A Frivolous Mood
Posted on 23 Apr 2023 @ 7:49am by Brek - Timeless Treasures Art Gallery
Mission:
M3 - Into the Deep
Location: Timeless Treasure - Brek’s Office and Gallery
Timeline: MD10 - Evening
1822 words - 3.6 OF Standard Post Measure
After two hours perusing Ms Hardt’s artwork collection, Brek surrendered to fate. His greed didn’t matter. There was in his gallery only room enough to display five more paintings. If he tried to put more, he would have to renege on certain contracts with favourite artists, and although this was tempting (some of Hardt’s paintings were truly out of this world), to give in to his impulse would only lead to difficulties later on.
So, with a monumental sigh, he put the artwork scanner aside, and he set his mind to selecting the best restaurant where he could invite his benefactor. It would have to be something quiet, and refined. Why not a holo setting? He could then design the whole place himself, with the right light, not too bright nor too diffuse, a hint of classical music in the background, and Terran holo-waiters that exemplified distinction.
“I’d better not go that road,” he said to himself.
A holo setting meant that they would be the only two sentient beings in the made-up restaurant and he didn’t want that to happen. Ms Hardt was always so strict and austere, she made him nervous. Whenever he went to her gallery he always wondered if she had ulterior motives. Take what happened this afternoon. She could have allowed him to use the artwork scanner right away. Instead she had shown him one of the places where she kept her wealth, and how well protected it all was. If this wasn’t a statement, what was? Her wealth was breath-taking and wealth meant power. Power doesn't imply that one is willing to impose one’s presence in every important meeting. Real power is unseen. It lurks in the dark, and it imposes its will on people.
As he checked what restaurants existed on the Station, it soon became obvious that, once again, what he wanted (visit places with names like Licence to Grill or Tortilicious) clashed with his obligations. In the end, he opted for a restaurant called “Onyx”. He liked their black and gold design, and their drinks selection, they claimed, had never disappointed anyone. This is what luxury was all about: storytelling with a hint of mystery.
When he left his office and went to the gallery, the light had been subdued, but to his surprise, the place was still open. There was a dark silhouette in the gallery, a woman in black clothing, so strict it looked like a uniform. She was observing the paintings in complete silence, and seldom moved.
“We have a potential client,” Nyasha whispered to him. “Her name is Te’elis and she is the wife of Senator Thitur. You may remember the old gentleman?”
“I wish I could forget him,” Brek whispered back. He glanced at his holo-assistant, who, as always, looked very pleased with herself. “What did she say she was looking for?”
“You. But as you locked yourself into your office, I thought you would rather not be disturbed.”
Brek rubbed his eyes, for he felt very disturbed right now. The last thing he wanted after this long day was a tedious conversation with a grim Romulan. It made him crave the levity of Ms Moon. Maybe he should send the young Terran a little gift to help her forget what had happened in Fulcrum & Gilroy? Hewmons love presents, especially when they are well wrapped.
But that would be for later. He took a deep breath and he joined the Senator’s wife. “Your excellency!” Brek said with exaggerated flourish. “What an honour to receive you in my humble gallery.”
She turned round and she looked vaguely amused, which irritated him quite a lot. She had not said anything yet, but he visualised her mentioning that her husband told her how entertaining the Ferengi art dealer was and that she just had to check how true this was. That’s the thing with lonely people, their life is so empty, they sometimes go out of their way to find company; the more ebullient the better. Indeed, he could imagine how icy evenings with Senator Thitur must be. You would find more warmth by spending a week in Rura Penthe.
“Mr Brek.” She took note of his bright jumper and her smile looked less contrived. “You made me wait quite some time.”
“Please accept my sincerest apologies. My holo-assistant never informed me of your presence,” Brek said, absent-mindedly, as he observed his visitor. Her short white hair and dark eyes were so standard, he might have, in the past, met dozens of Romulans who looked exactly like her. So common they become invisible. So invisible they might even work for the Tal Shiar. “It looks like I’ll have to revise her program yet again.”
“You shouldn't. Young Niasha is perfect as she is. My husband described her as charming. He also said that there is nothing you wouldn’t do for latinum. This gave me the notion that you might be able to help me.”
Brek shrugged. “A Ferengi who likes to earn latinum is not that rare.” On closer inspection, he saw that his visitor was wearing a long dress and a tunic with a hood. Odd, but perfect to wander the station and conceal her face from the public and surveillance cameras..
“Indeed,” Te’elis replied. “My husband also warned me that your quips were entertaining.”
“I'm surprised he said that,” Brek remarked. “Senator Thitur looks like he hasn’t laughed in a decade. Don’t tell me, I know, it’s due to the burden of his responsibilities.”
“Exactly. At our level we often forget that frivolity forms an integral part of life. As long as it is done in small measure. I wouldn’t want to overdo it.”
Brek smiled, and that helped him to keep the obvious unsaid: there was zero risk that Te’elis or her husband could ever be accused of being superficial. “Nor would I. So, what can I do for you?”
“How brisk you are, Mr Brek. My husband also hinted that you serve excellent tea. Tonight, I would push my frivolity into accepting a hot drink. Maybe in your office, away from prying eyes?”
“Nyasha is a simple holo-assistant, she is not a recording device, you know.”
“So you say.” She smiled, giving him the impression he had just said something stupid, but she was willing to forgive him.
Since the lady was in a ‘frivolous’ mood, Brek invited her to his office, and, using the replicator, within 5 minutes they were sipping blue tea from the Kae’raktar Mountains. She didn’t bother to take a seat, which was rather annoying because she was quite tall, and he was quite short. Instead she inspected his shelves (still waiting to receive rare treasures), and even ran a finger on them, to check for dust.
“Let's talk business.” Brek said in an attempt to expedite this impromptu meeting. It was quite late and he wanted to go home to have his evening meal. At this rate he would soon be hallucinating about grilled cheese sandwiches or fish stew. “So, you want something from me, and you are aware that I’d do almost anything for latinum.”
“That is it, yes,” Te’elis agreed. She was now staring at his gigantic desk. “Your desk is far bigger than that of my husband,” she added. “It says something. In actual fact, it says a lot... But I can see that you are getting impatient...”
Brek, who was concerned that, because of her slow antics, he might develop Tourette Syndrome, smiled once more.
She retrieved a little piece of folded paper from her sleeve, and she gave it to him. He unfolded it, read the one line printed on it, and he frowned. Whilst he was trying to make sense of what he had just seen, she took the piece of paper back. Te’elis wanted him to monitor her husband, whom she feared was committing regular indiscretions. The money she was willing to pay for this service was great, but he wasn’t the greatest detective in the quadrant. Far from it.
“I thought you would be wanting me to trace some rare artwork,” he said, unable to hide his disappointment. “What you ask, I’m not sure if I have the sort of skills required. Look at me...”
“You will be perfect for the task, Mr Brek,” she countered. “This is because my husband thinks that you are a fool. Wherever you are, he will not see you. That is to say, he will never imagine that you are capable of following him.”
“Hmmm...” He took a sip of tea, and then he pretended to take another one, though his cup was empty. Sure he wanted the latinum. But what if Thitur was involved in something a lot more dangerous than an extramarital affair? Did he want a piece of Romulan espionage? Not particularly.
“I don’t think I can do it, Mrs Te’elis.” He finally said. “You see, I have never been good at dark secrets and intel. I’m a former diplomat, and as such I still prefer to promote peace and understanding between species. I like to solve conflicts by building relationships, not by operating in the dark, alone.”
“You are telling me then, that you are weak...” She concluded, her voice was now sensibly colder.
“I’m telling you I don’t feel comfortable doing a job which I know I cannot do well.”
She made to take a sip of tea, but she stopped, the cup just inches away from her lips. “You make things look simple. But they are not. You now know that I suspect my husband. How peculiar... On my side, I never considered that you would be on his side.”
“I’m not on anyone’s side. What you told me tonight, I have already forgotten. The only clue connected to your request is in your hands, Mrs Te’elis. I suggest you destroy it promptly.”
“You are a disappointment, Mr Brek.”
“So are you. I’ll make a positive gesture though. By tomorrow, you will receive a list of artwork, complete with pictures and historical information, for your consideration. This way, it will look like you only contacted me to purchase some rare art. All will be fine then, on both sides. Let me show you out.”
“This won’t be necessary. Stay where you belong, Mr Brek, where things are easy and cosy.”
When she was gone, Brek waited ten minutes in his office, to ensure that he would not meet the Senator’s wife again out there on the station. After that, he went out and rushed to his quarters.
