Treading Waters|(fagin)FINISHED

[JANE EYRE]

Jane was very much at ease walking the streets of the Bronx for the second time, her arms laden with pieces of art. She had a couple pieces in her folder but had one, much larger piece, rolled up under her arm. It had been a bit awkward on the subway but Jane felt it was worth it. She was finally making money off of her art and that was worth the world to her. Even if it was just a humble shop in a less than ideal part of town, Jane felt as if she had succeeded on the greatest of levels. She was no longer just an art teacher with a hobby of painting.

Jane was an artist.

Jane smiled to herself as she neared Mr. Fagin's shop. He was such a pleasant person, polite and kind. Not at all what Jane was used to when it came to vendors. And he spoke English, unlike Hans who sold blankets down the street from her apartment who only spoke German. Or the Yiddish couple who sold painted eggs. Mr. Fagin made it seem like he had time for her even though Jane was almost positive that he was a busy man. He had to be, owning his own business.

When she reached the shop, Jane opened the door without hesitation this time and crossed the threshold with a little more confidence than she usually possessed. She didn't have to worry about impressing him as much as she had the last time, he was already a buyer. And Jane didn't have to worry about him liking her since he already seemed to. It was nice to be in a situation for once, where there wasn't that sort of pressure of a good first impression.

"Hello Mr. Fagin," Jane greeted as she walked in. "I've brought more art, as planned,"

(ooc: Jane's a little delusional about Fagin's character lol)

[fagin]

"I ain't gonna ask you again! Where's my b***** money?"

"I've told you about five times already, my dear, I haven't got it yet!"

"Well b***** h*** you'd better hurry up an' get it or I'll wring yer scraggy old neck! Do I make m'self clear?"

"Crystal. We'll discuss this tommorow, alright? Porozmawiamy o tym jutro?"

Fagin sometimes slipped into Polish when he was agitated or afraid, such as at the Capulet Ball when faced with Eponine's wrath. But returning to the current situation; one of his less than amicable criminal acquaintances had turned up at the shop unexpectedly, before the usual time for the main shop to be shut and the illegal one opened, to demand payment for goods he'd brought in from a robbery the week before.

Despite having sold quite a bit of the stuff off, Fagin had yet to scrape together the amount of cash he needed to pay the man back. And therein lay the problem.

The man raised an eyebrow at his companion's slip of the tongue; he hated not having a clue what the sneaky old git was on about. However he nodded and made his way out of the back door, muttering derisively about having to deal with Fagin as the door slammed behind him.

Fagin heaved a sigh of relief. One more day to get the cash together. He glanced idly at his watch...a minute past five. He only just managed to prevent himself from shouting his acquaintance's phrase of choice as he heard the front door to the shop open.

Straightening his jacket and ensuring he looked at least somewhat respectable, Fagin exited the back room and locked the door behind him before turning to face Jane, his expression changing from anxious to ecstatic in an instant.

"My dear Miss Eyre!" he crowed. "A pleasure to see you again, my dear, a pleasure!"

He approached her to inspect the new artworks, his grin growing wider at the idea of having more of them to sell. The last ones had gone surprisingly quickly considering the admittedly hefty price he'd charged for them. This he explained to Jane, his good humour increased tenfold now it was her here rather than his other 'colleague'. He found himself hoping Jane hadn't heard any of that exchange from when she'd entered the shop.

(ooc: She is. XD All the more entertaining for me; I love dramatic irony! ^___^)

[JANE EYRE]

"Did I come at a bad time?" Jane asked. She had heard some strong words said in strong tones coming from the back of the shop but Mr. Fagin seemed so unaffected by it. Surely if he was so calm about it then it mustn't be that bad. Especially when he started talking about how quickly the other two paintings had sold. Jane was quite honestly surprised by that. She had thought that perhaps they would sell eventually, but certainly not quickly.

Jane sat down the folder as well as the rolled up canvas on the nearest flat surface and started to prepare to show them. She liked these pieces far more than the other two she had shown earlier because Jane didn't like the overwhelming sense of gloom in them. she couldn't deny that they were striking, but they were too gruesome for her current mood. The two paintings she had were more ethereal and done in lighter colors with a lighter tough and the the third piece was a charcoal drawing that Jane considered to be a self portrait. Hopefully Mr. Fagin would like these even though they were so different from the other two.

[fagin]

"Did I come at a bad time?"

D***. She had heard.

"Oh no, no, not at all," Fagin replied airily with a dismissive wave of his hand. "The chap's just a grouch and he hates when I speak Polish."

Shaking his head in a somewhat despairing manner, Fagin turned his attention to the three works of art that Jane had on display for him. The first two were much lighter in colour than the last and a lot more...cheerful somehow. Less macabre. He doubted relatively cheerful paintings would sell well in this part of town but decided not to dishearten Jane by telling her so. If they didn't sell he could just keep them for himself.

Then again, he really hoped they would sell. After all, paintings being sold meant more cash for him...and, admittedly, cash to pay back his robber friends.

The third wasn't a painting at all but a drawing instead; if Fagin wasn't mistaken, a likeness of the artist herself. The older man glanced from Jane to the drawing and back again, seeing the resemblance more and more.

"These will sell well I'm sure, my dear," he said with another smile. "Particularly this drawing. Very accurate, very real."

This was high praise or flattery depending on how one chose to perceive it, considering Fagin didn't have the first clue about art.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane blinked in mild surprise when Mr. Fagin shared that he spoke Polish and she voiced that surprise. It wasn't unusual for people to speak more than language, Jane knew that, but Polish seemed awful random. But who was she to talk, she knew bits and pieces of French for no reason besides the fact that her boarding school required it of her. She enjoyed her time at her alma mater, but Jane didn't understand the purpose of much of what she was taught. Like piano. Jane had to learn piano even though she was relatively mediocre at it.

"I thought I would bring something a little different from the other two, if you don't mind. If you aren't that fond of these, I have more like the first ones," Jane noticed a glimmer of something in Mr. Fagin's eyes when he saw the two lighter pieces and doubted herself and her choice instantly. Even though he said they would sell well, Jane couldn't help but think that there was something wrong. All the gains she had with her confidence as an artist disappeared almost immediately. The self-portrait would sell well, certainly, but what of the paintings?

[fagin]

Fagin chuckled as Jane voiced her surprise at his speaking Polish, explaining that in fact he himself was Polish and had moved to New York with his parents when he was a child. He wondered that she hadn't noticed his slight accent but then he figured it was almost indistinguishable now, as he'd lived in the Bronx for so long.

"I thought I would bring something a little different from the other two, if you don't mind. If you aren't that fond of these, I have more like the first ones,"

Jane's tone was worried, and Fagin got the impression he'd somehow given away something he hadn't meant to with reference to the paintings. Had she somehow noticed the falsity of his assurance they would sell well?

"There's no need to fret, my dear..." he said, in acknowledgement of her tone. "Different is good. If things were all the same life would be very predictable and dull, no? I don't mind at all."

Of course he didn't mind. Anything that would sell was fine by him.

"Tell you what. If by the next time you come they haven't sold, as you fear, I'll buy them for myself. My place could use a little sprucing up."

He gave Jane a warm smile. His place was in fact the two small rooms above the shop with hardly enough space for him, let alone these paintings. But what Miss Eyre didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

[JANE EYRE]

"Oh you don't have to do that, Mr. Fagin," Jane's mind worked to find another solution. If they hadn't sold, surely she could just buy them back. That way Mr. Fagin wouldn't lose any money. Or, they could just trade the paintings out for two others. The situation wasn't bad at all, even though Jane had thought it was in one, panicky moment. Jane calmed herself and reminded herself that she was smart young woman and that she could figure it out.

Jane explained her thoughts to Mr. Fagin about what they could do instead of him buying them. He was already being far too kind in just purchasing them in the first place. He needn't set himself back any amount of money for her as well. After all, if she was struggling to pay rent with a steady job, he must be having some problems too since his income was based off of how well things sold.

There was no stability in that.

Jane had already made a note after the last meeting to pray for Mr. Fagin when she went to Mass. Prayers never hurt, they only helped. And Mr. Fagin deserved something in return for his kindness.

[fagin]

"Oh you don't have to do that, Mr. Fagin,"

Fagin smiled, somewhat hesitantly, as Jane spoke, coming up with suggestions and ways whereby he wouldn't have to part with more money then necessary. She could simply return with different paintings, or if they didn't sell she would buy them back off him herself.

"That's very kind of you my dear," he said at last, when Jane had finished speaking, looking once more from the paintings to her and back again. "But honestly, I don't think they'll be any trouble. What I said was merely a suggestion for if they were. I happen to know a fellow who specializes in paintings...he snapped up the last two very quickly. But if you're so unsure about them you can bring in some others...either way, it's up to you. You're the artist here, my dear, not me."


ooc: Good grief, she's going to pray for him. If only she knew. XD Then again it's probably good that she doesn't. =P

[JANE EYRE]

"Well, if you're sure Mr. Fagin," Jane smiled hesitantly. "I don't want to put you back any, but if you're sure that some one will be interested," Jane shrugged her shoulders. "I am confident in my paintings, they're just so different from the other ones," Jane looked over at the soft water colors fondly. They would sell, certainly. Even the most dark minded individuals needed some sort of happiness and light. Perhaps these paintings, in their yellows and pinks and robin's egg blues would be that sort of joy to someone who had looked at the other paintings and felt reality bearing down harshly upon them.

"And, I do have more things, if that fellow you know would be interested in buying directly or commission something," Jane wouldn't let herself get her hopes up. She was lucky enough to have found Mr. Fagin to buy her work. The chances of someone else doing the same was so unlikely. The truth of life was that Jane would probably never be featured in a gallery. That was okay with her. She was much more concerned about making rent and making art. And that was enough for her.

[fagin]

"Well, if you're sure Mr. Fagin...I don't want to put you back any, but if you're sure that some one will be interested,"

"Never fear my dear, you're not putting me back any at all, I assure you," Fagin said, still smiling. "And I'm certain this fellow, if not others will be interested. Your work is admirable, my dear."

"I am confident in my paintings, they're just so different from the other ones,"

"You should be confident in them, my dear," Fagin said, unsure as to the foundation for Jane's worries. Her paintings were excellent and the other two had sold well; if these were of a more upbeat and cheerful nature, so what? It was good to have variety.

"And, I do have more things, if that fellow you know would be interested in buying directly or commission something,"

"Now there's a thought," Fagin said, although his smile faltered a little. The man buying directly or commissioning meant less cash for him. "I'll get in touch with him, shall I, and ask him about it? I reckon he'd be interested."

He didn't particularly want to contact the man, but then he needed to come across in the best light to Jane...

[JANE EYRE]

"Thank you," Jane smiled a bit brighter than before. For once, it didn't feel like she was on her own or surrounded by enemies. She was making money independently with kind faces around her. Mr. Fagin was one kind face though it was one of business.

"You've been very generous, Mr. Fagin. I wish I could return the favor somehow," Jane said. She never wanted charity or help in return for nothing. She never had and never would. And there was certainly no reason for her to start. Of all the things Jane had learned in her time in boarding school, never take anything for granted.

It had been a lesson she clung to in England and it was one that she still held close to her heart. "Is there anything I can do?" Jane asked even though she highly suspected Mr. Fagin to brush off the offer, all manners and gentile words.

[fagin]

"Thank you. You've been very generous, Mr. Fagin. I wish I could return the favor somehow,"

Fagin smiled wryly and shook his head. He wasn't being generous at all, not really. This was just how he worked, this was his business. He needed things to sell, Jane was providing them. Therefore he was kind to her. And so the world went round. He had been on the brink of thanking her, when he realized thanks could be passed between them all evening, rather than coming to any conclusion.

"Is there anything I can do?"

If the older man had been surprised at her calling him generous, Jane's inquiry as to whether there was any way she could help him was even more shocking. All he had done was buy her paintings, for goodness sake!

Unaware of Jane's thoughts as to how he would reply, he unknowingly fulfilled the role she had assumed he would take.

"There's not anything you could do that I'm aware of, my dear... Just keep bringing me paintings...that's all I ask of you."

[JANE EYRE]

As expected, Mr. Fagin turned down her offer. It was what she was anticipating. Really, it was probably a good thing for Jane. She had nothing to offer him in return.

Just paintings.

"Alright," Jane nodded her head and played with her hands. "So...how much for these then?" Jane didn't want to sound like she was too focused on the money but she needed it. She really, really needed it. Her refridgerator had stopped working and her superattendent wasn't obligated to fix it. It was in the lease she had signed. So, this sell needed to cover that extra bit for rent as well as a repair. Possibly even a new unit all together.

[fagin]

Fagin nodded as Jane said 'Alright,'. He was pleased with her offer of course he was, but even if there was something...if she became more involved with him than she already was, there was the risk that she would find out who he truly was... With that, of course, came the risk their business dealings would come to an end. And Fagin couldn't have that, not when things between them were going so well.

"How much for these then indeed," he said, tapping a gloved finger against his chin in thought. "I'll give you sixty each for the two paintings and...seventy five for the drawing. Will that be sufficient, my dear?"

He certainly hoped it would be; it wasn't as though he had much in the till. He'd have to go to the back room and get the rest of the cash; he was certain the till only had a couple of twenty dollar bills at most. And going into the back room, he thought, might arouse suspicion in his young companion.

[JANE EYRE]

Jane did the math quickly in her head and $190 seemed like a fair enough price. She nodded at the amount even though her current situation demanded more than that. Jane supposed she could cope without a refrigerator for a week's time, or maybe more. It would just mean no milk or vegetables or meat and really, that would be cheaper. Buying only canned and boxed goods would be an easy way to save some money she supposed. It wouldn't be healthy at all, but it would only be for a little while. And as long as Jane had a roof over her head and a bathroom to herself, she would be happy enough. Not comfortable per SE, but happy enough.

"That will indeed, be sufficient," Jane said with a small tilt of her head. It would be enough for rent and that was sufficient for the simple artist.