Chapter 3 #2
Whatever concerns Mandy has about me fade as the reality of my words hits her. She plops down into a chair, all pretense of professionalism forgotten. Her words come out a whisper, barely audible in the quiet room. “The gallery is struggling?”
My stony heart softens a bit at her obvious distress. The way her shoulders slump. It’s genuine concern, not just for her job but for the gallery itself. Another rule I’m breaking. Don’t care or feel empathy. Yet here I am, wanting to reassure her.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Diana shifts in her chair, looking down at her notes like they hold better news than what she has to deliver.
“We’ll get to that today, but first, let’s talk about the upcoming art show for Darren.
Yes, we want it to be a success and profitable, but Darren has mentioned concerns. ”
At the mention of Darren’s name, Mandy goes still.
Too still. Her face might be carefully blank, but her body betrays her.
The slight hitch in her breathing. She says it all without saying a word.
Of course, he’s complaining. She also looks worried, and the protective instinct I’ve been fighting all morning surges again.
Diana continues, seemingly blind to the tension filling the room, “He’s one of our biggest donors and he’s willing to sell certain pieces of his art to help us out. We want to do our best by him tomorrow night.”
Mandy takes a deep breath, then says, “What if we make our art shows bigger events than we currently make them?” Her voice gains strength as she speaks, and I find myself leaning forward slightly, interested despite myself.
“Explain,” Diana says, pen poised on her notebook.
“Well, we mainly draw art lovers, which I realize is what we want, but what if we need to put them more in the buying mood first?”
“We serve champagne,” Diana points out.
“Well...” Mandy leans forward in her chair, and I watch as animation returns to her features. “I’m thinking appetizers, servers with trays, maybe some fancy music, violins, a cello.”
Her eyes brighten as her passion grows. The transformation is remarkable. Gone is the woman who looked ready to bolt from the room at the sight of me. In her place sits someone who clearly loves this gallery, someone with vision. Diana is lucky to have her on staff.
“Darren would never allow it. His rule is no food near his artwork,” Diana says, effectively crushing Mandy’s enthusiasm.
Mandy flounders, clearly frustrated at just hearing Darren’s name. I watch her shoulders tense, remembering how she’d flinched away from his touch earlier. “It’s too late anyway, but maybe for the future.”
“Yes, maybe.”
“What about expanded art lessons?” Mandy adds quickly, clearly trying to move past the mention of Darren. “I do the kids now, but maybe higher-costing ones for adults. More Sip & Paint nights. Up the cost of the ticket.”
I can see her mind racing, running through all the different scenarios. They don’t sound half bad. In fact, with some refinement, they could work. But something in Diana’s expression stops me from speaking up.
“Yes, about the art lessons.” Diana’s voice changes, grows softer, and I recognize the tone.
It’s the one executives use right before they deliver bad news.
She can’t look Mandy in the eyes, and I can tell it’s bad.
“I’ve been running the numbers and the hours.
” Diana fiddles with her pen, the nervous movement drawing everyone’s attention. She hesitates.
Something inside me knows what is coming and by the look on Mandy’s face, it’s going to crush her. I sit, watching, fighting the urge to intervene.
Diana continues, “I’m thinking maybe your hours could be spent on something that’s more profitable for the gallery.” Yes, absolutely crushing. “It’s just not bringing in enough.”
“Yes, but that’s not counting the fact that it gets the name of the gallery out in the community. We’re giving back. And to the kids!” Mandy’s voice rises with emotion. “It shows good will. That we care. That we support young artists.”
Mandy’s plea takes on a different tone, raw and personal.
These art classes are more than just work to her.
That much is obvious. I want to know why and ask her later, but that would break a rule.
No asking personal questions. Even if the vulnerability in her voice makes something twist inside my chest.
“Please.” Mandy places her hands in her lap, but the fact that she’s twisting her fingers into knots shows she’s anything but calm. “I’ll put in extra hours to get anything else done.”
Diana takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
She offers Mandy a weak smile. “We’ll hold off deciding about the art lessons for now.
The main reason I wanted this meeting is to inform you that the board has decided to hold three more big events.
Darren Meade, tomorrow night, and then two other events.
” She looks at me, and I suddenly feel uncomfortable.
I knew this was coming and Mandy won’t like it.
“We’ll take stock of how we’re doing after those events, then we’ll make the decision as to whether we stay open or not. ”
“So why bring on a new board member?” Mandy asks, her voice sharp with suspicion.
And she should be. I respect her instincts, even as they’re turned against me.
“Seymour has been generous enough to oversee these events. You and Seymour will work together. He works magic with businesses. He’s our last hope.”
Mandy tries to stifle a snort, but it doesn’t work. The sound holds equal parts derision and disbelief.
“I’ll do my best. I wanted to talk about Darren Meade.” My advice is to let the guy go, even if he is a big donor, and then we’ll replace him with another big donor. I have connections. After the way he treated Mandy—
She coughs, drawing my attention. The look on her face, the wide eyes, the gaping mouth, the panic simmering there makes it clear. She doesn’t want me to talk about what happened.
“Yes?” Diana asks. “What about Darren?”
I meet Mandy’s eyes across the table, reading the silent plea there. Against my better judgment, I change course. “I’d like to be Mandy’s mentor. Maybe fine-tune some of her suggestions into something that will work.”
“Of course, Seymour. You are the captain of the ship right now.” She stands, gathering her things. “I’ll let you two talk a bit, but I’d like to hear any ideas before they’re implemented.”
Then she leaves us alone.