| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
Kevin, Jessica, and Ray are cleaning up the apartment and getting ready for Mr. Cho’s birthday party. Charmaine and Mandy had volunteer to go to the stores to buy the food and drinks.
Ray: Kev, where did you put my old records?
Kevin: How should I know? You always leave your stuffs all over the place.
Jessica: Did you leave the records at your mom’s?
Ray *stops from his searching rampage*: Possibly. I’m not sure. But I heard Mr. Cho said he likes some of the oldies when I asked him about it. I want to play those songs tonight.
Kevin *changing the tablecloth*: That’s strange. Doesn’t your dad like oldies too?
Ray: Kev, old people like oldies!
Kevin: But not all old people. Some likes rock and roll too.
Ray: It’s a million to one.
Kevin: But doesn’t Mr. Cho seem strange to you? I meant since like this morning, he changed his attitude toward us, especially you. He used to be straight to the point. Even if he stops to have a chat sometimes, but doesn’t waste so much time like today. You know his concept is all about well time spent.
Ray: Maybe he realized that he’s getting old now so he should enjoy more? *mischievous grin forms on his face*
Kevin: Is that so? I think there’s something else to it.
Ray *pouring himself a glass of apple juice from the fridge*: What do you mean there’s something else? This is one of his evil, cunning plans of deceiving us before he throws in the final attack?
Kevin *laughs at Ray’s paranoid example*: No, I meant maybe he’s planning something else. Not anything bad. But he’s still deciding to tell us or not. *shrugs*
Ray *wrinkles his face*: You’re confusing, man.
Just then, Jessica walks over with plates and utensils that she found in the kitchen cabinet. Ray rearranges the chair again when Kevin’s done with exchanging the tablecloths. Jessica sets the table while the guys are continuing with their conversation.
Kevin: Then how do you explain his sudden warmness toward us?
Ray: I don’t know what you’re talking about. He’d been nice to me the day I start working for him. It’s just your first day seeing us like this.
Kevin: Oh?
Ray: What do you mean “Oh”? You’re starting to sound suspicious like my mom.
Kevin: It does look suspicious, man.
Jessica *putting utensils next to the plates*: Maybe he feels lonely and wants to open up now since he’s getting old. Besides, Ray probably reminds him of his son.
Ray: Jess is right. Old men changes all the time. *pauses a little* I don’t know how I could remind him of his son though. Didn’t he say his wife left when his son was young?
Jessica *stops what she’s doing & looks at Ray*: Maybe your playful nature reminds him of his son?
Kevin: You mean his immature nature? *laughing*
Ray: You’re so funny, man. Why don’t you join the circus?
Kevin doesn’t want to make Ray mad, so he just smiles away.
There's a knock on the door at that time.
Charmaine: Hey you guys, we’re back.
Kevin: The door is unlocked.
Charmaine opens the door and comes in with Mandy, holding 5 grocery bags.
Kevin: Whoa! Why did you guys buy so much? We’re not going to eat that much.
Mandy: Two of those are for us.
Kevin: Oh. Ok.
Charmaine and Mandy sort the grocery out so Mandy could bring it back to their apartment while Charmaine sets all others out and prepare to cook.
Jessica helps Charmaine in the kitchen while the guys are chatting away again. Mandy comes back 5 minutes later. She joins Charmaine and Jessica in the kitchen.
Kevin and Ray sit out in the living room sofa to rest.
Ray: The first night I don’t have to cook!
Mandy *stops what she’s doing from the kitchen*: I can stop right now so you can have the honor of cooking for Mr. Cho.
Ray: No, thanks!
Kevin *looking at his watch*: When is Mr. Cho coming? It’s 6:00 already.
Ray: Soon. Want me to go downstairs and wait for him by the front entrance?
Mandy: You don’t have to be that desperate. Acting like he’s your father.
Ray *gets up from the couch*: You know what? Knock off that attitude! Even if he’s my dad, I’ll be happy to be his son.
Kevin: You're serious?
Ray *sits back down ‘cause he just remembered something*: But I hope not. I like him too much.
Jessica *stops chopping the carrots & comes over to Ray*: I thought you said before that you really want to see your father again. *puts right hand on his left shoulder* Are you ok?
Even though Mandy’s boiling water on the stove, but she’s still paying attention to what Jessica’s saying. She looks at Charmaine. Charmaine, who’s putting spices in the dish she’s going to cook, shrugs.
*Flashback*
Charmaine and Mandy are at the grocery store.
Charmaine: This is a good chance to get to know more about Ray. So let’s try to get along with him, ok?
Mandy: I’ll try, but he is annoying.
Charmaine: He’s just jumpy and you’re not used to it, that’s all.
Mandy: How come you always find the energy to think so positive?
Charmaine *smiles*: My mom once told me that “If you go through life holding on grudges, how will you ever succeed?” I guess what she said is true because if I keep in mind those small things, I wouldn’t get anywhere. Just relax and take it easy.
Mandy *inhaling a deep breath & exhaling*: Ok! *smiling* I’m ready!
Charmaine *pushing the shopping cart forward again*: I think I’m gong to make my special dish tonight.
Mandy: Do we have to go that far to impress them? I mean we’re just getting information.
Charmaine: You don’t have to do your special dish. I’m just doing mine.
Mandy: You’re doing it to help me. I can’t just sit around and wait for the results.
Charmaine: That’s why we have to keep positive! Come on!
Mandy manages a smile to reassure Charmaine she’ll pull through.
*End of Flashback*
Ray: Right, Mandy?
Charmaine tugs Mandy’s sleeve to get her attention.
Mandy *snapping back to reality*: Huh? What?
Mandy realizes that Jessica’s back in the kitchen doing her chopping and Ray’s standing next to the kitchen table now.
Ray *snapping his fingers in front of Mandy’s face*: Earth to Mandy! Where have you been? I just said, “Mr. Cho will be impressed by your cooking, right?”
Mandy: Umm…right. Well, at least with Charm’s dish.
Ray *looking at Mandy with serious eyes*: Don’t put yourself down. I hate to see people do that.
Mandy *feels weird to see Ray in a serious mood*: Umm…ok...I’ll go back to doing my best with the dish now. *concentrates on her dish instead of looking at Ray like before.*
Ray feels a bit awkward and strange, seeing Mandy listening to him like that. He walks back out to the living room, sitting next to Kevin, who just went to his room to get the files for Mr. Cho’s house plan.
Ray *whispering*: I think Mandy might be crazy. One minute she’s stable and nice to me and the next, she’s crazy and ripping me apart with her words. You shouldn’t court her anymore.
Kevin: What are you talking about? She’s probably having problems. Probably work or family stuffs. So she’s just confused.
Ray *looks at Kevin in shocked*: Whoa! Speaking like a true expert. How do you know that for sure though? She told you?
Kevin: I’m just guessing.
Ray: Ok. Whatever, man. I swear you guys have something going on behind my back. *leaning a bit closer so Mandy wouldn’t hear him* And besides, I think that she’s moving into this building because of you. How long have you two known each other? *smiling mischievously*
Kevin: You’re paranoid.
Ray: Hey, I’m your partner and we’d been friends since forever, but you’re just getting too weird these days.
There’s a knock at the door at that time.
Ray *getting up*: It’s probably Mr. Cho. I’ll get it.
Ray opens the door to see a girl instead of Mr. Cho.
Ray *surprised, but still manages to keep his calm*: Hi! May I help you?
Girl: I’m looking for Annie.
Ray: I’m sorry, Miss. But there’s no Annie here. Are you sure you’re on the right floor?
Girl: She said she lives in 7G.
Ray: Are you in the right building?
Girl: This is Constant Comfort, isn’t it? I saw the big sign in front of the building.
Ray *smiles*: It sure is, but you’ve got the wrong apartment.
Kevin *who overheard their exchanged words, walks over to the door*: Hi, are you looking for Annie Man?
Girl *smiles*: Yes. You know her?
Kevin: She lives down on 5th floor. Apartment D.
Girl *gives Kevin an appreciative smile*: Thanks!
Ray *smiling also*: Anything for a cute girl like you.
Jessica *overheard what Ray said*: Ray! Are you chasing after girls again?
Ray *looks back inside at Jessica*: No, hun! Was just associating with Annie’s friend.
Jessica: Tone it down before….
Ray: I know. I know.
Ray looks back to see that the girl is leaving.
Kevin: Be careful on the elevator. It still needs fixing.
Girl *turning back to Kevin*: Thanks for the warning.
At that same time Alice just walks by Charmaine and Mandy’s apartment.
Alice: Ge, hurry up! I’m hungry!
Wallace: Coming! You sound like you never eat before in your life.
The girl that has been talking to Kevin and Ray turns around to face Wallace when he walks by. Wallace looks up to see her also.
Wallace: Cyndi?
Girl: Mr. Huo?
Wallace: I told you to call me Wallace. *smiling* What are you doing here?
Cyndi: I’m looking for my friend, Annie. But apparently I’m at the wrong apartment. These two guys here *turns to point toward Kevin and Ray* just helped me locate her. She’s on….
Wallace *finishes along with Cyndi*: the 5th floor.
Cyndi: Yes. *smiles*
Wallace notices that she had change into a white flowery shirt and a black skirt – not as long from the one she wore before but still goes below her knees.
Kevin and Ray had been paying attention to Wallace and Cyndi’s conversation all the while. Now that Cyndi mentions them, Ray speaks up.
Ray: Hey Wallace! You know her?
Wallace: She’s the new secretary…
Ray *cuts Wallace off*: Your secretary? How cool! She’s so cute!
Jessica: Ray!
Ray: Sorry, hun! *turns attention back to Wallace*
Wallace: No. I meant she’s the new secretary for the realtor agency next door.
Ray: Oh?
Wallace *turning to Cyndi*: Oh, here’s my sister, Alice. *pointing to Alice*
Alice steps forward to greet Cyndi.
Kevin and Ray introduce themselves also. Actually more like Ray introduces them both to Cyndi. After a round of handshakes, Cyndi excuses herself to go find Annie’s apartment.
Cyndi: Nice to meet you all. I guess I’ll see you later then since I’ll be visiting Annie a lot.
Everyone smiles at her, especially Wallace. Wallace was practically cheering inside.
Wallace still stares at her even after she disappears from view – where the elevators are.
Alice *pinching Wallace on the arm*: Ge!
Wallace *freeing his hand from Alice*: What did you do that for?
Alice: I was just trying to look for my brother!
Wallace looks at her, annoyed.
Alice: Let’s go in so you can cook! I’m hungry!
Ray *before Wallace could speak*: How about you guys join us tonight? We’re celebrating Mr. Cho’s birthday.
Alice: Mr. Cho?
Wallace: The same Mr. Cho that you two were supposed to meet with this morning?
Ray: Yea.
Wallace looks confused while Alice looks unnerved.
Kevin: It’s ok you guys. Mr. Cho wants to spend the night with us since he doesn’t have his family with him.
Wallace: Oh. Are you sure we can join? We don’t want to ruin your business relationships. *eyeing Alice*
Alice: What? I’ll behave myself.
Wallace: Alright. Let me put my briefcase in my apartment first.
Kevin and Ray go back to the living room, leaving the door ajar while Wallace and Alice enter their apartment.
Ten minutes later, Wallace and Alice come back. Wallace had change into a black t-shirt and jeans.
Wallace settles on the chair next to the couch.
Alice *entering the kitchen*: Wow! You’re cooking away already! Who’s this Mr. Cho? You make this occasion so formal. *inspecting the table setting style*
Ray: This is just going to be a normal dinner with only one special occasion in mind – Mr. Cho’s birthday.
Kevin walks into the kitchen to get the apple juice out and pours some for Wallace and Alice. He hands Alice her glass when he walks by where she’s standing. He then comes back out to the living room. Seeing that Wallace is deep in thoughts, he puts the glass down on the table in front of Wallace.
Wallace didn’t even realize that Kevin had left and returned in a few minutes. He starts to smile to himself without realizing it.
Alice *who has walked back into the living room*: Ge!
Wallace *jumps*: What?!?!
Alice *sitting down on the chair next to Wallace*: What were you thinking?
Wallace: Nothing. *grabbing the glass in front of him & takes a sip*
Alice *eyeing Wallace*: You’re different today. Actually, you’ve been strange since you picked me up from school.
Wallace: You haven’t seen me in 7 years, how would you know?
Ray *interferes*: We live here 5 years now, but haven’t seen you like that.
Mandy *watching the stove while Charmaine & Jessica are sitting down to take a break*: You didn’t even talk to him before, how would you know?
Ray: He never really let his guard down, I swear!
Mandy: What gossip source is that from again?
Ray: I’m serious! He’s always calm and collected in the past years. I don’t see him in a daydreaming mood walking down the hall ever.
Wallace: I wasn’t daydreaming before when I walk down the hall!
Ray: Relax! I was just giving an example. You seen so calm this morning. What happened?
Wallace *blurting out randomly*: Work stress.
Ray *opening his mouth in shocked before continuing*: Work stress? You’re not the type to complain, my man.
Alice: You never sound like a high school boy before!
Charmaine and Jessica walk over to sit down at the love seat next to the sofa – opposite Wallace and Alice’s place.
Jessica: Wallace’s tired from work. Leave him alone.
Ray: You’re not helping, hun. We’re trying to dig him for info here.
Charmaine *looking at her watch*: Where is Mr. Cho? It’s almost 7.
Ray *checks his own watch*: Whoa! *scratching head* I don’t know. Let me call him.
Ray takes out his cell phone from his pant pocket and dials Mr. Cho’s number. He snaps the phone shut and looks around at everyone.
Mandy *walks over since she already turned off the stove*: Well?
Ray: He’s not answering his phone.
Kevin: Maybe he changed his mind?
Ray: He would have called us.
Wallace *blurted out in random again since he’s only half listening*: Traffic?
Kevin: Possibly.
Ray sits back down. Mandy walks to the front of the couch and sits next to Kevin. They wait in silence for a while. Both Mandy and Ray feels strangely uneasy. They both look at the front door and back between minutes. They catch each other’s eyes once and look away. The others notice it, but didn’t want to ask or make a joke about it since they feel a hectic presence enveloping the living room. Wallace is the only one that isn’t really paying attention since he’s back in La-La Land.
Finally at 8 PM, there’s a knock at the door.
Mandy and Ray jump up at the same time.
Both: I’ll get the door!
Both turn to look at each other.
There’s some more knocking.
Alice: I’ll get it.
She walks to the door and opens it.
Man: Hi, I’m looking for Kevin and Ray.
Alice: Mr. Cho?
Man: Yes.
Alice *opens the door wider to make way*: Please come in. We’re all waiting for you.
Mr. Cho walks into the apartment, seeing 6 people standing up to greet him, he smiles. He walks toward the group gathering in the living room while Alice closes the door.
Mr. Cho: I’m sorry to keep you all waiting. I’d got into an unavoidable event.
Wallace: Traffic?
Mr. Cho: No, uh…I just met my old wife again.
The others see that he doesn’t want to talk about it, so they change the subject.
Ray: These are our neighbors I told you about earlier.
Wallace: Hello, Mr. Cho! I’m Wallace Huo *extends his hand to Mr. Cho* and this is my sister, Alice.
Mr. Cho smiles at the siblings before turning his attention toward the others.
Charmaine: I’m Charmaine Sheh.
Mr. Cho shakes her hand. Then he turns to Mandy.
Mandy: Mandy Cho. *extending her hand*
He shakes her hand but lingers a little, taking in her image.
Ray *after Mandy blurted out her last name*: You’re a Cho too? This is amazing! We’re one big happy family! Imagine this: Cho, Cho, and Cho! *making a big circular motions with his hands.*
Mr. Cho and Mandy finally pull their hands back.
Kevin saw all the awkwardness between Mr. Cho and Mandy. He made another note to check it out also. He saw how Mr. Cho looked at Mandy, knowing that it wasn’t because of her beauty. But it looked more like he recognized her features from someone else.
Jessica *breaking the silence among them*: Let’s go eat, everyone! *smiling*
Ray walks toward the kitchen first with Kevin tagging behind. Alice pulls Wallace forward. Jessica leads Mr. Cho to the table. Everyone stands behind a chair, waiting for Mr. Cho.
Charmaine and Mandy are still lingering behind.
Charmaine *tapping Mandy on the shoulder*: Are you ok?
Mandy *snaps out of her thoughts*: Yes. I’m fine. *pastes on a smile*
Charmaine: Let’s go.
They walk to where the others are.