Personal Driver

This stretch goes strangely quiet at night. I always slow down here. Don't ask why.

• The MechanicI replaced your brakes last week. They were still fine, though.
  Personal Driver...Yes. I asked you to.
• Investigating ProsecutorI've been looking into a few accident records from that stretch. Let's meet sometime.
  Personal DriverI only drive.

Lately I go down thirty minutes before we leave and test the brake lights alone. The shop foreman laughed, so I told him it's just age.

• The MechanicI wasn't laughing at you. I've been checking the same thing at the same hour.
  Personal DriverThen from tomorrow, we check it together. No talking.

The waits run long now, so I open a map instead of the radio. Memorizing three routes to the same destination makes the night a little less frightening.

• Director Oh HyeonjiDriver, routes are to be reported to the Secretary's Office before departure.
  Personal DriverI'll report it once we've arrived. That's how I do my job.
• The MechanicLet me in on one of those three routes, at least.
  Personal DriverIt's written down. Not in the glove box. In my pocket.

For the first time in twelve years, I handed the car key to someone else. My hand felt empty all evening. I went down to the parking lot twice.

• Han SerinVehicle handovers require Secretary's Office approval.
  Personal DriverI got the approval. Not being able to settle down about it after is mine to deal with.
• The MechanicI saw the one who took that key.
  Personal DriverGood, you saw. Don't tell anyone else you did.