again stand hand in hand. We are assignedto A line. Even as we stand holding hands, the conveyor belt keeps turning endlessly. I am given the number one spot on the A line. Cousin is number two. The foreman sits next to my chair and teaches me what I need to do as number one. My job is to bring the plates for the core parts of the stereo system from the prep line and use the air driver to insert the seven screws that will hold the PVC cover in place. Because each hole requires a screw of a different size, I have to memorize where this screw and that screw goes. Each time the screw is inserted, I am startled by the gush of wind bursting from the air driver, which further slows down my already slow work speed. Only when I finish my job at number one can the number two down the conveyor belt do her job. There is about a two-meter distance between me and Cousin at number two. I have to adjust my pace so that the plates with all the screws in place will keep flowing through that distance without stopping, Foreman tells me. On my first day, I try so hard to maintain the pace and to get the right screw in the right place that I do not even hear the bell at the end of the day.
Because I work slowly and often put the screw in the wrong place, one of the skilled workers on our line, who has to connect another part to the screws that I insert, keeps bringing the plates that I have finished back to me, pointing out the wrong screws. Foreman gets impatient and frequently stands behind me. With him watching from behind my back, my work slows down even more. Getting impatient, Foreman takes the air driver from me and attaches the screws himself, or brings over the plates from the prep line and piles them next to me, but at least ten fewer stereo systems make it to the test division that day compared with other days. Because our output is less than that of the B line or the C line, at the end of the day those of us on the A line receive, from the operations chief, words of admonishment.
A letter arrives. It is from Changin the country. When I see that the sender is Chang, my face blushes abruptly. Chang is the boy who lives at the end of the newly paved road back in our village. Outside Chang’s gate, different flowers blossom each season. Forsythias, azaleas, clavillias, cosmos. Chang writes:
I learned from your younger sister that you moved to Seoul, that it has already been two months, and that you have already visited once. I noticed that I haven’t seen you around but had no idea that you had left for Seoul. If you had told me you were leaving, Ik-su hyeong and I would have arranged a farewell party or something—it’s a pity. I realize you will be surprised by my unexpected letter. I asked Ik-su to go over to your house and find out your address. Your mom doesn’t like me but she’s friendly with Ik-su hyeong . And since you and Ik-su are related, I guessed she would give him your address. I hope we can exchange letters. The things that happened in the past are now bygones, and I hope we can stay good friends from now on.
I am so happy to receive Chang’s letter that I can’t sit still. The bygones that Chang mentioned in the letter went like this. Chang and I have been friends since we were young, but when we got to middle school, each time we saw each other, our faces flushed for no reason. Mom dislikes my befriending Chang. I do not know why she does, but since Mom disapproves, I find Chang dearer. Because he knows that Mom disapproves of him, Chang does not even come by to offer a bow to my parents for New Year. I might go over to Chang’s, but Chang never comes over to our house. One night coming home, I run into Chang. Chang is on his bike and I am walking. Chang gets off his bike and ties my schoolbag to the back of his bikeand we walk together. On the bridge where the lights in the village come into view, Chang stops the bike and says, Let’s talk here for a bit. Let’s talk a bit, he says, but Chang is quiet in
Because I work slowly and often put the screw in the wrong place, one of the skilled workers on our line, who has to connect another part to the screws that I insert, keeps bringing the plates that I have finished back to me, pointing out the wrong screws. Foreman gets impatient and frequently stands behind me. With him watching from behind my back, my work slows down even more. Getting impatient, Foreman takes the air driver from me and attaches the screws himself, or brings over the plates from the prep line and piles them next to me, but at least ten fewer stereo systems make it to the test division that day compared with other days. Because our output is less than that of the B line or the C line, at the end of the day those of us on the A line receive, from the operations chief, words of admonishment.
A letter arrives. It is from Changin the country. When I see that the sender is Chang, my face blushes abruptly. Chang is the boy who lives at the end of the newly paved road back in our village. Outside Chang’s gate, different flowers blossom each season. Forsythias, azaleas, clavillias, cosmos. Chang writes:
I learned from your younger sister that you moved to Seoul, that it has already been two months, and that you have already visited once. I noticed that I haven’t seen you around but had no idea that you had left for Seoul. If you had told me you were leaving, Ik-su hyeong and I would have arranged a farewell party or something—it’s a pity. I realize you will be surprised by my unexpected letter. I asked Ik-su to go over to your house and find out your address. Your mom doesn’t like me but she’s friendly with Ik-su hyeong . And since you and Ik-su are related, I guessed she would give him your address. I hope we can exchange letters. The things that happened in the past are now bygones, and I hope we can stay good friends from now on.
I am so happy to receive Chang’s letter that I can’t sit still. The bygones that Chang mentioned in the letter went like this. Chang and I have been friends since we were young, but when we got to middle school, each time we saw each other, our faces flushed for no reason. Mom dislikes my befriending Chang. I do not know why she does, but since Mom disapproves, I find Chang dearer. Because he knows that Mom disapproves of him, Chang does not even come by to offer a bow to my parents for New Year. I might go over to Chang’s, but Chang never comes over to our house. One night coming home, I run into Chang. Chang is on his bike and I am walking. Chang gets off his bike and ties my schoolbag to the back of his bikeand we walk together. On the bridge where the lights in the village come into view, Chang stops the bike and says, Let’s talk here for a bit. Let’s talk a bit, he says, but Chang is quiet in
Similar Books
