Jenn Vesperman (jenn@simegen.com)
Assignment One
1,800 words
Theme

1. Martin's hand clasped the letter too tightly, crumpling it, as he walked up to the old manor house. Walked. Thanks to Suze, he couldn't even afford a taxi from the airport. He paused at the doorway and brushed the dust from his shoes, pulled out a mirror and inspected his hair, his grooming. Then he knocked.
   He was expecting an old man. He was not expecting a handsome one, tall and elegant, walking with a cane.
   "Martin Williams?" asked the older man.
   Martin nodded. "Yes."
   "I am Joshua Templestowe. In future you shall answer the door.
   "The maid comes in twice a week," the old man added as he walked inside, gesturing Martin to follow him. "I prefer not to have a live in maid. The gardener comes once a week. You and I are the only ones who live here. A catering service provides meals, feel free to adjust the order to your tastes and preferred quantities. I live principally at night, you shall be expected to accommodate that."
   Martin followed, trying to keep up with the flow of information. His bag was heavy, but the old man kept a fast pace.
   "Your room is here. I will expect you in the library in an hour." Mr Templestowe paused. "I do hope you will find me a congenial employer."

2. Martin was left alone in his new room and spent some time exploring it. It contained a bulky old chest of drawers, a wardrobe with matching carvings, a rather comfortable double bed and a reading chair and lamp,. Heavy velvet drapes covered the room's only window. A side door led into a bathroom, also furnished in an almost antique style, with an incongruous plastic-bordered mirror over the sink. He settled down to unpacking, or rather to checking that the clothes he had brought would suit him and his new role.
   A sudden glance at the alarm clock showed that he had no time to reach the library. He left his room, ran down the stairs, and tried to remember whether it was right or left. Left first -- no, that led to the dining room. He turned, found the library, spared a little longer to brush dust off his jacket and regain his composure, then walked in through the open door.
   Mr Templestowe was there, a glass in one hand, looking into the fire. "I require punctuality in all things."
   "Sir?"
   "You are late, Mr Williams. I do not appreciate that. Still, you are here. We shall begin."
   Joshua Templestowe turned from the fire, and gestured Martin to sit near it. "I require you to serve as valet as well as butler, and to provide companionship. I prefer to be nocturnal, thus much of polite society's more peaceful events are denied me.
   "I also prefer a certain amount of solitude. Your days are your own, but you are to be available at all times during the night. A list of specific tasks is on the table. Please see to it that they are performed with alacrity and thoroughness."

3. By the end of that week, Martin's work was receiving grudging acceptance. He was becoming accustomed to being an invisible presence when Mr Templestowe had guests, and had learned to memorize drinks requests and names on the first pass - at least some of the time. Arranging for their clothes to be laundered, and arranging the catering menu, were straightforward enough, and the maid handled all the heavier laundry. Hardest was the invisibility - despite Mr Templestowe's comment that he required companionship, Martin had barely spoken to him about anything other than the requirements of the job.
   He had one night off a week, and planned to make use of it to feel human again - to go out, enjoy himself, and find people to talk to. Maybe dance. He brought breakfast in to Mr Templestowe, helped him shave and dress, then set out a midnight meal. Once that was done, he went to his own rooms and found club gear.
   He decided to spend on a taxi into town, rather than the bus. The driver recommended a suitably exclusive club and dropped him off. A discreet bribe to the bouncer got him inside. Tips and a quiet word to the bar staff showed him which women were regulars and interested in meeting new men - and what they liked to drink. He approached their table, armed for a pleasant form of warfare.
   The ladies were suitably appreciative of his generosity, and he hoped of his appearance - he danced, and after a time ended up in a hotel room. The next morning was much less pleasant - he was alone, with a greatly shrunken wallet, a hangover, and the realization that he was far too late getting back.
   Fortunately, Mr Templestowe was asleep on his return, though the meal he had left for the older man's lunch was untouched. Nothing was said about his late return, and the anticipation of trouble kept Martin on his toes.

4. Late the following week, Martin was on the phone to the dry cleaner when Mr Templestowe called him to his office.
   "I will be requiring your company tonight. We shall be attending a rather special gallery opening. A dear friend of mine is running the gallery, and the showcase artist is local. I think the dark gray will be appropriate, lay it out for me."
   Martin nodded, and started for the door. Mr Templestowe called him back. "For yourself, I think you will find a suitable outfit in the wardrobes in the green room. Now go."
   In the green room, Martin found several outfits in his size, one an outfit which matched the dark gray suit Mr Templestowe planned to wear, almost perfectly. Nothing that Suze would have liked him in, but on reflection he realized Suze didn't have the same elegance as Joshua. He shrugged, then went to start his boss' bath and lay out the clothing, inspecting it and brushing it down. Then his own, and finally he quickly had his own shower, shaved again, checked his grooming and dressed.
   By the time he reached Mr Templestowe's room, the older man was waiting. Martin felt like a new recruit on parade, but fortunately seemed to pass muster with only a slight modification to the way his jacket was sitting.
   "Good enough," was the verdict. "Now assist me. A shave first, I think."
   As Martin helped the older man shrug into his jacket, Mr Templestowe said, "I prefer my bath a little warmer. And I think that a woodier scent would have been more appropriate, not one so oriental for tonight. I do compliment you on your choices for yourself, sufficiently similar to mine, yet not identical. Quite appropriate.
   "Our car is waiting. Do come along, young man."

5. As Martin helped Mr Templestowe out of the car, he heard a familiar voice.
   "Joshua, darling, how good to see you again." Suze was standing by an arty- looking man, and wearing a scarlet satin gown that looked more appropriate to a bedroom than a gallery. "And who is your dear friend? Oh I do think I know him, Mark someone?"
   Martin gritted his teeth, but said nothing. Joshua, on the other hand, smiled gently. "Suzette, it has been a long time. I see you have met our artist - we are quite proud of him." His hand tightened slightly on Martin's arm, then patted it as if to reassure. "And this is my companion, Martin. I am sure you've met him."
   "Oh yes, Mark is such a dear." She shrugged him off, tried to take Joshua's arm. "Do come and see the works, will you?" Joshua allowed himself to be taken, the artist companion talking to Joshua from the other side. Martin trailed along behind, eyes flicking around the room, watching people.
   Many of the local art community seemed to know Joshua, and he was frequently fielding conversation from two or three people at once. Martin found himself relegated to the background, but amused himself by watching people. He drank only juices or water - and discovered, partway through the night, that he was enjoying himself.

6. On the way home, Joshua spoke quietly. "Suzette hurt you badly, I know. She's always been like that, always taken what she could get - you're not her first, and won't be her last."
   Martin looked at Joshua, startled.
   "And don't worry. You did very well tonight, all things considered. I was proud. You're a good man, Martin. Stay that way."
   The rest of the ride was silent, but when he left the car, Joshua added, "Take tomorrow night off."

7. The next night, when Martin came home, Joshua called him to his office. "I have a letter here for you."
   Martin took it, puzzled.
   "It came tonight," explained Joshua. "While you were out."
   Martin read the letter, set it down. "Suze has given up her claim on my house."
   Joshua nodded.
   "And the alimony.. she's abandoned it. "
   "Fancy that," murmured Joshua.
   Martin reread the letter again, and looked at Joshua. "Why?"
   "I suppose it might seem to her that she won. She didn't need the money, after all - and seeing you at the gallery, I think she felt satisfied." Joshua watched Martin. "Did she win?"
   Martin considered, then said quietly "I think she lost."
   "Will you be leaving? You no longer need the job, after all."
   Martin thought about that for a long time.

8. It should have been raining, but it was a crisp, clear evening when Martin left. He clasped Joshua's hand in his own, smiled. "I'll never forget this."
   "You shouldn't", said Joshua. "And you should always remember what you have learned. I will see you soon, I am certain."
   Martin smiled, leaving it at that, and climbed into the back of the car. He turned and watched the house as he left, but Joshua was already inside.
   Sitting in the car, Martin watched the streets pass. Quiet country homes, at first, fading into suburbs. Closer to town, a semi-industrial area with factory outlets selling furniture and shoes and clothes. An area of terrace houses, apartments and duplexes, then a shopping strip. Small, old shops with new, flashy cafes, boutique grocery places rubbing shoulders with secondhand designer clothing.
   "STOP!" Martin leaned forward, head twisting back. "Please, find a place to stop. I want to see .. "
   He got out, and walked back to one of the antiques shops. Yes, the mirror in the window was perfect - the carvings matching Joshua's dressing table as if it had been made for it. He frowned, briefly, looking into the mirror at the streetscape behind himself, then moved into the shop quickly.
   He bought the mirror, not really thinking about it, then when it was being wrapped he paused, and looked around. Did he want to go home? Or did he want to go back?

9. Joshua was waiting in the front room when Martin came back. He accepted the mirror, and together they hung it behind the dressing table. And admired the reflection of the room behind them.
   

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