Chapter 11
Theo and Mr. Ponder met several times in the days following their introduction. On each occasion, Mrs. Gidley greeted the mysterious old man with the same frown and the same cold, dismissive eyes that she had displayed at their first encounter.
You old snake. Who are you?
As Mr. Ponder’s tenant, Theo was asked to honor a small number of reasonable requests: proper upkeep of the premises, immediate notification concerning problems or appliance malfunctions, cautious use of the balcony (and, particularly, no children; the original railing, still in place, was eighteen inches below present-day safety code), no smoking, discretion concerning houseguests, and entrance through the back stairs only.
Mr. Ponder would provide a cleaning service, if needed, once a week or at whatever interval Theo felt necessary.
He could also have groceries delivered to the apartment, if Theo wished, so he would not have to carry heavy items up the stairs.
Theo paid six months’ rent, insisted on doing so, “so you can’t throw me out on the street. ”
Theo moved in on a Tuesday morning. A cab drove him to the rear of Ponder House, and the old man, refusing the cabbie’s offer to carry his bags, heaved two large suitcases, one at a time, up the three flights of stairs.
It was a workout. He unpacked, mostly clothes, books, and papers.
Then he went to a small market on Broadway and bought several items of food and bottles of wine.
The less food in the kitchen, he thought, the more I’ll get out, the more I’ll see, and the better off I’ll be.
As Mr. Ponder’s client, Theo provided him with appropriate bits of personal information, including the names of contacts and significant business associates in case of an emergency. “I’m an old man; you never know.”
He also deposited a hundred thousand dollars to be held in trust and used by Mr. Ponder for expenses and costs that might arise.
Theo also explained his plan concerning the portraits at the Chalice. “I want to purchase them all, a few at a time, and give them to their rightful owners. I will meet them at the fountain, but I will need help getting their addresses and scheduling the meetings.”
Mr. Ponder was intrigued and considerably mystified by the idea. He had questions and words of caution for Theo. He even offered an alternative proposal.
“If you’d like, we could buy all of them at once and let the artist or the coffee shop people deliver them. That would be a lot easier and quicker.”
Theo flatly rejected the suggestion. “No, no. I want to give them myself. It is very important I do it this way. I will give them one at a time.”
He gave Mr. Ponder a list with three names on it. He had already purchased the portraits and was eager to make the bestowals.
As Mr. Ponder’s neighbor, Theo settled into an almost-daily routine of slow walks along and around Broadway. On one such walk shortly after leasing the apartment at Ponder House, he stopped by the Verbivore to thank Tony for the referral. And he promised to buy books regularly.
“Well, praise the Lord!” Tony raised a hand and shook it like an old woman at a tent revival.
He turned to the three PLs sitting there.
“Somebody take a damn picture! Finally! A paying customer. Theo, maybe you’ll rub off on somebody.
I sure hope so. At the rate I’m going, I’ll be closed at the end of the month. ”
Theo delivered a folder of documents to Mr. Ponder, consultant and confidant, for safekeeping. He would add others in the future, but for now he was comfortable with his arrangement and thankful.