The Hillwood Romance: Episode 1 – Rainy Night on Hillwood Road (Act 1, Scene C & D)

Miko & Ming.

EPISODE 1

ACT ONE, SCENE C

INT. SAZANAMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT — CONTINUOUS

Miko steps out from the kitchen, holding a black umbrella. She technically has duties, but as the “Big Sister” of the staff—trusted, reliable, and free-spirited—she moves as she pleases.

She scans the room. Mr. Choi is deep in conversation with some regulars. At the cashier, a couple waits to pay. Miko takes their money, gives them change, then calls out to Mr. Choi.

MIKO

Boss, I’m heading to Lung’s to get some change.

Mr. Choi gives a thumbs-up without looking. Miko grabs the black umbrella and her foldable pink one, ready to step into the rain. But just as she reaches the exit—

VOICE

Miko! Wait!

Miko sighs. She doesn’t need to turn around to know who it is.

MRS. LING, 62, the dishwasher, is infamous for her odd mannerisms and superstitions. Everyone calls her “the Female Ghost.”

Miko, wanting no part in whatever nonsense is coming, keeps walking. But Mrs. Ling shuffles in front of her, blocking the exit.

MRS. LING

Miko, can you help—

MIKO

No.

MRS. LING

(undeterred) No, this is different! Can you buy me a Mark Six ticket when you pass by the betting branch?

MIKO

Nope.

MRS. LING

Listen, Miko! The jackpot’s 30 million tonight! I already calculated the six winning numbers, but the ticket has to be bought between 8:45 and 9:15, or it won’t work!

MIKO

Why would I help you? It’s not like I want to see you rich.

MRS. LING

Please, Miko! Mr. Choi’s been watching me like a hawk lately, picking on every little thing. If I sneak out, he’ll dock my pay.

MIKO

What makes you think I’m not on Mr. Choi’s side?

MRS. LING

(grinning, wheedling) Because you’re beautiful, Miko. You don’t bully a poor old woman like they do. If you help me, Kwun Yum will bless you.

MIKO

Oh wow. A blessing from you. How lucky am I.

MRS. LING

Miko, please! I swear this is the last time!

MIKO

That’s what you said last time. And the time before that. Just open an account and bet on your phone like everyone else.

MRS. LING

It doesn’t work if you buy it online. The energy is different.

MIKO

(rolling her eyes) Right. So all those people betting on their phones are doomed?

MRS. LING

Miko, please. Just this once.

Miko studies Mrs. Ling’s face, then yawns.

MIKO

And even if I help you, what do I get out of it?

Mrs. Ling hesitates, eyes darting around. Finally, she leans in and whispers.

MRS. LING

If I win, I’ll give you five thousand. But don’t tell anyone.

Miko’s eyes widen.

MIKO

Out of thirty million? That’s it? You’re such a stingy old witch.

Mrs. Ling chuckles, patting Miko’s arm.

MRS. LING

You don’t need money, Miko. You’re young, pretty—you’ll marry rich. I know these things.

Miko smirks but doesn’t argue. She holds out her hand.

MIKO

You’re wasting my time. Just give me the damn numbers and the cash.

Beaming, Mrs. Ling digs into her pocket, pulling out a crumpled slip of paper. She mutters something over it—probably a spell—before handing it to Miko. Miko takes it between two fingers, grimacing at its sticky texture.

MIKO

And the money?

MRS. LING

Of course, of course…

Mrs. Ling nods and starts fishing out ten one-dollar coins, dropping them into Miko’s palm one by one, as if performing a sacred ritual.

MIKO

(exasperated) Should I hand them to the cashier one by one too?

MRS. LING

(earnestly, still counting) No need. Five… Six…

Finally, all ten coins rest in Miko’s hand.

MRS. LING

Thank you, Miko! You’re the best! The kindest girl in the world!

MIKO

Tsk. Don’t you have anything new to say?

Miko pockets the coins and the paper, shaking her head as she steps out into the rain.

DISSOLVE TO:

ACT ONE, SCENE D

EXT. HILLWOOD ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI — 8:40 PM

Neon lights shimmer on wet pavement. Cars crawl through traffic. People hurry under umbrellas into restaurants. A taxi honks impatiently.

Miko walks past OLD HAWK, the one-eyed parking attendant, who also works as a sentry for an illegal dining floor above a Chinese restaurant.

OLD HAWK

Hey, Princess. What’s got you out in this storm?

MIKO

Running errands. You eaten yet?

OLD HAWK

Just finished. Your boss should send someone else in this rain. Like that Female Ghost.

Miko laughs, shaking her head as she keeps walking. Her thoughts drift.

MIKO

(to herself) Why am I even doing this? If Bong really likes the girl, he should’ve brought the umbrella himself, even if it meant sneaking out and getting scolded by Mr. Choi. What a coward!

Frustration bubbles up.

MIKO

These guys… afraid of everything. Especially this one. Always needs help or he’d accomplish nothing.

She frowns, thinking back to when she first met Bong three years ago. He was 19, she was 22. He hasn’t changed much.

She recalls their conversation earlier—how he called her his guardian angel.

MIKO

Guardian angel, huh? If I were one, I’d rather be looking after someone tall and handsome… maybe like Ji Chang-wook or Park Seo-joon. But no, I get stuck with this lot. Everything’s discounted in real life.

Her thoughts shift to the short-haired girl.

MIKO

What kind of girl is he so taken with? He never talks about his type. A red jacket? Maybe a stylish girl. He’s always been a bit of a mystery. Are all mama’s boys this hopeless?

She glances at the dark, rainy sky through the umbrella, then looks down at the wet pavement reflecting the city lights.

MIKO

If I had 30 million, I’d quit tomorrow. Travel the world, do whatever I want. Mr. Choi would be sad. Kai and Jun, too. But I’d take care of them. Even the Female Ghost. I don’t actually hate her. Maybe I’d invest in the restaurant—just don’t make me wait tables anymore. My legs hurt.

She nears the address. Under the streetlights and drizzle, she spots someone in red waiting beneath a canopy.

Miko slows her pace.

MIKO

(to herself, amused) She’s still here? After 30 minutes? Huh. Guess not all stories end before they start.

She steps forward.

(→ CUT TO: Act 1, Scene E.)

(Posted on 10.2.2025)

#HillwoodRomanceRainyNight

(← Return to: Act 1, Scene B.)