Jim

"This piece is really laudable!" Kaley says, Jim's co-worker.

"Mmm-hmm", he nods as Kaley marvels at the painting.

James Joseph Parsons, known by his nickname Jim, a 37-year-old conservator for almost 15 years. He specializes in restoring paint artworks that are then sold in an auction or a display in a museum. He took a master's degree in Chemistry and this is the reason why he is qualified for this job. Along with his college friend and colleague Kaley, who also holds a master's degree in the same field.

As of the moment, they were looking at an artwork that was made during the 1800's and it was called, "The Epitome of Heaven". It was said that it was made by a painter named Sheldon Cooper and was made to honor his lover who passed away during a plague in the 1800's. Jim and Kaley are both commissioned to restore this piece to display it to a museum in California.

"Do you know anything about this piece? It shows too much of something but I cannot really say what it is." Kaley added as she was looking at Jim carrying the canvass.

"It shows too much of something... 10 years in this industry and yet, you still don't speak the language". Kaley rolls her eyes at Jim as he scoffs at her. "Well, to answer your question, this piece is made during the 1800s. It was said that the artist made it to honor his late lover who passed away during a plague before they even got to be married". Jim explains as he places the canvass on his working table.

"Now that you mention that I could really feel the gloominess and sorrow in this painting. But at the same time the love and admiration that the painter must have had with this lady". Kaley says. "Well, can't wait for Mr. In Demand to get his hands on this one," Kaley adds as she taps Jim's should as she went slowly turns her back to go back in her working station. Jim smiles at her and started to work.

As Jim dipped a cue tip in a saline solution, he began to gently rub it to the surface of the painting. He started from the cheek of the lady in the portrait up to its eyes. As this motion continued, the true colors of the portrait began to show. She was fair with a light pinkish tone her eyes had this very beautiful shade of green with gold flex around them. As he roam his eyes more to the parts of the canvass that he had touched it revealed more and more of the realness of the woman in the painting. Fascinating he says to himself. Jim identifies himself as a pansexual but in the A spectrum. He does get attracted to some people but this time it felt different. A symmetrical face, pink reddish lips, a prominent nose, and a strong chin. If he had a list of things he finds attractive in a person, this lady had definitely checked his boxes.

"Wow..." Jim said in awe. He was halfway done with the portrait and was taking a minute to marvel at the painting.

"Wow, what?", Kaley asked as she hands him a sandwich. They were taking a break from work.

"I mean...look at that Kaley", Jim states after thanking her for the sandwich. "It is indeed in great detail. Look at those eyes." He adds.

"I would say it is exceptional but most of the portrait we've worked with before also has this kind of vibe you know. A decade in this job and yet, you act like a painting virgin", Kaley scoffs at Jim. "Oh, shut up!" Jim replies as he chuckles.

They were eating in silence when Jim suddenly said "Can I tell you something?". Kaley looked at him nodding as she was chewing her meal.
"There is something about this painting that makes me feel like somewhat it is related to me. Am I being weird?" Jim asks as his eyes are still glued to the portrait.

"Well judging the way you stare at the painting, I would say you are obsessed. You've never acted this way with anything we've worked with before. Every time my eye pans at you, usually, you'd just busy yourself finishing the piece. Yet today, I would see you just stare at it with this awe look on your face. Weird? I don't think so. I just know that you have eyes for something worth looking at."

It's true. usually, if a piece is eye-catching he'd also take some time to marvel at it. But for the first time in the decade, he was working with art pieces such as this one. Nodding at Kaley's response, he then sat down at a chair near the table sighing while trying to figure out how and why.

"What if it is a part of your past?" Kaley broke the silence. Jim looked at her in confusion and replied, "What makes you think that it is part of my past?".

"Well, it is just a guess. You don't really need to agree with me...", she replies in kind.

He nods as he continues to stare at the piece.

Mayim

"Why weren't you picking up the phone?" Chad asks Mayim over the phone.

Mayim squints her eyes because she just woke up from her phone ringing. "Well, hello to you too", she replied. "Why are you calling me this early?".

"What do you mean it's early? It's 2 pm, did you just woke up?!" Chad asks.

Mayim slept late and was trying to think of ideas to write a new novel. Mayim Chaya Bialik, a 34-year-old author. Known for her novels all crime fiction and romantic novels. Her last hit was "Tapped for Duty" which was written a little bit 5 years ago. But as of the moment she is struggling to come up with a new idea for a novel to write. She needs to write and publish another because she is on her last 3 months of a notice on her lease. And her editor has been pressuring her to submit a manuscript but she couldn't come up with anything.

"Yes...", she sighed. "But I am still too tired. I couldn't think of anything to write about", Mayim replied.

"Can't your lover help you with that? I mean you know, romance...", Chad replies.

Rolling her eyes over the call she replied, "You know too well that we are not on good terms right now. I don't even consider us romantic. Anyway, why did you call?" she said with exasperation.

"Well, Chanel and I will go over to a museum this weekend. Would you want to come with us?" he asked.

"How would that help my situation right now? Please...", Mayim whined.

"You know, to maybe give you some fresh air. You've been locking yourself in your apartment, that's not a prison cell so you should come out." he reasoned. "Also, it is a museum, maybe you could find an idea by scanning through the portraits and maybe reading or listening about their background story. Come on, what do you say?" her friend added in an exciting tone.

Being the monk that she is, she doesn't really like to go outside. But she likes to go to places where she could gather ideas and spark inspiration. Museums would be one of them but she doesn't really fancy the idea of being Chad and Chanel's third wheel.

"I'll think of it." she replied after a long pause.

"Give me a call after you've decided," Chad replied before the call ended.

Her friend does make a point. She needs to go out of this place from time to time. She also needs a new inspiration or she'd be bound to be homeless.