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Promenade - Art for Art's Sake (Open to All)

Posted June 29, 2021, 10:31 a.m. by Lieutenant Commander Charles Tenkiller (Chief of Security) (James Sinclair)

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 (7) 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


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

Skip smiled at the compliment but moved along. Soon, he found himself nearing Frank and he nodded. Frank looked over and tilted his head towards the drink table, and the two slowly made their way over and met. “Beer.” Skip said and Frank said very quietly “The show is going ok… I think you may sell a piece or two, in fact.” Tenkiller nodded slightly and said “Cool. Didn’t really think that would happen, actually.” Frank looked at him and said “You know, I never asked… but why are you selling now?” Skip smiled and took a sip of beer. “Folks back home need some help, so I’m helping. Thats what we do.” and Frank simply nodded in understanding.

“And how do the two you know each other, might I ask?” came a familiar voice form behind them. Turning, Mrs. Avery was looking at them and smiling. Frank smiled and kissed her cheeks and said “The Commander here helped us beef up our security a few months ago, and we just became friends. And you, Racheal… how are you, my dear? I heard there was some discussion about Walter wanting to come back. Please tell me you aren’t entertaining such notions?” Mrs. Avery laughed and said “Rumor mill at it again, is it? And no… nor would I ever. He can have his starlettes and eye-candy. I am quite content with where I am and who I am with… which is no one. And that suits me just fine.” and she retrieved a glass of champagne and looked at Frank.

“Now then, Franklin. You will tell me who we are seeing tonight, or else.” and she playfully swatted his arm with her handbag.

Tenkiller, CoS

“Oh, all of these were painted by the Commander here. He has quite a gift.” Frank said flatly. Charles, to his credit, didn’t flinch. Years at the poker table had taught him even a small expression can give away your hand. He just looked at Frank and then at Mrs. Avery and shrugged slightly and took a drink of his beer.

Mrs. Avery looked at Frank and then at Charles, then back at Frank… and she smiled and laughed softly. “Oh, I’m quite sure that he does.” she said with an appraising look up and down the muscled Osage officer. “But I doubt he has the time to paint.” and then she smiled at Charles and looked at Frank and laughed again. “Oh, you boys… were I twent-…” and she smiled coyly at both men, “- ten… ten years younger… I would probably suggest that I just buy all the pieces so you can close and the three of us could go find some trouble to get into.” and she smiled and shook her head.

Frank smiled a truly friendly and understanding smile. “Racheal, I doubt the both of us could handle your ten year younger self.” and Charles smiled and said “And I doubt the missing decade would make a difference, Ma’am. You are still outta our league.” Mrs. Avery smiled and blushed slightly and playfully tapped Tenkiller’s arm with her handbag like she had Frank’s. “Well, since you won’t tell me who the artist is, I suppose I should go make the rounds and see what else is on display.” and she cast a glance over her shoulder at the piece she had been staring at.

“Save that one for me, though. I’ll take it.” and she shook each man’s hand and turned and walked away. Frank watched her go and then said quietly “One down.” and Tenkiller took a drink of his beer.

Tenkiller, CoS


Another hour passed, and Tenkiller and Frank had mingled and reconvened again. “Looking good, Charles. Five pieces have sold and I think you’ll get another one or two before the night is over.” Frank said very quietly as they stood together near the back of the gallery. “Of course, I still think that if they knew it was an Earth Indigenous artist, they would sell like wildfire.” Tenkiller subtly shook his head. “I want ‘em to buy it because they like it; not because of my genetics and ethnicity. Thats people buying me, and I ain’t for sale.” Frank smiled slightly and said “Charles… how little you know about art.” and he chuckled under his breath. “Every piece you have done has a bit of you in it. Your mind, heart… your soul. Artists just have a lot more of those to spare than the rest of the universe.” Tenkiller tuned and looked fully at the man. “Your pretty sharp for a art dealer.” he said and chuckled. Frank smiled and said “Im so bright my mother calls me son.” and Tenkiller smiled and took a drink and shook his head.

Tenkiller, CoS

A pair of men approached the two, well dressed in matching suits and walking in unison. Frank said quietly “Be on your toes.” and the louder “Horace and Harold. So good to see you my dears. How are the little ones?” and he sir-kissed each on their cheeks. Horace… or Harold, who really knew which was which… said “Running us ragged, Franklin. Ragged, I say! Beatrice will not take to potty training and Beaneth is just horrendous to the babysitter! Biting and hiding and not minding… its sooo tiring.” Tenkiller just nodded in understanding. “Kids can be an handful, that’s for sure.” To which Harold… or Horace… said “Indeed, sir! And with Beatrice peeing all over the Aurian rug and Beaneth eating from the trash, we just are beside ourselves!” Tenkeller stopped for a minute and looked at them like he looked at suspects he knew were feeding him a line… then he smiled. “Well, make sure you don’t throw away chocolate. Fur-children can get really sick on that.” Frank smiled and his a soft chuckle behind his champagne glass, and Harold / Horace looked at him and nodded emphatically. Then they surveyed the room and looked back at Frank.

“Now Franklin…” said… know what? HH from here on… HH. “You simply must tell us who your artist is. Their work is so… precise… yet abstract. We simply must have a few pieces for the Andor house.” Frank smiled and said “I am very sorry, Gentlemen, but the artist wishes to remain anonymous. It is out of my hands. But if you want me to pass along a message, I am happy to do so.” HH clapped and said “Yes yes yes! Tell them we wish to sponsor another show in two months time on Vulcan. We think they will do very well there. Give them our information and do tell them to be in touch, won’t you?” Frank inclined his head and said “Of course. Consider it done.” and HH laughed and clapped and walked away.

Tenkiller shook his head and said “Art has such… unique… persons in it, doesn’t it?” Frank chuckled. “Indeed it does, my friend.”

Tenkiller

bump

There were three hours left in the show. Nine pieces had sold, and the crowd was full. Frank looked at Skip and nodded him over. As they met by the drink table again, Frank said “Sooo… Mrs. Avery wants to buy another four pieces; but she wants commissions, not already completed pieces. And HH are bragging about the Vulcan show. Now, if you are willing to forgo the anonymous thing with regards to Mrs. Avery, I am pretty sure I can get HH to honor it for their show… if thats something you even want to do.” Tenkiller eyes the crowd and shrugged. “Lemme think about a bit, ok? But if you can swear Mrs. Avery to secrecy, you can tell her that the artist will meet her for brunch tomorrow at the Grotto. That work?” Frank grinned and said “Better than I hoped, actually. I’ll let her know.”

Tenkiller, CoS


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