Check Please [Zander, casual]

[JANE EYRE]

Jane still hadn't gotten used to hosting charity events. There had been a handful since her charity opened but this was the first large scale one. She had sent out invitations to all major businesses and corporations in the area as well as a few up and coming small businesses. The budget had been worked around to accommodate a large party complete with finger food and a bar.

Hopefully this one little event would bring in a large sum of money for the charity. Jane hoped that she had invited the right people and planned it on the right night.

She got there early, like she was supposed to, to help set it up and to get the students there to present their pieces. She wanted the potential investors to meet the people who they would be helping. With any luck, that would make them more willing to invest. It wasn't playing very fair, but it was what she had to do to help them out.

Jane dressed up for the event, like one would, and was greeting the first few guests. After some had arrived, she began to mingle with them.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander sighed, stepping from the company sedan, all dressed up for this charity night. Charity...why oh why did it have to be charity? Oh, he had nothing against charity personally. He thought it was worthwhile when it went towards a good cause. He just had everything against having to make a public appearance for it. These events were always so dry and stuffy, and the food always left him hungrier than when he walked in.

So why was he here if he so loathed charitably events? Essentially, he was a push over. Normally, the girls went. They had an eye for finding good investments and walking away from others. For being girls, they sure weren’t bleeding hearts. Unfortunately, they’d both double booked the night, both giving him the big eyes until he’d agreed to drop his plans and go. Of course his plans had involved cheetos and a movie, but they were still plans.

“Alright, Jeffry. Where are we, why are we here, and who’s name do I have to remember?” Zander asked, walking towards the main entrance to the event.

“This is an art gallery. They show art here. We’re here because they invited you to their children’s charity fundraiser, and the charity head is one Miss Eyre,” Jeffry replied, walking along behind him.

“I’m never going to remember that. I’m going to have to meet and greet her quickly,” Zander replied, straightening his black evening jacket as they walked in. “Jeffry, find the bar, get me a bourbon, then find Miss Eyre so I can sign a cheque. Then we’ll hit the nearest junk food store – my treat.”

Jeffry snorted, wandering away with a muttered ‘oh joy’. Zander watched him go with an amused look. When he had agreed to come tonight, he had automatically ordered Jeffry to come along too. Someone had to get the drinks, after all, and Jeffry was much better with names than he was, so it was an added bonus to have the other man whispering them in his ear. He had the feeling he would need it – he didn’t recognize a single person in the room.

Looking around, Zander could see a lot of art and a few people milling around looking at it. He supposed he should do the same, leaning down to look at a finger painted piece. It was quite colorful. Straightening up, he glanced towards the next painting, catching sight of a beautiful woman in yellow schmoozing in that direction. Now, these things were always dull affairs, but they were more bearable if he met someone lovely enough to distract him, and the woman in yellow was certainly eye catching. It was almost without conscious thought that his feet started moving towards her. He put on his best polite smile and leaned over to look at the painting closest to her. After all, if he looked interested in the art, a woman at an art show would be more inclined to find him interesting, after all.

“What unique pieces,” he commented aloud, glancing at the lady in yellow. “This one is nearly as cheerful as your dress.”

He smiled warmly, knowing he had masterfully caught her attention. And if that hadn’t worked, the large cheque he was planning on writing would. Women were all impressed with large shows of selfless charity, after all. He'd used that technique to get the attention of many women, and he was sure this one would be no different.

[JANE EYRE]

People really seemed to be enjoying themselves at the event and Jane was glad. Nobody seemed to know who she was and that let Jane mingle and find out what people really thought, making mental notes all the while. There were criticisms on how it was being run and Jane wanted to make sure she didn't do them the next event. It made perfect sense that the better the event, the more donations she'd get and the students needed all the help they could get.

In between chatting with patrons, Jane would stop to look at the art. She loved every single piece and knew the artist behind each one. So many wonderful young talents and so many weren't going to make it out of their neighborhood. Half were already in gangs, the other half living from paycheck to paycheck, some even out on the street.

Jane was looking at a piece done by a 12 year old when a rather tall, rather good looking man slid up beside her and leaned in, seemingly looking over a piece.

“What unique pieces. This one is nearly as cheerful as your dress.”

Jane looked around, trying to figure who he was talking to and decided it must of been her. "Oh, thank you. It's new; this is the first time I'm getting to wear it out." Jane smoothed her hands over the skirt. "I think the art is positively lovely. There are so many talented young people in New York."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander smiled, watching as she looked around in surprise, as if he couldn’t be talking to her. Of course he would be talking to her. She was the best looking woman there so far.

"Oh, thank you. It's new; this is the first time I'm getting to wear it out."

She smoothed the dress down, and clearly it was still a novelty. He always thought new dress day was the best day to pick up a girl. They were always glowing like they were trying to light up the world like lightning bugs on a summer night.

“I think the art is positively lovely. There are so many talented young people in New York."

“I will agree with you there – this city seems to be a mecca for the artsy folk.”

It was true. He couldn’t walk down the street without seeing someone playing an instrument or painting something. It was amazing to see. It almost reminded him of New Orleans that way.

“Of course, it’s rare when one of them hits it big. You don’t get to see a lot of this kind of art in the museums and such, but that's part of the charm,” he gestured to the finger painting in front of him, thinking it was interesting. “Do you know if they’re auctioning off the pieces or if it’s straight donations tonight?”

Another question he should have asked Jeffry. Sometimes charities wanted you to donate to an auction, and sometimes they wanted you to just donate and look at the product. Either way, he would probably end up signing a cheque. He’d been raised to be generous, after all. That was another reason why the girls usually went – he spent far too much sometimes. Either way, he would have to meet this Miss Eerie or Airy or whatever she was called who ran the place and sign the cheque with a flourish in front of her. He may have believed in charity, but he also believed in lasting impressions.

Speaking of which...

“My apologies. My interest got ahead of my manners. I’m Zander,” he introduced, holding his hand out in greeting.

[JANE EYRE]

“I will agree with you there – this city seems to be a mecca for the artsy folk.”

Jane agreed wholeheartedly. There was creativity practically leaking from the cracks of New York. It was one of the best things she had seen when she was teaching, the raw imagination of so many young people. It was also the reason why she started up the charity.

What good would that sort of talent be if no one ever saw it?

“Of course, it’s rare when one of them hits it big. You don’t get to see a lot of this kind of art in the museums and such, but that's part of the charm. Do you know if they’re auctioning off the pieces or if it’s straight donations tonight?”

"I hope that most of the people shown get a different fate." Jane really did hope that all of the young artists become successful, if not famous. They all deserved it and they were all being eaten by their own society.

"All the pieces are for sale for prices set by the artists. You can buy any one you like and make a donation, or just do one or the other." Jane shrugged and reached out, smoothing the price tag down under the painting. "I'm sure the kids will be happy either way."

“My apologies. My interest got ahead of my manners. I’m Zander,”

Jane reached out and took his hand, shaking it lightly. "No need to apologize. My name's Jane."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

"I hope that most of the people shown get a different fate."

Zander nodded, supporting the sentiment. Every artist deserved his or her day in the spotlight. However, for most of these students, it wouldn’t be a dream they would fully reach. Still, they had events like tonight, and for most of them it would probably be enough.

"All the pieces are for sale for prices set by the artists. You can buy any one you like and make a donation, or just do one or the other. I'm sure the kids will be happy either way."

He watched as she smoothed down the price tag, glancing at it to see it was far less than he would have expected for a piece like that. Perhaps he would be both buying and donating tonight if it was that affordable.

"No need to apologize. My name's Jane."

He accepted her offered hand, bending over slightly, and bringing it to his lips. He was raised by a southern mother – he knew how to greet a lady.

“It is lovely to meet you, Jane,” he replied, letting her fingers go. “Thank you for answering my questions. I am afraid I don’t often have the chance to attend these events and I am slightly out of the loop on protocol.”

He left out why he never attended, hoping she wouldn’t ask. He was saved from that when Jeffry popped up on his other side, holding a glass of bourbon. Hmm. He supposed he had asked for that, after all.

Jeffry raised an eyebrow at him and he shrugged, gesturing towards the art. The man rolled his eyes, knowing better than to disturb him when he was flirting. He was an excellent assistant for that reason. He simply wandered off and Zander turned is attention back to...Janet? No, Judith? Jesse...It would come to him later.

“My assistant,” he excused, waving it off with a practiced gesture. “So, what brings you here tonight? A love of art?”

She looked artistic. Perhaps one of these pieces was hers. If not, there were other things he could think up for conversation.

[JANE EYRE]

“It is lovely to meet you, Jane. Thank you for answering my questions. I am afraid I don’t often have the chance to attend these events and I am slightly out of the loop on protocol.”

Jane felt herself blush a little at the very old fashioned gesture but shook it off. Obviously he was from the south, they must have a different idea of manners. Jane just nodded her head while she pulled her hand back, smiling politely. "Of course, I'm glad to help."

Jane hoped that his interest would translate into him buying some art or donating some money.

“My assistant. So, what brings you here tonight? A love of art?”

The man who came over and handed Zander his glass confused Jane at first until he explained it. An assistant? What a foreign concept that was. Jane didn't understand why anyone would have an assistant, especially at a charity event.

"Oh yes, I love art. And charity. If it can help some wonderful children, I'm all for it."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander couldn’t help but smile, watching as she blushed at his southern greeting. Northern girls...did no one ever treat them like they were belles? The men up here were lazy that way. That was the unfair advantage he wielded, he supposed. The accent and the looks only went so far. It was the manners that tipped him over the edge.

"Of course, I'm glad to help."

Oh, he was sure that she was. After all, they were all there for charity. He took a long sip of the bourbon, thinking that he had higher quality stuff back home, but as far as these charity functions went, it wasn’t all that bad. He listened as she kept talking, thinking she had a pleasant voice, accented slightly – like his own.

"Oh yes, I love art. And charity. If it can help some wonderful children, I'm all for it."

“I’m not much of an art lover, but I firmly believe in charity, especially when it helps wonderful children. That was exactly what I said when I was asked to attend.”

Actually, he had refused, then pouted over the fact he’d had to go, but one didn’t tell pretty girls that unless one wanted the pretty girls to leave one alone.

“I do think that some of this art is pretty good, though. I may have to purchase some for the office. Perhaps, as an art lover, you can help me pick out some pieces that wouldn’t clash together terribly?”

He sent her his most winning smile, hoping that would endear her enough to help him out. He could use it. Jean was the one who decorated the office for a reason. He was terrible at judging what went together. He just went with it, usually not having much cause to even notice. He didn’t even think the office needed new art, but again, he was trying to get the pretty lady to stick around with him for the evening.

And, after all, it was for charity.

[JANE EYRE]

“I’m not much of an art lover, but I firmly believe in charity, especially when it helps wonderful children. That was exactly what I said when I was asked to attend.”

"For some reason, I sincerely doubt that you said exactly that when you received your invitation." Jane smiled at Zander, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying a little. "And I firmly believe that everyone is an art lover, they just don't know it. I think it's because they have such a narrow view of what art is. Art is everything, it's in everything. Singing, dressing, cooking, drawing, talking, and so on. It's all art. You just need to look at it from the right angle."

“I do think that some of this art is pretty good, though. I may have to purchase some for the office. Perhaps, as an art lover, you can help me pick out some pieces that wouldn’t clash together terribly?”

"I would love to. There aren't any rules about what goes together, it's all about taste." Jane walked slowly along the wall and stopped in front of a meticulously hand drawn, eight foot long panoramic view of the slums. "Something like this would be the show stopper, something that should be front and center and in a room alone."

She moved a little further down and pointed a handful of harsh, almost graffiti like portraits. "These would be displayed three at most in a room. They probably aren't best for an office because they're....intense but for a home? Certainly. In three's. You need an open wall so they can breath."

Turning, she just pointed to watercolors across the room. "I'd recommend those for a meeting room or hallway. They're inviting without being smothering and have a calming color scheme. The panoramic I showed you, I would put in your personal office. It's a strong, powerful piece."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

"For some reason, I sincerely doubt that you said exactly that when you received your invitation."

Zander couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. Oh, she was a sharp one, this Janet. If she knew him better, he wouldn’t get away with anything, he was sure.

"And I firmly believe that everyone is an art lover, they just don't know it. I think it's because they have such a narrow view of what art is. Art is everything, it's in everything. Singing, dressing, cooking, drawing, talking, and so on. It's all art. You just need to look at it from the right angle."

He considered her words for a long moment. He had always considered his cooking art, and now she was suggesting he was right. Well, this was a night for surprises.

"I would love to. There aren't any rules about what goes together, it's all about taste."

He followed Julie as she walked slowly along the wall. He was watching her, not the art, intrigued by her concentration. When she stopped, he had to remind himself to look at the art. The one she was standing in front of was a long drawing of one of the poorer neighborhoods in the city.

"Something like this would be the show stopper, something that should be front and center and in a room alone."

He was inclined to agree. It was the only piece he’d seen so far that was to his own tastes. He liked sketches like this one, hand drawings where you could see the effort the artist put into the work. It was a good piece.

The next paintings, not so much. They looked like something he could have taken a picture of off the side of a train car.

"These would be displayed three at most in a room. They probably aren't best for an office because they're....intense but for a home? Certainly. In three's. You need an open wall so they can breathe."

Breathe they would – outside by the dumpster.

"I'd recommend those for a meeting room or hallway. They're inviting without being smothering and have a calming color scheme.” she pointed out some water color paintings across the room before glancing back at the piece he liked. “The panoramic I showed you, I would put in your personal office. It's a strong, powerful piece."

“That it would,” he agreed. “I have a wall this would be perfect on.”

He had some painting of a gator there that Sidda picked out. He didn’t like it – it always felt like it was moving when he wasn’t watching it. This drawing wouldn’t worry him. If the buildings moved, well, at least they wouldn’t eat him.

“As for the water colors, I could see them in the office, but the graffiti styled ones may just clash too much with the professional air my sister decorated the place with,” he explained.

Where Sidda had free range in his office, Jean had been in charge of the rest of the building. His personal space was much more relaxed and didn’t match the rest of the building, but he liked it. Everything except the gator painting...Just thinking about it made him want to jump on this one.

“I should pay for that long one now – before someone else does. Do you know if they take cheques?” He was already reaching into his breast pocket, watching his companion. She seemed much more knowledgeable, so he was sure she would know about this, too.

He was really lucky he’d run into Judy or Jennifer...Janet...? Her. Yes, he was lucky he’d met her.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane figured the graffiti pieces would be a little too strong for an office but she liked them so of course she would recommend them. It was wonderful to hear that he was interested in the major piece though. She knew it would be hard to sell because of its size and the air of the piece. It was too intense for most people.

“I should pay for that long one now – before someone else does. Do you know if they take cheques?”

"Yes, we do in fact. You can make it out to the name of the artist by way of the charity. Make sure to include the title of the work on the cheque so our records can be kept clean"

Jane took her purse and searched through it for a moment to pull out a sample cheque that she carried around. She was warned by her financial advisers that everything needed to be filled out the same with every cheque so Jane carried around what it should look like.

Passing it over to Zander, Jane told him that it should look exactly like that.

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

"Yes, we do in fact. You can make it out to the name of the artist by way of the charity. Make sure to include the title of the work on the cheque so our records can be kept clean"

Zander frowned, pulling out his company chequebook. That did seem like a lot to keep straight. And since he had no idea what the name of the charity was, he was going to need a hand with this. He was about to holler for Jeffry when she pulled a cheque from her purse. It was a sample cheque, filled out as an example. If he doubted she worked for the charity before, he was sure she did now.

“Thanks,” he offered, taking the cheque and setting it down on the nearest table so he could copy the information.

Finding that the sum was too low for the piece, he added another hundred dollars, thinking it would make the artist’s day. He finally signed his Zander Devereux on the appropriate line, carefully pulling the cheque from its friends and offered it to Jenny.

“I trust you’ll pass along my praise to the artist? And make sure they accept the entire sum.”

Honestly, it was nowhere near how much he could have spent at the event, and he enjoyed being surprising. He did intend to make a donation to the charity itself, so he supposed the evening was still young. He took a sip from his drink, glancing over his lovely companion again, thinking that it was too bad she was smart – otherwise, his night could have ended in a very pleasing way.

“Perhaps if he or she is interested, we could talk commission work.”

He may not have known much about art, but he knew everything about business, and enough about impressing pretty women to get by.

[JANE EYRE]

“I trust you’ll pass along my praise to the artist? And make sure they accept the entire sum.”

Jane took the check and saw that it was higher than the asked price and smiled brightly. "I promise they'll accept the entire sum." She knew the artist from when she worked at the high school. They wouldn't turn down any extra money, they needed it so badly.

“Perhaps if he or she is interested, we could talk commission work.”

"I can pass along your contact information to them, certainly. I'm sure they would love to be commissioned." Doing commissions were frowned upon by some artists but when doing a commission could help put food on the table or pay for medication, an artist wasn't that picky. Jane knew, she had been there before.

"And, I should have done this earlier, but thank you for coming out to our first event. We're a fledgling charity but we hope we can make a big difference in some lives. And thank you for purchasing a piece. Young artists always needs encouragement."

[ZANDER “ZEUS” DEVEREUX]

Zander allowed himself a small smile when Janice smiled brightly after reading his cheque.

"I promise they'll accept the entire sum."

Excellent. He hated when his gestures were refused, especially when they could do some good. He imagined that many of the artists were in need of funds. All artists seemed to be. That was why he had so kindly added the commission work to it.

"I can pass along your contact information to them, certainly. I'm sure they would love to be commissioned."

“Of course. My name, company address, and phone number are all on the contact card,” he pointed out helpfully. He carried business cards, as well, and never passed up an opportunity to pull them out. “As well, here is my card.”

"And, I should have done this earlier, but thank you for coming out to our first event. We're a fledgling charity but we hope we can make a big difference in some lives. And thank you for purchasing a piece. Young artists always needs encouragement."

“I firmly believe that all young people need encouragement, and if I get the opportunity for new art in my office, who am I to complain?” he grinned. “I wasn’t sure if you worked for the charity or not. Do you volunteer or are you on the payroll?”

He had some inkling that she may have worked for the charity, seeing as how she paid him special attention. He was handsome, so he was used to it, but it was always nice to have a pretty woman spending time with you out of the goodness of her heart, as well.

[JANE EYRE]

“Of course. My name, company address, and phone number are all on the contact card,”

Jane folded the check around the card and gave a small nod. "Of course. I'll pass it along as well."

“I firmly believe that all young people need encouragement, and if I get the opportunity for new art in my office, who am I to complain?”

She had to laugh at that. "That's not a bad attitude to have." She appreciated it when someone saw that their interests aligned with another's and used it for good. If he could furnish his house and a young artist could eat that night, why not do both? It was such a wonderful thing when helping other's out became its own reward. That often mean that more people were willing to do it then.

“I wasn’t sure if you worked for the charity or not. Do you volunteer or are you on the payroll?”

"You...can say that I'm on the payroll. I actually own the charity. My name's Jane Eyre, it was on the invitation." Jane smiled to herself and wondered if everyone she was going to meet wouldn't know that she was the owner. She knew that she was young and maybe she overestimated the power of a name. Eyre wasn't anything remarkable so it wasn't like it would be easy to remember; not like Devereux was anyways.