Tumblers, Dinner, and Ara's Confession
Time had slipped by unnoticed, and lunch hour was already over. He considered grabbing a bite and heading to the library, but eating alone felt a bit dreary, so he decided to eat at the library cafeteria instead and made his way there.
"Teacher Park, you're just getting here now?"
"Yeah. I stopped by somewhere on the way."
"What's that you're holding?"
"A tumbler."
He peeled off the tumbler box and handed it to Ara.
"Wow~ It's so pretty. And cool too. Where'd you get it?"
"Why? Thinking of buying one?"
"Yeah. It's prettier than a mug, and it'd be nice to carry around."
"Then take it, Ara."
"Really? Can I have it?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
Ara's face lit up with a bright smile as they entered the cafeteria. Sure, it was free, but even before he'd offered it, her reaction made him think a tumbler priced around ten thousand won would get a solid response from other young folks too. They ate lunch together, then headed up to the reading room. She immediately took the tumbler to the kitchen to wash it, saying she'd use it right away.
He stepped out of the reading room and called his friend.
"When does mass production start on those tumblers?"
"We're already producing them."
"Really? Prep about ten then. I'll come buy some."
"What? Someone wants to buy them?"
"Crazy, but okay. When you coming?"
"Right now."
He hung up, returned to the reading room, took Ara's money, and headed back to his friend's company. His friend handed over a whole box with a beaming face.
"You only need ten? I couldn't even sell one."
"No need to sell. The boss said to give a box for promo."
"What?"
"The money you returned? It was promo expense anyway. Products were prepped for promo too. Reaction hit right after you took them, boss is thrilled now. Lol."
He loaded the box of tumblers into the back seat and headed to the library. But he had no intention of just giving them away. If he did, one box wouldn't be enough, and recipients would undervalue them, hurting his friend's company in the end. He hugged seven ordered tumblers to his chest, went up to the reading room, handed them to Ara, and offered to buy dinner for those who'd prepaid. Ara was even happier, of course. She shared the news with her reading room colleagues tumbler in hand, then headed to the next office.
As evening came and it was time for them to clock out, he texted her to meet in the parking lot and stood up. While smoking a cigarette, the female staff came out in a group.
"Wait long?"
"Nah, just one cig."
"Hello."
"Hi. First time meeting. Tumbler salesman here."
"Heh heh."
"What do you wanna eat?"
"Anything's fine, I eat well."
"Anything? Does that exist?"
"Heh heh, lame~ You pick, Teacher Park."
"Anyone drive here?"
"Yeah."
"Songjeong Beach then? Bit far."
"You know a spot there?"
"Can't vouch for taste, but good vibe."
"Sounds good~"
Seven women cheered in unison. Youth really was something. After debating spots, they settled on shabu-shabu and Vietnamese rolls—matching the girls' vibe with minimal damage to his wallet. Pricey compared to tumblers, sure. But he'd gotten involved, and with his friend working there, he felt he should pay up. Worst case, sell some from the box of fifty.
"Wow~ Great view."
"Can't guarantee taste. Everyone's palate differs."
"Teacher Park, right? Women eat for the atmosphere, not taste."
"Good to know."
"Dinner'll cost more than the tumblers though?"
"Obviously. I only get under 30% of tumbler sales anyway."
"Why do it?"
"To sell more. Using you all as sales reps."
"For real? Commission?"
"This dinner's your commission. Gotta sell ten each to cover it. T_T"
"Seriously? What if we can't?"
"Pay for dinner then. Lol."
"Pfft~ Then we're out."
"Kidding. Think it'll sell?"
"Yeah. Cool design, handy."
"Perfect. Tell buyers to contact me."
"You really gonna hawk them?"
"Already sold a box."
"Aren't you in politics?"
"Unemployed now."
Chatting away, dinner with the young ladies was a blast. They ate heartily, unconcerned with diets, riding the vibe. He matched their energy in talk while focusing on food. After, at Ara's suggestion, they hit karaoke for beer and belted songs—the night deepened with youthful fun.
"Maru oppa."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"Friends are so jealous."
"Why?"
"Said my boyfriend's manners are top-tier."
"Pfft! Boyfriend? I'm how old, and you'd call me that? No pride?"
"Why hurt pride? Feels great."
"Aigoo, dating an old guy like me makes marriage tough. Tell 'em no—just some old dude chasing you. No pride hit."
"You hate me, Maru oppa?"
"Why would I? Young, cute, pretty girl—who'd hate that? Not a man."
"Then be my boyfriend."
"No boyfriend?"
"Nope. Single now."
"I'm over thirty though."
"Pfft~ Just that? Feel hard done by?"
"You should."
"Then quit excuses. Be my boyfriend. Got it?"
"Sudden much? Regret sober tomorrow?"
"No. That dumpling day? I went to lunch 'cause I like you."
"I'm unemployed."
"I know. What man has so many reasons? I'm civil servant—no firing risk. We won't starve. Don't worry."
Dropping her friends home one by one, just him and Ara in the car, she dropped the bomb. Her words hit like a thunderclap. Boyfriend out of nowhere. Ten years apart. Booze courage, sure—but tomorrow's reaction intrigued him. Did kids confess this fast? After mere days? Anyway, he dropped her home and went back.
Deep asleep, phone rang.
"Park Maru."
"Secretary Park asleep?"
"Bro, what's up this late?"
"Come to Seoul morning."
"Why?"
"Congressman wants you back. Papers here—come talk."
"Got it."
Clock said 2 a.m. Likely Madam pushed reinstatement after he got home; boss tasked his bro, chief secretary and aide. Had to go. He'd hoped for it anyway—better his cranky boss's office than another's. Beneficial for him.
Morning, washed up, suited, to Busan Station. If talks smooth, work district. Alighted Seoul Station, subway to Assembly, entered Members' Office Building. No longer staff secretary, showed ID, got pass, headed to his old office.
"How've you been?"
"Come in. Doing well?"
"Yes. Congressman?"
"Yeah. Wait—he'll be here soon. Just showing face at caucus."
Greeted colleagues, sat with bro, boss entered.
"Here."
"Come in."
"Rested well?"
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Last time I was mad—don't take it bad. Back to work."
"Yes. With general election, work district awhile? Online's my specialty—no issue from Busan."
"Talk to Kim chief. Anything else?"
"Nothing special. Won't repeat mistake."
"Forget it. I wasn't great either."
"Yes. Excuse me."
"Heading down today?"
"If possible. Monday start—greet office manager first."
"Do it. Go."
"See you."
Out of boss's room, sat with bro.
"Working district."
"Boss okayed?"
"No. Can do all from Busan. Someone prep election."
"If that's your think, go. Stubborn ass. Dinner sometime, soju."
"Just file papers, head down. Greet office manager."
"That temper. Do you."