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There wasn’t anything left which could be done from Destiny City, not there had been much anyway, but now that it was all squared away Seung, Quinn and Terry had headed for South Korea to get things running, or at least that’s why Seung and Quinn were coming. Terry was there to spend time with Seung, and to enjoy Seoul. For now Terry had decided to remain in their hotel, or to wander on his own, so Seung was free to head with Quinn to the small office that would be theirs.
The subway was...well crowded as usual. From where they were it would be a short subway ride to Apgujeong station where they’d get out. The small office was up on the fourth floor of a building not far from the station. The office was, as he told Quinn once they boarded the subway, in an expensive district but the area had a lot of big businesses in the area. It was for that reason the office was there but it was due to that also, or more specifically the prices, that it was small. They would get a bigger office if and when needed. It was good to be around other businesses though, ones they might work with or against in the near future.
He’d gone over different ideas with Quinn’s father, pointing out the areas where big businesses had their offices and such. How expensive some areas were and other sorts of things, not that Quinn’s father couldn’t find the information out from other sources and Seung suspected he had as well.
The subway, as he figured, was quick and stepping off onto the platform Seung passed by the glass wall which kept the platform, and the people waiting, separated from the actual tracks. It was to keep people from falling down onto the tracks, a good idea, and potentially being hit. He had been surprised to not see something so basic, and common sense, in Destiny City or when he and Terry had gone to New York. You’d think they’d have some sort of protection for the waiting people, some of whom could be ill or even intoxicated.
Once on the platform, with the many other people, Seung waited for Quinn. “We go straight to office, we can unbox things and go over resumes to decide on who to call in.” They could ,and likely would, also order lunch to be delivered. He’d told Terry to get lunch wherever he wanted, since they might be busy and unable to have lunch together. He’d also left the phone number for his an older cousin of his who lived in Seoul - in case Terry needed anything. He’d already told his cousin, as a heads up, incase anything came up. She had been more than happy to help if needed, she was one of those who supported him coming out and being with Terry.
The station itself was clean, as you’d hope and perhaps even expect, and full of billboards and advertisements. No cleaning crew in sight but just lots of people. It was nearly midday so it was bound to have lots of people moving about heading this way and that as they went home, shopping, went to get food or whatever else they had to do.
“Heard we had lots of resumes for jobs.” Though right now, as something of a startup, they didn’t have a lot of open spots to fill. They were, as they’d advertised, a branch of a much larger company which was looking to expand from America to Korea.
The subway was...well crowded as usual. From where they were it would be a short subway ride to Apgujeong station where they’d get out. The small office was up on the fourth floor of a building not far from the station. The office was, as he told Quinn once they boarded the subway, in an expensive district but the area had a lot of big businesses in the area. It was for that reason the office was there but it was due to that also, or more specifically the prices, that it was small. They would get a bigger office if and when needed. It was good to be around other businesses though, ones they might work with or against in the near future.
He’d gone over different ideas with Quinn’s father, pointing out the areas where big businesses had their offices and such. How expensive some areas were and other sorts of things, not that Quinn’s father couldn’t find the information out from other sources and Seung suspected he had as well.
The subway, as he figured, was quick and stepping off onto the platform Seung passed by the glass wall which kept the platform, and the people waiting, separated from the actual tracks. It was to keep people from falling down onto the tracks, a good idea, and potentially being hit. He had been surprised to not see something so basic, and common sense, in Destiny City or when he and Terry had gone to New York. You’d think they’d have some sort of protection for the waiting people, some of whom could be ill or even intoxicated.
Once on the platform, with the many other people, Seung waited for Quinn. “We go straight to office, we can unbox things and go over resumes to decide on who to call in.” They could ,and likely would, also order lunch to be delivered. He’d told Terry to get lunch wherever he wanted, since they might be busy and unable to have lunch together. He’d also left the phone number for his an older cousin of his who lived in Seoul - in case Terry needed anything. He’d already told his cousin, as a heads up, incase anything came up. She had been more than happy to help if needed, she was one of those who supported him coming out and being with Terry.
The station itself was clean, as you’d hope and perhaps even expect, and full of billboards and advertisements. No cleaning crew in sight but just lots of people. It was nearly midday so it was bound to have lots of people moving about heading this way and that as they went home, shopping, went to get food or whatever else they had to do.
“Heard we had lots of resumes for jobs.” Though right now, as something of a startup, they didn’t have a lot of open spots to fill. They were, as they’d advertised, a branch of a much larger company which was looking to expand from America to Korea.
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Even though they had been talking about this job, this trip, for months now, it was finally real to Quinn. Once he had finished his stack of work at his old job he was basically shoved out the door, granted with a handshake and a hearty slap on the back, but told his services were no longer needed. He couldn’t really blame them, not after nearly dying on them. Just passing out was enough to send the board into a mini coronary so no way did they want him back full time. Besides his dad had already been sniffing around to see when he could scoop his child back into the familial fold so that likely didn’t hinder his ‘attaboynowgetout’ moment. Then a few short days to go over everything Seung, his father, and the whole team did while Quinn was doing everything but the job he was being ‘hired’ for. Quinn had no reason to get the position of team leader, that should have gone to Seung by right but apparently they needed a figurehead. Someone with the name to prop up and go ‘this is our boss! Look at him! Come hire us/buy our stuff’ not that Quinn minded. He was planning on pulling his weight once he got his feet under him.
With that in mind the sandy haired young man just kept his mouth shut during the whole metro ride, his eyes taking in everything including the seriously disturbing amount of plastic surgery ads. And he thought L.A. was bad with the Plastics, it seemed like here was going to be much, much worse. Mossgreen eyes focused on the younger man who was just a few feet in front, Seung was talking about office and resumes. “Sounds like a plan my man. Lead the way. I’ll follow.”
Quinn had to dodge through the crowd to keep up with his friend. He felt like he needed a ballcap and sunglasses… and slouch… a lot. Feeling rather exposed and really standing out so he focused on Seung. On what his general manager was saying, or what ever they actually came up with for names. If they were picking Quinn wanted to be ‘pain in the a**’ or PiA for short… Seung would be ‘Man Behind the Curtain’ or MBC for short. s**t, Quinn mentally cursed as he realized he was falling way behind Seung during his mental rambling and hurried to catch up, just barely what the other guy said. He must have said more because it seemed like a strange segue but it's not like Quinn could ask him to repeat the first part, at least not in the crowd street they were on. “Um yeah. Lots to go through. A butt ton more to do.” They couldn’t be too far now right? For some reason Quinn really wanted to get out of the public eye and the crowds. Was New York like this? L.A.? It was making his shoulders itch just thinking about all the people and the eyes and the ears listening in.
With that in mind the sandy haired young man just kept his mouth shut during the whole metro ride, his eyes taking in everything including the seriously disturbing amount of plastic surgery ads. And he thought L.A. was bad with the Plastics, it seemed like here was going to be much, much worse. Mossgreen eyes focused on the younger man who was just a few feet in front, Seung was talking about office and resumes. “Sounds like a plan my man. Lead the way. I’ll follow.”
Quinn had to dodge through the crowd to keep up with his friend. He felt like he needed a ballcap and sunglasses… and slouch… a lot. Feeling rather exposed and really standing out so he focused on Seung. On what his general manager was saying, or what ever they actually came up with for names. If they were picking Quinn wanted to be ‘pain in the a**’ or PiA for short… Seung would be ‘Man Behind the Curtain’ or MBC for short. s**t, Quinn mentally cursed as he realized he was falling way behind Seung during his mental rambling and hurried to catch up, just barely what the other guy said. He must have said more because it seemed like a strange segue but it's not like Quinn could ask him to repeat the first part, at least not in the crowd street they were on. “Um yeah. Lots to go through. A butt ton more to do.” They couldn’t be too far now right? For some reason Quinn really wanted to get out of the public eye and the crowds. Was New York like this? L.A.? It was making his shoulders itch just thinking about all the people and the eyes and the ears listening in.
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For Seung it was comfortable being here, more so than Destiny City, he was home and things were familiar to him. The language, though signs were also in English, the place wasn’t where he’d lived in Seoul but he’d been here a fair few times. It was bust, as you’d expect, but nothing you wouldn’t get in New York or any other big city where millions of people lived.
Noting Quinn falling behind a few times he had slowed his pace, waiting for the other to catch up. Once above ground and with Quinn by his side again he nodded once. “Which to do first, resumes or furniture? Lunch can be between tasks.” Though he didn’t know what they’d do for lunch, he’d leave that to Quinn. He was figuring they’d order in but if the other wanted to go out for food he’d find them a place - something good. Good food was easy to find.
“Have any questions? Or concerns?” He asked looking to his friend, a smile in place. Today was one of those days where he’d skipped putting in his contacts and instead had slipped on a pair of glasses, they were a bit more professional looking in his opinion and that was the look he was aiming for
Noting Quinn falling behind a few times he had slowed his pace, waiting for the other to catch up. Once above ground and with Quinn by his side again he nodded once. “Which to do first, resumes or furniture? Lunch can be between tasks.” Though he didn’t know what they’d do for lunch, he’d leave that to Quinn. He was figuring they’d order in but if the other wanted to go out for food he’d find them a place - something good. Good food was easy to find.
“Have any questions? Or concerns?” He asked looking to his friend, a smile in place. Today was one of those days where he’d skipped putting in his contacts and instead had slipped on a pair of glasses, they were a bit more professional looking in his opinion and that was the look he was aiming for
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Focus Quinn, the young man silently admonished himself. It wasn’t like this is the first time he was in a different city or even a foreign country. It wasn’t even his first time alone in a foreign city, well without his folks. But still, he still was looking forward to getting into their office and out of this crowd. “I would say a bit of divide and conquer. Get a table cleared for the resume sorting which you're probably best at while I work on the rest of the furniture.” He could speak Korean thanks to Seung. He was also acceptable in reading and writing it but it wasn’t his forte so at least the first look of the resumes would be best in the hands of his MBC.
“Only one question really. How much further? I’m kind of itching to get started. We really only have a short time here on the ground to get the prelims started before we’ve got to go back. So the sooner we can get started the more we can get done.” Sadly there time was limited so if they were lucky they would get the office at least organized, not necessarily unpacked, and come back with a short list of potential highers with an eye on the management and people who would be on the ground here in the city. Quinn knew that the board would prefer if Seung or himself would actually move to the city to run the place but there was no way that would happen. There was too much in Destiny City that required their attention to move regardless what the damn board wanted.
“Only one question really. How much further? I’m kind of itching to get started. We really only have a short time here on the ground to get the prelims started before we’ve got to go back. So the sooner we can get started the more we can get done.” Sadly there time was limited so if they were lucky they would get the office at least organized, not necessarily unpacked, and come back with a short list of potential highers with an eye on the management and people who would be on the ground here in the city. Quinn knew that the board would prefer if Seung or himself would actually move to the city to run the place but there was no way that would happen. There was too much in Destiny City that required their attention to move regardless what the damn board wanted.
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“Sounds good, can do that. Table and resumes will be fine.” That worked also. He’d figured one thing and than the other but Quinn’s idea worked as well and it would possibly get things done sooner since he’d get right to resumes on his own, while Quinn handled the furniture.
Laughing at the others question he smiled, draping an arm about the others shoulders and leaned in close. “Close - only another block. Turn corner here - right, and go down a bit. Isn’t far. We are off ground floor but we have elevator.” Which would make getting up to the office easier than a walk up, which he had made sure they would be avoiding. It would be kinder to their future workers, especially any females they might hire as heels on stairs didn’t seem a good idea.
“I will shorten list of resumes and let you make final choices. When you do that I will finish furniture if any is left.” Seung was glad that Quinn trusted him, a lot, and was letting him help as much as he was. Some people wouldn’t trust him so much, due to his age and lack of on hand experience. He hadn’t proven himself at a lower level and was being trusted with a big position. It might upset some people, he could only hope that it wouldn’t.
Laughing at the others question he smiled, draping an arm about the others shoulders and leaned in close. “Close - only another block. Turn corner here - right, and go down a bit. Isn’t far. We are off ground floor but we have elevator.” Which would make getting up to the office easier than a walk up, which he had made sure they would be avoiding. It would be kinder to their future workers, especially any females they might hire as heels on stairs didn’t seem a good idea.
“I will shorten list of resumes and let you make final choices. When you do that I will finish furniture if any is left.” Seung was glad that Quinn trusted him, a lot, and was letting him help as much as he was. Some people wouldn’t trust him so much, due to his age and lack of on hand experience. He hadn’t proven himself at a lower level and was being trusted with a big position. It might upset some people, he could only hope that it wouldn’t.
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“Sounds like a plan man.” Quinn said as they continued their trek to the new office. One that was surprisingly shorter then he would have thought. Once in the building it was even less time before they were standing in the middle of the controlled chaos that was the South Korean branch of Quinton International. They way it was meant to be set up would be a starting point for local smartphone application research and development. Quinn knew that if this particular side project of his dad’s went well then they would ramp up interest and personnel into more tech based areas like home appliances or even governmental. Thats where the money normally was, at least in the states it was. But that was all in the future. Right now they were more or less a mall kiosk when compared to the company. A project that damage anything if it failed spectacularly. Not that Quinn would ever let that happen. He needed to prove to everyone that he was just as good as his dad.
With that in mind they got to work. With a workspace set up for Seung it was up to Quinn to get everything else figured out. Good thing that one of his odd jobs was actually working in a warehouse so moving all the s**t wasn’t too bad. Putting them together was the hard part. “Who the hell says s**t like ‘put Slot A into Slot B then turn 40 degrees left and secure with Piece D’? I don't have a Piece D and where the ******** is Slot B?” The young man muttered as he tried to read over the instructions for the bookcase parts scattered around him. It was like an Ikea exploded, boards here and there, dozens of screws in little plastic baggies scattered here and there, and a box of tools spread out like bodies after a war. Quinn continued to mutter inappropriate and unkind things under his breath as he continued to search for that elusive Piece D. It couldn’t have gone far. It wasn’t like it got up and walked away.
Fed up with his fruitless search, sore and tired, the sandy haired young man climbed to his feet and stretched. He could hear his back pop as he worked out the all the kinks moving the s**t around gave him. They weren’t done but if Quinn had to look at another allen wrench or try to figure out what the hell is which slot or what piece he was going to scream. So instead he would see how Seung was coming along. Wandering over to his friend Quinn glanced over his shoulder and was rather surprised by what he saw. Resumes with pictures on them. Headshots. Like they were some Hollywood agent looking for new talent. “Hey Seung… what's with the pictures?” He pointed at one particular pile with a rather unfortunate looking fellow on top. “I mean. Its nice to see who you would be working with but why add it to a resume?”
With that in mind they got to work. With a workspace set up for Seung it was up to Quinn to get everything else figured out. Good thing that one of his odd jobs was actually working in a warehouse so moving all the s**t wasn’t too bad. Putting them together was the hard part. “Who the hell says s**t like ‘put Slot A into Slot B then turn 40 degrees left and secure with Piece D’? I don't have a Piece D and where the ******** is Slot B?” The young man muttered as he tried to read over the instructions for the bookcase parts scattered around him. It was like an Ikea exploded, boards here and there, dozens of screws in little plastic baggies scattered here and there, and a box of tools spread out like bodies after a war. Quinn continued to mutter inappropriate and unkind things under his breath as he continued to search for that elusive Piece D. It couldn’t have gone far. It wasn’t like it got up and walked away.
Fed up with his fruitless search, sore and tired, the sandy haired young man climbed to his feet and stretched. He could hear his back pop as he worked out the all the kinks moving the s**t around gave him. They weren’t done but if Quinn had to look at another allen wrench or try to figure out what the hell is which slot or what piece he was going to scream. So instead he would see how Seung was coming along. Wandering over to his friend Quinn glanced over his shoulder and was rather surprised by what he saw. Resumes with pictures on them. Headshots. Like they were some Hollywood agent looking for new talent. “Hey Seung… what's with the pictures?” He pointed at one particular pile with a rather unfortunate looking fellow on top. “I mean. Its nice to see who you would be working with but why add it to a resume?”
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The small office was, in his opinion, well suited for what they’d be doing. It was big enough to comfortably hold a few workers plus himself and Quinn when they came to the office personally. It also wasn’t too big, which wouldn’t be good. They’d expand as needed. It did get smaller once his own desk was set up, it would remain his even when he wasn’t on site, so when he came he’d have everything he needed. The fact they’d be working on apps for smartphones and research was fitting for a company in this country, as they had not only the fastest internet but they were tech savvy in South Korea. “Internet is being set up tomorrow, for the system. Person is scheduled in around noon.”
Speaking up from where he sat going over the pile of resumes. The first step, for him anyway, was pictures. Moving the one stack of resumes into two piles he would go over the other information afterwards. While he worked, though it really wasn’t much at the moment, he did keep glancing over to the other and watching how he was progressing - it was amusing. Hearing the other start cursing and questioning the method of putting the furniture together. It looked like a battle field on the floor...and Quinn had lost the battle.
Watching as the other got up, and joined him, Seung lifted his head and his dark eyes found the others green eyes. “Pictures are normal - part of every resume. Weeding out the bad ones for us then will go over the good ones and look them over better before showing you best options for hirees.” Grabbing one, from the top of the good pictures pile, Seung’s fingers moved over the words which no doubt Quinn was clueless about.
The resume was standard, nothing special, it was used everywhere in Korean. “Asks for birth date, name and English name, hobby, contact number, address, special comment.” Of course it also asked for job title and department, to be expected obviously. It was all next to the photo of the person.
“Next is school information and grades.” Reading off the information it asked for there as well. “Next part is family information - who they are and work. Health information too…” Height, weight, any medical issues. It was all asked for and all expected - people were expected to answer it all and they did.
Speaking up from where he sat going over the pile of resumes. The first step, for him anyway, was pictures. Moving the one stack of resumes into two piles he would go over the other information afterwards. While he worked, though it really wasn’t much at the moment, he did keep glancing over to the other and watching how he was progressing - it was amusing. Hearing the other start cursing and questioning the method of putting the furniture together. It looked like a battle field on the floor...and Quinn had lost the battle.
Watching as the other got up, and joined him, Seung lifted his head and his dark eyes found the others green eyes. “Pictures are normal - part of every resume. Weeding out the bad ones for us then will go over the good ones and look them over better before showing you best options for hirees.” Grabbing one, from the top of the good pictures pile, Seung’s fingers moved over the words which no doubt Quinn was clueless about.
The resume was standard, nothing special, it was used everywhere in Korean. “Asks for birth date, name and English name, hobby, contact number, address, special comment.” Of course it also asked for job title and department, to be expected obviously. It was all next to the photo of the person.
“Next is school information and grades.” Reading off the information it asked for there as well. “Next part is family information - who they are and work. Health information too…” Height, weight, any medical issues. It was all asked for and all expected - people were expected to answer it all and they did.
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Quinn frowned as he tried to understand what Seung meant by ‘bad ones’ when it came to the resumes. He still had the mentality of what you knew not how you looked, it didn’t hurt that as a specimen of the male population Quinn wasn’t half bad looking. He never have had to deal with the stigma of ‘ugly’ or deal with any image related mental issues. It never really occurred to him that the western world also judged people on appearances just not quite so obviously. His frown deepened as he tried to read over the other parts that Seung was pointing out. He could understand parts of it but not all. It really hit home just how important his friend was in this venture.
Quinn was proficient in the language and could even read and write it some as well but he wasn’t perfect at it. Far from it really. Seung was the one who would be his ‘translator’, he was the one that Quinn would have to rely on to give an accurate presentation and translation of any paperwork they would be dealing with. He would have to trust Seung with his business… Quinn flat out trusted Seung with his life so trusting his friend with their business was a no brainer.
“I get the school information, even the hobbies and special comments, but why the pictures, the birthdate, and the other stuff? Why add them to the resume? I don’t give a crap what they look like or what their health is…” He paused a moment and cocked his head to the side as he thought for a moment. “Well, ok. I can see the health thing because you wouldn’t want to hire someone who has a chronic illness that would prevent them from working but well… isn’t like job discrimination to do so?” This wasn’t really something that they, or at least Quinn, had discussed during the planning phase of the whole thing. Why in God’s name was he put in charge of this place?
Quinn was proficient in the language and could even read and write it some as well but he wasn’t perfect at it. Far from it really. Seung was the one who would be his ‘translator’, he was the one that Quinn would have to rely on to give an accurate presentation and translation of any paperwork they would be dealing with. He would have to trust Seung with his business… Quinn flat out trusted Seung with his life so trusting his friend with their business was a no brainer.
“I get the school information, even the hobbies and special comments, but why the pictures, the birthdate, and the other stuff? Why add them to the resume? I don’t give a crap what they look like or what their health is…” He paused a moment and cocked his head to the side as he thought for a moment. “Well, ok. I can see the health thing because you wouldn’t want to hire someone who has a chronic illness that would prevent them from working but well… isn’t like job discrimination to do so?” This wasn’t really something that they, or at least Quinn, had discussed during the planning phase of the whole thing. Why in God’s name was he put in charge of this place?
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Setting the resume down, back on top of the pile it had been resting on, he turned his chair a bit and focused on the other fully. “Take a seat.” Motioning to the other chair they had in the office, they had others but they had yet to be put together. So far it was just the two, which for now was fine.
“When I first came to Destiny City and applied for job...was different from here. Older couple was Korean so I was surprised - nothing like here for resume.” Though the job had been only for a convenience store. He had expected something different. “Here...and there. Pretty people, those looking better, do better in life - in jobs. Picture is needed on application...is looked at and more better looking people get jobs first. Kinder to look at and friendly in looks so people want to work with more. Think of nice and ugly looking secretary...who is one you think would be more open and friendly?” He didn’t wait for an answer, figuring what it would be. Either because Quinn would have caught on or because the answer really was that predictable.
“So pretty one gets hired. Parents will give plastic surgery to children, for graduation, as gift so they can do well in life - in job and in marriage. Is to help...showing they care.” His own parents had done the same, though he didn’t mention it, Quinn knew he’d been under the knife at least once. “Many beauty pictures taken to find right one for resume...it is normal.” And it was why the two piles - pretty vs ugly.
Standing slowly, in order to stretch his legs, he moved around the small office space. Fingers moving over the walls as he passed them before he stood in front of the windows they had. “No one wants to hire person who has health issue - has seen a doc for mental health...very hard to get hired. People like us look for it...tells reliability, atmosphere maybe in office. Same for family, sort of, tells what family is like and so should tell what applicant is like, seeing as family raised them. What morals they have...ethics.” Glancing away from the city and to Quinn he was smiling.
“Makes sense? Family reflected on them, on each of them, when it came to applications. They were heavily scrutinized and looked at when it came to jobs. It was normal. “My baby sister was in Destiny City - for a while. Decided to move back...when she did she got clean slate. New school, living with aunt and uncle, and got plastic surgery - look pretty for new school where no one knew her...knew her old look. Will help her later in life too.”
“When I first came to Destiny City and applied for job...was different from here. Older couple was Korean so I was surprised - nothing like here for resume.” Though the job had been only for a convenience store. He had expected something different. “Here...and there. Pretty people, those looking better, do better in life - in jobs. Picture is needed on application...is looked at and more better looking people get jobs first. Kinder to look at and friendly in looks so people want to work with more. Think of nice and ugly looking secretary...who is one you think would be more open and friendly?” He didn’t wait for an answer, figuring what it would be. Either because Quinn would have caught on or because the answer really was that predictable.
“So pretty one gets hired. Parents will give plastic surgery to children, for graduation, as gift so they can do well in life - in job and in marriage. Is to help...showing they care.” His own parents had done the same, though he didn’t mention it, Quinn knew he’d been under the knife at least once. “Many beauty pictures taken to find right one for resume...it is normal.” And it was why the two piles - pretty vs ugly.
Standing slowly, in order to stretch his legs, he moved around the small office space. Fingers moving over the walls as he passed them before he stood in front of the windows they had. “No one wants to hire person who has health issue - has seen a doc for mental health...very hard to get hired. People like us look for it...tells reliability, atmosphere maybe in office. Same for family, sort of, tells what family is like and so should tell what applicant is like, seeing as family raised them. What morals they have...ethics.” Glancing away from the city and to Quinn he was smiling.
“Makes sense? Family reflected on them, on each of them, when it came to applications. They were heavily scrutinized and looked at when it came to jobs. It was normal. “My baby sister was in Destiny City - for a while. Decided to move back...when she did she got clean slate. New school, living with aunt and uncle, and got plastic surgery - look pretty for new school where no one knew her...knew her old look. Will help her later in life too.”
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Quinn sat when Seung told him too. He didn’t really want to but he had a feeling that he was about to get schooled and sitting normally made it a bit easier to take. He kept forgetting that he wasn’t in the states anymore, as if looking out the window wasn’t enough to remind him. The young man frowned when Seung mentioned pretty people… about how those with looks inevitably got better jobs. He wanted to deny it with every fiber of his being but a small part of him wouldn’t let his mind forget about the spunky secretaries situated in the front of the building, the scary bouncers that guarded a club’s door, the western clichey about blonds having more fun. It was all about how you looked. No one cared if the hag from four floors up was a better ******** secretary then the 20 something perty tits at the front counter or that the skinny kid on the corner could beat the living s**t out of the bear of a man guarding the door. Your looks and your public persona, that's how you get ahead in the world. Quinn knew this personally, he knew that he wasn’t taken seriously without being in a suit and tie. He knew that without portraying that air of ‘in charge’ at meetings that he was looked down on. The biggest difference about him and the rest of the world was he didn’t give two ******** what others think.
At least he didn’t. Now… not so much.
It was galling to admit that Seung was right. Appearances did matter but a headshot on a resume and parents paying for plastic surgery like it was nothing was a bit overboard. Quinn conveniently forgot about how some folks in the good old US of A actually got their kids nose and boob jobs justs as regularly. That wasn’t even touching on the lipo, botox, and tanning salons. The human race in general was way too hung up on appearances.
So rather than voice his denial he kept silent. He zipped his lips as Seung explained about the health history and family section. He kept his opinions to himself and bit his tongue when his friend casually mentioned his little sister getting surgery. There was nothing he could say even as he ground his teeth in frustration.
“This ******** sucks! It royalty, majorly, massively, ********, sucks.” Unable to contain himself any more Quinn burst out, standing so suddenly he toppled his chair. He couldn’t sit still now even if he wanted too. “Your right of course. The world revolves around the mirror.” He started to pace around the relatively small office, irritation in every step he made. “The beautiful and glamours do better than the ugly and common but for ******** sake Seung we don’t have to be like that. I’m not saying staff the place with fugly people but I want someone who knows what the hell they are doing without worrying about how they look. Yeah I care if someone went to a psychiatrist but should that stop me from hiring the next Stephen Hawkings? Your folks are dicks for kicking you out, does that mean I shouldn’t have hired you?” That last question popped out without him even realizing it. Once it was out there though it drove him to a complete stop as he finally seemed to aware of what he had just said.
Wincing Quinn turned to face Seung, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” He made a apologetic gesture with his hand, not that it made him feel less like a heel for saying what he did. “Look. I’m not saying that what you were taught is wrong, especially since this is your home ground. You know better than me about this stuff. But I…” He trailed off as he mentally groped for the words, his hand shoving his hair around in frustration. “I don’t want to do that. Not if we can avoid it. I don’t want to miss out on someone really special just because they don’t fit in. It’s not fair. I know, I know,” He waved off any typical response to that common comment. “I know life isn’t fair. But damn it Seung, just once I would like it to be.”
At least he didn’t. Now… not so much.
It was galling to admit that Seung was right. Appearances did matter but a headshot on a resume and parents paying for plastic surgery like it was nothing was a bit overboard. Quinn conveniently forgot about how some folks in the good old US of A actually got their kids nose and boob jobs justs as regularly. That wasn’t even touching on the lipo, botox, and tanning salons. The human race in general was way too hung up on appearances.
So rather than voice his denial he kept silent. He zipped his lips as Seung explained about the health history and family section. He kept his opinions to himself and bit his tongue when his friend casually mentioned his little sister getting surgery. There was nothing he could say even as he ground his teeth in frustration.
“This ******** sucks! It royalty, majorly, massively, ********, sucks.” Unable to contain himself any more Quinn burst out, standing so suddenly he toppled his chair. He couldn’t sit still now even if he wanted too. “Your right of course. The world revolves around the mirror.” He started to pace around the relatively small office, irritation in every step he made. “The beautiful and glamours do better than the ugly and common but for ******** sake Seung we don’t have to be like that. I’m not saying staff the place with fugly people but I want someone who knows what the hell they are doing without worrying about how they look. Yeah I care if someone went to a psychiatrist but should that stop me from hiring the next Stephen Hawkings? Your folks are dicks for kicking you out, does that mean I shouldn’t have hired you?” That last question popped out without him even realizing it. Once it was out there though it drove him to a complete stop as he finally seemed to aware of what he had just said.
Wincing Quinn turned to face Seung, “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” He made a apologetic gesture with his hand, not that it made him feel less like a heel for saying what he did. “Look. I’m not saying that what you were taught is wrong, especially since this is your home ground. You know better than me about this stuff. But I…” He trailed off as he mentally groped for the words, his hand shoving his hair around in frustration. “I don’t want to do that. Not if we can avoid it. I don’t want to miss out on someone really special just because they don’t fit in. It’s not fair. I know, I know,” He waved off any typical response to that common comment. “I know life isn’t fair. But damn it Seung, just once I would like it to be.”
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He knew the other had to be sitting there steaming, bubbling, with anger over what he said. But Seung also knew that Quinn knew it was true...at least some of it was. Looks did matter - they always had. People were just that - people. They couldn’t help certain things and instead chose to embrace it, whether they admitted it or not, here it was embraced knowingly. People knew if they didn’t look so nice that things would be harder, that was why there was even a tv show where people in need would try and get the surgeries they needed.
The rest...well that wasn’t a universal thing so much as it was a here thing, and he knew it. He knew the rest would be new for Quinn. He felt for his friend, having to dive into a new culture that was strange and intense as it took things to a level that he hadn’t seen in Destiny City. Watching the other jump from his seat, knocking it over, and pace about the office space he listened to the other rant. He sort of understood but yet...this was normal for himself. He saw the wrong in it but he saw that it was normal and how things were done. He was split on his thoughts, more so since moving to Destiny city than ever before.
“Most there.” Motioning to both stacks of resumes. “Know what they do...all good education and ability.” That was the problem. They were all capable and whittling the list down, as he had done, had helped some.
For a moment he didn’t say anything when Quinn brought him up, brought up his parents, but he shook his head and smiled. “Don’t apologize. I know it would, here, cost me a job most likely. Most here do not, would never, out themself to co-workers - would lose job. Maybe to Americans...or foreign co-workers they trust...never to others from here.” He knew his position and he had, since he’d figured himself out, kept it a secret for a very good reason. He knew what it would cost him here and understood it. The others words just reminding him of what he knew.
Moving over to place a hand on the others shoulder, smiling at him. “You are true...so am I...different but true.” Though the same about how beauty did get a person ahead in the world, that would always be a thing. Listening as the other continued on he understood and nodded his head. “Ok...so want to hire on skill and education only...break the norm….can do that.” It would be a bit...hard to not look at people and pass some judgement but he could manage it. “Skill over look even if really bad in looks?”
The rest...well that wasn’t a universal thing so much as it was a here thing, and he knew it. He knew the rest would be new for Quinn. He felt for his friend, having to dive into a new culture that was strange and intense as it took things to a level that he hadn’t seen in Destiny City. Watching the other jump from his seat, knocking it over, and pace about the office space he listened to the other rant. He sort of understood but yet...this was normal for himself. He saw the wrong in it but he saw that it was normal and how things were done. He was split on his thoughts, more so since moving to Destiny city than ever before.
“Most there.” Motioning to both stacks of resumes. “Know what they do...all good education and ability.” That was the problem. They were all capable and whittling the list down, as he had done, had helped some.
For a moment he didn’t say anything when Quinn brought him up, brought up his parents, but he shook his head and smiled. “Don’t apologize. I know it would, here, cost me a job most likely. Most here do not, would never, out themself to co-workers - would lose job. Maybe to Americans...or foreign co-workers they trust...never to others from here.” He knew his position and he had, since he’d figured himself out, kept it a secret for a very good reason. He knew what it would cost him here and understood it. The others words just reminding him of what he knew.
Moving over to place a hand on the others shoulder, smiling at him. “You are true...so am I...different but true.” Though the same about how beauty did get a person ahead in the world, that would always be a thing. Listening as the other continued on he understood and nodded his head. “Ok...so want to hire on skill and education only...break the norm….can do that.” It would be a bit...hard to not look at people and pass some judgement but he could manage it. “Skill over look even if really bad in looks?”
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With a sigh Quinn just nodded, “If it's possible.” Seung would know best, he was the man behind the curtains after all, but it still hurt to see and hear his friend blatantly admit that just being who he was would have cost him his job had Seung remained in South Korea. It was said without inflection, not that Quinn could hear at least, which gave it a ring of truth. Harsh, cold truth, but truth nonetheless. And it sucked big time. “I know it's not fair to ask this of you. To stick this all on your shoulders but if we can break the norm let's try to. So if it's possible let's hire based on skill not looks.”
Ideally if they had two people equal on both skill and education but unequal on looks they, Quinn and Seung, would decide by interview. Talk to them both. See how they would fit in the company. But even as these thoughts passed through Quinn’s mind he knew that sadly image really was everything. He couldn’t even promise to himself that he would be able to objectively hire people on personality and not looks, and that just blew. Patting the hand Seung placed on his shoulder the young man just nodded, “do your best but I know it’s not easy. You're right about one thing. Appearance really does drive one’s first impression so sadly we have to keep that in mind as well.” Annoyed and sad now Quinn righted the chair he had tipped over before ambling back to his war zone. “Personally think I got the better deal in this. I just have to fight with inanimate objects, you have to fight thousands of years of culture.” His smile was more rueful than anything else but even that brightened when he spotted something. “Hey! Piece D! Thats where it went! Maybe I’ll actually get the bookcase built before the end of the century now.”
Ideally if they had two people equal on both skill and education but unequal on looks they, Quinn and Seung, would decide by interview. Talk to them both. See how they would fit in the company. But even as these thoughts passed through Quinn’s mind he knew that sadly image really was everything. He couldn’t even promise to himself that he would be able to objectively hire people on personality and not looks, and that just blew. Patting the hand Seung placed on his shoulder the young man just nodded, “do your best but I know it’s not easy. You're right about one thing. Appearance really does drive one’s first impression so sadly we have to keep that in mind as well.” Annoyed and sad now Quinn righted the chair he had tipped over before ambling back to his war zone. “Personally think I got the better deal in this. I just have to fight with inanimate objects, you have to fight thousands of years of culture.” His smile was more rueful than anything else but even that brightened when he spotted something. “Hey! Piece D! Thats where it went! Maybe I’ll actually get the bookcase built before the end of the century now.”
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So skill first...that was going to be interesting. With the stacks combined he went to looking them over again, this time paying more mind to the schooling. “Age matter or no? Or if have served military time yet?” He questioned the other, wanting to make sure he had his bases covered and knew what to screen for. It would be easier if he knew everything now, get it done the right way this time. Since Quinn had caught him before he finished he was able to go back now.
“Mmm, culture here is old so many things ingrained in people here. Surprised Terry about skin color.” Shrugging as he spoke in an off handed manner. Those who knew Asian culture well enough knew paler skin had been better liked back in ancient times, as it meant the person with paler skin was well off and didn’t work outside. It still held true today, with lots of lightening and whitening products, and people being teased for their skin being dark or just having it pointed out.
“Did get the better deal here, Quinn.” Nodding his head he smiled to the other. Watching as the other went back to what he was working on, building a desk, he waited to find out what else to screen for and how else to look over things, age, military standing. He wasn’t sure of anything else which really mattered aside from those two things and skill set and education.
“Mmm, culture here is old so many things ingrained in people here. Surprised Terry about skin color.” Shrugging as he spoke in an off handed manner. Those who knew Asian culture well enough knew paler skin had been better liked back in ancient times, as it meant the person with paler skin was well off and didn’t work outside. It still held true today, with lots of lightening and whitening products, and people being teased for their skin being dark or just having it pointed out.
“Did get the better deal here, Quinn.” Nodding his head he smiled to the other. Watching as the other went back to what he was working on, building a desk, he waited to find out what else to screen for and how else to look over things, age, military standing. He wasn’t sure of anything else which really mattered aside from those two things and skill set and education.
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With Piece D in hand all Quinn needed to do was figure out Slot B and he was golden… hopefully. The young man settled into his mess once more, instructions in front of him and the ever important Piece D right at his feet. It won't be possible to lose it again that way right? “Hum?” He glanced up from the mystery of the instructions when Seung asked a question. “Age? Uh… no?” It was more a question then an answer as it took him a moment to really understand what his friend was talking about. “Oh. Oh, yeah no. Not really. Don’t really care as long as they can do their job. As for military… I would like to say after, give someone with service a bit of a break but as for before,” Quinn shrugged and added, “Whatever you think. Honestly don’t get the whole ‘mandatory army duty’ stuff so I’ll leave that up to you.” He wasn’t being very helpful. The young man knew logically that Seung was still facing that ‘mandatory army duty’ but in his heart he didn’t ever think it would happen to his friend. Seung was American after all, even though he technically was still Korean.
With another soft crow of pleasure Quinn quickly dragged the piece with Slot B, or the what he thought was Slot B, over and started to fit the pieces together. He was going to get this bookcase done even if it killed him… it was a bookcase right? It could be a desk. Totally not a chair though or a filing cabinet. He was pretty sure of that. Sort of. Completely distracted all Quinn did was nod absently as Seung mentioned the way Terry was thrown about the whole pale skin thing most of the cultures in this general area of the glob had. Quinn knew about it already since he’s been to Japan a time or two when he was younger but it still took a bit to adjust to it. It completely rubbed against the ‘sun kissed’ ideal that he grew up with even though that was fading as more and more research was being done on melanoma and other sun-skin related cancers and diseases.
When Slot A didn’t fit in Slot B and Piece D didn’t help a damn bit Quinn was more than willing to just throw up his hands and say ‘******** it all’ but it irked his very soul to do so. “You're damn skippy,” the young man muttered as he continued his fight with the modular furniture. Seung definitely had the better job of the two. “What do you say we go out for lunch today… once I beat this thing into submission first.” His voice was rather relaxed even if the slightly evil grin and the grip on the rubber mallet wasn’t as he approached his victim. He was going to put this thing together or they would be having a bonfire tonight. Why was this so damn hard? He liked putting s**t together. He liked Legos and sandcastles and lincoln logs and all things building related. Everything but Ikea type furniture it seemed. It just wasn’t in him to let the mess alone. He would finish this, one way or another.
With another soft crow of pleasure Quinn quickly dragged the piece with Slot B, or the what he thought was Slot B, over and started to fit the pieces together. He was going to get this bookcase done even if it killed him… it was a bookcase right? It could be a desk. Totally not a chair though or a filing cabinet. He was pretty sure of that. Sort of. Completely distracted all Quinn did was nod absently as Seung mentioned the way Terry was thrown about the whole pale skin thing most of the cultures in this general area of the glob had. Quinn knew about it already since he’s been to Japan a time or two when he was younger but it still took a bit to adjust to it. It completely rubbed against the ‘sun kissed’ ideal that he grew up with even though that was fading as more and more research was being done on melanoma and other sun-skin related cancers and diseases.
When Slot A didn’t fit in Slot B and Piece D didn’t help a damn bit Quinn was more than willing to just throw up his hands and say ‘******** it all’ but it irked his very soul to do so. “You're damn skippy,” the young man muttered as he continued his fight with the modular furniture. Seung definitely had the better job of the two. “What do you say we go out for lunch today… once I beat this thing into submission first.” His voice was rather relaxed even if the slightly evil grin and the grip on the rubber mallet wasn’t as he approached his victim. He was going to put this thing together or they would be having a bonfire tonight. Why was this so damn hard? He liked putting s**t together. He liked Legos and sandcastles and lincoln logs and all things building related. Everything but Ikea type furniture it seemed. It just wasn’t in him to let the mess alone. He would finish this, one way or another.
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“Mmm, ok. Will check status there then.” Nodding his head as he went to looking over things. He didn’t need to worry about service status for females, most never went into serve and for them it was only if they wanted. For males it was a mandatory thing, it was something he’d have to do within the next nine or so years. Serving about two years, as it differed depending on the assigned position, took a lot out of a person's life and holding a job open, as he was sure Quinn would want to do, was not always easy either. “Mandatory because of North Korea...has been since end of conflict. Since still at war with them...just cease fire. In case anything happens.” He answered, addressing Quinn’s comment on not understanding it. His country, this country, was still technically at war and had to be prepared.
Back to his own work he did look up every few moments to see Quinn working. At least it seemed he had made some progress...and then he was back to having issues, those pieces really didn’t like the other. Tilting his head back down to his work he heard the others question, or perhaps comment, but answered it all the same. “Can do that. Eat inside or street food...or open market?” He questioned in return. There were a lot of options, all kinds of places to go for food, some types of food better to find in certain places too.
“Don’t break the furniture…” He spoke up, watching the other with the rubber mallet, and wondering if Quinn was ok. That poor thing hadn’t done anything to the other...or maybe it had? Just nothing warranting the beating the other seemed inclined to bestow upon it. “Kind of food you want? Or just surprise?”
Back to his own work he did look up every few moments to see Quinn working. At least it seemed he had made some progress...and then he was back to having issues, those pieces really didn’t like the other. Tilting his head back down to his work he heard the others question, or perhaps comment, but answered it all the same. “Can do that. Eat inside or street food...or open market?” He questioned in return. There were a lot of options, all kinds of places to go for food, some types of food better to find in certain places too.
“Don’t break the furniture…” He spoke up, watching the other with the rubber mallet, and wondering if Quinn was ok. That poor thing hadn’t done anything to the other...or maybe it had? Just nothing warranting the beating the other seemed inclined to bestow upon it. “Kind of food you want? Or just surprise?”
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“Awe, that's no fun.” Quinn stuck his tongue out at his friend as he put the mallet down. Destroying the insulting furniture would have felt so nice but Seung was right. They needed it. He couldn’t break it willy nilly even if he really wanted too. It definitely wasn’t something he, an adult, should do. Even this long after his collapse and subsequent scolding the young man was still trying to find a balance between ‘being an adult’ and not overworking himself. He liked to think he was getting a decent grip on it. That's why he didn’t say anything more than a noncommittal hum earlier when Seung explained about the mandatory military stuff. To Quinn it still seemed strange, logically he got it but he also had a bit of a ‘doesn’t affect me’ mentality. When he thought of the leader from the north his first image was a child throwing a tantrum not a dictator with access to actual nuclear bombs. To him… North Korea wasn’t a neighbor who was within throwing distance and had a serious chip on his shoulder. BUT Quinn also recognized that to the people of the country he was even now standing in, the north was a credible threat and as such the borders needed to be patrolled. Hence the mandatory military kick that every male had to go on.
Bah… being an adult sucked a**. That's why Quinn put down the mallet and picked up the instructions again. If he can’t destroy the thing by mallet or fire then he might as well put it together. “As for food,” he said as he skimmed over the booklet trying to figure out what he missed, “it doesn’t really matter but personally would say a sit down place. Something that will take our minds off of this mess. Ha! So I missed a page! That makes it so much clearer.” Quinn was happy to finally figure out this nonsense called ‘putting together furniture’ or at least realize he had missed an entire page of instructions in the five page booklet. “Hey. Think we could find a cat cafe? Kinda miss having a cat around. Besides it's kind of like a ‘integral’ part of visiting the city right?” He glanced over at Seung, knowing full well that unless the younger man had actual objections his friend wouldn’t likely say no.
Bah… being an adult sucked a**. That's why Quinn put down the mallet and picked up the instructions again. If he can’t destroy the thing by mallet or fire then he might as well put it together. “As for food,” he said as he skimmed over the booklet trying to figure out what he missed, “it doesn’t really matter but personally would say a sit down place. Something that will take our minds off of this mess. Ha! So I missed a page! That makes it so much clearer.” Quinn was happy to finally figure out this nonsense called ‘putting together furniture’ or at least realize he had missed an entire page of instructions in the five page booklet. “Hey. Think we could find a cat cafe? Kinda miss having a cat around. Besides it's kind of like a ‘integral’ part of visiting the city right?” He glanced over at Seung, knowing full well that unless the younger man had actual objections his friend wouldn’t likely say no.
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”Not everything is fun.” Shrugging his shoulders from where he sat going over things, placing them into different piles, he glanced up as he watched the other work. So far it seemed better...no cursing or threats made to inanimate objects, that was good. There was also not mallet beating of the furniture pieces. Things would, hopefully, be put together by the end of the day and nothing destroyed. He really did think things would work out here, just needed some time.
“Sit down place good...no type of food you want or don’t want?” He questioned before shaking his head. He’d find them a good place to eat. OIhhh, well a missing page explained the others problem with putting that together. At least now it wouldn’t have to suffer the others upset and it could be put together, hopefully in a good amount of time also. “Cat cafe...easy to find. Have other kinds of cafe’s too...we can see more during time here.” Nodding his head as he spoke.
Lunch wasn’t meant for a full, heavy, meal so for lunch he had decided on donkatsu at a local eatery he found on his phone. So that was where they headed, with him not telling Quinn till they were close to the place.
“Sit down place good...no type of food you want or don’t want?” He questioned before shaking his head. He’d find them a good place to eat. OIhhh, well a missing page explained the others problem with putting that together. At least now it wouldn’t have to suffer the others upset and it could be put together, hopefully in a good amount of time also. “Cat cafe...easy to find. Have other kinds of cafe’s too...we can see more during time here.” Nodding his head as he spoke.
Lunch wasn’t meant for a full, heavy, meal so for lunch he had decided on donkatsu at a local eatery he found on his phone. So that was where they headed, with him not telling Quinn till they were close to the place.
