The Fake Smile Man (2)
The car I drove out wasn't a combat vehicle. It was the same model of pickup truck, but completely unmodified. I had intentionally bought several of these identical trucks, both new and used. If one broke down, I planned to strip parts from the others to keep it running. Because of this, my current appearance was perfectly ordinary. It wouldn't look like I was a man who had been preparing for this for years, building up tension. I would just look like an average guy who was barely managing to adapt after the world had changed so suddenly.
I had deliberately chosen this time to visit the elderly: 5:40 PM. By 5:30, they would be preparing dinner, and they would be finished eating no later than 6:00. That’s just how old people are. They are the type of people who think the world is coming to an end if their mealtime is delayed by even ten minutes. That’s why this timing was crucial. I had to make it look like I had stumbled upon them just as they were starting to eat. That way, at least they wouldn't mess with the food. Of course, thinking like that might just be my paranoia, a compulsion of mine. But I wanted to eliminate even that small risk. It was better to be a little cautious than to blindly believe that these elderly people were purely kind-hearted and possessed the legendary generosity of the countryside.
I didn't have to worry about getting lost, as I could see the smoke rising from a distance. Naturally, the electricity here was dead, too. That’s why they were cooking rice in a cauldron over a hearth. It was something only possible in the countryside. Well, it’s not that people in the city couldn't do it, but they would likely be using gas burners there. Anyway, the timing seemed about right. I drove the car right up to the front of their house, opened the door, and stepped out. I made sure to slam the car door shut with a loud BANG! There was no way they wouldn't hear that. Still, I had to be certain. I needed to clearly signal that I hadn't come with bad intentions. To them, I was just a clumsy, slightly naive young man.
"Hello! Is anyone home?" I shouted, peeking through the gate as I stepped inside. A door rattled open from within, and an old man stepped out.
"Who's there?"
Behind him, I could see the dinner table. One old man and two old women were gathered around it.
"Oh, goodness. You were in the middle of a meal. I'm so sorry. But... I’m really ashamed to ask, but could I ask for a favor? I’m truly sorry, but... could I get a bowl of rice? I haven't eaten in two days."
I spoke loudly on purpose so the grandmothers could hear. They weren't my own family, but they were the type of people who would react first to the news of someone going hungry. Even if I said my situation was difficult, the result would be the same. Not everyone is like that, but grandmothers living in the countryside tend to have that kind of heart.
The old man who had come out looked at me with suspicion. It seemed he really didn't want to let me in. He even showed signs of being on guard. In fact, that was only natural. To show up out of the blue and ask for food? Anyone would find that suspicious. But then, one of the grandmothers stood up from inside and said,
"Come on in, dear. What kind of hard times have you been through for a young person like you to be going hungry?"
The old man glanced at her, looking slightly displeased. But now that she had said it, he couldn't just kick me out. There was the matter of face, after all. If he kicked me out now, he would look like a petty person. So, the old man pretended to be dignified and said to me,
"Come on in."
Good. It was going exactly as expected. And I knew for sure who I needed to target.
"Thank you. I really didn't want to be such a nuisance, but I felt like I was going to die. I’m so sorry."
I kept bowing and showing my respects as I stepped inside. The other old man and woman shifted slightly to make room for me. The grandmother who had gone to the kitchen came back out, heaping a bowl full of rice and holding a spoon and chopsticks. The old man who had told me to come in sat back down.
"It’s just one more bowl of rice. Go ahead and eat."
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
I bowed a few more times and sat down. I ate the rice ravenously, like a truly starving man. In reality, I was starving, since I’d skipped lunch on purpose. But even if I hadn't been, the food was delicious. The table didn't have a single piece of meat—just rolled omelets, fresh kimchi, pickled vegetables, and the like—but the flavor of the side dishes was incredible. Is this what they call "the touch of a master"? Why was it so good? Well, I suppose it’s natural when you’ve been living off nothing but preserved rations, but still.
"This is delicious. It’s really good."
As I shoveled it in, the grandmother who had brought the rice looked at me with a pleased expression and said,
"Eat slowly, dear. No one’s chasing you. Do you want some more?"
"Oh... would that be alright? No, I feel so bad..."
"Oh, it’s fine, it’s fine. We have plenty of rice. I’ll get you some more. Eat up."
The grandmother spoke to me very naturally, dropping the formalities. Things were going smoothly. The fact that she was speaking comfortably and offering me more food meant she liked that I was a good eater. That’s just how grandmothers are. No matter how pathetic a person is, if they eat the food you’ve cooked with gusto, you’re bound to find them endearing. I finished the meal. I had successfully won over one grandmother, but there were others left. Still, I had come this far, so the rest would be easy. What could be so hard about it?
"Thank you for the meal! Wow, that was truly excellent. Just a moment. Let me go to the car for a second. I enjoyed the food so much that I can't just sit here empty-handed."
I said that and headed to the car. I pretended to look for something in the backseat. In reality, I had decided what to offer long before I left my base. This was all an act for the elderly people who would be watching me from behind. I pulled out cooking oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, and other essentials, carrying them in my arms. When I returned to where the elderly people were, the eyes of the two grandmothers widened. Naturally. What I had brought were necessities for them—items they would be wringing their hands over if they didn't have them, and things that were hard to find in the current situation.
"Here you go. It’s funny, isn't it? I don't have any food to give, but I have these things. Oh, careful, almost dropped them. Please, take these. I want you to have them."
"Oh my. Why are you giving us all this?"
"I told you. What good is it doing me to just hold onto these? Honestly, I was hoping to trade these for food, but it hasn't been going well. Everyone just pretends they don't see me."
"Oh, my! Everyone else is just being stingy! These are so precious!"
The two grandmothers were openly delighted as they took the items from me. Good. That took care of them. Now it was the two old men's turn.
"Wait just a moment. I have more. Just a second."
I went back to the car and this time brought out soju and cigarettes. The two old men didn't show their joy as openly, but they couldn't take their eyes off the alcohol and tobacco. Of course they couldn't. Among men of that generation, there are very few who don't drink or smoke. And they were farmers, too—the idea of farmers who don't drink or smoke? That’s impossible.
"I don't drink or smoke, so I don't need these. Here, please take them."
"No! We gave you one meal, why are you pulling out so much stuff!?"
The old man spoke as if he were scolding me. It meant it was too much to accept. Even if he coveted them, he was showing a bit of humility. That’s just how those people are.
"Oh, it’s not that much. Besides, I can just come back and get another meal next time."
I said it with a cheerful, easygoing tone. The old man, who was the head of the house, cleared his throat as if to say that was acceptable.
"Ahem. Well, I suppose that would be fine. But this is too much! Anyway, if you want to come by, come whenever you like! We’ll give you as much rice as you want!"
It was too simple. Everything went exactly as I had predicted, and I had cleanly become a "polite young man" to these people. The "jeong" of the Korean people—if you give, you receive. Add to that a dash of respectful manners. These were people sensitive to first impressions. And once that impression was set, it wouldn't change easily. If I made a mistake or a slip-up, I could just apologize sincerely. That’s the tendency of the elderly. As long as they aren't treated with disrespect and are given the proper treatment as elders, you’ve already won more than half the battle.
"Then, thank you so much for the meal. I’ll be going now. I think I can last another two days."
"What do you mean, two days! Come back tomorrow and have a meal!"
"No, I have to travel all over the place. Oh, but why aren't you wearing masks? Do you not have any?"
"What masks? What are you talking about?"
"You can't do that. You have to wear masks. It’s dangerous."
I then brought out a bunch of extra masks and pressed them into their hands.
"How much longer do we have to live to worry about masks! You’re the young one, you wear them!"
The old man refused to take them, saying it was unnecessary. But in the end, I handed them to the grandmother. She seemed like she secretly wanted them.
"There’s a big difference between wearing one and not. So, even if it’s a hassle, you must wear them. At least when you’re outside."
"Oh! Forget it! The air is good here!"
The old man was being stubborn. Well, I understood that, too. Old people can be stubborn about the strangest things. You shouldn't try to win those arguments.
"Then, at least use this. Wearing a mask is best, but if you can't, at least use this to wash your nose every day. You have to."
I gave them some nasal wash. They were a bit skeptical, but they took it. Right. Masks are a hassle. I hate them just as much as anyone. Anyway, that was enough. I acted as if my business was finished, then casually brought up the main point.
"By the way, is that rice over there?"
I pointed to the rice, mortar, and winnowing baskets spread out in the yard, and the old man answered immediately.
"Of course. Do you think that’s beans?"
"Wow. Are you farming rice? Are you still able to harvest it?"
"Of course! The fields are full of ripe rice, you think I’d just leave it?"
"Then you don't have to worry about meals. You have so much."
"So much, my foot. It’s all just a pretty picture! What good is having a lot if I have to throw it all away!"
"Oh? Why is that!?"
"Don't you see the mortar there? Since there’s no electricity, we have to do it all by hand!"
"Ah..."
I knew all of this, but I put on a serious expression as if I were just realizing it. I pretended to think for a moment, then spoke.
"I see. Rice has to go through a mill, right? But you can't because there’s no electricity."
"That’s right."
I pretended to think again. After a while, I asked the old man,
"By any chance, is the rice mill far? Can I go take a look?"
"Why? Are you going to make electricity where there is none?"
"Hmm. Maybe I could?"
When I said that, the old man’s eyes widened. Hmm. I like that reaction. If I can just solve this one thing, my reputation among them will be set in stone. Well, it’s not hard. They’re simple people, not complicated at all. This much is easy.