Home » The Archives » Chapter 12 » Playing with Fire
| Re: Playing with Fire [message #478 is a reply to message #477] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 21:11   |
artisticrainey
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Wednesday, October 17, 2068, 3:15 p.m., Paris, France (2:15 a.m., Thursday, October 18 on Tracy Island)
Virgil found himself in the Louvre, as he knew he would. The art of the masters called to him as always, and he found himself revisiting those pieces he was most familiar with. He stood before Canova's marble sculpture, "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss", admiring the way the sculptor had created the fold of the fabric covering Psyche's private parts. I should do some sculpting. It's not something I've dabbled in much.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said an English-accented voice to his left.
He turned his head to see a lovely blond woman, dressed in a designer frock that reminded him of something Lady Penelope would wear. She was examining the sculpture, but when she realized he was looking his way, she gave him a friendly smile.
"I love the Louvre," she added. "I come here every time I visit the city." She gestured to the statue. "One of my favorite pieces."
"It's one of mine, too," Virgil said, returning her smile with a polite one of his own. "I particularly admire the way Canova evoked the fabric folds and the details in the hair."
"Yes, and the clever way he managed to show just enough, but not too much, as far as nudity is concerned." The lady chuckled. "Must have had the prudes of the day in mind."
"Not necessarily," Virgil replied. "His male nudes are just that: nude, with none of their genitalia covered. And several of his female nudes have bare breasts, though this one," he gestured toward the sculpture, "has the breasts covered."
He turned back to the sculpture, and the lady made another attempt at conversation. "Are you aware he did a sculpture of George Washington?" When Virgil turned his attention back to her, she gestured toward him. "I thought that, as an American, you might be interested..."
Virgil looked thoughtful. "Yes, it is interesting. I believe I've heard about the piece you're talking about, though I've never seen it."
"I understand it's displayed in the state house of North Carolina, though I might be mistaken," the lady told him. She waved a deprecating hand. "I can never keep the individual states straight. I'm sure it's the same for you with the various counties of England."
"Actually, no. I have friends in England, and am very familiar with it," Virgil said.
"Oh? Anyone I would know?"
The question took Virgil by surprise. "I... I'm not sure, especially since I don't even know your name, never mind which circles you might travel in."
The lady beamed. "Well, perhaps I should introduce myself. I am Dez Richmond." She held out a well-manicured hand.
Politeness -- and his grandmother's lessons in etiquette -- bade him reciprocate. He took her hand. "And I'm Virgil Tracy. Nice to make your acquaintance."
"And I am pleased to make yours." She smiled widely as they shook hands, for she already knew who he was. Dez Richmond -- otherwise known as Desdemona Hightower -- had seen Virgil in the lobby of the hotel where they both were staying. She'd recognized him as one of Jeff Tracy's sons, and called on one of her underlings to take a few pictures and confirm his identity. His sons are hardly ever in public anymore, and when they are, they keep as low a profile as possible. This could be an excellent opportunity to cultivate a relationship to replace the one Giles bollixed up so spectacularly.
"Perhaps we could have tea together, or share a bottle of wine?" She looked down, a slightly embarrassed look on her face. "You see, we are staying at the same hotel, and I saw you in the lobby... and you're a very handsome man." She smiled at him again, this time with a bit of sly undertone to the expression.
Virgil raised a bushy eyebrow. "So you followed me into the Louvre, hoping to meet me?"
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide, sounding shocked. "Nothing like that, I assure you. I was visiting the museum myself, noticed you, and thought I should seize the moment, as it were."
He chuckled. "I have to admit, it's flattering to have a beautiful woman pursuing me because she thinks I'm handsome." Though I doubt that's the only reason she's interested. He paused, then said, "I don't see that it would hurt to have a glass of wine with you. Where and when?"
Dez glanced at her watch. "There's so much more to see here in the museum... perhaps we could meet in the hotel's bar? Would nine o'clock be convenient?"
"Yes, I think that would be fine."
She tried hard to keep the triumph from her smile and voice. "Then I will leave you to Canova... for now. Au revoir, monsieur."
"A bientôt, mademoiselle."
With a wave, Dez sauntered off. Virgil watched her go, cognizant of her swinging hips and noting that she stopped at another sculpture, a bronze depicting Mercury lifting Psyche into the air. He blew out a breath, took another long look at the marble work before him, then moved onto the next piece.
Posted by Tikatu on March 29, 2008
  
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