Chapter 5 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

Chapter 5 (1) - The Mysterious Art Museum

I braced myself for protection, but strangely, I felt no pain.

A man, who had just dashingly grown a mustache and wore a sharply tailored suit, passed right through me.

I turned, startled, to see the man who had just penetrated my form, dashing away behind me.

"Ah, it's just a dream, of course."

To the people I see before me, I must be invisible. Then, I can relax. It's cold; better to go inside and watch comfortably.

The man who passed through me shouts in front of the print shop.New novel chapters are published on

"Excuse me! Can I request work now?"

Brunhoff and Alphonse turn to look.

Even though I'm in their sight, their attention is solely on the man who just appeared. As I thought, I'm invisible.

Brunoff stands up and shakes his head.

"Sorry, but we're not taking job requests. It's the Christmas holiday period, as you know."

"Please! It's urgent. Can't you do something?"

"Haha, sorry. Please come back later."

I sneak into the print shop.

Sure enough, the two inside don't notice my presence. I lean against the warmest wall in the print shop, observing the situation.

The hurriedly visiting man pulls out a handkerchief, wiping sweat as he enters.

"My name is Mikael Dujardin. I'm Sarah Bernhardt's manager."

Brunoff's face, which had been dismissive until the name was mentioned, suddenly hardens.

"Sa, Sa, Sarah Bernhardt's manager?"

"Yes, that's right."

"The famous actress Sarah Bernhardt of France? The greatest theatre actress?"

"Yes, that's right! May I sit?"

Brunoff swallows nervously, offering a chair.

"Please sit down. But could you maybe get an autograph..."

"If you take the job, I can do that for you."

"Ah, taking the job is a bit... All our main artists are on vacation..."

"Aren't you here?"

"No, I'm not an artist. I'm the office manager here, managing this print shop."

Mikael turns to Alphonse.

"And this person?"

Mikael's eyes light up when he sees Alphonse's drawing.

"I, I've worked with Ms. Sarah Bernhardt before."

Mikael's eyes widen. He looks down hurriedly and then grasps Alphonse's shoulder tightly, asking,

"Work? What kind of work are you talking about?"

Alphonse pushes up his round glasses with a smile.

"By chance, I drew a poster for the Cleopatra play four years ago."

Mikael's eyes widen as he recalls the memory.

"Four years ago, that's 1890... Yes, yes! Cleopatra! There was such a play! Did you draw that poster?"

"Yes, although I was an assistant back then."

Mikael eagerly says,

"Please do it! You're the only one who can!"

As Mikael shakes Alphonse while shouting, Brunoff interjects.

"Hey, he said he was an assistant painter. What would Sarah say if we bring a poster drawn by an assistant?"

Brunoff's point is valid. Mikael hesitates for a moment, then starts shaking Alphonse again.

"Still! It's better to bring something, even if that's all we have, to handle her temperamental nature! Please, I beg you. I'll make it worth your while! I'll pay double the original price!"

Alphonse, still held by Mikael's hand, sways and pushes up his glasses with a smile.

"Yes, I'll give it a try, Mikael."

I watch them with a faint smile.

I know this event.

Having liked Mucha since childhood, I'm well aware of the Christmas miracle that came to the young and poor but honest and kind Alphonse Mucha in Paris, France, in 1894.

Mucha adjusts his glasses and rises from his seat.

"Where is Sarah now?"

"She's rehearsing at the Renaissance Theatre."

"Shall we go?"

"To the theatre?"

"Yes."

"Why the theatre?"

"Because she's the lead. Surely you don't want a poster without her face?"

Mikael looks stunned, then quickly grabs Mucha's arm.

"Understood! Let's go right away! But how long will it take?"

Mucha smiles gently and says,

"No matter what happens, I'll complete it by the day before the performance."