the time. It was 8:30 a.m. The first call would be at 9, so he arrived at just the right time.

Lets hurry up.

The words that could be heard the most frequently on sets could be heard this time as well.

Maru looked at the completed set from a distance. There was a metal cabinet next to a pair of desks that faced each other.

Under the round clock that had the word POLICE embedded on it was a calendar.

Put that file to the side and make it look messy.

A staff member slightly hit the pile of files to make them look crooked. The slippers on the floor were worn once before taken off, and the neatly lined up desks were also pushed to make them look used.

Maru looked at the scene that was near completion before walking to the waiting room. Inside the waiting room was a TV that projected the scene outside. The minor actors were gathered in front of it.

h.e.l.lo, Maru greeted as he walked over.

The actors, who were doing their own things, smiled and responded to him. No one looked down on him. Everyone here knew that they would have to see each other for hours here.

Everyone here must have their first call at nine, huh? said a woman that looked around 30. The minor actors all nodded.

Im woman causing a ruckus, what is everyone else playing?

Drunk man causing a disturbance over here.

I dont know mine yet.

Everyone said a word each. After they got a turn, peoples eyes gathered on Maru.

Rookie investigator.

Wow, we had an investigator among us, huh? You might get to act with actor Park Sinseo if youre lucky, huh?

Yes, I do share a few words with him.

How do you know that? Did you get your script?

I partic.i.p.ated in the first read-through, so I found out a little back then.

Im envious. I wouldnt have another wish if I had a role that could partic.i.p.ate in the read-through. The woman sighed.

Hows the atmosphere at the set? Does anyone know? said the man who said he didnt know his role. The answer came from the woman.

Its good. Everyones encouraging each other. There doesnt seem to be anyone picky either. The only downside is that there are delays. Originally, I was supposed to finish my scenes yesterday, but I had to come today. I waited from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. doing nothing.

That must be hard.

Thats just normal. It was less boring since they shot crowd reactions every once in a while. Oh yeah, the coffee here is nice. The woman pointed outside the waiting room. On the other side was the cafeteria store.

Why dont we go get a drink?

Drunk man causing a disturbance stood up. Everyone got black coffee from the cafeteria store and returned to the waiting room.

Maru smiled after taking a sip. It was better than most coffee shops.

A staff member came in when they were about to finish charging their caffeine.

Were going to start the scene explanation in a little bit. Those of you who have prepared clothing should get changed now.

Some of the minor actors left. They seemed to have gone to change their clothes.

Drunk man causing a disturbance came back wearing a suit. He didnt have his necktie on.

Are there many people in the bathroom? Maru asked the man.

No, theres no one.

He headed to the bathroom after hearing that answer. He checked on his clothing in front of the mirror.

He was wearing activity clothes due to the text he received two days ago from the production team.

He did not have any accessories on, and he only used hair wax to press down his hair where it was raised. It didnt look like he had any flaws.

He returned to the waiting room. Now, waiting was his work.

h.e.l.lo everyone.

A man in his early thirties came into the waiting room about 20 minutes later. He seemed to be the FD.

The minor actors also stood up and greeted him.

Please come this way. Well start explaining the scene.

They went to the set following the FD. Maru felt glad to see the lighting equipment and the camera again.

He saw director Cha standing next to the camera with a script in his hand.

h.e.l.lo. Oh, Marus here too, huh?

Director Cha smiled and patted his shoulder.

h.e.l.lo! The weathers really good, isnt it?

The one who appeared with a cheerful greeting was Lee Haena.

Director Cha turned around to greet Haena. The other staff members also turned around to look at her.

Her face is really small. It might be less than half the size of mine, said the drunk man causing a disturbance.

Everyone seemed to be thinking the same as they were nodding.

Following that, Park Sinseo and Yoo Jichan appeared. After a short greeting, the production explanation began.

Haena will come this way and grab this.

Should I do it like this?

Yes. Sinseo and Jichan, you two come in from that way so that your movement lines dont overlap.

The movement lines for the main actors seemed to have been decided, as director Cha then called for the minor actors.

Shall I try struggling? Sinseo, grab his arms for a minute.

Drunk man causing a disturbance shook his arms violently to shake Sinseo off. Due to the difference in physique, Sinseo was shaken off quite easily.

Enough. Go with just that, but tone down your strength a little. Sinseo will restrain you and then suppress you into the chair.

The two of them tried acting according to the directors words. Sinseo grabbed the mans arm and kept asking if it didnt hurt.

I think you can do it with a little more force.

Then Ill put more strength into it. If you feel uncomfortable please tell me immediately.

Its okay. The man laughed heartily.

After they tried a few more times, it looked rather decent. Sinseo said that he would do it properly and subdued the man with a serious expression. He seemed to have practiced the action by himself a lot, as there were no wasted movements in his actions.

Please just do this much during the real shoot.

Yes, okay.

Director Cha smiled and had the other minor actors try acting with the lead actors as well. Everyone quickly caught onto the intention behind the way it was produced and reflected it in their acts.

It was at the investigation scene that the smooth rehearsal started being delayed.

You arent frustrated. You should be enraged, director Cha said once again.

Im sorry, Im sorry.

Youre too nervous. Relax. You look like youll do well, but youre too tense and arent bringing your skills out.

Ill do well.

A man in his early twenties, who was supposed to be investigated, kept bowing his head. He seemed to be a student preparing to become an actor. As pitiful as he was, Maru had nothing to say to him. No, he had numerous words that might help him out, but this was not a situation where he should step in.

Even if he did step in and give some advice, it didnt look like that man was in a state to listen to anything.

What was necessary was the words of an actor acting with him. Sinseo also seemed to know that and approached that man first.

You should shout. Ill receive it no matter what you do. Also, if you try, youll be used to it, so dont worry.

Director Cha just told him that he should try before turning quiet. He probably judged that it was better for the actors to sort it out among themselves.

The young actor quickly recovered to tip-top condition under Sinseos guidance.

As the woman said in the waiting room, the atmosphere at the shoot was pretty good.

Han Maru, how have you been? director Cha spoke to him comfortably.

Ive been doing well.

Do your best today. The writer liked your acting to the point that she changed the script after seeing your act.

I must answer her expectations then.

He walked over to Sinseo and Jichan who were sitting by their desks with the script.

Jichan, I think you can do it while looking toward me.

Towards you, senior? Like this?

Yeah. How is it, director?

Director Cha looked at the two before saying that it was good. Maru watched for a bit before stepping forward.

h.e.l.lo. Im Han Maru, a new actor. Please take good care of me.

I remember. You were so good during the read-through. Your name is rather unique too.

He lightly shook hands with Sinseo. Jichan, who was sitting next to him, came over.

Let us both do our best as new actors.

Please take care of me too.

Director Cha stepped in.

Youll be seeing each other for a while still, so get along. Then well start from scene 18.

Maru sat at the desk next to Jichan.

Sinseo, who was on the other side, got into the mood as he looked at the script.

Maru had a look before and saw that the script was clean. There were no creases or any traces of something being written on it.

Rookie, Sinseo said his line. It was a rather sudden beginning.

Maru slid his script underneath the desk and spoke,

Yes, senior.

Have you met the witness for the violent crime in Gangwol-dong?

I met him yesterday. The culprit was very malicious. The witness told me that the culprit started hitting without any rhyme or reason. I also got the CCTV footage from a nearby shop. He did indeed hit first.

Sinseo stroked his chin and leaned forward.

Seok-oh, summon the culprit and get a testimony. Rookie, you go with Seok-oh and see how things roll. There are loads of work in the crime investigation department. You should quickly grow up and do your own worth.

Dont worry. I was born a big baby. Ill grow up quickly and support you all from the back, so please wait just a little.

You really have your way with words.

After finis.h.i.+ng his line there, Sinseo took his eyes off the script.

Director, was that good?

There arent any directions I can give. The three of you look quite good together. Also, Jichan, I think you can stop being worried now. Youre doing well without looking tense at all.

Jichan smiled awkwardly.

Okay then, lets begin, director Cha said as he waved the rolled-up script above his head.

Maru sat down on his chair. The other minor actors moved to their respective positions as well.

Uhm, Maru, right?

Jichan spoke to him before the camera started rolling.

Yes.

You see, Im still a little awkward. So I think Ill make a lot of mistakes.

You were doing perfectly fine though just now.

Im better off when there is no light on the camera, but Im someone that gets really nervous when I start doing it for real. So let me apologize to you in advance. I think were going to get delayed because of me.

I saw you doing a performance on stage. I could see that you were enjoying the camera being pointed at you. Dont you think its the same here as on stage? Im sure youll do well.

I feel rea.s.sured after you told me that. Thank you.

Dont mention it.

This person was quite polite. He had a good att.i.tude as though to show that not just anyone could become a top idol.

One of Marus core principles was that celebrities with a lot of controversies might last a long time, but they would never reach the top.

Since Jichan was an idol who had once reached the top, he should know well that there would be a lot to lose if he made a mistake.

Dont you two get close all by yourself and let me in as well, Sinseo said from the other side with a smile.

Youre always welcome, hyung-nim.

Jichan showed Sinseo a heart made with both of his hands. These two people got along.

Maru. How old are you? Sinseo asked.

Im twenty-two.

A college student, huh. Im envious of you lot because everyones so good these days.

If I hear that, Ill be embarra.s.sed and want to hide. I still have a lot of things I lack, so please tell me whenever you think my acting isnt up to par. I still have a lot to learn.

I have quite a vile mouth though. Are you okay with that? I might say something that might hurt you. Im sure Jichan hates me too because of it.

That hyung-nims teasing me again.

Sinseo faintly smiled.

Standby.

A voice could be heard from the production team. Maru relaxed his expression and looked at the desk. He now had to put aside laughing and chatting and become a crime investigator.