Power & Sex, and... 88
They leisurely sipped their coffee while chatting, then stepped out of the hotel. With a meeting scheduled with the assemblymen at 10 a.m., there was no need to rush.
As they arrived at the office entrance, two black nine-seater vans were parked there. Bold letters proclaimed "With Assemblyman Park Maru!" alongside the logo from the last election. Below that, massive stickers plastered on the front and both sides read: "Jumin Party Leadership Candidate Kim Seong-gap, Supreme Committee Candidate Park Seong-hwan, Supreme Committee Candidate Jeong Sang-won, Supreme Committee Candidate Han Seong-su Support Vehicle."
"What's the story with those vans?"
The moment they entered the office, Park Maru asked the Office Manager about the vehicles. A party member bowed deeply in greeting.
"Oh! What brings you here so early in the morning, President Jang?"
"I figured you'd run yourself in this party convention."
"Not yet. I'll do it after I learn a bit more."
"Anyway, these are the cleanest vans from our office—use them until the convention's over. I can't do much else, so at least I'll provide the vehicles."
"But what about your business?"
"It's not like we'll starve without these two. They don't go out every day anyway, so don't worry about it."
It was the president of the rental car company they'd borrowed from during the last election to shuttle volunteers. He'd heard Park Maru was touring the country to get their supreme committee members elected, so he'd rushed to make the stickers yesterday. But since the team had already left, he'd come early this morning and waited at the office.
The arrangements were already settled with the Office Manager—the Youth Committee Chair and the Office Manager's son would handle driving, easing any concerns there.
Park Maru sat with President Jang and the Office Manager, sharing coffee and talk, while Seo Dong-beom the reporter, the cable broadcaster, and the camera operator laughed uproariously with Ara and Jeong-ah over something hilarious.
"Assemblyman, you're out early."
"Come on in, everyone."
Led by Jeong Sang-won, Han Seong-su and Park Seong-hwan entered the office.
"And these folks—I don't think we met them yesterday?"
"Ah, this is Seo Dong-beom from Ajung Ilbo. And here we have announcer Kim Seong-ah and the camera operator from cable."
Not just Jeong Sang-won, Han Seong-su, and Park Seong-hwan, but Seong Chang-gi and the other assemblymen all extended hands to greet Seo Dong-beom, Kim Seong-ah, and the camera guy.
"Those vans outside—did you arrange them, Assemblyman Park?"
"No, I just found out myself. President Jang here prepared them."
The assemblymen shook hands with President Jang, thanking him profusely.
"Looks like our Assemblyman Park's got quite the popularity. Even Advisor Jeong had a tough time yesterday because of you."
"Tough? How'd you sleep, Supreme Jeong?"
No sooner had Jeong Sang-won spoken than Advisor Jeong pushed open the door and strode in. Park Maru bowed in greeting and guided him to a seat. Ara, spotting him, hurried over with a bow.
"Did our little lady make a baby last night? I shooed Park Maru out early."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Good. Gotta give your mother-in-law a grandchild or granddaughter soon so she stops worrying."
While Park Maru had been away in Busan, Advisor Jeong and Ara had apparently grown close. Her affable personality must have charmed him. Jeong-ah set a coffee in front of Advisor Jeong, who smiled approvingly at her.
"Where to today, Assemblyman Park?"
"East Busan area—got it lined up."
"Yeah, Moon Uiwon's got strong pull there. Don't get too discouraged."
"I figured as much. Worst case, we just say hi and bounce."
"That's the spirit—keeps things stress-free."
They had plenty of time before the 11 a.m. departure, so they relaxed and chatted. Unlike yesterday, the supreme committee candidates looked bright and relaxed. Seo Dong-beom and Kim Seong-ah joined them, conversation flowing easily.
"Yes, Park Maru speaking."
"Assemblyman, where in Seo-myeon is your office?"
"Ah, it's in Buam-dong, a bit inland from Seo-myeon."
Out of nowhere, assemblymen from the National Assembly Reform Alliance called saying they'd visit the office. Park Maru gave the address, asked Ara to prepare refreshments, and waited. Ten minutes later, the door opened, and a group in black suits poured in.
"Welcome! What brings you all the way out here?"
"Couldn't just sit comfy in Seoul while you're busting your ass."
"Have a seat—the folding chairs aren't great, but it's all we've got."
With only folding chairs left, Park Maru apologized as they sat. The National Assembly Reform Alliance assemblymen greeted the supreme candidates, then Advisor Jeong and the party staff one by one. Spotting the reporters, they startled, stood, and shook hands again.
"Assemblyman Park must really be a star. Reporters trailing you even though you're not a candidate."
"They're here for our candidates, not me."
The National Assembly Reform Alliance guys eyed the journalists enviously until one chimed in.
"Gotta call it like it is, Assemblyman Park. They're not here for you—they're covering your wife's exploits."
"Oh! That mobile bath vehicle? Hey, you're the announcer. Loved the broadcast. But isn't Mrs. Park coming to the office today?"
Seong, the lead from the National Assembly Reform Alliance, steered the talk, greeted Kim Seong-ah again, then looked for Ara.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Seo Ara, wife of Assemblyman Park Maru."
Ara approached and bowed to the National Assembly Reform Alliance assemblymen.
"Whoops, sorry—didn't recognize you. You're way prettier in person than in photos. Assemblyman Park straight-up robbed the cradle."
It was about Ara's age, of course. People stifled laughs behind hands; Jeong-ah and Seo Dong-beom, used to it, giggled openly.
"How's the campaign going?"
"Yesterday was solid, but today's spots are Moon Uiwon's backyard, so I'm a bit worried."
"Eh, no biggie. Swarm tactics today. We've got plenty of players."
"This many? Everyone marks two delegates each."
True enough. Three supreme candidates, five more assemblymen with Han Seong-su, six who'd just arrived, plus Park Maru—fifteen badges total. Four more and they'd form a negotiating bloc. With party veteran Advisor Jeong along, "swarm tactics" fit perfectly.
"When do you all head back?"
"We're tagging along your tour. Others'll join regionally based on their schedules."
"The whole time?"
"Don't sweat the food bill—we'll fend for ourselves."
"It's the vehicles I'm thinking of."
Two nine-seaters could squeeze fifteen, but for a long haul, they needed wiggle room. With President Jang there, they rented the extra van, assigning one of his drivers too. He refused payment stubbornly, but come on—Park Maru insisted, hiring the driver for the month-long tour. Better image than rolling up in a gangster convoy of black sedans anyway.
Securing a full-time driver on short notice was tough, so President Jang drove first leg. They left the office.
They hit the Nam-gu district committee office for quick hellos, then lunch at a reserved spot. The delegates there were warmer than expected; Advisor Jeong dominated with his charisma, asking support for the candidates—even if second choice.
They spent the day hopping district offices, wrapping Gijang County near 10 p.m.
"We're in Busan—let's at least peep some sashimi."
Seong from the National Assembly Reform Alliance suggested a raw fish joint. Park Maru led them to one on Gwangalli Beach run by a Nam-gu delegate he knew.
"Call Mrs. Park too?"
Seo Dong-beom noticed Ara was the only morning regular missing (minus staff) and suggested her. The assemblymen chimed in eagerly.
"Where are you?"
"Hubby, still out?"
"Yeah, Gwangalli—can you come?"
Park Maru called Ara home and booked rooms for the assemblymen overnight. He'd forgotten last night, chased off by Advisor Jeong, but not tonight. Tourist off-season meant plenty of space. He and Ara wouldn't sleep home either—stuck with the group.
"Whoa, killer view. Sashimi's gonna taste even better."
"Yep, prime spot. Fireworks festival? This place overflows."
The assemblymen oohed at Gwangalli Bridge lights outside. Even Park Maru, a local, stared; for out-of-towners, it must've been mesmerizing.
Soon, snacks and soju hit the table. Glasses raised for victory in the leadership race.
"To our supreme committee candidates' landslide!"
As drinks flowed among candidates, supporting assemblymen, and reporters, Ara arrived. Morning intros smoothed things; curiosity about Seo Dong-beom's old article bubbled up. Ara answered boldly, no holds barred, heating up the vibe.