Earlier chapters

by Mike Schwarcz, text and art

This flight's duration wasn't long enough to allow Alissa to go over the schedule for the next five days. Take off, climb, three minutes at cruising altitude, then the descent. Fifteen minutes in all. Town Car Express was there to shuttle them to a compound in The Springs, an exclusive artist enclave in East Hampton. They all turned to Alissa as soon as they were in the car.

"The weekend is going to be busy. Not only is it a long holiday, it's peak charity season. The movers and shakers are in town, and they're ready to party, with a little business on the side of course. House guests, visiting neighbors, and assorted art associates will drop in, usually unannounced, very close-knit and casual," Alissa said.
Sara was looking out the car window. It looks very nice, as in nice and exclusive. She thought.
"Once we've settled in, cocktails will be served on the veranda at four-thirty," Alissa went on.
"I'd like to know the room arrangements," said Sara.
"Miguel & Sara, you'll have a room upstairs in the main house, along with the Goodmans and Aisha. Traditionally smaller rooms are left vacant for the recovery of overly joyous revelers, so don't be too surprised at who you see coming and going upstairs. CeCe, you and I are in the guest house along with an art advisor named Rachel Sperling from California," said Alissa.

"Dinner will be served on the veranda tonight, since the weather is so beautiful. We're lucky, we also have a five-star chef on staff," said Alissa.
"Tomorrow morning, Good Morning America will air your segment nationally. We will serve a breakfast buffet, and televisions set up throughout the house. Good Morning America will advise Aisha of the exact air time of your segment," Alissa went on.
"Okay, what about tomorrow afternoon and evening?" Miguel asked.
"The private beach and the pool are available for your use of course. We have a tennis court behind the garage, and there is also a marina nearby. I can arrange an afternoon's sailing on our host's sailboat for anyone interested," said Alissa.
"Miguel loves sailing, what do you think, honey?" Sara asked.
"Depending on the plans for the evening, I don't want to wear myself out," said Miguel.
"A clam bake on the beach tomorrow evening at five. Expect around 50 guests, a beachy, casual, meet and mingle with interesting and creative people, artists, agents, celebs, and assorted hangers-on. For those who prefer ribs and burgers, a barbecue buffet will be served poolside." Alissa recited from memory.

The car slowed and turned down a tree-lined lane, stopping at a guard gate. The driver lowered the window, Alissa waved to the guard and the gate arm was lifted. The car drove a few blocks, turned right down an even smaller street, before finally following a narrow grave driveway encircling a stone fountain. Circling the fountain, they pulled to a stop at the entrance of an elegant three-story Italianate villa, clad in buff sandstone with slate roof.

"Snazzy," Sara said out loud.
"That's one way to put it," said Miguel, exiting the car. Stretching, he took a deep breath of salty air and suddenly felt right at home.
Aisha emerged in a tennis outfit, leading three luggage handlers.
"Good to see everyone," she said approaching the car. Air kisses all around before Aisha ushering Miguel and Sara into the main house.
Cece and Alissa, the last to exit the car, waved, lingering behind with the luggage.
"Let me show you our sorority house for the weekend," Alissa said.
"It's off the pool I hope?"
"Yeah, it's perfect for midnight dips in the pool, or the Sound, your choice,. Follow me, we'll go through the house so you can get the full effect," Alissa insisted.
"Whatever you say," She followed Alissa. through the front doors of the main house. The house was built around the view, and the view was spectacular. From the entrance door, you had a clear line of sight through the great room, all the way back to a large expanse of glass that enclosed a ten-foot-wide arcade that ran the length of the house inside the windows. Outside, a wide veranda ran the length of the house, a huge outdoor entertainment area where the paintings were still on full display. In the arcade hung paintings by artists you usually only expect to see in a museum, including Pollock, Rothko, and de Kooning, all within touching distance. Beyond the veranda a swimming pool and manicured lawn stretched down to a sandy beach.

"That's the guest house," Alissa pointed to what looked like a miniature version of the big house that was facing one end of the pool.
"Okay, that's my next stop. I need to freshen up," said Cece.
"I'll meet you there in a few minutes. Help yourself to anything you want," said Alissa. Cece took wide steps that led down to the lawn and guest house to find her luggage and shower.

Sara played realtor during Aisha's house tour, asking questions about square footage. Miguel on the other hand only noticed the art.
"Very clever to display the art so it's visible from the veranda as well." Miguel commented.
"It's a nice touch that cost a bloody fortune for special glass and security," Aisha replied.
"Nothing good is free, right?" Miguel chuckled.
"Right."

The tour ended at their suite, complete with balcony and view of the Block Island Sound.
"Get comfortable, we have a few hours before cocktails are served. If you need anything, there is a directory by the phone, like in a hotel," said Aisha.
"Thanks, we'll see you at four-thirty," said Miguel.
"They certainly know how to make things happen, I'll say that much," said Sara once the door was closed.

"Watch, somebody will knock and ask if we need help dressing at four o'clock," Miguel laughed. Sara laughed too.
"It's been a great trip so far, and I can't wait for the party. But have to remember that in a few days we go back home to Santa Fe and the old routine, said Sara.
"In that case, let's make some new routines while we're here," Miguel said as he rolled over onto Sara and tried to kiss her.
"I need a shower," she quickly scooted for the bathroom.

In the guest house, Cece opened the French doors into the living room. Rachel Sperling was sprawled on the couch, asleep. Her suitcase was parked by the front door, with her purse atop it. An untouched drink sat in a ring of condensation on the glass coffee table.
Cece walked down the hall to check out the bedrooms and locate her bags. Satisfied that her luggage was in the best room, she began getting comfortable. I‘m already used to this, she thought as she parked herself with a drink before taking a short nap and shower.

Cece's alarm rang at four. The smell of the sea, foreign, yet invigorating, greeted her when she awoke. She found Rachel in the kitchen, fresh out of the shower, wearing a robe, her wet hair wrapped in a towel.
"Hi, I'm Rachel," she held out her hand.
"Hi, I'm Cece. When I arrived, you were passed out on the couch, rough trip?"
"It was hell! All the direct flights were booked due to the holiday, so I had a 3-hour layover in Dallas. Then a bloody five-hour Uber ride out here. I'd been on the road since five this morning. I was beat when I arrived, I feel much better now," said Rachel.

Miguel had already been in the shower for fifteen minutes at four o'clock. He stepped out, grabbed his robe, wandered onto the balcony, and lit a joint from this stash. He imagined whom he might meet in the next few days. The smoke only served to pique his curiosity. He wanted to put some of the pieces of this puzzling world into their place to navigate it better. But finding clues on how to do that? From what he had seen so far, that was a puzzle in itself.

Miguel and Sara came downstairs at four-thirty, stepping out onto the veranda as Cece and Rachel were climbing the steps to join the others. A trio of Cubans was tuning up to provide the evening's music. Aisha, acting as a hostess, moved from group to group, greeting people while servers carried trays of Prosecco and appetizers to get the party started.

"Cece, I want you to meet the owners of SpACE Galley, Mary, and George Goodman," Aisha said.
The Goodmans loved playing owners, even though Hayden pulled all the strings.
"Very nice to meet you both, I understand I'm to spend some time in the New York gallery with you for training soon," said Cece.
"Yes. But, I have to say, I visited your Santa Fe gallery a few months ago. Everything I saw tells me you've got what it takes to succeed with us," said George Goodman.
Mary leaned over out of Aisha's earshot and whispered to her, "Strictly between us, dear, we had our eye on you long before Miguel came along."
Cece silently nodded her thanks to Mary.
"It is all about relationships, isn't it?" Cece asked rhetorically. George and Mary nodded in agreement.

Aisha excused the three of them in order to introduce Miguel and Sara to a NY Times art critic, one of Aisha's most important professional relationships. She was a woman in her fifties, balancing a small plate on her lap while seated on an ottoman.
"Roberta, meet Miguel Angelo, and his wife, Sara." "Nice to meet you both. Aisha's been raving about your work for weeks, Miguel. I'm becoming a fan."
"Tomorrow morning, Good Morning America will have a segment about Miguel. I know you'll watch it, Roberta. If you miss it, let me know and I'll get you a copy," said Aisha.
"I'll tell you, Miguel, you can't do better than having SpACE in your corner. You're lucky to be in Aisha's hands," said Roberta, taking another plate of hors d'oeuvres from a passing waiter.
"I found that to be true rather quickly, " Miguel said.
"Thank you for coming, Roberta," Aisha said. Roberta, her mouth full, nodded.

"Let me show you our table, they'll be seating soon." said Aisha. Miguel and Sara followed to a table for six. Her place-card at the head of the table, theirs on either side. A soft bell signaled the seating. Waiters appeared with wine, and a first course of lobster bisque or cold shrimp salad.
Seated at their table was a local artist and another couple that Aisha introduced as art collectors, Hayden and Stacy. Hayden was a fountain of information about the art displayed in the house and the art market in general, Miguel enjoyed their conversation. Nobody mentioned that they also owned the house.
Seated a few tables away were Cece and Rachel, chatting and acting like old friends over their wine, everyone looked to be enjoying a memorable day.

The main course consisted of grilled lobster, buttered corn on the cob, creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. Sara looked like she had died and gone to heaven, her eyes rolling back in total surrender as she savored each morsel of lobster giganticus. Once the tables were cleared, Aisha stood up, tapping lightly on her wine glass with her knife.
"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our pre-fourth party. Let's start by thanking Chef Patrick for this wonderful meal," Aisha paused, while she and the crowd applauded politely.
"I also want to introduce Miguel Angelo, our newest artist. Someone whose work we will all want to add to our portfolios, and his beautiful wife, Sara. Stand up, you two," said Aisha. The crowd clapped politely as they stood. Miguel bowed.

The rest of the evening was a blur of introductions and plaudits from strangers, many of whom expressed interest in acquiring a work by Miguel Angelo. He referred these queries to Cece or Aisha now, whoever was nearest.
"Not my job anymore," he said to Sara.

"I think I caught a glimpse of Jerry Fieldsman, the comedian, at the coffee bar," said Sara.
"Welcome to the East Coast art world. It's tricky to get a good mix of people. We can't ignore the local celebrities; they're big buyers and investors. The goal is always a mix of people with business intentions as well as people with community interests; luckily, in the Hamptons, money seems to be the ingredient that merges the two almost seamlessly," said Aisha.
After dinner, Miguel tried to get Aisha's attention. She had been speaking alone with the fellow from dinner, Hayden. He walked by them hoping to get her attention. When he got within earshot, he caught a snippet of conversation regarding the closing of Marlborough Gallery, and all its locations. New York City, London, Madrid, and Barcelona. Miguel wasn't stepping into that, he kept walking.
He caught Aisha alone a few minutes later..
"Interesting crowd, not the type you run into on Venice Beach, or Santa Fe, for that matter. I feel a little like a fish out of water."
"People are curious about you. Be your genuine self and smile a lot.
"I'm getting a weird vibe like I'm up for a quarterly review or something."
Tomorrow, after the Good Morning America show, they'll have a better idea of what you and your art are about," said Aisha.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm fine with it. I'm just trying to understand as much as possible so I can play my part better," said Miguel, wanting her to know he was fully engaged and onboard.
"Our investors are always eager to get in for the first-tier exposure to a new artist. The greatest appreciation always goes to those who got in on the ground floor. Face-to-face meetings, in social circumstances such as these, are their best chance to take the measure of a new artist you're considering investing in," Aisha explained.
"Hopefully, tomorrow's airing will generate interest from all parties," said Miguel.
"Comments I've gotten so far are all positive, keep doing what you're doing," said Aisha, putting her hand on his back and rubbing it.
"How's Cece doing?" Miguel asked.
"She seems to be bonding with Rachel, the advisor. Rachel is West Coast; she has a decent client list, not 24K, but gold-plated at least," Aisha said vaguely.

Sara walks up, interrupting the conversation. "What do you think about sailing tomorrow, Miguel?"
"If you appreciate sailboats, you should go; it's a Herreshoff ketch, beautiful, and fast. She comes with a skipper, so you won't come home exhausted," Aisha promised.
"C'mon, let's do it," Sara urged.
"Okay, you talked me into it," said Miguel.
Aisha motioned for Alissa, "Get Eric on the line and tell him to have the boat ready by noon, and tell Chef Patrick to pack a nice lunch with a bottle of…?" Aisha looked at them.
"White wine is fine, thank you, Aisha," said Sara.
"Okay, that's settled," said Aisha.
"Can I drag Miguel away for some celebrity sighting?" Sara asked.
"Sure, if you see anyone you want to meet, just let me know."
"Thanks," Sara said.
"Come on, honey, let's go," she said to Miguel.
Heading toward the bar, they bumped into Cece.
"How's it going? Have you met anyone interesting?" Miguel asked.
"I did meet the owners of SpACE Gallery, a nice couple. My housemate Rachel and I are going to hang out by the pool tomorrow. See what I can learn about the L.A. art scene."
"Maybe she knows Leonardo DiCaprio?" Miguel offered.
"She does have stories."

Questionnaire on the story

To be continued

**************

Discover Lokkal: Mission

Visit SMA's Social Network

Contact / Contactar