Saturday's Master

Volume 3 - Chapter 12

The night before the representation, I could barely sleep. As I tossed and turned on the mattress that felt cramped, I thought of him at work. I remembered the words he said, and I added warmth and color to the words I had no sense of. Dreams and imaginations melted into one. Sometimes his face was as clear as if it were really in front of him.

Perhaps it was because of lack of sleep, the entire process of waking up at dawn, washing clothes, and riding the subway to work was floating in the air. The company lobby, the elevators, and the corridor on the 4th floor were all stained with pale, pale light as if the color had been removed.

Me, Manager Kim, and Assistant Manager Yoon, who met in the conference room, exchanged brief greetings and then moved to the conference room on the 3rd floor to set up seats and water cups. The presentation projector, computer, and microphone were meticulously checked several times.

Team leader Han, Assistant Managers Park, and Assistant Managers Kwon arrived in the conference room fifteen minutes before the start of the presentation. We sat in our assigned seats and turned our heads in unison when the door opened.

"For staying up all night, you looks better than I thought."

Manager Kim said to Assistant Manager Park. Assistant Manager Park, who pulled up a chair and sat next to us, brushed his faintly scarred chin.

"Because I just shaved in the bathroom. And me and Assistant Manager Kwon both slept in the early morning."

"Team leader, can I get you some coffee?"

"Don't you have time? I think I will start presenting when I get coffee."

Team leader Han on a low podium was exchanging a few words with Assistant Manager Kwon, who was checking the computer. Letters flashed across the large screen. He tilted his head to listen to Assistant Manager Kwon, and then nodded briefly.

It was an outfit that no one could see as if he had stayed up all night. He must have changed her clothes separately before the presentation, and there were no gaps, from the shiny shoe to the custom-made suit that fits well like the picture. The hair that was neatly brushed back with wax was the same, as was the cool, grave face beneath it.

As I watched him, I felt like I could understand some of what Assistant Manager Park said. Certainly, the word radiating energy would not have suited him now. As if that energy changed its direction and dug inward, the straight lines he drew now had weight and meaning. The air in the conference room seemed to have reached the point where he was standing and split sharply left and right.

Manager Kim, who was watching the podium with her chin resting next to me, murmured.

"If I hadn't seen the team leader's presentation, I wouldn't have had to suffer after coming here."

Park, who was drinking water, laughed.

"Didn't you say that last year too?"

"Yeah, you saw the announcement last year and applied for the TF again this year."

"What can I do, it's impossible to save."

As the chatter got longer, Assistant Manager Kwon looked at me and frowned. Assistant Manager Park, who has been courteous and friendly with Assistant Manager Kwon since the incident on Wednesday, raised his body as he shut his mouth.

"I think it's about time, but if Team leader is ready, I'll go up and get him."

Team leader Han's gaze glanced in this direction. Past Assistant Manager Park and Manager Kim, he stayed with me for a while. Their eyes met briefly. It was only about a day, two seconds.