EPT+ Show Spoiler [Inspiration] +
* Note: actual ID's edited out for privacy, and story summarized to omit the details *
P = protagonist, G = girl, F1 = friend 1, F2 = friend 2, F3 = friend 3, F4 = friend 4, U = useless person
P: it's ok i eat cheese on toast and get all fat then my shoulder be all comfortable for G to rest her head on
F1: o shiet it's G, ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT?
P: no she still seeing guy and i still at home, eating cheese
F1: wow
P: and thinking about her like a sad panda
F1: T_T
U: OWLKAJSGFSV
F2: wtf U
F3: waow
F4: dat friendzone
F3: that stings P
F2: T___________T
P = protagonist, G = girl, F1 = friend 1, F2 = friend 2, F3 = friend 3, F4 = friend 4, U = useless person
P: it's ok i eat cheese on toast and get all fat then my shoulder be all comfortable for G to rest her head on
F1: o shiet it's G, ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT?
P: no she still seeing guy and i still at home, eating cheese
F1: wow
P: and thinking about her like a sad panda
F1: T_T
U: OWLKAJSGFSV
F2: wtf U
F3: waow
F4: dat friendzone
F3: that stings P
F2: T___________T
So, here we go again, OpShot style.
Characters and Setting
Jaedong as "P" the protagonist
TossGirl as "G" the girl of interest, retired progamer
Lomo as the best friend to Jaedong, and still a progamer
Killer as TossGirl's boyfriend, retired progamer
Fantasy as a friend to Jaedong, active progamer
Hiya as a random gamer, retired progamer
Eve as a part-time at the local PC Bang
Boxer as the owner of the local PC Bang
Doctor.K as a doctor.
Scene 1: 3AM in the morning, T8 practice house. All is dark save for one monitor which flickers rapidly from battle to battle. A flurry of keystrokes and clicks grow louder as the scene zooms into a progamer, still at practice.
Another sweat drop rolls down the hardened face of Jaedong. He painfully watched his territory grow smaller and smaller as he lost one engagement after another. Too tired to feel enraged and with no motivation to try for a miraculous comeback, he concedes and leaves. Before catching his breath, he queues for another. It was getting late, but he knew that he simply could not sleep after a loss.
On a second thought, he finds himself unable to ignore the grumble in his stomach. Right, might be another few before he wins a satisfying one. Jaedong cancels the queue and heads to the kitchen, only a couple steps away. He finds no difficulty in finding the switch in the dark, and flicks it up.
Lomo: Sup. [makes a sexy pose]
Jaedong: WHAT THE FUCK what are you doing here man?
Lomo: [snaps out of the awkward sexy pose] I was watching you play, duh. Didn't want to bother you.
Jaedong: Well dude how long I mean how many times did you-
Lomo: Just tonight. You didn't seem to take your losses too well during evening practice, so I wanted to see how well you do on the ladder by yourself.
Jaedong: In that case... as you just saw, I just got deathballed again. This piece of shit game will be the end of me.
Lomo, while listening to Jaedong's rant, pulls out some bread and pops it in the toaster.
Jaedong: Also, I'm hungry so if you can make some for me too...
Lomo: Yeah I'm not having more than one.
Not much is said between the two as Lomo pulls out the lightly-toasted bread and puts a slice of cheese on each. The simple night snack is completed after a minute in the microwave.
Lomo: So, tell me about it.
Jaedong: About what?
Lomo: You know.
Jaedong: No...
Lomo: You're having one of those days, and I know it's not just the games.
Jaedong: Fine. It's TossGirl.
Lomo: Ah ha! So, any new development?
Jaedong: No... she's still seeing Killer. While I'm here and wasting my life away.
Lomo: How could you say that? You're earning big bucks and playing fantastic games and-
Jaedong: ... it's okay I eat cheese on toast and get all fat then my shoulder will be all comfortable for TossGirl to rest her head on...
Lomo: you're still the ferocious tyrant of eSports-
Jaedong: ... thinking of her... like a sad panda.
Lomo: Okay [smacks Jaedong, making him spit out little crumbs] snap out of it man!
Jaedong: I can't... [eyes swelling up]
Lomo: Oh man this friendzone is really killing you. [pats Jaedong]
Jaedong: Well maybe I'll see her in my dreams. Thanks for the toast Lomo, good night. [exits towards the bedrooms]
Lomo: [moments later] I'm still thinking of you. [turns off the kitchen light]
Scene 2: 3PM the same day. The best PC Bang in town, the 'SlayerS PC Bang', is holding a local BW tournament. The place is buzzing with people, and a happy owner is spotted giving out consolation prizes to those knocked off in the earlier rounds.
Killer emerges victorious from his chair - a small crowd of fanboys and fangirls erupt into a cheer. On the opposite side, Hiya forgets to catch the last drop of his drool as he remains shocked, staring at the monitor.
Killer: See girl? Told ya I still had it in me.
TossGirl: Not bad indeed. You do know I'm in the finals for bracket B.
Killer: Well I hope you lose so that you don't have to lose to me! Heh heh.
TossGirl: What kind of an encouragement is that?
Killer: Kidding, kidding~ hugs TossGirl, drawing a ton of 'awww' from the crowd, some fangirls scream and run out
TossGirl: Back to my match then. You coming to watch?
Killer: Naw, need a short break. Good luck babe!
TossGirl walks to the opposite side of the PC Bang. The place is absolutely huge - perhaps 200-250 seats - but for the event today, the room has been largely cleared save for a couple seats at either end. A huge crowd encircled the seats.
TossGirl: Excuse me, excuse me - I'm playing in this match, please, excuse me-
Boxer: Please make way for our participant!
TossGirl: [makes her way to the seat] WHAT Fantasy?
Fantasy: [cracks an innocent smile] Hi there.
TossGirl: But... but how? You're still a progamer, you're not supposed to participate, the rules said so-
Fantasy: Connections. [wins a smile of approval from Boxer] Also we even brought Bunkie here!
Bunkie: [jumps into the scene from nowhere ] *loud but muffled noises*
Boxer: Easy there, Bunkie.
Bunkie: [takes off the head piece]
Hyuk: But it's so hot in here!
Fantasy: [smacks his face] Shut up and get back in the suit.
Hyuk: [groans] (puts his head piece back on and does a happy dance)
TossGirl: Ugh this is SO unfair. Fine, let's go.
With the bracket B finals on the way, all eyes focus on either of the two monitors. Being a local tournament, creating a completely soundproof environment was impossible - but Boxer knew that the fangirl screams were part of the game. He knew it too well in his old days. Sound-hacking, some called it - but he called it popularity. Deal with it.
In the midst of suppressed gasps and shhh's, another progamer enters the PC Bang.
Jaedong: Hey there, what's going on? A tourny?
Eve: Hi OMG IT'S JAEDONG I'm a huge fan!!!!1!!!111!
Jaedong: Errr yeah. Hi. Is there a tournament going on?
Eve: Yep! ^^ We're near the finals, with a bunch of retired progamers owning it up as usual. You may know them, actually.
Jaedong: Who might that be?
Eve: Well, Killer is [Jaedong gulps] already in the finals. TossGirl [Jaedong gulps even harder] is playing against Fantasy- Oops! Not supposed to tell you that! *gigglez* Anyway, blablabla...
Jaedong: Killer... TossGirl... [stumbles]
Eve: ... so as I was saying, you're my favourite - wait, are you okay? OMG Jaedong DON'T DIE ON ME I swear I didn't say anything wrong did I? Somebody help!
Jaedong: [crumbles on the floor]
Boxer: What's going on?
All the attention is at the front desk now. Even Fantasy and TossGirl, in the middle of the game, take a quick glance over to the front. TossGirl immediately recognizes who it is.
TossGirl: Jaedong? [abandons game and runs to him] Jaedong!!
Fantasy: What, you didn't type pp! I'm going to play on, you know!
TossGirl: [turns back] Yeah yeah you win you filthy SKT scum. [back to Jaedong] Are you okay? Someone please get help!
Lomo: [coming out of nowhere] Already called 119 (in Korea 911 is 119), they'll send help in a minute.
TossGirl: Since when did you come- never mind, good good, can you guys please give him some room?
Fantasy: [still at his station] Yay, I won! I'm in the finals!
Lomo: Hey I know a thing or two about CPR, maybe I should, you know, right?
TossGirl: Yeah, please, whatever you can!
Lomo: [sly grin] Alright, here we go... [slowly descends as background music turns to moochy saxophone stuff]
119: Coming through, please make way!
Lomo: [under his breath] Shit. [moves aside]
Jaedong is carried out in a stretcher. TossGirl and Lomo follow.
Scene 3: Hospital. Jaedong lies unconscious in bed. Jaedong's family and some T8 teammates exit Jaedong's hospital room and are met by Doctor.K in the hallway. After some re-assuring nods, they all exit. Doctor.K enters Jaedong's hospital room.
Doctor.K: Hi there, are you his friends?
TossGirl: Yea, is he okay?
Lomo: [thinking] Lover [snaps back into reality] yeah, is he okay?
Doctor.K: Well, he's stable, I can tell you that. Seems like he had stroke, and he's been immensely stressed and fatigued. He'll be fine after some rest. However...
TossGirl: What?
Doctor.K: I'm sorry to inform you this, but he seem to have hit his head a pretty hard on his fall, and may suffer major memory losses. I'm not sure if he'll function like a normal person anymore... I'm so sorry.
TossGirl: [starts sobbing]
Lomo: NOOOOOOOOOOOO [grabs Doctor.K by his collar] I can't accept that sir, I CANNOT. He has such a bright future and his career is only on its way up and YOU CAN'T TELL ME HE'S SCREWED
Doctor.K: Hey, calm down here! [pushes Lomo away] I said he may have, not he did. He's asleep now, so don't make any loud noises... he'll be up in a few hours.
Lomo: Fine. [to TossGirl] I'll be back after dinner, are you going to keep him company?
TossGirl: Yeah... I'll be here. Thanks for being such a great friend, Lomo.
Lomo: More than... anyway, I'll be back later.
Lomo exits.
Scene 4: PC Cafe. After that mess, the tournament must go on. Fantasy vs Killer finals is on the way, and it is a heated affair.
Killer emerges victorious.
Killer: LOL fantasy I somehow knew you'd be playing, can't believe you still suck at bio!
Fantasy: [crying] I have failed you, master...
Boxer: It is not your fault, but rather the curse of a rival of mine.
Killer: You guys -_-;; anyway TOSSGIRL where you at? [looks around]
Boxer: Oh, she went with the ambulance, maybe she's still at the hospital.
Killer: With Jaedong? Okay. Bleh, so what's my prize?
Boxer: Well, you get a signed keyboard from me.
Killer: Sweet.
Boxer: AND a showmatch, right now, against me!
Killer: Alright old man, that's a great idea. Let's see if I can crush both the prince and the emperor.
Amidst loud cheers, the two sit down for a game. As everyone expects, Killer is absolutely demolished. Boxer caps it off with a nuke. Killer facepalms. Boxer shares his moment of triumph with his fans, then sends them home as it was nearing the official gaming-related businesses closing hour designated by the stupid politicians in the country.
Killer: Well, that ruined my mood. How does this old man still play like that?
Boxer: Huehuehue
Killer: This stupid place. Anyway, better call up TossGirl... [calls her up] Hey you there?
Screen splits, showing the two on the phone in different places.
TossGirl: [depressed and low voice] Yeah...
Killer: Hey, I just won! I beat Fantasy, I avenged that little prick for you!
TossGirl: That's great...
Killer: Okay you don't sound great at all, how is Jaedong's there?
TossGirl: Not great...
Killer: Uh, as in...
TossGirl: He's still asleep...
Killer: That doesn't tell me anything -_- so should I go over and pick you up?
TossGirl: I think I'm staying here tonight...
Killer: What the hell, shouldn't we go celebrate? I actually won a tournament in my life for once and you're stuck in a hospital? It's not like Jaedong's dead or anything!
TossGirl: HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT he's my best friend, you know that!
Killer: AND I'm your BOYfriend. Now, I'll be over in a few minutes. Wipe off your tears or whatever and be at the front in 15 minutes.
TossGirl: You asshole. I'm staying here.
Killer: Holy shit [as angry as you can imagine Killer to be] I'm fucking going to drag you out of there, YOU JUST WAIT
TossGirl hangs up.
Killer: What an ungrateful bitch...
Eve: Excuse me, we're closing in a few minutes. Would you like me to wrap up your prize and put it in a bag?
Killer: [pauses] Were you even paying attention? No, you can take that keyboard and shove it up your ass.
Eve: [cute offended face] That's the meanest thing anyone's said to me, ever! You take that back!
Killer storms out. It's pouring rain outside - he rushes to his car and immediately starts the engine. He has the eyes of anger. Intense gaze into the windshield. He starts the car, and drives violently off into the dimly-lit streets.
Scene 5: Hospital. Tender music... some sort of K-ballad, I suppose.
TossGirl: Hey...
Jaedong: ... [remains motionless]
TossGirl: Well, you sleep tight there. I know it's been a long day for you.
Jaedong: ...
TossGirl: But I'm going to be here until you wake up. Or maybe even after you wake up. Because you were there for me when I had my car accident. You visited me everyday for a week even though I only scratched an elbow. [slow bits of memory play in a blurred background] You were always there for me...
Jaedong: ...
TossGirl: We were best friends since elementary school, you know. You realize that? It's already been over a decade and we're still best friends... I can't believe it, you know. [teary smile] All this time you put up with my inability to macro...
Jaedong: ...
TossGirl: My bad decision-making skills, my lack of starsense, inability to get myself a proleague appearance, losing to foreigners...
Jaedong: ...
TossGirl: All my stupid boyfriend problems... and you stood by me. You're the only guy who comforted me all the time. I'm glad it's you, Jaedong. Because... because I always hoped you'd feel a little something special for me. I wanted believe that one day you'd know how I really feel...
Jaedong: ... [moves slightly]
TossGirl: [doesn't take notice because she's crying] but now you may never know. You might not even recognize me when you wake up. I guess... I guess this is goodbye. I love you, Jaedong. I hope your new life will be full of happiness. [doesn't look back, rushes out the door]
Jaedong: ... [eyes slowly open as he catches the last glimpse of her exiting the room] ... I... I love you too...
Scene 6: Rainy street, few cars here and then. Still pouring rain. Some intense action-movie music plays, foreshadowing some dramatic action.
Killer: [driving intensely, then his phone rings] Who the fuck calls at this hour? [presses the bluetooth button] Who is it?
Lomo: Hey, it's Lomo! Are you by any chance going to visit Jaedong tonight?
Killer: Hell yeah, I'm heading that way.
Lomo: Well, uh, you do sound a little uneasy but, can you pick me up?
Killer: FUCK I mean uhhh aite man I guess I might as well. [steers wildly, re-routing]
Lomo is already in the lobby of the T8 house. He's apparently made some homemade chicken for Jaedong.
Lomo: Hey hey, thanks for picking me up!
Killer: Whatever. Is that chicken I smell?
Lomo: Dude this ain't for you. It's for Jaedong.
Killer: We can... uhhh... eat together when we get there.
Lomo: Cool, cool.
Killer drives a little more safely, the smell of chicken bringing back some senses to his head. Also, the rain has developed in to a thunderstorm, which matches the dramatic music pretty well. The car approaches a bridge to cross the Han River.
Killer: So Lomo. I don't know if this is the right time to bring this up...
Lomo: What? You're not having any chicken until we get there.
Killer: No, not that. I was just suspecting... while I was with the team... that you had feelings for Jaedong.
Lomo: What? I'm his best friend.
Killer: Best-friend. BEST-FRIEND. That's not a happy word with me today.
Lomo: (???) [looks confused]
Killer: Anyway, I just wanted to know. I'm really curious now, actually.
Lomo: Well... Jaedong may have lost his memory from the accident, so he might not even remember everything. Fine, just between you and me. Yeah.
Killer: LOL you for real? So all this homo4lomo stuff was for real?
Lomo: I wish it was that way... it was the other way, you see.
Killer: This guy lol dude why didn't you tell him so?
Lomo: FOR THE SAME REASON JAEDONG COULDN'T TELL TOSSGIRL
Killer: WHAT?
Dramatic music getting even more dramatic.
Lomo: You do know Jaedong loves her, probably way more than you, you little asshole. He cares for her. You have no idea.
Killer: So that's why TossGirl's still at the hospital...
Lomo: What? I didn't know she also liked-
Killer: WHAT? So she was cheating on me all along?
Lomo: No I didn't mean it that way!
Killer: That's EXACTLY what you're saying, you little faggot!
Lomo: YOU TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW
Killer: NO
Lomo: [Grabs Killer's head] YOU TAKE BACK! Jaedong's not a cheater!
Killer: I'm so going to kill that cheater!!
Lomo: No, you're not!
Killer: I knew it all along!! I'm GOING TO KILL HIM!! [steps on the gas and drives even faster]
Lomo: I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU!!
Epic. Dramatic. Music. Climax. Lomo grabs the steering wheel, fights off Killer, and steers it right. A quick screech of tires is followed by a crash into the guard rails. The old rails give way, and the car makes a dramatic slow-motion plunge into the river. At the moment where car hits the water, a lightning flash strikes nearby and lights up the screen - revealing a traumatized Killer and a smiling Lomo. As the car sinks deeper into the river, the music fades... and the sounds of the sirens are heard in a distance.
Scene 7: A Cafe. TossGirl and Jaedong are sitting across each other.
Jaedong: It's raining outside.
TossGirl: Yeah, it is.
Jaedong: Can't believe it's been three years already.
TossGirl: Do you miss them?
Jaedong: I do. I miss Killer, he was a friend and a teammate. [looks off into the drenched window] Lomo... he was more than just a friend. He was my best friend.
TossGirl: I'm so sorry.
Jaedong: I'm sorry for you too. But... it's been a long time, and I think I've moved on. How about you?
TossGirl: I think so too [smiles faintly] because you were with me. [reaches out a hand]
Jaedong: [gently holds her hand] You too! You were all scared that I wouldn't remember all our memories together.
TossGirl: I was genuinely worried! I'm so glad you remember everything...
Jaedong: I remember having a toast and cheese one night... or should I say early morning. Well, and the same day, everything happened.
TossGirl: Yeah... anything else you remember from that day?
Jaedong: You said you love me.
TossGirl: [blushes] I did. You totally tricked me! I thought you were asleep-
Jaedong: [stares right into her eyes] I love you.
TossGirl: I love you too...
The two embrace for a light kiss, as the view of the cafe fades out the window. The skies are clearing up and a ray of sunlight shines in a distance.
~The End~
(brb gunna puke my lunch and dinner out I can't believe I wrote such mushy stuff)
