Choosing A Place To Stay

The night was not growing any younger and it was obvious that we had no choice than to stay overnight at the Last Stop Town. But where were we going to spend the night?

"My place", Jang Sik said after drinking his last poured glass of soju.

"Why? My place is far larger and better than yours", the owner of the restaurant responded.

After dropping his glass on the table, Jang Sik laughed out heartily as he mentioned: "Your place? Please don't make me laugh. Yes, I agree with you about having the nicest home. But, what's a home without peace?"

"What are you trying to imply? Are you claiming that there is no peace in my home?" Our restaurant madam was getting angry. With the rising tensions, I could tell that in no time, an argument would arise and so did it occur.

"Is that even a question you should be asking? Everyone knows this and the only ones left to know are our beautiful guests. At least let them leave this place with a good impression of our town. Your food tastes great all the time and we appreciate you for that. But when it comes to hospitality, it is the complete opposite of your food's taste", Jang Sik was being honest. At least I could tell that based on the fact that no one tried to defend the restaurant owner. But no matter how truthful some matters are, we hate to hear them in public, especially in front of guests.

Therefore, it wasn't a surprise when the next thing that happened was:

The restaurant madam stood up from her seat and walked away. Everyone thought that she had left because of Jang Sik's words, but then she returned with her apron off and a bundle of keys in hand. Oh I nearly forgot, and a butchering knife. Without communicating a word, she walked to the door and locked it up. Then placing the knife on her shoulder like an ancient slaughterer, she walked over to Jang Sik and told him: "If you don't want to be the next meat being grilled, then leave immediately", she said this in a very calm manner.

"Come on, I'm not done eating so how can you ask me to leave?" Jang Sik asked back. He seemed cool about her demeanor.

"Aren't you done?" the restaurant owner asked in return and Jang Sik said comfortably: "Yes, I'm not done."

"Alright then. I don't feel like eating any meat apart from Jang Sik's most precious organ. Hence, I will start cutting my meat", the restaurant operator added.

"Go ahead", Jang Sik responded with a little drowsiness in his voice. But then, a few seconds later, the message sank deeper.

"Wait a minute. Why is the meat called Jang Sik's most precious organ?" Jang Sik asked the restaurant owner. All she did was stare at him, from his face downwards.

"What's with that stare?" Jang Sik asked and she continued to stare intensely. He then noticed her staring downwards and asked: "What are you looking at?"

With her eyes still fixed on his lower body, she said: "Cutting that will be a piece of cake."

"Cutting what?" Jang Sik asked.

"That thing in between your legs", she gave an unexpected reply and everyone turned to look at her with great ecstasy.

"Are you crazy?!" Jang Sik exclaimed. She continued: "1 2 ... 3" and struck the table with the butchering knife.

Jang Sik quickly sprung up from his seat and made a run for the door.

"Hey! Don't follow me, and put that thing somewhere", he said as he tried to open the door.

"Why? Are you scared? You already have kids so you won't have to worry about that. If it goes off, it will really benefit us all. At the very least, it will prevent the population from growing by a number and will lead to jobs for some", the restaurant owner said and kept approaching him.

To my surprise, no one interfered and it seemed like no one cared about Jang Sik's most precious organ.

"Hey, stop talking nonsense and put that down!" Jang Sik exclaimed and kept on trying to open the door.

"Jang Sik, the door has been closed", the restaurant owner gave the reminder as she waved the keys in her hand.

"Why did you close it? We are friends, right?" Jang Sik asked her.

Smiling inwardly, she asked: "What kind of friend embarrasses his friend in public?"

With confidence, Jang Sik said in reply: "A healthy friend. A friend who wants the best for you."

"Is that so?" She asked back and Hang Sik nodded positively. Placing the butchering knife on her shoulder, she asked: "Then should I reveal your secret?"

His eyes widened at her question and replied: "No, don't."

Nevertheless, she went on to say: "Guys, Jang Sik is…"

The one whose secret was nearly revealed quickly covered the mouth of the gossip and told us all: "Don't listen to her. Honey, don't pay attention to my sister", he added as his wife was the most curious of us all.

"Hey, let go of me", the restaurant owner mentioned. The grandma who had earlier been the reason for my singing finally intervened.

"Enough! You are grown ups but you are always behaving like children. Isn't it enough that I have to see my kids everyday? To many this might seem like a blessing. But if you are always fighting, then how should I view this blessing?" She straightened matters.

"Mom, we are sorry", the two apologized.

Their apology prompted Jin Ho to ask: "Wait a minute, are you siblings?"

"Yes. And that's not all. This is our mom, that's my brother. She's my brother's wife and she's her mother", Jang Sik made a proper introduction of the remaining ones who sat at the table.

"So does it mean that all of you are related?" I asked in order to satisfy my curiosity.

And the reply was given at once: "Yes, we are."

In my mind, Jang Sik's reply made me wonder: "Then, did I just perform before an extended family?"

"Amy and Jin Ho, stay at my place tonight", the grandma mentioned.

"Mom! That's not fair. Your place is Jang Sik's place", the restaurant owner disagreed.

"My decision is final. What do you say?" Jang Sik's mother asked us.

"Well…" I began but didn't have an ending point. "We will stay at your place", Jin Ho fortunately ended it for me.

"Alright then. Since that's been decided, why don't we go for a second round at my house?" Jang Sik proposed, and his brother whom he just introduced replied: "That's a good idea. I support it."

"Me too", the restaurant owner surprised me by agreeing.

"Then let's go!" Jang Sik exclaimed and a few minutes later, we were seated around another large table filled with bottles of soju.

With my sharp sight, I could feel Jang Sik's mother's gaze constantly falling upon me and knew that there was something on her mind. Before long, she let it out.

"Amy, are you single?" She asked.

"What?" I reacted since I never expected that question.

"I mean you look so young and pretty. You also have a good voice, so it will be impossible for any guy to ignore you. Isn't that so Jin Ho?" She asked after making it impossible for him to say no.

"What? Yes, that's right", he replied according to her wishes.

"So tell me, are you single?" She asked again. I didn't know which reply to give her but because of her age, I decided to be honest. "I-I'm currently… single."

With a light smile flying across her face, she said: "I knew it. Seoul guys have a bad taste in women. Don't worry, there is someone I would like to introduce you to."

And before she could even introduce these guys, another old woman who looks like her sister added: "If you don't like her suggestion, I have over twelve guys waiting. Some are doctors, lawyers and even pilots."

After she said this, Jang Sik's mother turned her attention to Him Ho. "What about you Jin Ho? Are you single?" She asked.

With ease, he replied: "Yes, currently."

"That's too bad. A man needs to have a woman by his side. That way he won't die of loneliness. Just look at you, already you look so lonely", she said. As to whether she was being sentimental or was just teasing Jin Ho, only he could tell how he felt at the moment.

In his mind, he asked himself: "Do I look so pitiful?"

As if she could read his mind, Jang Sik's mother replied: "Yes, you look so pitiful. Get yourself a girlfriend, someone who would cheer you up. Someone like Amy."

"Poo-hoo!" I coughed. "Ahem!" He cleared his throat.

"Are you both okay?" Jang Sik asked.

"I think the soju didn't go down the right channel", I lied.

"How is that possible? Soju is the smoothest alcohol ever made on earth", Jang Sik's aunt mentioned.

"That's right", his brother who was a master in supporting the ideas of others added.

In order to change the topic of discussion, Jin Ho asked: "Erm… excuse me, but… where exactly will we be staying?"

"There are many rooms available. You can choose any for yourself", Jang Sik's mother replied.

"Then excuse me", he quickly made a run. But he wasn't allowed to step out since the door was locked.

"Are you done drinking? Already? Come on, a guy should be able to hold his liquor", Jang Sik said and his brother said the usual: "That's right, that's right."

He never really had anything to say. Being smart enough, Jin Ho replied: "Yet still, I want to take a rest."

"Me too", I tried to use this opportunity to escape as well.

"Excuse us then", Jin Ho said the final goodbye and we left them to drink to their heart's desire.

In the hallway of the traditional house, Jin Ho asked me: "Were you feeling uncomfortable?"

"Was it obvious? You too?" I asked back.

"Yes. I don't like crowded places. It's one reason for me hating company dinners. I hate it when it gets all loud", he said with honesty.

"It takes away the respect and everyone gets casual", I added.

"Exactly my point", he agreed.

"So which room will you choose?" I asked as we stood before a hallway with rooms from one end to the other.

"That one", he pointed at a room at the far end of the hallway.

"Don't choose that one", I told him.

"Why?" He asked, and I explained: "I don't know anyone here. In case of an emergency, the ones I can rely on are you and Jang Sik. So stay in a room closer to mine."

"Are you relying on me?" He asked.

"Don't take it the wrong way. I just feel super uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment", I revealed.

He seemed to have had doubts about my answer but still said: "Alright then. What about this room? It is the opposite of yours", he mentioned.

"That will do. Thanks for understanding. Good night!" I said as I entered my room.

"Good night!" He replied and entered his as well.

After arranging the bed, I had barely placed my full body on it before hearing someone knock with great intensity. "Amy! Amy! Please open the door!" A voice said.

Rising up from the bed, I asked myself: "What could it be at this hour?"