Nobody knows what the future hold
Said it's bad enough just getting old…
Penelope gave a great sigh as she lifted her head up from the plastic chair on the city bus. The ear buds in her ears began to leave that throbbing pain from being used too long. Wincing, Penelope removed the one out of her right ear and paused the music on her phone. The name of the next stop was called on the speakers of the bus and Penelope forced herself to get up after pulling the string to stop.
Home. Nothing felt more at home than her small flat above the local bar. She gave a warm smile but continued up the entrance to her home despite the obnoxious music that filtered through the bar's entrance. The small paper bag resting on her hip was filled with groceries and enough to live on for the next two days.
It's going to be fine, she told herself with a smile.
She had her next gig that night at a club in downtown Seoul. It wasn't much of a popular club for pop culture. But for that indie and underground scene is as a hot a spot you could get and it was Penelope's kind of comfort. She felt at home there. The owner was very kind to her and paid her very well for her music. So it was enough to make Penelope smile.
Penelope looked to the photo of her mother and father on the small shrine she had built high up on a shelf. Flowers decorated the empty spaces and framed her parents elegantly. The incense gave her a calming reminder that she would be safe with them watching over her.
Penelope quickly placed her groceries on the table and began making dinner as planned before she needed to leave for downtown. It seemed early to be eating but she needed to be at the club before customers arrived. Setting up was a process in itself and she didn't need an audience watching her to make it worse.
White rice, fish, and edamame. It was an easy ten minute meal at best. While she cooked her fish on the stove, Penelope listened to the news on the small television in the corner of the small flat.
"Teen Idol band, AN Jell, will be making an appearance at the awards show this year with a possible new artist coming out of AN Entertainment this year. News about the new artist will follow in the coming months, says President Ahn of AN.
" 'We're looking for that new and fresh sound. You'll be surprised and excited. Don't you worry.'
"The President was more than enthusiastic about the topic and we'll be watching for further information in the coming months until awards season."
Penelope placed a scoop of rice in a small serving bowl and another of her fish and beans on the table before she grabbed a glass of juice and sat to finish her meal. The television was white noise to her after she began to warm herself up for the night. Her fingers slipped over the strings of her guitar, her voice quietly sang along with her melody and the feeling in her gut became much tighter as the excitement in her swelled up. She was just excited and with a few deep breaths she'd be fine.
With a smile, Penelope cleaned her dishes, dressed herself – a white v neck shirt, cardigan and then a chunky cord sweater, as well as her skinny jeans and a pair of vintage oxfords. The naturally wavy blonde locks on her head were tamed into a messy bun on top and for the last touch, Penelope pressed her thick framed glasses back up the bridge of her nose.
She was set for the night. Grabbing her guitar and backpack with her computer inside, Penelope then left the apartment for her gig. The bus ride was just another obstacle in her small adventure. The club was around the corner before she could pull the string. So she hoping off the bus and back tracking only a few hundred feet down the street before entering the dead atmosphere.
The club didn't open until 10 that night but Kang-Dae was setting up clean glasses in the cupboards of the bar just as Penelope had walked in. With a smile she bowed politely, "Kang-Dae Sshi, it is good to see you again."
"Penelope! You're early!" Penelope nodded in return as the thirty year old man set down the glass he was cleaning to pick up another.
"I came to set up the equipment before customers arrived, Kang-Dae Sshi," Penelope answered while lifting up her guitar case for emphasis. The club owner smiled even more.
"And you're band mates?"
"It's just me today," she told him with a weak smile. Sadly, she would be performing on her own for a while it seemed.
While making her way over to the small stage, Penelope carefully walked through obstacles and hidden objects on the clubs dining floor. Wires, microphones, and other equipment were all neatly organized in the back like usual. Penelope began with setting the mics and plugging in the sound system. Her computer came out of her backpack next - very carefully - and placed on a stool next to her other stool. With everything set up and plugged in, Penelope played a quick tune for Kang-Dae.
It seemed to fast that she was performing on her own. Her band mates had found luck elsewhere and even apologized for leaving her so suddenly. But Penelope was happy for them. She could do this on her own. She was strong just like her parents. As long as she remembered them she would have the strength she needed to accomplish anything.
"Did you like it?" Penelope asked. Kang-Dae smiled and gave a 'fighting' stance for her.
"Penelope, I'll have to start booking you more often. That was outstanding," he insisted with a supportive clap on her shoulder. Penelope grinned from ear to ear. Everything is going to be fine, she told herself.
Penelope enjoyed the rest of the night, before the doors opened, having a small glass of orange juice. Kang-Dae had always kept a secret stash of juices for her at the club. It was a personal favorite of hers. But when the club did open, Seoul's nightlife began to flourish. Penelope could almost laugh at the amount of Hipster-ish and Scene-like teens and college students filled the club. It was interesting to watch humans from afar, to observe their behavior and emotions.
"Penelope, it's time," Kang-Dae said with a supportive smile. She nodded with that fighting stance that Kang-Dae always gave her and hurried back to the stage where there club's assistant manager announced this evening's entertainment.
"Friends, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to our local well-known artist, Penelope!"
Penelope gave a warm smile and a small wave before giving a thankful nod to the announcer. She took up her spot and picked up her guitar before turning to the mic in front of her, "Tonight I'm going to start with a song I call Babylon Blonde."
…
Manager Ma had left AN Entertainment with another manila envelope under his arm. The insides containing a contract for a new artist. They had yet to even find one yet and President Ahn was already making announcements. The stress was undoubtedly causing Manager Ma sleepless nights, but he was doing his job and looking for that artist just as he was asked to.
But now, he needed a drink. Something to numb that stress for just a few hours he reasoned with an assured nod of the head.
Ma hopped into his company car and drove for downtown Seoul. Surely there would be a place that was low-key and he could just enjoy the evening to himself. He needed it after the stress the President was putting on him plus trying to keep each of the members of AN Jell on their separate schedules. It was a task and a half he had to admit. It was a lot of work for one tiny person to do.
Sure enough after parking his car somewhere in the downtown area, Manager Ma found a little club on the corner of a small street called Delta Spirit. Walking in and flashing some identification, Ma took a seat up at the bar before the lights started to dim in the building.
"Welcome, welcome! Tonight we've a special guest for our entertainment this evening. Friends, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to our local well-known artist, Penelope!"
Manager Ma ordered a fruity drink with a good portion of liquor to boot. When he turned in his chair to see who the announcer was introducing, he found his eyes settle on the messy locks of a natural blonde beauty. She was definitely Korean, but there was a hint of another nationality there as well, most likely Northern European. But the thick framed glasses hid those features and she smiled none the less. Manager Ma watched with curiosity and sipping on the drink the bartender had given him.
"Tonight, I'm going to start with a song I call Babylon Blonde," she announced with a very pleasing voice.
Pressing a key on her computer, a series of very carefully chosen rhythms and noises produced a catchy beat to start the song. Penelope's lips met the mic and her voice nearly knocked Manager Ma off his stool. It was as if Heaven had heard his prayers.
Her lips moved with a quiet passion that Manager Ma remembered seeing once before. Who was it that reminded him of this girl? Oh! The Sister when she was pretending to be Go Mi-Nam! It was when she was recording that song Tae Kyung had written. Mi Nam's first single. It had taken the Sister a while to get the feeling they were looking for but once she did the emotions were over-whelming. This Penelope was exploding with emotions just as much if not more than when Manager Ma had last seen Go Mi-Nyu sing. This girl- this girl was his ticket.
After her first song finished, Penelope continued on to another few songs before finally finishing for the night. The crowd loved her. It was enough proof for Manager Ma to get his hands on a private chat with her. Ma turned in his chair and waved for the bartender to come to him.
The older man, perhaps his age or maybe even younger, greeted him with a smile, "What can I do for you. Would you like another?"
The bartender was about to take Manager Ma's glass when he gave a short wave, "No, no, no. What I want to ask is if there is any way I can get a private chat with that artist. I have a proposition for her."
The bartender looked Manager Ma over for a minute before giving a light nod. "As long as you're in my sight, I'll give you a moment to speak. I've got to look out for my artists."
Manager Ma bowed extremely thankful and waited for the bartender to come back with Penelope. The girl was making her way over to Ma, behind the man, with her head low and eyes on her feet. Shy, definitely raised in Korea, Ma thought.
Penelope peeked up to take a look at Manager Ma and gave a quick bow before thanking the Bartender. She took a seat next to Ma and the bartender handed her a glass of juice. Ma cleared his throat to start the conversation that he had been impatiently waiting for.
"May I call you Penelope?" Manager Ma asked with a comforting smile. He had to break the ice somehow he reasoned. Penelope nodded quickly after taking a sip of her drink. "Well, Penelope. My name it Ma. I'm a manager for AN Entertainment. I was very pleased by the performance you just gave. Outstanding!"
"Thank you Manager Ma," Penelope smiled sweetly but still kept her eyes downcast.
"You've surprised me very much and I was going to make a proposition. I was wondering if I could take you up on recording an album and possibly becoming a famous artist," Ma asked with a very excited air about him. He wanted her to feel excited as well. This was a big deal in any musicians career. So she shouldn't feel any different.
Penelope's very soft eyes grew with size and she bit down on her bottom lip before taking another sip of her juice. Ma looked Penelope over, waiting for an answer but she seemed speechless. That could be understandable, he laughed to himself. "Ah, don't be too surprised. It is a wonderful offer though, yes?"
"Manager Ma, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness but you see, I am quite happy and content with what I already have," Penelope told him by surprise. Manager Ma began to gap at her, unsure what to say. But he had to make her take the offer. He must! If he had to resort to begging he would. He was well-known for taking that route as a last resort. Ask Tae Kyung, he off all people knew that like no other.
"Oh, but please take some time to consi-"
"Manager Ma, thank you very much for your time," Penelope stood from her chair and bowed low, almost as if she were trying to apologies.
Ma's gaping mouth would not close as he watched his talent walk away before his very own eyes. Ma grumbled with displeasure and took another drink of his alcohol with a frown. The bartender from earlier confronted him with a sigh and a knowing smile.
"You know, she's a good girl and sometimes I wish she would make better for herself. There's one piece of advice I'd give to you, don't give up. Her next gig is at a bar down the street called The Pit. She'll be playing Saturday night at 10."
Manager Ma's head shot up with surprise. He was quite sure he had gotten the vibe that the bartender had not liked him but surely with this conversation that situation had changed? The bartender spoke up once more, "I'm doing this for her, not you."
Manager Ma understood. He nodded strongly and thanked the man greatly before paying for his drink and then making his way out of the club. Ma was on a mission now and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. This girl would realized this was a opportunity of a lifetime. And sooner or later she will cave in. Like the bartender said, don't give up. Ma's new mission was now Operation: Blondie.
...
A/N: So this is my first k-drama fic. I'm going to really trying my best with writing this out properly. I've already written up the summery and plot so I know what needs to happen and where it will go to end it's just the writing process that may slow me down. I've found I'm having a hard time grasping these characters personalities beyond what we see through the show. But I think I have enough to help me develop and expand upon each of the characters. We'll see how this goes.
Disclaimer: I don't own You're Beautiful and the character's involved in the show. I don't own the lyrics to Diane Young by Vampire Weekend (used at the beginning of this chapter). I do however own Penelope.