Allegory of Survival: The Theater of Kang-baek Lee (Hardcover) By ...

C: You shouldn't have paid the money.

D: (To C.) Shut up. Who would give money for no reason?

A: Yes, you're quite right. I prepared the official documents in order to get permission to buy state-owned land, but at the city hall, the person in charge said, “You there, when I look at these documents, all I want to do is to laugh at your stupidity. If you do it this way, it will take you wads of money and lots of time; so, just give me the money for the permission. I'll give it to you at a cheaper price without the hassle.” So, all I did was follow his instruction. When the coup d'etat came, I denied vehemently ever paying him off, but the asshole officer wanted to save his butt and ended up confessing; so, it was no good. The ones with horns on their heads smashed into my house, my wife died from a horn, and I escaped. I heard a rumor later that the asshole bureaucrat was promoted or given a medal or something …

D: Now that we've listened to you, it's certain that the captain will confess to the others that he took the money from us.

A: My wife and I wept in sorrow. The captain is sure to … we would have to weep in sorrow.

C: (He is confused.) Why do we have to weep in sorrow?

D: Because we have to go into the water.

C: Who would push us into the water?

D: Now, if it's not the captain, then the others will shove us into the water.

B: Then, would it be useless even to beg?

A & D: (They nod their heads looking defeated.)

B & C: Just a moment ago, we were sure to survive … (But, following A and D, they become resigned.)

A: What should we do now …

A, C, D, & E: (Short silence.)

B: (Pointing at E.) Why don't we ask that woman?

C: Who? Is she a goddess?

D: She is not a goddess. She has no wings.

E: (She flips her hands like wings.)