(The cameras have stopped rolling. The audience has left, and the stage lights dim. But behind the curtain, the characters are still around, waiting for their turn or just hanging out. Welcome to… THE GREEN ROOM.)

***

(Scene opens in the backstage lounge, where Eunhye is sipping iced coffee on a couch. A monitor on the wall replays her interview.)

Eunhye: Whew, that wasn’t so bad. At least I didn’t get any weird questions like “What’s your zombie kill count?”

(Just then, a voice calls out from off-screen.)

???: Oh, but I’d love to know the answer to that.

(Enter Jaeyeon, casually leaning against the doorframe, smirking.)

Eunhye: (groans) Why are you even here? Your interview isn't today.

Jaeyeon: I heard you were being grilled about your mood swings, so I had to stick around for entertainment. (grins)

Eunhye: Excuse me, but I was perfectly composed—

(The monitor rewinds to Eunhye side-eyeing the author.)

Eunhye: Okay, maybe not completely composed.

(Author enters, holding a clipboard.)

Author: You two are still here? Go home, get some rest. I have a schedule to maintain.

Jaeyeon: And that includes torturing us with more interviews?

Author: Torture? I’m literally letting you talk about your experiences!

Jaeyeon: You mean the experiences you forced us into?

Eunhye: Yeah, remind me again why you made me suffer so much? (crosses arms)

Author: ...For the plot?

(Both Eunhye and Jaeyeon exchange a look before shaking their heads.)

Eunhye: Anyway, who's up next?

Author: Sae Joon Hyun. But his schedule is packed, so he’s coming next week.

Jaeyeon: Oh, he’s gonna love this. (smirks)

Eunhye: I bet he’s already regretting signing up for this.

Author: He didn’t sign up, I pulled him in.

(Silence.)

Jaeyeon: So it really is torture.

Author: No comment. Anyway, bonus episode is over—go home, you two.

(Eunhye sighs, grabs her coffee, and leaves. Jaeyeon follows, but not before throwing one last mischievous grin at the author.)

Jaeyeon: Don’t make me wait too long for my turn, or I might just hijack the show.

(The door swings shut. The author lets out a deep sigh.)

Author: (muttering) I have created monsters.