Conversation · Mega Rich Light-Bending Guy

"It lets you immerse yourself in a modern school of thought? Are you sure?"

Ten seconds -- borders dissipate. Twenty seconds -- loss of self. Thirty seconds -- everything dissimilates into raw unreality.

That's just one of the many dangers of getting too deep into karperie.

Complete nonsense -- both 'karperie' and what you just said. Can't bathe in thoughts!

"Mhmh. Karperie is dangerous. It spreads like a virus, infecting entire universities."

"Dangerous? I like things that are dangerous. You could even say I'm one of these 'adrenaline-junkies'." The light emanating from him seems to intensify.

Great work -- that might have done it.

"Actually, forget what I said. It doesn't really make sense."

"I appreciate you saving us from wasting time. Is there anything else I should know about the painting?"

"Yes. Spend time with it and the whole world becomes defined by karperie."

"Sounds like a hell of a trip. I really must experience it for myself." The light emanating from him seems to intensify.

"It's actually just a mixing palette."

"Just a mixing palette? But where does the value lie then?"

Running your fingertips across the splatters reveals frequencies used by finance companies for long-distance communication.

That's not very art. Tell him it contains an invisible pigment used by corporate spies. Own the palette and you can unveil a whole world of concealed communications.

"Certainly not in its material form. But there's more to it than that."

"Go on. I'm listening..."

"It turns the artistic process into the art itself."

"What an original idea! By drawing our focus away from the final piece we gain a new appreciation for the craft behind it. An art in its own right that is usually hidden from us."

These people will find a way to justify anything. Looks like you've reeled him.

"This is a cryptograph used by circuit benders to bring down banks."

"That changes everything."

Bit of corporate espionage? He's straight in there. Great job.

"It contains a unique invisible paint. You can use it to hide important messages."

"Perfect! I've been looking for a way to communicate without the information being intercepted or stolen by rivals."

Sounds like a winner. Good pitch.

Tell him it was used to mix together an invisible pigment. Own it and he opens up a whole world of concealed communications.

"Value is something you should discover for yourself. What do you see?"

"I see..." The light appears to concentrate...

"I'll be honest, all I see are splatters that lack any true intention."

Why are you letting this opportunity slip away? Give him a story, an experience, make him want to run away with this painting and marry it in secret.

"Please, if there's something I'm missing, I'd love to know what it is."

"The artist was struggling. Really struggling."

"That's what I wanted to ask you about. Tell me, what's their story? Did they suffer?"

(Nod solemnly.) "Terribly."

"Pray tell." The human shape within the light appears to lean even closer. Tiny dots flood your retina as the shipping container gets too bright.

"Any details? I've heard some struggling families have to sell their organs to pay the rent. There is also the terrible misfortune of having to go get your own groceries when you're poor. Which one is it?"

This guy clearly gets off on macabre stories. You've got just the one -- an absolute skullfuckery.

You still have an option to not go along with this senseless sensationalism.

"It's the organs. She hardly has anything left."

"Just a hollow husk..." The blinding light becomes almost melancholy.

At least she still has her heart intact, unlike some people here.

"What a sad, sad story. I should ask Rhéa to look into this, maybe the foundation can set up some scholarships for cases like these."

You've reeled him right in. That's got to have done it.

"It's something even worse. See, she got involved with Mesque bangers..."

"Mesque bangers? No! Have I told you I've stopped reading the news? It's too negative, can't let it affect my mojo."

Seems like he's not actually that interested in hearing the details. Too bad, you had a good story cooked up...

"I've found it's much better for my health just to throw money at those kinds of problems and hope they go away. That way I don't have to feel guilty about avoiding them."

Looks like he's about to throw some of his money our way...

"Actually, I lied. She's from a working class background, but seems to be doing okay."

"Oh." He sounds disappointed. "Well, I'm sure her work represents some very interesting internal struggle. Probably with mental illness. Yes, that sounds right."

"In any case, is there anything else you can tell me about this piece?"

"It's the groceries. The poor thing has to go to Frittte every day."

"Every day?" The blinding light becomes almost melancholy. "But how does she find time to do any work?"

"Actually, she seemed to be doing more than okay. If anyone suffered then it's me."

"You?" The light appears to blink, as if someone switched off the light source for a second. "But why should we care about you?!"

"Wait, why does it matter?"

"An artist's value doubles if they come with a good backstory. I thought you were an experienced art dealer, you should know this."

It's the artist herself who becomes a commodity, not merely their work.

That's disgusting and thoroughly unethical. You should refuse to engage with this.