During an open house at Mueller and Mueller, Heidi was pretty much left to her own devices and, not knowing anyone at this affair, she wandered around listening to snatches of conversations and amusing herself by inventing stories about people she saw as she went.
As she passed by the conference room, she glanced and saw a tall, good looking guy examining the figure study she had given E. Paul. She went in and stood next to him for a moment, then said, "So, what do you think; pornographic trash or art?"
"The devil posed the same question in a poem by Kipling many years ago and I don't think we have, or ever will, resolve the question."
"You mean, 'It's pretty, but is it art?'"
"Very good!" Yes, I try not pass, judgment. Do you like it?"
"I'm not sure." She stuck out her hand. "My name is Heidi, what's yours?"
"I'm Curt, Curt Nielsen."
"Curt with a C?"
"Curt with a C. I didn't get your last name."
"Bergmann, with two Ns." They shook hands and she was taken with his confidence and his square-jawed good looks. He wore a navy blue blazer over a light blue shirt, open at the collar, jeans and loafers without socks. It was rather casual attire for this affair, but he clearly did not care.
"So what do you do for a living, Curt?"
"Actually they pay me to pass judgment on things like this photograph; I have a very long title: I am Associate Curator and Director of Outreach and Education at the Uptown Museum of Art. I wonder who took this particular photograph."
"Charlie Wentworth," she informed him. "He has a studio not far from here."
"Really? I'm putting together a book of what I consider fine art photographs. I wonder if he'd be willing to let me use it."
"I can give you his number, but I have it on good authority that the model has the only copy of the photographs from the shoot."
"I wonder how would I find out who she is and how I could get a hold of her?"
"I happen to have her card with me. Would you like her number?"
"Well, sure. You certainly are a wealth of information."
She smiled, rummaged through her purse and said, "Here, let me put her home number on the back."
He took the card and, at that point, realized he was being put on.
"Well, maybe I'll give this person a call and see if we can get together."
"I'm sure she'd be happy to cooperate in any way she can."
"In the meantime can I get you a drink?"
"That would be lovely," she said. "A Burgundy or a Merlot would be perfect."
When he returned, they found a relatively quiet corner of the office to talk.
"So what kind of modeling do you do, Ms. Bergmann?"
"Clothes of one sort or another, although most fashion photographers consider me too short and too fat."
"You've got to be kidding. I've only seen one photograph of you, but from what I've seen of you in person, you are neither short nor fat and what I would call nothing short of gorgeous."
She looked down and tried not to blush. "Well, look in the fashion magazines, they like 'em tall and skinny. Please call me Heidi; I don't want to feel old, as well"
"Sorry, so how can I see the complete set of photos?"
"I have them on a CD. All we need is a computer with a CD player. Just tell me where and when."
"Is Monday too soon? The museum is closed on Monday and I could give you a personal tour."