job but not the current situation.”
“No,” said Austin. “You don’t like the fact that you could be doing much more than you are, and it’s just not happening. Hey, I’m not trying to tell you how to run your life, but the more you tell me, the more I can see it. I don’t think you’ve been nurtured to grow in your job. I also don’t think that you’ve been challenged, and what has suffered the most is your confidence and your sense of accomplishment.”
Madeline again wiped her eyes with a napkin. It was clear to the waiter, who was waiting for the best opportunity to deliver the menus, that now was not the time.
Austin said, “Let me tell you a little secret, Madeline. Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are not self-made. Almost everyone gets help from the people around them, and your problem is that you have not had the benefit of a mentor or anyone on your side. As of now, I would like to be one of your mentors.”
Madeline took a deep breath and looked into Austin’s smiling eyes. Who is this man? she thought to herself. She had no answer to his question, but she assumed that it was good fortune that had brought her an ally and a friend. Madeline felt empowered. Whatever happened, her new friend Austin would protect her and help her fight her battles.
She said, “I asked you to dinner because I wanted someone to talk to, but I’m so sorry I made a mess of your napkin.”
“They have more. Now, let’s get some dinner.”
Austin took the menu from the waiter and then looked at Madeline. Her face was in her hands, and her long blonde hair hung down over her hands. Austin felt himself being drawn in.
“Hey, this menu is only in French,” said Austin with surprise.
After allowing Madeline to order for both of them, Austin had one more question. “Does Badeau have a problem with you working with me, and is my working with you hurting your situation?
“Well, right now I don’t think he is overly happy with your arrival.”
“Me? I am just as nice as I can be,” said Austin with a laugh. “This is juicy. What did he say?”
“Actually, he didn’t mention a specific problem with you personally, but he wishes you were not here. I think the problem is that you have the ear of the managing director. I’ll keep my ears open, but I think he just wants you to go away. I think you say in English that you are rocking the boat or maybe embarrassing him.”
“Your friend Badeau is a joke. I am sorry to say that, because the museum deserves someone better in that position. Regardless of what he says or what he does, he will not be an obstacle for me. I just don’t want any problems for you. I’ve done a little research, and the problem isn’t going to be Badeau. Originally I thought the biggest problem was going to be the Catholic Church, as I told Vassar. Today, however, Vassar dropped a bomb on me when he said that I must now also worry about some national trust thing. The problem the Church has—and the art world has—is that the problem is too big. I did a little research, and back in 1989 the Church established the Commission for the Preservation of the Artistic and Historical Patrimony of the Church. It was a move in the right direction, but I don’t think they are up to the task. There has also been some discussion about the UN getting involved, but I wouldn’t expect that collection of clowns to do anything right. When Vassar gets back, I want to talk to him about talking with the Church. I also have to learn about how to deal with the monument trust or whatever it is, and I have to start thinking about a budget for this project, and who I’m going to hit for the money, and what the project really is.”
“Badeau was talking about your money,” said Madeline.
“My money?”
“After you left his office this afternoon, he told me two things. First, that if I helped you, I still had to do my other tasks. I’m also supposed to find out how to get you
“No,” said Austin. “You don’t like the fact that you could be doing much more than you are, and it’s just not happening. Hey, I’m not trying to tell you how to run your life, but the more you tell me, the more I can see it. I don’t think you’ve been nurtured to grow in your job. I also don’t think that you’ve been challenged, and what has suffered the most is your confidence and your sense of accomplishment.”
Madeline again wiped her eyes with a napkin. It was clear to the waiter, who was waiting for the best opportunity to deliver the menus, that now was not the time.
Austin said, “Let me tell you a little secret, Madeline. Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world are not self-made. Almost everyone gets help from the people around them, and your problem is that you have not had the benefit of a mentor or anyone on your side. As of now, I would like to be one of your mentors.”
Madeline took a deep breath and looked into Austin’s smiling eyes. Who is this man? she thought to herself. She had no answer to his question, but she assumed that it was good fortune that had brought her an ally and a friend. Madeline felt empowered. Whatever happened, her new friend Austin would protect her and help her fight her battles.
She said, “I asked you to dinner because I wanted someone to talk to, but I’m so sorry I made a mess of your napkin.”
“They have more. Now, let’s get some dinner.”
Austin took the menu from the waiter and then looked at Madeline. Her face was in her hands, and her long blonde hair hung down over her hands. Austin felt himself being drawn in.
“Hey, this menu is only in French,” said Austin with surprise.
After allowing Madeline to order for both of them, Austin had one more question. “Does Badeau have a problem with you working with me, and is my working with you hurting your situation?
“Well, right now I don’t think he is overly happy with your arrival.”
“Me? I am just as nice as I can be,” said Austin with a laugh. “This is juicy. What did he say?”
“Actually, he didn’t mention a specific problem with you personally, but he wishes you were not here. I think the problem is that you have the ear of the managing director. I’ll keep my ears open, but I think he just wants you to go away. I think you say in English that you are rocking the boat or maybe embarrassing him.”
“Your friend Badeau is a joke. I am sorry to say that, because the museum deserves someone better in that position. Regardless of what he says or what he does, he will not be an obstacle for me. I just don’t want any problems for you. I’ve done a little research, and the problem isn’t going to be Badeau. Originally I thought the biggest problem was going to be the Catholic Church, as I told Vassar. Today, however, Vassar dropped a bomb on me when he said that I must now also worry about some national trust thing. The problem the Church has—and the art world has—is that the problem is too big. I did a little research, and back in 1989 the Church established the Commission for the Preservation of the Artistic and Historical Patrimony of the Church. It was a move in the right direction, but I don’t think they are up to the task. There has also been some discussion about the UN getting involved, but I wouldn’t expect that collection of clowns to do anything right. When Vassar gets back, I want to talk to him about talking with the Church. I also have to learn about how to deal with the monument trust or whatever it is, and I have to start thinking about a budget for this project, and who I’m going to hit for the money, and what the project really is.”
“Badeau was talking about your money,” said Madeline.
“My money?”
“After you left his office this afternoon, he told me two things. First, that if I helped you, I still had to do my other tasks. I’m also supposed to find out how to get you
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