Page 42 of Damian & Jun: Episodes 1-4
“Gigi,” Julie whispered, “I can’t get in trouble with the police. He said ‘if anyone’s helping him, we’ll charge them with kidnapping.”
Goose bumps ran up Damian’s back. “Being charged isn’t the same as being found guilty.”
“It might as well be.” Julie sucked in air and lifted her chin. “If you can’t fight the charges or if you’re a nobody.”
“You know that holding someone’s identification and money against their will so they can’t leave can be defined as imprisonment or extortion?”
Julie shook her head.
Gigi patted her hand again. “It sounds like Bak did something bad to Jun and Jun got away.”
Julie nodded. She looked around nervously again. “I should leave. Gigi, you should leave, too. They’ll think you’re helping him. And you’re not good at speaking Korean. You might need a lawyer.”
“She has one,” Damian broke in. “And so will you if you need it. My boss and I have a lot of contacts in Seoul, and we move a lot of money through this city.”
Julie blinked at him, uncertain.
“If you knew for certain that Jun was asking for his papers, could you find them and get them to him?” Gigi asked.
Julie tightened her grip on Gigi’s hand. Then she shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry, Gigi. But my father works in the police force. And Bak’s friend…” Her voice trailed off. “We’re a small family. We do okay, but I can’t risk them…”
Gigi sighed. “It’s okay. Can you at least tell me where Jun’s passport might be?”
Julie looked around. “5N’s paperwork isn’t kept in the office with the other talent. Sanada Yohei has his own passport, but the other four all leave their paperwork with Bak, like in his office.”
“Why is Sanada different?”
“He told Bak that he couldn’t have his passport because it’s too much hassle whenever he goes home to Japan for the weekend. And his parents insisted that he carry his own passport with him when he signed on as talent in his teens. They were particular about that. So, it’s in his contract.”
“But the other four are treated different from other talent as well?”
Julie hesitated. “I mean, I don’t know, maybe it’s because they are subcontracted with BBB3? Technically, they all work for SP4700Y. So maybe that’s why? Sanada works with the band via a lease to SP4700Y from BBB3.”
Gigi frowned. “I thought BBB3 put 5N together. All my contracts imply that I’m working with BBB3 groups.”
Julie shook her head. “BBB3 doesn’t own 5N. SP4700Y does. BBB3 is only contracted to run the group.”
Damian scratched the back of his head. “So, who put the group together?”
“Bak.” Julie blinked once, staring off into space. “I mean, I think so. That’s what he says and everyone else. But we have to run through paperwork and payments differently, and their passports and documentation go somewhere else.”
Damian forced himself not to lean forward. “Where?”
Julie shivered. “I don’t know. I just know if I need it I have to talk to Bak or his guy Choi. And then they hand them to me, and I give them back when I’m done. They’re usually in a drawer in his desk.”
Gigi sighed and sank back in her seat. “And this never seemed fishy to you?”
“Fishy?” Julie frowned. “There’s no fish there.”
“I mean, it never seemed off, like not quite right?”
Julie shivered a little and looked around again, checking the distance of other patrons. “I mean, maybe a little? But…” She trailed off, playing with her drink. “It made sense if they were a subcontract group that we’d handle their stuff separately, right? And doesn’t your employer need your papers?”
“No, you need your papers.” Gigi drove her finger against the top of the table, making the end of it pale with pressure. “For companies, a person is just an asset; keeping papers like that is for convenience or to control an asset. But for the person, your papers mean you can do things, be a full citizen, access your rights, travel, get from place to place, open a bank account, get help. It’s important. No one, not your parents, not your spouse–I don’t care if you’re married–should control your ID or bank cards. It means you can’t be a functioning legal adult when you need to be.”
“Oh.” Julie looked down, shoulders slumping. “We keep everyone’s papers but Sanada’s. To keep them safe and make sure we can file their visas and do other things for them. I thought that was normal.”
Damian shook his head. “In the US, it’s considered abuse. I’m pretty sure it’s illegal here, too, but I’d have to double-check. I mostly know Korean tax law and contract law.”
