Kai met privately with Emi to prepare for the litigation case. All parties involved had agreed to meet with a judge only. With the media frenzy adding to the circus of this case, Kai stood his ground and worked with the Daniels and the cast to have the case remain only in the hands of the judge, rather than a jury.
"Emi, I looked over the statement. How do you feel about it?" Kai asked in a more personal tone.
"Do you want the professional response I have or the more emotional one?"
"I want your answer, as you, as Emi." Emi nodded to his response. She looked over the statement again.
"This statement only captures what I was feeling when I was writing about it. I don't know if I can stick to this when the judge asks me for my statement. I think it would be better if I talked about it there."
"I see what you're saying. You already know that they are going to try to break down your memory of the event. Listen to their words carefully. Then you construct your answer." Emi nodded once again and stood up. Kai walked next to her and opened the door.
The judge, the heads of the filming studio, the director of the special effects team, her castmates, both Daniel Henney and Kim, Charles, Lia, Auntie Suk Yong, and Mimi were all seated. Emi and Kai entered into the plaintiff seating area and awaited for the judge to enter.
"All rise for the presiding Judge Gomez." All attendees stood up and were instructed to sit down.
"Thank you to all who have been through this process. We understand that your time is precious and all your hard work is much appreciated. For review of case number 19944 the listed cast and crew of The Ancestors vs. King Filming Studio Directors and assigned special effects crew, each of the plaintiffs directly affected by the explosive incident have given their statements aside from one. Please, Ms. Emi Kim, come to the stand to give your statement and be given further questions." Emi stood up, per the judge's orders.
Emi swore under oath that she would be truthful to her experience and what she remembered prior to the incident.
"Ms. Kim," the judge began as Emi settled into the podium, "can you please recount your experience starting from when you were notified of the schedule change during the livestream?"
"Yes, your Honor. I was notified by the heads [pointing to the defendants seating area] after they handed a piece of paper to the writers who were present at the livestream. I was called over to film a scene that was scheduled for the following week. I immediately called my team to get more information on the change. I was instructed to not film or enter the studio that they instructed me to go film in."
"Who instructed you?"
"My team, Lia and Kai. Daniel Henney and Daniel Kim were also slated to film with me at the time. They also agreed to be with me in the adjacent studio."
"What were you told when you were waiting in the building?"
"Lia and Kai informed me that they would speak directly to the heads of the studio. As we waited, I was texting Charles, who was off filming at the time."
"After that, what happened when the explosion went off?"
"Daniel Kim, Daniel Henney, and I initially heard the first explosion go off. It shook the building we were in. I did not pay much mind to that as it had been a normal occurrence with this special effects team to make explosions. However, when the second explosion happened ...." Emi's voice trailed off. Her breath was shaky.
Lia put her hand on Charles' shoulder as he attempted to get up. She shook her head.
Charles initially got up to comfort her, but when Lia pushed him back onto his chair, he knew he was not ready to hear Emi's story. He could just watch as she pulled herself together and caught her breath.
Emi continued, "...I remember feeling weightless as the building was on fire. The heat woke me up for a bit and I felt that moment I hit the ground and began tumbling. There were sounds of crunching and crackling. Then I woke up to the sight of my late mother and being unable to move. It went dark again. Then I saw my dog. I saw her barking, but it was barely audible as the ringing in my ear took over my hearing. I could feel that weightlessness once again and then warmth."
"Is that when you were rescued?"
"I am not sure, but I remember waking up in the hospital."
"Ms. Kim, since the incident took place, how long has your recovery been?"
"Your Honor, physically I am not where I was before nor do I believe that I ever will be. However, I have somewhat full function of my leg again. Continued physical therapy is planned. Mentally, all I can say is that I am here and I gave you my statement."
Emi was dismissed from the stand and the judge deliberated on the verdict.
"Taking into account all testimonies from all victims, the contracts signed and presented to each party, the complaints from the teams of each plaintiff and defendant, I hereby grant the full amount of $5 million dollars in damages to the listed cast and crew of the Ancestors as well full intellectual ownership of the show, its writing past and future to the writers, directors, and producers listed here." The slam of the gavel echoed through the courtroom before the celebratory embraces.
"Emi, thank you for speaking. We missed you so much," Daniel Henney said as he brought her in for a hug.
"This is a time to celebrate. Dinner is on us," Daniel Kim announced as he ushered the cast and crew who were present.
Emi and Kai gathered their belongings as they were approached by one of the heads of the filming studio.
"Ms. Kim, may I have a word with you?"
Charles put himself in front of Emi. "I don't think this is a good idea. Maybe you should just leave."
"C, it's okay. Let me have a word with him."
Charles stood close by as the two of them talked. He tapped his foot and he stared down the opposing party. Emi bowed to the head and he returned the bow. They shook hands.
"What did he want?" Charles said in an aggressive tone.
"To apologize. He's leaving the filming business to find something he actually wants to do. This was his sign to do so. I didn't ask for more and neither did he. It was relieving for us both." Charles could see something in Emi settle down. A peace breeze through her expression.
Emi threw her arms around Charles to embrace him like he embraced her in the basement. "C, thanks for being here. Through it all."
YOU ARE READING
Threads and Strings
Hayran Kurgu"I know there will be more people in your life that will be become more than someone you pass by." As a speech pathologist working with little kids, Emi Kim had been through enough in her 24 years of life that could have broke her, especially in 201...
