WINNING ENTRIES!
Entry 2
It depends which way you look at it
“Well my darling it depends which way you look at it” Marcie spoke with a touch of steel in her voice.
‘”Look at it, I am looking at it, and we can’t afford it.’ Leonard took a slow breath to calm himself.
Marcie continued, “it was on sale, I saved us money.’
‘Saved money? He questioned.
Yes I saved us money. I know how to be careful with money. That’s why I wait for the sales to buy the things we need” she answered
We need? He breathed quietly. A little louder he replied “We need? “
Marcie sighs, here we go again, she thought,
“Yes my darling, we need. You always tell me how proud you are to have me on your arm when we’re out. How lovely I look. Well trust me darling, adornments are needed. You’ve seen how previous adornments helped your prestige with our friends. Why Gloria said, only yesterday, what a wonderful, caring man you are, and good looking to boot”.
Leonard looked at her, he was torn between indignation and ego. He liked the persona their friends saw in him.
He replied to Marcie, “I wish you would try to see it my way, where I’m coming from. I handle the finances I know what we can and cannot afford. And by the look of this ‘adornment’ we cannot afford it. “
“Oh darling, don’t look at the short term cost, look at the long term investment. You taught me that. I can see your point of view and I’m working with it. I buy when the price is lower, like you do, only, I don’t sell when the price goes higher. I may sell later, if necessary, but I get to enjoy my stock while the price rises. Perhaps you need a rethink, a look from a different angle. “
Leonard spluttered, “Me see at a different angle. My job is totally different from what you’re doing, my job makes us money.”
Marcie went in with “And mine my darling, gives you prestige. It not only makes me look good, but it does the same for you.”
She knows his ego, she knows she’ll win, keep her adornment. She has no intention of giving it up.
The first time Marcie wore her new adornment, Leonard looked on with pride. Her dress matched perfectly. He was pretty sure that was also new, but when he had queried, her reply had been. “This old thing, had it for ages. “ He wasn’t sure.
Perhaps Marcie's ‘investments ‘were similar to his. Perhaps it was just a matter of how you looked at it.
Entry 4
“Aw hell, whattaya done now?”
“I can’t help it; it’s me back,” Tom protested.
“You’ve dropped it twice now. These things are worth a mint.”
“Yeah. Well, the prices sure are huge.”
“C'mon. It's our last job, help me stand it up,” Len urged.
The two men grasped the large canvas and staggered into the gallery, lowering it gratefully to the floor. They were just hanging the artwork when they heard the unmistakeable sound of Madame Director approaching.
Clack-clicketty- clack. High heels hit the hard, highly polished floor like bullets exploding from a gun. The two men flinched.
“You have not fin-eeshed,” Madame complained peevishly, frowning and flapping her hands. “Ze Board and ze reviewers will be here soon to start ze preview tour.” She hurried away.
“Ten minutes, Madame,” called Len. “We had a few hiccups.” He glared at Tom. The two men had just finished positioning the painting when they heard voices. Madame’s heels clattered a warning as she returned with her entourage.
She flapped a dismissive hand in their direction. They discreetly edged towards their nearest exit but found it was locked. Out of sight, they leant against the wall waiting for an opportunity to escape.
Madame was in her element, graciously explaining the provenance of each work in detail to her elegantly attired party. Some sipped champagne while others scribbled notes for their cultural columns in the morning papers.
Tom tugged at Len’s sleeve. “What now?” Len hissed, irritably.
“The painting,” said Tom, his head tilted to one side. “There’s something wrong.”
“Of course,” snapped Len. “It’s an abstract.”
“But…”
“And now,” said Madame, her voice sounding right behind them, “zis is our Piece de Resistance: La Forét des Démons Oranges.”
“Oh,” gasped the assembled throng in hushed tones. “The design, so original…colours, so spiritual yet demonic...such confrontational lines”
Len tapped his foot impatiently. The group moved away, eventually departing the gallery.
“Len..., “Tom began.
Len sighed. “Yes, Tom?” He articulated slowly.
“The painting, Len. Somehow…”
Len looked.
Oh, no. He saw it, too. They had hung it upside down.
They quickly moved to remedy their mistake before anyone else could witness it. Finally, standing back, they gazed at the artwork.
“I think I preferred it the other way,” said Tom, thoughtfully.
“Hmm,” said Len, “I agree. But," he added as they moved towards the main exit, “it depends on how you look at it. Either way, it’s a masterpiece. Right?”