Ravello - Bosch Apartment
At the top floor of the Ravello, this loft apartment is everything an artist could ask for. Spacious, open, with high ceilings and numerous windows and skylights which not only fill the room with natural light, but give it an open and airy feeling, the sky within easy reach. With the exception of the bathroom, the entire space is open with no walls. To the left of the entrance is a large kitchen done in silver-shot black marble with stainless steel appliances and a large floating counter dividing it from the rest of the apartment with stools along the far side for casual dining. Just past that is a dining table, large enough for six to sit comfortably, made out of warm chestnut wood with copper inset details. To the right of center is a raised platform 'room', the bedroom, with pillars at the two corners that jut out from the wall, heavy yet translucent curtains separating the sleeping area from the rest of the apartment. The bed dominates the space, with dressers flanking it and the bathroom leading off to one side. The rest of the apartment is free to be whatever one wants. At the moment there are a few comfortable couches and chairs by the bedroom area with an entertainment center for music and viewing pleasures. The rest has been blanketed in canvas dropcloths, a myriad of rolling carts and tables covered with paint tubes and pots, brushes, jars of mineral spirits, and a variety of other artist tools and utensils. Canvas are stacked up against a wall and a work in progress dominates the interior wall that is free of windows.
It would seem that Dr. David Trudeau is a very busy man. Or he has a highly incompetent receptionist. In truth, when the phone call comes Hugo had almost completely forgotten his call into the psychiatrist and for a moment stared blankly at the phone until it all came rushing back. Since his questions involved his apartment and studio, it made more sense for the two men to meet at Hugo's place rather than Dr. Trudeau's office and as such the artist has taken the time to put on some more formal clothing, even if it was a trial, what with his left arm in a cast from shoulder to palm. But, everything now seems to be in order with Hugo wearing a pair of acceptably nice casual pants with a convenient elastic waistband, and a comfortable sleeveless shirt of blue. He's sitting at the table, reading the news off the internet when the door chime rings. And once he's ascertained that the figure behind it is alone, Hugo undoes the lock and looks out, asking politely, "Yes?"
~*~
Behind the door is Dr. David Trudeau, looking very much like he's just quit work and on his way home for dinner AND looking slightly and suitably embarrassed, and says as much. "Mr. Bosch." His hands hang before him, fingers interlaced in place, though the moment the door opens, his hand rises to push the wire-framed glasses up. "I have to apologize for the time between your initial call and the return." He gestures towards the now somewhat open door, "I appreciate being able to take care of your questions, keeping Mr. Landers' interests in mind, of course."
~*~
It's still light outside, but Hugo merely steps back and opens the door wide, gesturing with his right hand for the good doctor to come in. One can't be too careful, after all. "Dr. Trudeau, no worries at all. As you can see," he notes, gesturing to the cast on his left arm, "I've been a little … distracted as of late. Thank you for taking the time to see me." Once David is inside, Hugo shuts the door and asks, "Can I get you something to drink? Some iced tea perhaps?"
~*~
Stepping through the door, he twists slightly to watch the door closing behind him and takes a step forward to get out of the way before looking quickly around at the room. "Ah.. that'd be great, thanks." David exhales in a somewhat theatric manner, "Summers are a bit warm down here." From the accent, he's … not from around here. Gesturing with his head towards the cast, his brows crease in a frown, "You okay? What happened, if you don't mind my asking?" Ever the doctor.
~*~
Okay, good. Not a vampire. Just checking! The air in the apartment is lovely and cool despite the sunlight beaming in, the soft hum of the central air barely audible. Hugo's head tilts slightly as he tries to determine what sort of accent David has. His own Dutch one is barely recognizable any more after years of living in New York, with only the faintest hints of it left behind. "Ahhh, yes, thanks for asking, I should be fine. Car accident. A large truck decided to run a red light and smashed into the driver's side of my leased Porsche." No point in mentioning that the truck in question was stolen or being driven by a vampire. No, no point at all. "Please, make yourself comfortable," Hugo offers, gesturing to the dining table as well as the couch, giving David a choice of seating before heading into the open kitchen and opening up the fridge. As he pours a glass of iced tea, Hugo explains, "As you may recall, Todd Landers 'won' me in the auction a few months back, thanks to Ms. Savoy. We had our dinner and there is an additional agreement that I will paint a portrait of Todd. All well and good. But I'm interested in doing some more paintings of Todd, for a possible exhibit here in Dallas, more in line with the rest of my work." Strolling toward David, Hugo continues. "The question, then, is whether or not that would be kosher, so to speak. Obviously I have no wish to harm him or upset him, I don't want to take advantage of him. But I do find Todd interesting and think that he would make a great addition to this exhibit. I am perfectly happy to make it a business arrangement and pay for his time spent essentially modeling for me. But naturally I wanted to consult with you first on the legalities of this as well as simply understanding if there are any risks or issues that might arise that would make it unfeasible."
~*~
Not a vampire, nope. If asked, hasn't ever really met one, to his knowledge. Things that go bump in the night are things of myth and legend, and all in all, the Doctor of Epidemiology is quite… unremarkable. Other than the fact that he's taken on something of an interest in Mr. Todd Landers' case as pro bono work simply because it makes him go 'huh?'. "Oof. Car accident. I'm sorry." The rounded vowel of the word sounds odd in Texas.. and perhaps can be pinpointed to the 'neighbor to the North'. "Something like that and you come away with a broken arm, well.. I suppose in a way, you can count yourself lucky."
He walks slowly towards the table, and pulling out a seat, waits for his host to return, his voice raising in conversation so he can be heard. "Todd's something of a special case. I can't see the harm in having him sit, but of course he'll have to have a minder with him. Just to be on the safe side." Taking the tea, when offered, he smiles tightly. "To ask him, I'm sure he'll love the idea. Every day he is asked is like the first time.
"As for the legalities?" David shrugs and takes the first sip of the tea. "Miss Savoy would probably be the better person to ask. Do you have a contract written up that I can bring to her? Or, perhaps, faxed to her office?"
~*~
"In some ways I was lucky indeed," Hugo replies, making light of what was indeed a rather severe event and injury. He offers David the glass of iced tea before taking a seat himself across from the doctor. "I'm sure that Todd will not be 'sitting' all that much. He doesn't seem the sort to keep still readily. But if figured I would have things for him to futz with and keep himself distracted and occupied with." Much like he would if he were having a child as a subject, though more likely he'll be giving Todd things to take apart and fix rather than dolls or toys to play with. "I know that Todd is already interested. We discussed it, though he was rather confused as to why I would need to ask you about it first and get your permission." Resting his casted arm on the table, Hugo's head tilts slightly to one side as he asks, "A minder? Like a chaperone? But I've noticed that Todd often goes out unaccompanied, and I know he works, though granted that's in a grocery store where there are many people available. Is the minder for his sake or for mine? If necessary, I can certain give you references as to my character." As for legalities, "Well, I don't have anything yet. I guess I was thinking more in terms of ethical legalities more so than contractual ones."
~*~
"Ethics?" David shakes his head and creases his brow in momentary thought. "No. Not technically." He smiles soon after another moment's consideration and offers, "It actually could work to his advantage. You see, his origins are a bit murky. Perhaps with his likeness in your gallery, someone will step forward to help identify him." A pause comes and he waves a hand in the air in gesture, 'wiping' away what he'd said. "Well, he is identified, yes.. but his background. That is a large unknown. He's a walking John Doe." Which Hugo might have already figured out.
"As far as a minder is concerned, it's for nothing other than to have an orderly available to him to remind him to eat and such. Just someone who is familiar with his condition and can take lead in his care should things become .. difficult for you. Mind, I haven't noticed a violent tendency in him. It's more.. a confusion. And it's not something that I would assume you would have a great deal of experience with." The ice tea glass is played with, the condensation coming in little droplets. "Having something to occupy his mind and time is a good thing."
~*~
Not knowing much about Todd, for obvious reasons, Hugo's expression becomes quite interested as he notes, "Is that a fact? Well, then yes that could be quite beneficial for Todd. What do you know about him? His condition, well, it seems very unusual. I know that he couldn't suffer from this kind of memory loss from just a blow to the head. A friend of mine who is a neurologist once picked apart Memento for that very reason. Ordinarily she said that a disconnect between short term memory to long term could only be the result of surgery. But clearly Todd hasn't been operated on." Hugo makes a silent 'ahhh' at the explanation for the minder, replying simply, "Well, whatever you feel is best, of course. Todd does get confused and I've been finding that using my own notebook around him helps him feel better about checking his for reminders and whatnot. I keep an art notebook on me at all times, to jot down ideas and such. I find if I pull it out from time to time, making notes and checking it seems to normalize that experience for Todd, make him more willing to use his own notebook." Hugo is not a shrink by any means, but his artwork is all about what and who people are on the inside. As a result, he's pretty savvy about how to get people to open up and feel comfortable around him.
~*~
"Well, I can't really go into specifics with Todd's particular case." Doctor / patient confidentiality, which David is sure Hugo understands. "But memory loss.. that can be an odd thing, really. There's the physical nature of it, and then there's the psychological nature. Long term and short term; it's usually one or the other, but.." Without going into details, David is trying to at least give the other man something to work with. He chuckles and shakes his head, "Todd is definitely an enigma wrapped in a conundrum, as they say."
Nodding his head over the different tricks Hugo used, David looks quite pleased. "That sounds like a good way to work with him. Normalizing his daily routine and convincing him that the use of memory aids isn't an odd thing after all." The more he hears, the more he likes. "When I see him, I'll make sure to remind him to take you up on the offer. I can't see a reason how this wouldn't be a good thing for him."
~*~
He didn't really expect to get anything particularly juicy or informative out of David, but Hugo would be lying if he said he wasn't hoping that the good doctor would let something interesting slip. Siiiiiiiiigh! Oh well. Todd will definitely be a more difficult subject to discover and indeed, the art work he inspires will likely be little more than fantasy and conjecture on Hugo's part. "He is indeed a most interesting person, and with a most unusual condition. I like him," Hugo confesses quite simply. "If my work helps to unravel the mystery of who he is, that would be wonderful. I know that it makes him sad, not having memories. I can't imagine what it must be like - at once completely freeing and at the same time utterly terrifying. After all, we are the collection of our memories. Without those, who are we and what makes any of us different from the other?"
~*~
"See, and the problem is, sadly, he is struck with the lucid moments where he understands his memory is fleeting." And there, that part really bothers David. He smiles, the gesture more.. sad. Pity? "One of his minders said rather brusquely, but honestly, 'Just wait a minute and it'll pass'. And, it does. I just hope for the day that it doesn't. That way, at least, we've got something to hold on to." If nothing else, right there is an indication as to why David's taken something of an interest in the case file.
"I don't know where I'd be if I was affected the same. Everyone thinks about how they'd tolerate the use of something.. a hand, vision, sound.. whenever they're faced with it. I'm not sure I'd be as good natured as Todd."
~*~
If there is a common ground between these two men, it is this. They both feel for Todd's sense of lack, for those moments where he knows that he is broken, lacking, missing something that everyone else gets to have but him. Hugo cannot help but recall when Todd asked him to remember something from his past and how sad it seemed to make him, knowing he had no stories like that of his own. Pursing his lips, Hugo nods and concurs, "It's true. Todd got terribly upset the other day but within a minute or two had completely forgotten all about what had distressed him. Perhaps, because we can remember for him, it seems all the more painful than it actually is. I certainly hope that is the case." Drumming the fingers of his left hand on the table lightly, Hugo ponders the matter for a moment before asking, "Well, do you have any questions for me then?"
~*~
Empathy for the suffering of another human being isn't a bad place to meet as far as common ground is concerned, and for a doctor, it's pretty damned good. And the recognition of a bittersweet gift of fleeting memory, just that much more. He nods in the story told, his expression dropping to that pity once more. "I think you're right. Our recognition that our memories are complete just makes it that much more difficult."
David takes another couple more swallows and shakes his head. "Other than my other request that any paperwork.. you know, the 'hold harmless', the 'studio has exclusive rights over the art' and potential compensation should any money be made off the sales of the portraits. Again, though, that can be sent over to Miss Savoy, who, by the way, has taken up Mr. Landers' cause and is serving as his attorney, pro bono." And if that doesn't make her seem the 'kind hearted soul' in the legal profession… "So, just so there's understanding all around as to expectations." Nothing like formality!
~*~
Nodding thoughtfully, Hugo ponders the matter quietly for a moment longer before replying, "Well then, excellent. I will get in touch with Nonette, see what she needs from me to make the whole matter official and go from there. I'm assuming that you would like me to cc you on anything relevant, yes? And if you think of anything that I should know, any suggestions or recommendations, please feel free to contact me." Reaching into his pocket, Hugo pulls out a business card and hands it over to David. "And, likewise, if you realize you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me. Once all the legal stuff is taken care of, I'll be in touch to figure out a schedule that doesn't interfere with any of Todd's other work or activities." Rising up to his feet, Hugo offers his hand. "Thank you again for coming out to speak with me. I hope this proves to be both an enjoyable experience for Todd and an enlightening one for his situation."
~*~
David is on his feet, taking the business card in one hand and crossing over to grasp the man's hand in the other. "Ah.. you're acquainted, then. Tres bien. Perfect." The smile offered is genuine as he gives his own thanks. "I really appreciate another coming in and helping him gain some normalcy. And I will certainly be in touch if anything comes up that I can think of that might be relevant to his condition that you may need to be aware of."
Retaking his hand, David pulls out one of his own cards, emblazoned with the US Center for Disease Control's logo.. and his title of 'Senior lead researcher', Department of Epidemiology. "And, I hope that the gallery exposition is a success when it begins. I'll be looking for a Guest Pass." He can show himself out..
