mainz1947

@@@@@I was toasted by people I didn't knowThere were shouts of "Hear, hear!" and one cry of "Maestro!" I looked around for my new friends and didn't see them anywhere Not that there was much time to lookThe congratulations seemed endless, both on my talk and on the slidesAt least I didn't have to deal with any extended critiques of my technique, because the actual paintings (plus a few sketches in colored pencil for good measure) were squirreled away in two of the large back rooms, 594 safely under lock and keyAnd the secret of avoiding getting smashed at your reception if you're a one-armed man, I was discovering, was to constantly keep a bacon-wrapped shrimp in your remaining paw Mary Ire came by and asked if we were still on for our interview"Although I don't know what else I can tell youI think I said it all this evening "Oh, we'll think of a few things," she said, and damned if she didn't tip me a wink from behind her nineteen-fifties-style cat's-eye glasses as she handed her champagne flute back to one of the circulating waiters "You bet," I said, restraining an urge to tell her that if she was going to speak French, she'd have to wait until I was wearing my Manet beretShe wafted off, kissing Dario on one cheek before slipping out into the fragrant March night Jack came over, snagging a couple of champagne flutes on the wayJuanita, my housekeeper, looking trim and chic in a little pink suit, was with himShe took a skewered shrimp, but refused 595 the champagneHe held out the glass to me instead, waiting until I swallowed the last of my hors d'oeuvre and took itThen he clinked his own against it "Congrats, boss - you rocked the houseA critic I can actually understand I swallowed the champagne (a swallow per flute is all there was) and turned to Juanita "You look absolutely beautifulEdgar," she said, and glanced around "These pictures are nice, but yours are much better Jack handed Juanita another shrimp"Will you excuse us a couple of seconds?" "Of co