He'd been staring at it for twenty minutes, from far enough back to take it all in. She wandered over to introduce herself.
He didn't give her the opportunity. "How much?"
She repressed the urge to chuckle. "Well, they say if one has to ask, one—"
"How much?"
"Sixty thousand, not counting delivery costs, insurance, fees."
"He's dying, you know."
"…Sorry?"
"Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Two months, maybe three. When he goes, it'll double in value. I'm amazed you haven't adjusted your price."
She seethed silently, face frozen. Eventually, she said, "I apologize, I was incorrect; this painting is not for sale."
He should have kept his mouth shut! It is a morbid truth that art increases in value after the artist's death. Why is that?
ReplyDeleteThere's not going to be any more of it, and it's not going to devalue through their later work being bad, maybe? Interesting question.
DeleteNice writing, just not sure why she got angry..
ReplyDeleteHe only wants it to 'flip' it for a profit after the artist dies.
Deleteits so sad that the same art should become pricier after the artists death... i figure here the "he" is the artist himself... only guessing!
ReplyDeleteNope, he's just a cad. :)
Deletebeing a "know it all" will cost ya! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGood for her. Ugh. Mercenary man!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting! :)
DeleteEmphatic and powerful writing; well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! :)
DeleteGreat write!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat meeting of the prompt.
ReplyDeleteI was not so lucky.
Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
DeleteSuch is the way for so many artists....
ReplyDeleteyup :)
DeleteThis story leaves you hopping for part 2.
ReplyDeleteWill there be a part 2?
Nope, drabbles are self-contained stories :) There's lots of them on the site though! (nudge, nudge) ;-)
DeleteI kinda chuckled at the end. He was being a bit rude, and then questioned her not adjusting her price. Good for her. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting! :)
DeleteDiscretion is the better part of valour
ReplyDeletehehe, definitely.
DeleteInteresting take on the prompt..and it is true that the art becomes worth more when the artist is gone a sad reality in life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading :)
DeleteSilly man - he blew it and he might have had a very pleasant dinner partner as well . . . :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like she is too much car for him.
Delete