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."
"Great, give me an address I can put in my GPS and I'll be there."
"Shall we say 10:00?"
"Sounds good." ***** It was shortly after ten Monday morning when Heidi pulled into the parking lot of the museum, with the CD of photos in her purse.
She pushed the buzzer near the door and a disembodied voice explained what she already knew: that the museum was closed.
"I have an appointment with Curt Nielsen," she told the voice.
"Just a moment please."
After a minute or two Curt appeared at the door and unlocked it.
"Sorry about that, when you weren't here at ten o'clock I was afraid you had stood me up."
"Not a problem. You must be very punctual; I didn't even realize I was late."
"You're not, really, I was just a little over anxious, I guess. Did you bring your CD?"
"I've got it right here," she said patting her purse.
"Good, why don't I show you around the museum first?" ***** About an hour later, they sat on a bench facing a huge painting of a battle scene of some sort. As Curt was pointing out who the various people in the scene were, she reached over and gave his knee a little squeeze, and said, "Curt, baby, I think I've had about enough art history for one morning. Why don't we go somewhere and look at my pictures now?"
"Good idea! Sometimes I forget that not everyone is as into art as I am. We'll go to my office."
They walked up a flight of stairs to the mezzanine, overlooking the main lobby. He unlocked a door marked 'Office of the Director' and they stepped into a very contemporary waiting room with a reception desk and several comfortable chairs. Curt unlocked a second door and entered a large, tastefully decorated office with a large glass and chrome desk and more comfortable chairs.
"Have a seat," he said as he turned on a computer on his desk and inserted the CD Heidi had given him. For several minutes he clicked his mouse and said, "these are very nice, very tastefully done."
She smiled to herself and thought, "Just wait and see what you think of some of the others."