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The Gallery opened doors at 7 for the hop, but that was for mostly plebeian interest and family ordeals. Those in the know or in the invite from the hop knew to take the unobtrusive olive servants' door of the old converted Victorian to the third floor where the private opening for Mr. Spencer's works was convening at 9.

Stroud showed at 10, an easy saunter up to the artist in her Metallica metallic jacquard and hand-tatted lace off-the-shoulder maxidress to present him a bottle of 2001 Conundrum and a kiss on either cheek. "I'm delighted you've struck out from the studio work you were doing over at Chihuly. Your own voice and all that. "

"I worried you wouldn't show. I even made a special gift for you, " Spencer held out a palm sized velvet for her, then read his bottle while she juggled clutch and gift. "Without the shipping costs, I couldn't have brought so much for the show."

Stroud pulled out a hand blow pipe stem of glass and clapped it over her chest with a practiced smile, "Perfect, merci beaucoup, Spencer. I see the red bottles are cracked already, and everyone is milling. Any special fishing? And don't open that bottle until we're on the cough together at Complin...what...2am? "

Spencer motioned, not pointed, to the guests milling around at the private works and chatting over the private works that were displayed for exclusive sale that she didn't know-not many. Then she picked out the walking Colgate ad from everyone's favourite broadcast. "Is that Swagster from the TV? He's not here scooping is he? "
Spencer made a face, "Gauche, if that. No, I don't think so."

"Well then, I suppose I have my chance to figure out if he's really sponsored by Crest Whitening, " she bonked the artist lightly on the chin with her gift, took a drink from a passing waiter's tray with a flourish and moved to cross the floor to see this...Tag.

"You've been around at a few parties, but I've never had the opportunity to make acquaintance. Marinus, " She set her clutch and gift down on a nearby cushioned bench, not giving up her own wine glass, and held out her freed hand. "Tag Swagger, I believe it was? Reporter?"

She lifted an eyebrow at the camera perfect grin, "I can't say as I've seen you at the artist's workshop. " Which then begged the question if the reporter was here for the art or for some other reason. An invite from another socialite? Making connections? Crack fan of glasswork? The plot thickened.

Television reporters were almost always recognized, unless specifically doing something to hinder it. Mr. Swagger wasn't sporting new facial hair, wearing sunglasses at night or any other ridiculous low-key effort. Plainly a ruse.

"The wine or the women?" Which are you really here for, she lifted her glass and drew it all in a single, long go, before setting it down on a near raised tray for the empties. "because the real wine doesn't come out for a few hours and about then is when the pretties start heading home to puke up the night's calories before they absorb. "

"Do you know the name of the artist showing? I'll wager you a bottle of Douro port if you can tell me where he learned his craft."

"Both is the best answer really, " She nursed her drink pointedly. "So whats your type...brunettes with Champagne? Blue eyes, long legs and Amarone?"

Needing a refresher on an artists name when you were at their gallery opening to begin with was bleak. "Your hunch as wrong as your technique then. Apprenticeships, dear poser, apprenticeships are still very much alive and well in the studio arts. Maybe you should be reporting instead of noshing...more likely to impress the local cadre."

Don't trouble about the Douro, pet, probably doesn't even know what that is or where to buy it. But there was no point in being wholly disappointed yet. He has such a big mouth. There's a pretty good likelihood he can do something with it.

"That.....was a smooth transition, " She tipped her glass in recognition- a stand in for a bow of the head. Not missing a beat between commentary and sliding that pass for company right. on. in. "And may have earned at least some thing. We can see how 'personal'. "

"Don't abandon your words, just yet, they've brought me so far. How else will chain of flowers be fit unless tied a strand, picked flowers as words one by one, long to lead beyond."

"Let's start over here. We're getting near empty and there's a peon with a tray of Chateau Giscours over there you should try if you aren't already familiar. Spencer doesn't actually know a thing about wine, he's mostly single malt kinda guy. The Gallery owner, though, has a sub with Wine Enthusiast and Spectator, so they mashed heads for a little and came up with a decent grocery list pulled of the ratings chart. "

The pieces near to the waiter in question were sprays of cobalt and cadmium blown glass with patterns of suspension from clear wire like murders met BODIES: The Exhibition sections made of glass. "All the violence in the news today...touches some artists. These are certainly striking, but a bit too literal. Bread and butter sales for those who aren't into the really brainy conceptual stuff. "