A few minutes later, all twelve of them were walking on the side of a road, with Jin-Sil keeping an eye out for incoming traffic.
Considering the proximity to the airport, it was more scarce than she would have thought, but then again, this was a rural part of the country. It wasn't all that surprising.
To make matters worse, every ti a car would pass them, it was either a compact car that couldn't fit them all, or the drivers of the trucks and vans didn't even slow down to look at them.
It was almost dehumanizing to be treated like less than people on the side of the road like this.
Regardless of all their efforts to look stranded, it was hard to make people look their way for more than a second as they drove by.
But their luck eventually turned as a small Hyundai EX truck drove up the road in their direction.
And, although it was going in the opposite direction to them, it slowed to a stop, lowering its driver-side window.
The driver looked at the twelve of them, his face showing signs of suspicion, but he still turned his head to Jin-Sil, speaking to her in Korean.
"Are you ok, Miss?" he asked, his face showing concern.
Jin-Sil looked at him with a hopeful smile.
"I wish I could say yes, sir. Sadly, our group's vehicle was stolen from us by a group of thugs, and my tourists and I are stranded," she lied, following Kary's script to a T.
The man scanned the group with his gaze, nodding to himself.
"I thought they looked like tourists, too. Do you need so help?" he asked, trying to be a good samaritan.
Jin-Sil's face lit up, acting relieved.
"Would you be so kind? I was going to bring them to the airport for their return trip. It's only a short walk away, but we are exhausted from walking for a while. No one even deigned to look at us," she said, feigning distress.
"The Yeosu Airport?" the man asked, his face slightly frowning.
"Yes. These tourists are a group of rich kids, and their private plane is parked there. I'm scared they won't pay my last paynt if I don't get them there soon," she said, putting on a concerned look.
The man's eyes brightened at the ntion of money.
"How much?" he asked, greed bleeding through his words.
"Excuse ?" Jin-Sil asked, acting confused.
"How much is the last paynt you are owed? I'm leaving from the airport myself, but I can make the detour if it's worth my ti," the man said, giving her a faked smile.
"I... I'm not sure I should disclose it," Jin-Sil replied, acting worried.
"Look, miss. I don't want to be rude, but I'm on the clock. I'm just a concerned citizen who stopped to offer help. But I still have bills to pay, and this job that I'm interrupting is what pays them. I'm happy to be on my way and not get my head chewed off by my boss."
Jin-Sil kept her worried act, but internally, she was laughing to herself.
'What a simple-minded person. Kary was right. Money always has an effect, even on the most righteous people. I'm sure he was initially concerned about the group until I ntioned money. Now, that's all he cares about. Ti to reel him in.'
The man watched her fiddle her hands hesitantly and was about to lose patience when the girl spoke up again.
"They still owe five thousand US dollars..." Jin-Sil said in a saddened tone.
The man's eyes lit up, and Jin-Sil could almost see the dollar signs in them. She had to force herself to keep looking miserable as she laughed internally.
"Tell you what," the man said, acting like he was about to be generous.
"I'll take three thousand from you, as a fee for my ti and kindness, and I'll bring all of you to the airport in the back of the truck. Is that a fair deal?" he asked, trying to look benevolent. Jin-Sil almost laughed in his face but kept her expression ta, changing it to a hopeful one. "You would do that?" she asked, sounding desperate.
"Sure. But I want it upfront. That way, you can't floss over later. Do we have a deal?"
Jin-Sil switched over to a frowning face, her acting almost flawless.
"Sir... I don't have that kind of money on right now... I... I was hoping they wouldn't cut off since I need the money," she said.
The man grinned at her.
"It doesn't matter if you don't have it. I'm sure they do, if they offered it. They can pay directly, and I'll bring all of you, regardless. Ask them," he replied, trying to convince her.
Jin-Sil turned her head toward Kary, still acting unsure. But Kary knew better.
"Give a mont," she said, bowing to the man.
He grinned toothily, nodding at her.
Jin-Sil turned to Kary, holding back the smile she wanted to flash so hard.
"I got him to bring us there for three thousand US dollars. He says you can pay him directly, and he'll turn around and drive us there. I assu that's an acceptable price?" she asked, still showing a worried expression.
Kary smiled at her before turning her face to the driver to smile at him as well.
"Do you speak English, sir?" Kary asked, walking in his direction.
"No. Bad at English. But three thousand, I bring you," the man replied in broken English. Those were probably a large part of his known English words, but Kary smiled at him warmly. "Ok. Three thousand now. Deal," she said, extending her hand and walking up to his window. The man shook it with an enormous grin, thrilled he had flossed over so foreigners for three grand in US dollars. With the exchange rate, that was worth almost four million won.
He had hit the jackpot.
He pointed to the back of the truck, motioning them to climb in, and the party didn't need to be told twice. Once they were all in the back, aside from Kary, she paid the man through wireless transfer and hopped in the back as well.
The man spun his truck around while happily whistling before heading toward the airport. anwhile, Kary grinned at Jin-Sil, who had perford her role flawlessly, and winked. 'Good job,' she mouthed at the girl, happy they were finally off their feet.
Jin-Sil nodded in response, glad the plan had worked. Now, they could rest a little until they reached the airport. Then, their last hurdle awaited. Customs.
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