A Fight For Dominance

George Darling

Every business owner needs a lawyer. This is common sense, thought Ed. He was right, as he were about many things. Protecting his company, his gallery and his art was the right thing to do. And it was always his top priority. Who wouldn't want to do that if they had the opportunity? It wasn't going to be cheap, and Ed knew this very well. Because he had done all the research there is to do about legal matters. So in the end, he found a list of lawyers he thought to be suiting. But who to choose? A question that would answer itself in time.

Surrounded by the usual mess of a painter; canvases, paint, and dirty paper towels, he picked up the phone and began spinning the wheel. He talked to several of them without being too impressed. Ed needed someone who was aware of how much his art was worth, how the art market worked. Apparently this was hard to find, which surprised him. Maybe they were all busy? After dialling a handful of numbers, he couldn't help but think he should be looking elsewhere. He could call some friends, but no, it would be better to be secretive. The artist trusted his friends to a great extent, but this was different. It was about safety, the future. Yes, the future. So he decided that he should take his time with finding this lawyer. In the end, when the time was right, the pieces would fall into place. That, he deserved.

Wide, open windows surrounded Ed as he came out of his atelier, his blue polo covered in reds and yellows and browns. He didn't care much about his looks, and it didn't matter that people saw him covered in paint. It was in his nature to be. And his friends were mostly artists or people who bought and sold art. The sun was setting now, filling his modern apartment with an astonishing, calming shade of red. The blinds were never down, ever. Hiding was his least favourite thing, and being an artist it was important to see the colours and development of the outside world. He could hide as much as he wanted when locked up in the atelier. But of course he had big windows for walls in there too.

There was one friend thought.. thought Ed. A friend who would understand and not ask too many questions. Was it worth it? If he couldn't find someone himself, he would definitely have to ask for help. Even if he believed that if something was going to happen, it would happen. One day he decided to ask a friend for recommendations. Technically, he wasn't a friend, more of a teacher, but it didn't matter. He told Ed to call someone with a strange name.

"George Darling?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes, yes. He's cold, but quite a good lawyer," replied his friend, "yes, a good lawyer"

"Alright, how can I meet this man?"

"Well" he began, "I know him personally, I'll figure it out"

This he didn't like, "Figure it out?"

"You see, he's quite selective" informed the friend, "You have enough money for him, but you might want to look the part too"

Ed was used to hearing this, it didn't offend him anymore. His hair was always messy, paint everywhere, and he didn't spend his money on clothes. Why would he? People wanted to meet him for his art, not for the way he looked.

"Fine, fine" he lied, and the conversation ended.

Ed had no interest in changing his raggedy look for some "selective lawyer". Why would he? His 25 years of fame had nothing to do with his fashion sense. At times, he did admit he looked a bit older than he was. At 48 he had to be sort of careful with his beard, which was the only thing he actually cared to look after properly. Other than that, he spent most his energy on parties, painting, and other satisfactory activities. The third surprisingly taking up more and more of his time as he got older.

The painter agreed to meet this "selective" lawyer. Not because he thought he was worth his time, but because he was desperate to find someone good. So anyone was worth at least talking to. He didn't care about the price, or how horrible the lawyer could be personality-wise. All he needed was someone who could make good deals, and take care of his gallery.