Christmas in Dimension 6-2
The dimension where I worked, Dimension 6-2, was a melting pot where diverse races from various dimensions lived side by side. There were no language barriers here. The entire dimension was blanketed by a magical engineering satellite communication network invented by Hephaestus, the god of invention from Dimension 12's Olympus.
Thanks to this robust infrastructure, countless tourists and immigrants flocked to the vast expanse of Dimension 6-2. At its heart, the nation of Great Huuriten embraced a multitude of races, absorbing their cultures.
Rule them, Huuritenia.
Dominate the dimensions.
Huuritenians shall never be slaves.
Just looking at the national anthem lyrics revealed the immense prosperity underpinning Great Huuriten's steady consolidation of its superpower status. Among the exhibits at the Huuriten Museum were spoils brought back by explorers from Dimension 3-1. Artifacts from other dimensions quickly captured the public's imagination, and people began embracing Earth's culture without reservation.
Among Earth's imports, the holiday called Christmas sparked the biggest reaction by far. Sure, a few folks occasionally misinterpreted the red outfits in all the wrong ways, but they were a tiny minority. With no major winter festivals of their own, the people of Dimension 6-2 welcomed this otherworldly event across religions and races.
Today was Christmas Eve. Public broadcasters aired masterpieces like The Miraculous Pizza Gift on 7th Street, family films set against Christmas backdrops. As the year drew to a close, people shared stories and savored happy times.
Flat Sharpendora's family was no exception. Having cooked a special meal for his beloved wife and daughter, he now sat in front of the TV after dinner.
"Is that really Daddy?"
"It's Daddy, alright."
"Woooow."
Seeing Flat from his child actor days for the first time, his daughter gaped in awe.
"Daddy's so handsome..."
His wife, sitting beside him, giggled delightedly while filming with her camera. Capturing every memorable moment on video was her occupational hazard.
Suddenly recalling her shocked expression when he'd revealed his identity before an audition, Flat couldn't help but smile. Back then, he'd been the one holding the camera.
His wife and daughter were his most precious treasures. As long as he could live happily with them, Flat knew he could accomplish anything. And he was determined to repay those who'd helped him get this far.
"Next Christmas will be even happier."
"Who knows, maybe our little one will get a sibling?"
His innocent daughter beamed at the mention of a sibling, and his wife playfully kissed Flat's cheek while watching the end credits.
His smartphone buzzed right after the movie ended. An unknown number. He answered on a whim.
"Hello?"
Long time no see, Flat.
A voice he vaguely recognized, but he couldn't place it yet.
"Sorry, who is this—"
It's me. Kabill.
"Kabill?"
Flat shot up from the sofa, startling his daughter into a little squeak. He soothed her and headed upstairs to continue the call.
"Never thought you'd call first."
Flat couldn't hide his joy. The caller was his only close friend from his child actor days—a five-years-older confidant. Born into the head family of a storied traditional theater lineage, he'd inherited the storied stage name through overwhelming talent: the 13th Kabill, Jo Watch.
"How'd you get my number? I was planning to visit soon anyway."
No lie—he was thrilled. He'd even planned to surprise Kabill at his family home in January with his wife and daughter, never dreaming Kabill would call first.
What can I say? Heard the news and tracked you down. Who'd have thought you'd been shooting indies under a pseudonym all this time.
Flat scratched his head sheepishly. His and his wife's indie film was surging back into theaters now that the lead actor's identity as a legendary child star had leaked.
But Flat was more curious about Kabill's whereabouts all these years.
"And you? What have you been up to?"
Me?
Even during his pseudonym days, Flat had snuck peeks at teenage Kabill on stage a few times. But between drowning in booze, meeting his wife, and various upheavals, he hadn't checked in for nearly 15 years.
Kabill was the heir to the Watch family, leaders of Dimension 6-2's traditional theater world and a designated cultural treasure. A prodigy spotted at age two, he could've inherited the family seat by now—
I quit acting and got a job.
"What?"
Passed the bank exam. Been working there over 10 years now.
"You're kidding. Right?"
Dead serious. Suits me better.
Photo: Business card
"Dimensional Credit Vault Deputy Manager Slick Ellama..."
Reading his friend's real name on the card in the photo, Flat was speechless.
Youngest deputy manager ever. All on merit.
The twelve families upholding Great Huuriten's traditional theater Karbook, with the Watches at the top. Ellama was the true surname hidden behind the stage name Watch.
"My god. That's huge—should I congratulate you?"
What, the great actor making a fuss over this?
It was worth celebrating, but Flat wasn't sure how to react given his friend's past status. It didn't feel like a joke. The card proved the 13th Kabill had rejected the family legacy to become a banker. And at his bank, no less.
"..."
He suddenly understood why Kabill had called today.
"This call today... is it about—"
It's Christmas. Thought I'd check in after hearing the news, and ask a favor.
"Something to do with the banker who handled my loan?"
Still sharp as ever.
"Haa..."
Kabill—no, Slick—chuckled briefly before continuing.
Sorry to jump into work talk on a call after so long. I'd love to catch up, but no time now.
"It's fine. Old stories can wait till we meet."
Thanks for understanding. So, what about this Kim Jian guy?
Calling him "that guy" suggested Slick didn't think highly of Deputy Kim Jian. Which made Flat even more determined to hype up how proactively he'd helped.
Impressive for a rookie still on probation.
Thankfully, Slick reacted positively to the full story, praising Jian's skills.
Was shocked when HQ suddenly said you'd be our ad model. Makes sense now.
"Wouldn't have gone that far without Jian. What's with Flatron anyway?"
Vice president's infamous at weird names. Everyone's ripping into him for meddling this time too.
"Honestly, Jian did all the work, and the higher-ups are stealing credit? That's messed up."
Flat hoped his benefactor Kim Jian would keep rising at the bank. Performance-driven promotions were how companies should work. Even in a tight-knit place like a bank, results should count in evaluations.
Banks are all the same. Blame goes to subordinates, credit to bosses. Sickening. But don't worry too much.
"Oh...?"
But Slick's next words melted away Flat's concerns entirely.
I'll be working with that Kim Jian guy from now on.
"You personally?"
Yeah.
"Working with" meant more than just senior guidance in Karbook circles, famous for masters personally mentoring a few apprentices. Flat instantly grasped Slick planned to treat Kim Jian like a direct disciple.
Not bragging, but I'm a big shot at HQ. If I want, I can pull one promising banker to the new branch.
Slick's voice carried a pleased laugh as he went on.
New outpost branch—a fast track to promotion. I'll be the manager.
"Then..."
Kim Jian's crushing it, top of HR's recommendation list. No reason not to bring him.
"Take good care of Jian, please."
Don't need to ask. Once I take someone on, I see it through.
Flat's face lit up. It might be tough sledding, but Kim Jian wouldn't lose out—he was sure of it.
We'll talk the rest in person. Keep in touch.
His old friend hung up coolly after saying his piece, just like old times. Flat had no idea how Slick had ditched his family for banking. But once again, he felt the strong pull of connections.
"If Jian switches branches, I should visit. Been ages since I saw Kabill... er, Slick."
His benefactor's future looked brighter than ever. Relieved, Flat went downstairs, scooped up his daughter and wife in his arms, and planted kisses on their cheeks.
"Next, a movie from when Daddy was a bit older?"
"Yaaay!!"
The happy Sharpendora family Christmas Eve—forged by Kim Jian's kindness—slipped by. Flat vowed never to forget the favor.
A lazy afternoon. With year-end slowdown, few customers visited the bank. Our section chief was back from sick leave, so Fred and I returned to our desks, quietly handling teller duties and data entry.
Fred took window 4 for loans again. I handled deposits at window 3. Side by side, punching in data, random thoughts bubbled up: Year-end bonus size? Using accrued vacation next year? Pros of working here? Stuff unrelated to work.
If I had to pick perks of working in another dimension—not Earth—one was Christmas coming quicker.
"Quicker" might be a stretch, but anyway. Today was Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Last weekend was Christmas, so I'd partied with my special hire buddies at a nice restaurant. We ate, swapped gifts, partied till dawn, and split at morning.
Isaac, who'd skipped last time, joined and gave shares from his dad's company as gifts. He blatantly preferred them over Mira's cute fluffy sleep socks, earning him the read-ignore treatment in chat for a while. Still, fun times.
"What's up? Year-end blues?"
Fred snapped me out of weekend reminiscing.
"Yeah, kinda."
"Makes sense. Five months since you started. Zoning out's fine—means you're getting comfy with the job."
"Heh, when did I zone out? I'm laser-focused during work hours."
"Saw your eyes glaze. Rough hangover, huh?"
Fred quietly set a hangover remedy on my desk.
"Thanks, sunbae."
"Who else looks out for you?"
"Aww, yeah."
I cracked the can and chugged. Felt better inside. Five months since real fieldwork started. And the five-hour time difference between Dimension 6-2 and Earth. Earth was in July now. So, using paid leave in five months to return to Korea meant another Christmas vibe.
"Jackpot..."
Few get two Christmases a year. As a Dimension 3-1 native, I could travel back anytime with permission—rare perk.
"Craving doenjang jjigae now."
Eight months since leaving Korea. Homesick for that air, sure. But with a month left on probation, vacation was tricky. Hang in till early February for junior status, then use paid leave later.
"Hey, Jian. I banked vacation for a hot spring resort vacay end of year."
Lost in thought, Fred piped up glumly during a lull.
"But forgot to apply 'cause of that Laravia trip."
"No way..."
Wasting a year's vacation into the new year? Brutal.
"All that bald bastard Percy's fault."
"Tell me about it. Should've thrown him in jail."
The greasy bald cat-eared CEO Felix Tonito's sleazy grin flashed in my mind. His ex-wife would sue him civilly anyway, but maybe I should've clocked him harder during the shakedown.
"Don't be too down, sunbae. Bald guys doing dirty deeds—isn't that standard?"
"True. Every embezzler on the news is chrome-domed—"
BAM!
Someone flung the bank door open hard. Sleek bald head, handsome features below. Mid-aged suit guy in a crisp three-piece glared straight at us.
His sharp eyes screamed, Bald jokes end here.
"Ah..."
I knew that face. The only out-of-dimension human among interviewers. The jerk who'd lobbed nothing but annoying questions.
Why was he at West Podoks Branch...?
"E-Ellama Deputy Manager?!"
Fred bolted up, bowed 90 degrees, then yanked stunned me to my feet for a bow.
"Inefficient. Stay seated."
The man dubbed Ellama Deputy Manager barked charismatically, then strode to the branch manager's office like nothing happened.
We sat only after he entered and shut the door.
"...You know him?"
"Slick Ellama, Corporate Lending deputy at HQ. Youngest deputy ever, top talent in the president's faction."
Fred whispered mosquito-soft.
He interviewed me? Branch managers handle interviews when free, but why would HQ's busiest deputy...?
"Bad vibes."
"Audit?"
Then—
BAM!
The branch manager's door nearly splintered open. Out came stone-faced Del Monte with Ellama.
"Deputy Kim Jian, here. Now."
"...Me?"
"You have three seconds."
"......"
No clue what was happening, but was I screwed?