"Wonderful news.I’ll be there…anything I need to know?"

"Yes, bring a guest and dress smartly"

Gianni invited Teresa, someone he had on-off affairs with and looked good on his arm.

When they reached the hall the art was being exhibited, they were ushered in and doorman took their jackets and coats.

"Please come through"

To start with Gianni made small talk to people interested in buying the art, reviewers and gallery owners. He was nervous and was glad of the free wine that was flowing generously.

As the night wore on Gianni became more and more tipsy and less and less discrete.

"To be honest with you, I wouldn’t wallpaper my toilet with some of these paintings" he said to Teresa, overheard by a certain reviewer who stole the quote for his own piece in the local papers’ art section.

"Teresa, shall we go. I’m sick of these stiffs sniffing round my work"

"But I bought this dress specially and I want to see if someone buys you painting."

Gianni grabbed another glass of wine off the waiters’ tray without being asked, gulped it down in one, then

ungraciously took another one straight after.

"Is this your work, sir"

"No, mine’s over there"

"Oh, I see. Uh,nice. But I was interested in this one."

Teresa was visibly disappointed. However shortly afterwards a prospective buyer asked how much Gianni wanted for his painting.

Gianni had never sold his paintings at an exhibition before and bluffed it.

Teresa was nudging Gianni as if to accept the man’s price.

"Fine"

"What was your inspiration?"

"Well, I listen to music and play around with colours that the tunes inspire."

"What was you listening to when you painted ‘fantastic’?

"Beethoven’s ninth. When I listened to it I saw red and yellow"

"Very interesting. Thanks for the sale Mr Faloco"