Sᴄᴜᴍᴍʏ [sᴊ+ᴊᴜ]
The boss said close the door and so he does. He’s already resigned to the fact that he’ll be doing a lot of that in the coming days. Doing as the boss says. He can’t see that he has any choice. Sungjoon is indebted to him, both for the money he owes and the mercy he’s extending, this man he knows nothing of apart from rumors. Boss of exactly what he has only suspicions. What kind of casino owner runs deliveries? What could he possibly be shipping?
He has a feeling he knows, but it fills him with such unease he dare not think of it now. Now is for staying calm and not blowing it in front of the boss. They make their way across the basement, which seems to function as a sort of warehouse. Here and there, he spots other workers. He tries not to look at anyone too hard and hopes they’re giving him the same courtesy.
He’s taken aback when the boss announces he’ll be riding along with him, but he tries not to let it show. Maybe it’ll be a good thing. Maybe he’ll even get an idea what the hell is going on here. He’s wary of asking too many questions – who knows how thin the man’s patience runs when it comes to debtors? He’d do better to keep his head down. No matter if he doesn’t like it.
“So all I gotta do is drive this truck? The docks and back? Help load and unload the, ah– merchandise?” The pause is a slight thing, but something tells Sungjoon he’ll hear the curiosity in it.
It’s nice to actually have a subordinate that does as you say. So many people nowadays feel like they can stand up and demand what they want from him, and it’s with no heavy heart that he has to cut them. There’s only so far you can go before you reach the frayed ends of his nerves. It’s best not to dance on them.
Like clockwork, he greets every worker that they pass with a smile or a quick pat on the shoulder. Sometimes he’ll ask about their kids or their wives or their partners, both to endear himself to them and to subtly let them know that he remembers their personal details. The Korean population in this city is small enough that he probably knows who everyone is, right down to the ones that were born last week.
He doesn’t look at his newest employee until they reach the garage doors, and only then does he stop to put on his gloves. It’s a little chilly outside, these days. Sungjoon doesn’t ask too many questions, it looks like, but the ones he does ask are the important ones.
He’s smart, and that’s what he usually looks for in his regular staff, but not in his dock men.
One of the doors is opened just enough for him to step out into the dim morning light. Their pickup is parked a few steps away, and he climbs into the passenger seat.
“That’ll be the gist of it, yes. Just be careful with the crates. Part of the merchandise is glass.”
He waits until the other man finds his place in the driver’s seat.
“I’ll tell you where to go, just pay attention so you know where to go next time.”
