Power & Sex, and... 89
“Assemblymen, you all have a packed schedule tomorrow, so how about we call it a night?”
Experience like his couldn't be won in a single night of high-stakes go-stop. At just the right moment, Advisor Jeong broke the rhythm and suggested wrapping up. Supreme Committee Member Jeong was the first to stand.
“Honey, can't me, Jeong-ah, and Unnie Seong-ah just share a room?”
“Unnie Seong-ah?”
Ara was referring to Kim Seong-ah, the anchor from the cable news channel. It was a mystery how she'd gotten so chummy with a major network's prime-time anchor, calling her “unnie” like sisters. There was zero downside for me in her cozying up to someone like that, so I readily agreed to let Ara, Jeong-ah, and Kim Seong-ah bunk together.
In the end, the assemblymen paired off two to a room, and I decided to room with Reporter Seo. We could've given the senior-most, multi-term veteran Supreme Jeong his own space, but I still felt the need to keep his spirits down a notch, so I stuck him with Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan. Not the most comfortable for Park, sure. I escorted the assemblymen to the ninth floor, handed out key cards with a “sleep well,” and headed back.
“It's an honor to bunk with Grandpa-slash-Assemblyman.”
Reporter Seo seemed genuinely thrilled to room with me, sidling up with a playful grin. Ara disappeared into the next room, beaming and giggling with Jeong-ah and Anchor Kim Seong-ah over who-knows-what. I went into my room with Seo.
“I'll be tailing you exclusively for the time being, sir.”
“Doubt there'll be much news.”
“Not at all. No one's dishing out scoops like you these days. Just think of me as your dedicated beat reporter.”
Seo was pretty buzzed, so I shoved him into the bathroom. When he emerged, I took a quick shower and returned to find him already dead to the world—exhaustion plus booze.
“Honey, sleep okay?”
“Yeah. You crash hard?”
My phone jolted me awake—Ara calling. Daylight blazed outside. I roused Reporter Seo in a hurry, phoned the assemblymen's rooms to wake them, and called the sky lounge to prep breakfast.
“Whoa, what a view.”
It's what everyone says gazing out from this hotel. The morning sun made the sea sparkle like jewels, giving you that fairy-tale immersion. No wonder the gasps.
“Where to today?”
Supreme Jeong asked about the schedule.
“Yes, sir. We'll head out soon to Yeonje-gu first, lunch with the delegates there, then tour Dongnae-gu, Geumjeong-gu, Buk-gu, and Gangseo-gu.”
Supreme Jeong nodded, and as the last stragglers trickled into the sky lounge, breakfast arrived. It felt like one of those casual Yeouido breakfast briefings. Hell, with fifteen badges in the room, add five more and you'd have a negotiation bloc right there—a powerhouse gathering.
We savored a delicious breakfast in high spirits, lingering over dessert coffee with leisure.
“Coming all the way to Busan and missing Haeundae and Taejongdae? Kinda disappointing.”
Assemblyman Park Seong-hwan looked genuinely bummed.
“Come back after the convention, sir. I'll show you the real spots the locals love—not tourist traps.”
“Better than Haeundae or Taejongdae?”
“Busan folks don't hit those much. Too crowded.”
“So where's good?”
The van from President Jang wouldn't arrive for a while, so I decided to brag on Busan. Not just Park—all the assemblymen watched curiously, eager for my picks.
“See that hill right ahead? Igidae. Behind it's Oryukdo Pier—quiet on weekdays, great vibe. The sea feels different there, and fresh sashimi from just-caught fish? Out of this world.”
“And?”
Assemblyman Seong urged me on.
“Head past Haeundae from here and you hit Songjeong Beach—way better views. Past that toward Gijang, tiny fishing ports everywhere for that rustic seaside charm.”
“Any spots for a drink?”
“Plenty. Night at Jagalchi stalls with grilled eel and soju? Pure poetry. Or a mat by the pojangmacha at Taejongdae 75 Plaza, oden stew as a chaser—killer atmosphere.”
Truth be told, as a non-drinker, I don't get the vibe boozehounds crave. But for these self-important assemblymen? Sprawling on the roadside with sea breeze and soju would be a novel thrill.
I was midway through my Busan pitch when Advisor Jeong called. After hanging up, we headed to the first floor where his van waited. In the lobby, we greeted Advisor Jeong, met Youth Committee Chair driving today, Office Manager's son Chang-se, and President Jang's office driver—for the first time.
“We'll hash out details over lunch in Yeonje-gu. Let's roll.”
At the Yeonje-gu district committee office, we greeted the chair and headed to the restaurant packed with delegates. Our group had swelled beyond plans, so we borrowed the next room, opened the partition, and got to it. With Advisor Jeong along, Busan meetups ran smooth. He knew most delegates, and none dared cross him.
The real headaches loomed: Daegu, Gyeongbuk with thin party support, and Gyeongnam, Ulsan where no one had ties. But Yeonje delegates were here now—no time to dwell.
Thanks to Advisor Jeong's wizardry, the Yeonje, Dongnae, Geumjeong, Buk, and Gangseo tour went off without a hitch. Sure, some delegates griped about ex-leadership Supreme Jeong, but Park Seong-hwan and Han Seong-su were political newbies—no friends, no foes. And me? Just being local kept them from icing me out.
“Everyone, great work today.”
“Nah, Advisor, you carried us. And you three drivers—all day hauling us around. Thanks.”
True enough. We badge-wearers chased our ambitions; candidates too. But Advisor Jeong joined the three-day grind out of party loyalty and fondness for me. Youth Chair and Chang-se volunteered unpaid—pure gratitude from my end.
“By the way, Assemblyman Park.”
“Yes, Advisor?”
“Anyone you know well in Gyeongnam?”
“No one special.”
“So what's the plan?”
“Gotta wing it. Same party—they won't rough us up.”
Advisor Jeong beat me to the worry I'd been mulling. I exhaled in relief—he'd have a fix, right?
“Listen, Supreme Jeong.”
“Yes, Advisor.”
“You know Kim Chun-geun?”
“Yes, well.”
“Have him handle Yangsan to Ulsan. He's got connections there. Park, for west Gyeongnam, tough it out but hit Sancheong first—find Paeng Gisu, say I sent you. He'll sort it.”
“Advisor, thank you. Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam had me stumped.”
“Oh, Paeng'll hook you up for Daegu and Gyeongbuk too. Nosy guy's everywhere.”
Advisor Jeong wiped out my Yeongnam woes in one go. Fix that, and Chungcheong, Honam links would chain together. Yeongnam had been a black hole.
We wrapped with light drinks, but early start to Sancheong tomorrow meant Advisor Jeong taxied home alone. Youth Chair, Chang-se, and Jang's driver crashed at the hotel with me.
“Not heading home, Assemblyman Park? Still newlyweds.”
As we saw Advisor Jeong off at the entrance, Reporter Seo boomed it for all to hear. Advisor chuckled it was smart, dragging me into the cab. I “reluctantly” piled in.
“Thanks, Advisor.”
“I nailed it, huh? That Seo kid's got eyes.”
Thanks to them, I dropped Advisor home then cabbed mine.
“Honey, said you'd crash there and head out early?”
“What, hate it? Back to the road?”
“Eww~”
I rang the bell; Ara bounced out, hugging tight. She'd braced for more separation, but thrilled for this one night home together—even with Mother-in-law watching, she wouldn't let go.