The Grand Foyer

Also known as the Entrance Hall. The room is line the floor with white marble tiles. Noticing from the outside, the whole front of the building is huge panes of glass from the bottom of the floor reaching up to the ceiling thirty feet above bringing in much natural light into the Foyer. Nice comfortable black leather chairs, and couches set up a lounge area in one corner of the room. The only dash of color in the whole Entrance Hall were the Potted plants, pink Tiger Lilies, Seung Pyo mother's favorite flower, lined the entrance to HoengJae Concert Hall, to the auditorium. The only thing that broke up the space besides the white marble pillars, and the front desk was a curve wall, with contrasting black letters:

HoengJae Concert Hall
Han Min-Ju Memorial

Secretary Woo stood in between two body guards in the middle of the Grand Foyer room. In his left hand were a stack of applications forms. His face was passive, almost void of all emotions scanning the hall of the excited musician, or the worried patrons who came to cheer them on. They were all whispering but with the specific design of the concert hall, it amplified even the tiniest of noise, making their whisper into a destructive chorus.

Woo put his free hand to his mouth and coughed loud enough for those near by to hear. Woo was not going to talk over them. If they could not, or would not settle down, he will have no choice but to escort them out of the premises.

Like a wave washing over the room as the whispers fell silent. Others made the shushing sound to quite the ones who did not hear the cough or the ones who were mid way between sentences, until Secretary Woo had all of their full attention.

"Thank You for joining us this afternoon," he said in a considerate manner, pushing up his bifocals. "Before you perform the audition in front of Mr. Choi-" Some people, mostly females whispered and even scream with excitement. Most that screamed where Korean girls, who to Woo's best guess, probably swoon over him at one of his many concerts over the years. He would let the incident slide, but he had little time to waste, and could not deal with a bunch of fan girls. "-there are several rules you must abide by."

"Rule number 1 Mr. Choi is a very busy man, once you are on stage go straight into playing. Do not waste your time introducing yourself. This is what these are for." he held up the applications just high enough for all to see.

"Secondly, Mr. Choi will stop you at any time, be ready to stop at a moments notice."

"Finally, Mr. Choi's word is law."

Woo saw the tension rise in the room. A strain that was present but was subdued by the noise. Once the noise was quench, the tension sore to new levels. He did not waste anytime though dwelling on their fates, Woo just step forward handing half of his applications to both body guards, making them pass them out to every musician. "Fill this out, and hand them into reception. There you will receive a number, that number is what order you will be performing. Please no swapping."

As the guards where doing what Woo asked of them, he went on. "In the Grand Foyer, you may tune your instruments, practice your song of choice, or sit. Please do not wounder. Those who came to support their friend, or family member, be respectful to others and to this Concert Hall. The lounge area is for you as well. If any suspicious actions are commiserating, you will be asked to leave. Thank you, and Good luck."

Woo did not wait for anyone to ask any questions. He turn about and walked through a pair of french doors, and was gone from sight in an instant, leaving the receptionists and the guards to bring order to the chaos.

There were indeed many fangirls and riftraft who did not actually belong here, and their numbers were at least ten times greater than the actual auditonees. Those who were not chatting, and giggling with excitement, were busying themselves with their applications. Some were becoming nervous as though a test had just been placed in their hands, while others were diligently focused and solely determined about the task at hand.

But those who were being a bit of a bother, aka the "riftraft" were being subdued by the guards. The guards did their best to quiet the crowd, but it only resulted in more questions about when Choi would be coming in, and when the auditions were going to start.

---

One of the musicians stood, chuckling and rough-housing with some of his buddies as they all pitched in with the answers to his application. It was perhaps in the musician's hands only a fraction of the time. He had only enough time to scratch down his name with a green sharpie before one of his buddies had snatched it up for closer examination.

"Hehe, let's see, Full Name: Edward Hopper, Address...?" He sized Edward up before concluding, "The Sahara Desert," as he added it on to the paperwork. Another buddy then snatched it up and began adding his own bit of nonsense onto the application, and so on and so forth, all in the same bright green color from the sharpie.

The musician himself, Edward apparently, seemed unconcerned, and simply laughed it off. That left less work for him then, if he didn't have to write out everything himself. Ed was dressed in a black t-shirt and knee-length shorts. He had long scraggily dark hair that was swept back in gel, and thick, jet black tattoo's decorated his forearms. He seemed rather at ease.

---

Then there was a young girl, sitting on the ground with a grin on her face as she idly went through her application. She was accompanied by a friend, who was playing with the girl's trumpet while the girl was busy filling out her application.

"I bet no one will believe we actually showed up huh? Our schoolmates would be so flippin' out if they saw us right now!" The girl said excitedly.

"You got that right Celia!" Her friend replied with a laugh.

---

Upon many other fellow auditionees, there was also a man, a tad bit older than the rest, standing quietly away from the rest. He had no one accompanying him, and he was simply working on his application, with his cello case propped up beside him. Unlike the others, he looked like he had a fair bit of experience. One could see just by the way he carried himself and how quiet he was. The rest of the crowds were just buzzing with excitement.

The attendant near the doors where the auditioners will enter and exit, called out in a clear but deep rumbling voice, "Veronica Trinket." The girl greeted with an enthusiastic demeanor as she proceeded through the double doors, with instrument at hand. Five minutes later her demeanor changed. She was pale white, and her sunshine smile was gone, replaced with quivering lips. She did not answer the people her bombarded her with question. She did not even responded to her friend that waited behind to found out how she did. She just walked right out of the Concert Hall.

One by one the Attendant called out a name as they proceeded in and out of the auditorium to gain the favor of Seung Pyo. Some took five to seven minutes, while others took only a few minutes. Everyone's reaction was different. Some came out with a broad grin on their face but their eyes betraying them to throw off the competition, and others look sick with anxiety.

"Celia Earhart, please come forward," the attendant called forth to the group that was left. "Please proceed to those doors," he informed her where to go.

"Yoi. Yoi desu." Good. That is good, Kimeko replied in Japanese, happy that she did not have to speak in the other foul language much more. She was pleased to at least find one girl with taste of her home country, even though the girl was out of her league if she thought to get the Orchestral position, Kimeko sought after, but first some small talk. "O-namae wa?" Kimeko asking for the girl's name once more.

She took a seat next to the girl, also soaking in the rays. Even though it was winter time, the sun was out. It felt good on her skin. She missed the warmth of the natural hot springs that Japan had to offer, and the warmth of environment. It was so unlike Britain, with its crummy streets, waste and filth. She couldn't stand it.

"27, Daniel Hendrix." The attendant called out but no one step forth. He repeated, "Number 27, Daniel Hendrix, please come forth," but once again no one came forth, which put a smile on Kimeko's lips.

She turn back to the girl, eyeing her, and her surroundings, only to find that their was no instrument or case near the girl. She asked, in an obvious surprise voice, "Where is your instrument?"

Kimeko pulled a loose strand of hair, from her face back behind her ear. She found Aimee to be delightful under any other circumstances, but under these, she felt pity that she had to spin her little web to catch the cute little Caterpillar, before it became a lovely butterfly. But she would muse the conversation just a little bit longer. She laughed, amused by Aimee's antics. It was a heavenly laugh, that could brighten anyone's day. "Mine too," she mimicked the motions of strumming her fingers as if playing the harp. "I play the harp. Its to heavy to carry with me, so my men our setting it up for me."

Kimeko sat posed, with her legs cross. Sometimes seen rocking back and forth, looking around the Entrance Hall. She acted like her former self, as a little girl, amazed by everything around her. The white Marble floors that reflected the sun light, the leather seating making it a stark contrast with each other. Even the Tigar Lilies caught her eye. "Isn't this place lovely? Little Seung Pyo out did himself this time, don't you agree?"

The attendant said it once more for Daniel Hendrix to join them up on stage in the concert hall, but once again for the last time he did not show. "Number 28, Kathrine Berks. Kathrine Berks, please come forward." But she too did not come forward.

Kimeko smile withered, like the rose without water under a burning sun. "Meimei, I wish you hadn't mention that," she said in a sinister tone of voice as she pulled out her wand. Most people was gathering on the other end off the hall, near the entrance to the stage for their performance, so they were not paying attention. Others were more focus on their nerves to even notice a wand in Kimeko's hand. She pointed the long Hawthorn wand at Aimee's chest. "Oblivi-"

Kimeko wanted their blood...maybe not, but she did want them to turn into something fowl right before her very eyes. But sadly to say, she was over powered by the two, and lost her wand in the process. She stood up, glaring at the two, flicking her hair behind her once more. She had come up with plenty of her own retorts, but only one would suffice to fit her needs. "You are wasting your time hear, meimei," she said it as if it was the most vial word in the whole language. "President Choi is going to choose me over you. And that's a fact." She stormed off down the Entrance Hall, letting them keep her wand. She did not want to keep anything that touched such filth, anyways.

The attendant spoke once more seeing for a second time that number 28 would not be joining them, so he moved on down the list. "Number 29, Edward Hopper. 29, Edward Hooper."

Three Minutes later the whole Grand Foyer went dead silent hearing the ruckus going on inside the auditorium. Loud hooting and hollering followed by a crash, than another one. Finally they saw the perpetrator. It was the man with the mohawk. He was still screaming foul things, and trying to peel off the rest of his clothing, as two large body guards took him away. Most of the people watching were stun speechless, except for the friends of his who laughed hysterically as they follow in pursuit of the maniac.

Kimeko's turn was almost here. She was number 35, and 33 was already on stage. She was never nervous to perform on stage. Like Seung Pyo, she thrived in the spot light. Her nerves consisted of other competitors, who could steal her Seung Pyo away from her. She would not let that happen at all cost, but with her wand now gone, she had to revert to other ways of ruining the others chances.

She swiftly turn her head toward Aimee, and gave her a delightful smile, as if she knew something the girl did not, before taking out her cellphone. At first the phone just rang and rang. After four or five rings, someone on the other line picked up. "Hello?" she said in a normal voice. "Are you here?" she asked, turning her attention to the girl who sat by herself, violin case in hand. The girl looked to be in another world, centering herself for the upcoming performance.

"Number 34, Kathrine Celeste, over here please," The attendant called out to the dwindling audience. The violinist got up. She was so graceful in her walk, so confident in her features that Kimeko knew she was an excellent violinist, pushing her plans up a bit.

"Yes? You are! That is wonderful," she had that wonderful smile on her lips. It was the best news she heard all day. "I have a favor to asked," she said walking passed Aimee, and her brother. Not really caring if they were eavesdropping on her conversation or not. "I need you to call him, right now." Their was a long pause before she answer again. "Fine. Fine. You can have it. Call now!" She hung up the phone, and slide it back into her pocket. Kimeko just watched as the violinist disappeared through the double doors. She could not suppress the glee in her features.

Kathrine ran out, tears streaming down her face. She held onto her Violin, and case for dear life, as she ran into several people. She could not see through her mascara, and did not really care at the moment. Her life was in ruins. Her hopes and dreams were in shambles. She just wanted to run. Just run away, but of course she could not do that right, as her case and music sheets slip out of her hands crashing to the floor with a thud. "Why is he doing this to me?" she moaned trying to hold back the sobs. "Why?" she muttered picking up the sheets stuffing them into her case. Not caring if the got wrinkled or not.

The Attendant once again spoke up to announce the next person to go up, "35, Kimeko Tanaka, please step forward." At the sight of the violinist Kimeko was over the moon in blissful happiness. She did not know wither it was because she saw the girl crying or that she was going to see Seung Pyo at last. Right before she went through the double doors, she blew Aimee a kiss.