"Hmm. Let's try this. Yes, very elegant. When was the last time I dressed this well?"
A man was browsing through vintage-styled suits in a second-hand shop. He ignored the strange gazes he received from other customers. It wasn't his fault that his current attire looked like he had lived in the wild for days. Well, he did live in the wild for three days…
After escaping from the police, Emmanuel left his old life behind and tracked on foot towards Golden City. This was the entertainment capital of the country, maybe even the whole world. Nowhere else was the divide of the population this extreme. In Golden City the richest of the rich had famous singers give concerts on private yachts while the poorest of the poor lost their food for the day in a round of blackjack.
And yet nowhere else could your social status change so quickly. There were tales of people losing generational wealth and others winning enough money to last for hundreds of years both at the same day.
Of course, such a place attracted all kinds of people. Many of them had the reputation of being quite excentric. And this was exactly the type of people Emmanuel was looking for. The more excentric, the better. Oh no, wait. He wasn't called Emmanuel anymore. He was now called Valentino. Valentino Amico!
It was quite a pity that Emmanuel had to die. Valentino was actually quite fond of Emmanuel, although that life was plagued with misfortune ever since the disappearance of the Café of Dreams. Well, Valentino could only promise Emmanuel to life a splendid, fulfilling life in his stead. Perhaps he would create a painting in Emmanuel's honour.
Actually, Emmanuel's death also served as a strong warning to Valentino. After he escaped from his flat, he had contemplated for a long time where he went wrong. Eventually Valentino learned something from a movie he watched through a shop's window. It turns out these new mobile phones are rather easy to track! His last ingredient must have carried a mobile phone, which gave Emmanuel away.
There was no one else to blame. Emmanuel was just too old and too poor. It was already difficult to keep up with all the changes in the world and on top of that Emmanuel never had enough money to buy a modern phone and figure out its uses.
Valentino balled his fists. He couldn't make the same mistake as Emmanuel! He had to go with the times. With the money he was bound to make in this life, he was determined to buy all these modern devices. Supposedly a computer only needed a few seconds these days to connect with the world wide web, where you can converse with people from all over the world! You can even freely watch videos or play games! The quality is said to be as close to real life as it will ever get!
Valentino became eager just thinking about it. What was a long life useful for if not to experience all these marvels of a modern world?
A smile lingered on Valentino's face as he observed himself in the mirror of the changing room. Gone was the long, unkempt brown hair and emaciated face. It was replaced by a smooth style. Raven black hair gelled back. A young face with rosy cheeks. Although the brown, vintage suit he was trying on didn't really fit together with his young face, Valentino didn't see this. His taste was still influenced by his age. If he had to describe his look in one word, it would be: dashing!
Valentino left the changing room with a confident smile. He wore his new suit, ignoring his discarded clothes. At the checkout he paid with some money he skilfully earned as a pickpocket. This was quite a common profession in the Golden City. Of course, Valentino was rather proficient. He had experience. However, he would only do so when in dire need. Now, this life lay behind him! He was bound to rise!
Tightly gripping the black cloth bundle under his arm, Valentino left the side street and stepped onto the broad main street. Immediately blinding lights and loud music hit him from all sides. There were gorgeous flower arrangements and tall buildings on all sides. Any type of entertainment you could think of, you would be able to find it here in the Golden City.
Roaring engines rang in Valentino's ears. Luxurious super cars raced on the road. They didn't need to be afraid of hitting someone. Justice was with the rich in this godforsaken country. Of course, if they hit someone richer than them it was bad luck.
Valentino couldn't wait any longer. It was time to join their ranks. Rushing along the street on the crowded sidewalk he soon arrived in front of a large glass building. A burly security guard scrutinized him. Valentino raised his head arrogantly and strutted in. The doors opened and he stepped into the familiar building.
Smooth stone floor, the very air smelling of pretence. On a white wall in front of Valentino hung multiple paintings, each with a value of at least 100.000 dourus. A man in a suit was analysing the paintings, adjusting his glasses with his pinkie finger. Next to him stood a young woman with long blond hair, pretending to listen while secretly glancing at her phone.
Valentino had always considered this place quite amusing. Ever since they bought one of his paintings in his first life. Since then, he never forgot the name of Seronion's Gallery.
Valentino took in the atmosphere. He opened his arms wide, his body filled with vibrant life. He couldn't help but let out a loud shout:
"World! Embrace the real, unfiltered art!"
Valentino's voice echoed through the two-floored building. The space above him was open, revealing a part of the second floor. Immediately a few curious people appeared, looking down at the entrance. The men and women not far from Valentino also turned around, their eyes twinkling with amusement. Murmurs came from all sides.
"Do you recognize that man?"
"No. Seems to be a new artist?"
"Is someone trying to gain attention again? Pretending to be eccentric? These artists really don't come up with new ideas. How often has it been this month?"
"Probably three times."
Suddenly someone raised his voice on the second floor:
"Bravo, bravo! Very convincing. Great performance!"
The man's voice sounded incredibly pretentious. He fished a wallet out of his pocket, grabbed a handful of coins, and threw them towards Valentino like a king rewarding his lowly subjects.
One of the coins landed on Valentino's head. He froze as ugly emotions flashed through his mind. However, he managed to suppress them. There was no need to argue with that man. Soon, he would be one of many grovelling before him, pleading to buy one of his paintings.
Valentino arrogantly clicked his tongue and sauntered ahead. He spotted a woman in an elegant red dress approaching him. Despite not recognizing her, the card on her chest identified her as an employee of Seronion's Gallery, going by the name Alena.
"Welcome. How can I help you?"
The women didn't chide Valentino for the ruckus he made at the entrance. In fact, she welcomed it. This has always been part of the Gallery's strategy. They wanted to attract these weird and excentric artists. Even if their paintings were trash, they could serve as entertainment for the rich customers. And if they actually had some skill, it would be even better.
Valentino didn't consider himself weird. He thought the employees here had indeed a discerning eye to recognise his genius. Sticking out his chest he answered the woman:
"Yes, I think you can help me. You seem to have a pair of well-trained eyes. Surely, you will be able to discern the incredible worth of my painting."
"Ahh, of course. Please, follow me."
The woman turned around and left, looking back a few times. Valentino was greatly pleased and followed her towards a room at the side. The room wasn't big. It only had a few easels and meticulously prepared lighting to aid the curator. There was a single shelf with a few tools. The woman in red grabbed a certain document and a pen and began to ask a few questions:
"Your name, please."
"Valentino Amico."
"Mhm. A newcomer, I suppose. How long have you been painting for?"
"All my life."
"Sure… Any credentials?"
This was the question Valentino had been waiting for. He smiled brightly and raised his head high.
"Listen well. I, Valentino Amico, have inherited the art of painting from the great Norman Quipp!"
A light flashed in the curator's eyes. Norman Quipp was a well-known name in the art circle. His vivid but also horrifying paintings were traded for at least fifty million dourus. And the price only increased ever since his mysterious disappearance. Their costumers loved paintings with a story. But… Norman Quipp had disappeared more than ten years ago. Could the young man before her really be an inheritor of Norman Quipp? The woman in red couldn't help but be doubtful.