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⇢(1) Four Windows
⇢(2) Nail Clipper, Peach, Face, lodging and a Hug
⇢(3) ember
⇢(4) the bench above
⇢(5) shaded green
⇢(6) the bird that cries at night
©2025 Sanuk Kim.
All rights reserved.
(10.23.2024)
[Characters and Setting]
|A| quit his job in Seoul 15 years ago to care for his sick wife and moved to Bongyang-myeon, Uiseong, where he now runs a peach farm. His wife's health has been declining for several years, and |A| has been working alone for quite some time. During the summer harvest, it's nearly impossible to find workers, so he posted a short-term job listing online. |B| is the part-time worker he hired.
[01. INT. Inside the house — Night]
The room is dimly lit, with no lights on. The fading sunset barely lingers in the house for a moment before it gives way to the dark blue hue of the night. |A| sits at the round table with a weathered, sunburned face. This is the same nail clipper he has used since his newlywed days. Aside from a bit of rust at the tip, it is still functional. With its small body and sharp blades, it performs its duty slowly but surely. Even the sound of the nails being clipped mirrors its strong patience.
“Snip. Snip. Snip.”
Even the firmly grown nails lose their strength and fall to the floor one by one. |A| carefully picks up the nail clippings, examining each one, comparing them to the crescent moon hanging alone in the cloudless night sky. He searches for the shape that resembles the moon the most.
[02. EXT. Peach Farm — Dawn]
As soon as the darkness clears, |A| heads toward the farm, cutting through the early morning mist. He takes a deep breath to release the throbbing pain from blood pooling at his fingertips. He has cut his nails too short, causing the tips of his fingers to swell reddish.
|A|
(Inner thoughts, narration)
"Did I cut them too short? No. Peaches are soft fruit..."
(After a moment of thought, suddenly with a confident expression)
"They bruise easily, so it’s important to cut your nails as short as possible."
|A| puts on gloves and carefully harvests the peaches one by one.
[03. EXT. Peach Farm — Noon]
On an August day, |B| appears at the peach farm. She’s a small, tanned woman with no makeup. Her hair is tied back in braids, but stray strands keep blowing into her eyes due to the wind, yet she remains calm and unbothered. In one hand, she tightly grips a pair of work gloves, standing with one leg bent as she listens to |A|’s instructions. It's clear from her appearance that she’s new to the town and inexperienced in farming.
|A|
(With a slightly displeased look)
"Hold the tip of the branch with one hand and gently twist the peach off. You made sure you cut your nails, right? If the peaches get scratched, they lose value, so be careful."
|B| silently nods as she looks at |A|.
[04. EXT. Peach Farm — Afternoon]
|B|’s face and hands swell up, turning red. |A| rushes over when he notices.
|A|
(Wide-eyed, rushing to check her condition)
"Did you not know you’re allergic to peaches?"
|B|
(With her usual indifferent expression)
"I know. It’s fine. I’m not gonna die."
|A|
(Feeling embarrassed for making a fuss alone)
"Why did you apply for this job if you knew you were allergic? You’re weird. I don’t have money to cover your hospital bills, so quit before it gets worse.”
Instead of responding, |B| continues harvesting peaches with her swollen face.
[05. INT. Lodging — Morning]
Morning arrives, and |B| emerges from the lodging with her swollen face. She walks toward |A|, work gloves in hand, as if nothing is wrong. Her stray hair still pokes at her eyes.
|B|
"What should I do today?"
|A| looks at |B| and feels an inexplicable anger rising within him. He tries to suppress the complex emotions welling up inside but feels something boiling within.
|A|, unable to let go of the peach he is holding, suddenly hugs |B|.
|A|
"Take care of yourself a little, will you? Look after your health."
|A|’s nails have grown a bit. Unknown emotions seep to the tips of his fingers, tightening with tension as his nails unconsciously dig into the peach.
(The camera slowly zooms in on the distinct nail marks left on the skin of the peach.)