Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in Promenade - Art for Art’s Sake (Open to All)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in Promenade - Art for Art’s Sake (Open to All)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) in Promenade - Art for Art’s Sake (Open to All)
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
One of the more prominent shops on the Promenade was the art gallery of one Franklin Turner. Turner’s Gallery was fairly well known throughout the sector’s art circles as the place where hard to find pieces could be found, artists commissioned, and most importantly… for the shows. Turner’s shows tended to showcase well-established artists in all mediums, but every now and then he hosted a new up-and-coming talent. It was one of these shows that Franklin was setting up for.

“Trust me. No one will know it’s your work. Quite honestly, the anonymity of the artist is drawing as much attention as some of the pieces in the catalog.” Franklin said with a pat on the shoulder to the man standing next to him. They were both watching one of the gallery workers hang a particularly striking piece of black and gold fractal patterns.

“Ok, as long as we are clear. I don’t want nobody gettin’ back to me on this.” the dark-red skinned man said.

“Not at all. I guarantee you. And, to put the rest of your mind at ease, I have arraigned the proceeds of any sales to go as you have directed. Seventy-five percent will be sent to the accounts of the Osage Nation via anonymous donations. Twenty percent goes to the Medicine Without Borders Foundation, and the remaining five to the account on the colony. All as you have requested.” and he stepped forward “Up on the left corner, Saul… yes. Right there. Good.”

Tenkiller looked around. There were about two dozen pieces he had done, each abstract… but with an underlying sense of order. It was almost as if he… painted… mathematical concepts. Complex ones, and ones he himself had never studied. He looked around again and then said “Ok, Frank. They’re all yours. See you for the opening tonight.” and the Osage Security Chief walked out of the gallery.

Tenkiller, CoS… Anonymous Artist

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It was 2000 station time when the doors opened and a small crowd entered the gallery. Some had come to the Outpost specifically for the show, some just had nothing better to do. Tenkiller was dressed in a charcoal gray suit with an earthy-red bolo tie with a silver and turquoise clasp, and dark red square-toed cowboy boots. His black hair fell loosely down his back. He picked up a glass from a passing tray and took a sip, made a face, and put it back on another passing tray. Frank then stepped up next to him and handed him a beer. “Here. Thought you might prefer this.” Tenkiller nodded once and then took a breath. “So? How’s the turnout?” “Meh, fine for now. If it gets a little more crowded in a few hours, then that’s a good sign.” Tenkiller nodded and looked out over the crowd.

Tenkiller, CoS

As the first hour passed, Tenkiller walked around and looked like the rest of the crowd… looking at the paintings, making small talk here and there, and generally just enjoying the party. As he stood next to a piece he called ‘An August Body’, made up of spiraling gem-colors, he overheard a conversation from the other side of the display wall.

A male voice said “I can’t believe she would show up here.” to which a female voice replied softly “Oh, I know! And in that, of all things.” “Exactly! Like she has the figure to pull off something like that anymore.” “For sure. She just let herself go after Michael left her. Not that I blame him!” and a chuckle of both voices followed. Tenkiller walked slowly around the display to find a very well dressed couple standing with their back to another of his pieces, their eyes focused on an older human woman near the wall of the gallery. She was dressed in a form fitting red dress with sequins along the hem. Her fading red hair was a done up in a tasteful, if somewhat older style bun. Tenkiller looked at the woman; and he could see that the couple near him was not the only one casting remarks about the woman. Eyes darted to her more often than anyone else in the room; and hands hid mouths, smiles, and whispers as the eyes spoke volumes.

Tenkiller was pissed.

He looked at the couple, still laughing at their own clever retorts, and sid loud enough to be heard by most of the people in the general vicinity “Excuse me. I’m glad y’all are having a good time and seem to be enjoying the art. Now… keep the maliciousness and shade to a minimum or get the hell out.” and he raised his beer to them and turned and walked past more than a few open mouths and stunned faces to stand next to the woman in question who was looking intently at ‘Oklahoma’.

Some faces glared, some flushed red with embarrassment, but the looks faded as people made their way around the room… or out of it.

“Hey, Ma’am. Saw you looking at this. You like it?” he asked politely. She didn’t look away from the painting, but said “Oh yes… very much. It just seems… familiar… even though I know I’ve never seen it.”

Tenkiller smiled and looked at the painting himself. “You know… that’s probably the best critique I have heard tonight.” and he chuckled slightly and took a drink of his beer.

Tenkiller, CoS

The woman kept her eyes on the piece and smiled slightly. “I hope the artist hasn’t heard too much of what this crowd is saying. They wouldn’t know good art if it sat on their lap.” and she took a sip of her champagne before slowly turning to look at Tenkiller. “And I appreciate what you said, Commander. Although I stopped listening to these trust fund airbags months ago.” and she smiled. “But always nice to have a knight in shining armor at one’s side… even if they are in a nice a suit.”

Tenkiller smiled back and said “Commander, huh? I guess you know who I am, then?” and he took a swig of his beer. “You are the station’s Chief of Security.I keep abreast of who the Command staff is on the outpost, Commander. My hu-… er… ex-husband… has much business coming through here, so we used to spend a great deal of time here.” and her eyes went back to the painting. “Not so much now…”

Tenkiller, CoS

Tenkiller looked at the painting with her for a moment and then said “F%$& ‘em. His loss.” and he looked at the woman and bowed his head slightly. “Ma’am. Have a good evening, ok?” and he smiled and held his hand out to her. “And I’m sorry, I didn’t ask your name, Ms..?” and the woman turned and looked at Tenkiller, a large smile on her face. “Oh, it’s Mrs.… Mrs. Jane Avery. I got the name in the divorce.” and she leaned in and whispered “Along with 90 percent of his fortune.” and she laughed softly and held a finger to her lips. “Shhh… no one is supposed to know that.” Charles laughed and said “Your secret is safe with me, Mrs. Avery. You enjoy the show, ok?” and they shook hands and she nodded at him. “Oh, I will.” and she turned back to the painting. “The work is most excellent.”

Tenkiller, CoS