MUSE (ii)

The sun came out the next day, and the snow glistened like it never had before. The room had lost its warmth when the young man had left. He realised he had not asked for his name. But there was no need. He had found it. He had found his inspiration again. All those days lost in sad thoughts and long, lonely and fastidious nights facing an empty page were over. He had found his Muse.

The shoes shone as brightly as before on the kitchen doorstep. He smiled at the two maids who both blushed. The cook snorted and pushed down hard on her rolling pin. He gracefully went about his tasks, brought out more brandy and cigars when needed, and was sure he was complimented for his assiduity. Just as he was about to leave the house in order to buy more polish, when he was announced that they would be entertaining tonight.

"Ah, Maximilian, how are you? And this must be your charming fiancée, Emily is it? I say, my boy, you have done well for yourself."

"Max, you didn't tell me we were meeting with a real old school "gent" this evening, I would've come more prepared."

"Oh my, I am no gent, as you put so well.!.. Max here however is the real "English gent" type."

"That's probably why I agreed to marry him."

"Emily!"

"And here's Tyson, how is our young Japanese friend doing today?"

"Very well, I thank you, Mr Starling. How do you do, Max, Emily? Not too cold for our little American lady?"

"I'm no lady, Tyson, and besides, I come from Chicago, its at least ten times colder there than here."

"I'm sure it is."

" Is that the door I'm hearing? Must be Kai and Hilary, Kai is going to show me how to adapt to England and English society.."

"Hilary is here, you say?"

"Now now, Tyson, don't tell me you didn't come here without the slightest hope of meeting her, unexpectedly?"

"I don't know what you're going on about, I'm going to try some of those canapés, this looks terribly tempting at the moment."

"HA! You never change, old boy."

"Now, Max, you know I'm a great admirer of English cuisine"

"Cuisine in general you mean.. My, isn't anyone going to answer that door?"

"Where is that blasted servant of mine? RAY, the door...Oh, you're there, serve the drinks later, get the door before they freeze to death!"

"Sir."