Episode 3
1050 Words
(Sarah is with Bong-Cha, her friend and housemate. They are in the fields picking wild vegetables)
Bong-Cha: So, Sarah... Why did you have to come over to this country. I mean, you left your family, friends, and everyone you knew, just to be here! Do you regret coming here?
Sarah: (Chuckles) Well, I left everything and everyone because I love to explore. And I've always had the dream of exploring a wonderful place like Korea. And sincerely speaking; I don't regret coming here.
Bong-Cha: (Sighs) Oh really? That's good to hear. Um...(She scratches her head). I'm afraid that this place isn't as wonderful as you think.
Sarah: What do you mean?
Bong-Cha: 95 percent of the people here are racists.
Sarah: (Grimaces) How do you mean, Bong-Cha?
Bong-Cha: I mean everything I just said! Racism is a common thing here, and for a black sojourner to come all the way here... I must tell you the truth; you are likely to face alot of challenges.
Sarah: (Alarmed) Bong-Cha? Are you trying to scare me? Or are you just trying to say I'm not welcomed here?
Bong-Cha: (Frowns) Of course not! I'm just trying to tell you a secret you probably haven't heard. (She focuses, and continued picking her vegetables)
Sarah: Well, I don't think that's true.
Bong-Cha: (Frowning) Wait... Are you trying to call me a liar?
Sarah: Oh no, no! How could I? You're not! I'm just saying, their character is different from their beliefs. I mean; racists are supposed to be very mean, but they seem very friendly and welcoming!
Bong-Cha: Don't mind them... That's all pretence! I understand them better than you do. I was born here remember?
Sarah: I know... (She sighs). But how come the Prince seems to have fallen in love with me?
Bong-Cha: (For a moment, she was silent; trying to process the shock) Hold on a minute... (Wide-eyed) Could you just repeat yourself? I mean... (Stammers) What Prince?
Sarah: Prince Do-Yun of course! The Prince of this Empire and Province.
Bong-Cha: And you just said he did what? (Still wide-eyed in shock and a growing pang of envy)
Sarah: (In innocence) Bong-Cha! I hate repeating myself. What were you thinking when I said it the first time? Huh? (Tugs at her sleeve) Okay. Let me just be merciful enough to repeat again... ( She whispers) Prince Do-Yun is officially in love with me! (She Chuckles)
Bong-Cha: (Pushes her aside in envy and disgust) Who's playing with you? Aren't you ashamed of your childishness?! (She gulps. Her heart beating fast) Swear to me Sarah that you speak the truth, and nothing but the truth!
Sarah: (Stunned) Do you doubt me, Bong-Cha? How could I lie to you? At least about serious issues as this... (She was slightly hurt)
Bong-Cha: Then I officially announce to you that, this is the beginning of trouble!
Sarah: Trouble? What trouble?
Bong-Cha: Can't you for once perceive this big trouble coming? Are you this dumb?! (She yells at her)
Sarah: (Shocked at Bong-Cha's attitude and response) I still do not understand what you mean by "there's big trouble" Bong-Cha... Is this about me, or the Prince?
Bong-Cha: It's about the both of you! How could the grand and imperial Prince Do-Yun, fall in love with you? A black foreigner? Can't you smell big trouble? Can't you see the danger that lies ahead?
Sarah: I can't see any danger! Besides, didn't Do-Yun see that I was black before falling for me? You make the whole idea of love sound like a crime! Haven't you fallen in love before?
Bong-Cha: (Slightly angered) I don't blame you! Why wouldn't you make a mockery of me, after I welcomed you into my home? Very few people would do that; welcome a total stranger, who they know nothing about, into their homes!
Sarah: I'm sorry if I offended you, Bong-Cha... But I never said anything to warrant you regretting taking me into your home. You know how much I deeply appreciate it; I do not, and will never take it for granted. And moreover, I didn't make a mockery of you; I only asked a question. It's fine if you don't want to answer me. (She turns and continues her picking. This time, soberly.)
Bong-Cha: (Still unwilling to drop the discussion) Tell me, how do you know the Prince fell in love with you?
Sarah: Can we not talk about this anymore? I do not want to annoy you further.
Bong-Cha: There's no other way you could annoy me than ignoring my question...
Sarah: (Raises her head in shock. And sees Bong-Cha staring at her in a firm face. She swallows hard and continues speaking) I don't know how it happened. It seemed so surreal. I told him that it wasn't right; I didn't deserve him. We are from different backgrounds and different races. But he assured me that all of those didn't matter. He knew what he felt was real; he loved me genuinely...
(Bong-Cha eyed Sarah in deep jealousy. She felt like tearing her apart! How could the Prince fall for this nonentity?)
Sarah: (Continues)... But you know what, Bong-Cha? I think it's God's grace. Grace makes the unqualified, qualified. There's no better way God could have favoured me than this...
Bong-Cha: (In her thoughts) Oh please, don't just bring God into this, you cheap harlot! You must have probably seduced him into falling for you!
(But Bong-Cha was wrong; non of that happened!)
Sarah: (All these while, Sarah thought Bong-Cha paid her a listening ear; not knowing that she was deeply envious of her) (She still kept on taking) He further told me that I was the first woman he had ever fallen in love with... I asked about his parents reaction, and he said that they didn't really matter. What mattered most was our love.
Bong-Cha: So, do you love him back? (She asks with a raised eyebrow)
Sarah: (Sighs. And without an after thought, says) I do...
Bong-Cha: That's all I want to hear. Let's continue with our vegetable picking... We have to make something before dusk. (She says pretentiously. But her heart was boiling)
Sarah: (Stares at her in uncertainty, and continues her picking. She didn't dare to utter another word; because of peace' sake)
(Light Fades)
- Writer
