Chapter 2: Una and Dad (Una’s House)

  Una is scribbling something down on paper (scratchy sound).

  Una (thinking): Sometimes I wonder what would happen if all the creatures that spoke died and only the words they had spoken remained.

  Yeongnam: Mother of my daughter!

  (No answer).

  Una (thinking): How heavy would the Earth be?

  Yeongnam: Mother of my daughter! Where are you? Huh!

  Una (thinking): What sounds would those words make if they could walk?

  (Yeongnam opens the refrigerator door).

  Yeongnam: Mother of my daughter! Where have you got to? It’s nearly lunchtime! Gone off without preparing my lunch?

  Una (thinking): The words we speak…

  Yeongnam: Huh! I’m starving. Huh! Una?

  Una: (thinking): …from the moment they come out of our mouths…

  Yeongnam: Huh! Have all the women in this house scarpered?

  Yeongnam opens the door to Una’s room.

  Yeongnam: (angrily) Huh! Why didn't you answer me?

  Una: Sorry. I didn’t hear you.

Yeongnam: What time is it?

Una: 1:10.

  Yeongnam: Where did your mother go?

  Una: She went to see the lady in Room 406 about the leak in our apartment.

  Yeongnam: Huh! Whenever women meet, they lose their minds. Too busy yapping away…

  Una: …

  Yeongnam: What are you doing?

  Una: I’m studying. (She hides her diary.)

  Yeongnam: How can you study with this racket on?

  Una: It helps me concentrate.

  Yeongnam: (Displeased, but feigning kindness) Huh! You’d better pass soon.
If you keep failing the civil service exam, you’ll be a washout.
A woman of your age only has a few years left to get a decent job.

  Una: I know… (she tries to read Yeongnam’s face). Have you eaten?

  Yeongnam: No. I'm famished!

  Una: I'll prepare lunch for you. It’ll be ready in a moment.

  (Una closes the door. The footsteps of Yeongnam and Una are heard).

  Una (thinking): The words we speak have their own energy from the moment they come out of our mouths.