“Brother John is in “James said sticking his head round the door and speaking to Bette who was working on the exhibition she was planning for the summer. Bette pretended she hadn’t heard him and got on with finishing her train of thought in a document she used to record all her notes and thoughts and remarks about the exhibition. It helped to clarify her thoughts and she was less likely to lose the document that she was with random pieces of paper.
“Would you like to see him?” James persisted. Bette kept on writing – James grinned. He entered the room and stood with his arms crossed. This was a battle of wills and while he might seem the outsider in any battle of mental strength with the formidable Bette Porter he also knew how to cheat – it was the only way to get the better of her and make her react.

“He is looking fetching in a knitted cape over his robe – he is also wearing sandals and I can report he hasn’t had his toe nails cut for several months.
“Oh for fucks sake James “Bette said loudly
“Now – now – no swearing while our holy man is in the gallery and looking for a gift or two”
Bette exhaled “I do not need this today James “
“You think I do? You think my day is sitting around planning what shirt and tie to wear for my bosses wedding in ten days? I have things to do – I know you like to make out that I am some sort of dilettante but I do actually put in a shift and a half for my wages”
James delivered the speech with real feeling which made Bette smile
“Yes James – I know you work your socks off and I am more than aware of everything you do for me and for my family. You are not just an employee James – you are a good and true friend”
James hadn’t expected Bette to reply in that way and he was taken aback by how genuine she had sounded. He gave her a look
“That was from the heart “Bette said “I don’t tell you often enough how much I value you and your opinions and all your hard work”
James raised an eyebrow “Do you think that speech gets you out of coming and seeing the Brother?”
Bette burst out laughing “You mean it didn’t?”
“No sister it most certainly did not – he likes you – he thinks you have a positive aura”
Bette sighed and saved her exhibition document
“Why does he like this gallery? There are other galleries – there must be a hundred or more. I could personally recommend him to several”
“I was running some figures for the Christmas party and the cards and everything – up to September which was the last time he was in he has spent over $30,000 here”
Bette whistled “Really?”
“Yes – I know he’s eccentric but he’s also a millionaire – his average spend with us is never less than $20,000 – so that rather means he’s here with his cheque book and you know he spends more when you are being intellectual with him”
“If you make the sales you get the commission “Bette tried one last time.
“
“Some things are worth more than money “he replied knowing that he had Bette caught in the nets and now time to reel her in.
“Do I have to?”
“He likes you more than he likes me – and is the sort who like to deal with the organ grinder and not the monkey “
Bette exhaled “Oh God – what the hell have I done to deserve a visit from Brother John”
“It will give you something to tell Tina”
“Tina is with Mary “
“Does she ever spend any time at home?”
“Not much – she comes up about once a week and sometimes she stays the night but she doesn’t like to leave Jack”
“How do they feel about the wedding?”
“I think they are genuinely looking forward to seeing their daughter exchanging vows with her partner- it’s another thing they are going to experience that they didn’t think they would”
James nodded “Are you coming out to see Brother John “
“If I must “
“You must and you know you will enjoy it “
“I wouldn’t go as far as saying that I will enjoy it but I run a business and I cannot turn money away just because he is a little odd “
Bette pulled herself up to her full height and strolled out to do some selling.