Tonight marks the Birth of Venus

Madam Alice was squatting down next to the portrait. She was wearing denim overalls with a creamed sweatshirt that matched her burette. Her style was matched by the visitor, who too carried a certain class to her appearance.

"What can you tell me about this painting?" She stood up and lit a cigarette, fondling it between her red painted fingers.

"It's harsh."

She started walking to and froe as if trying to size it up. Her ginger locks swayed as she commented. "It's depressing."

Alice was amused. "It is called The Anguished man, of course."

Light cascaded from the large windows in her studio, speckling across the painting. The impasto was apparent, the paint was thick.

"You used that name for the serial killer?"

Madam Alice walked towards the wall, leaned on it with her hands in her pockets. "Ah, that is."

"Tell me, Belle, what do you feel?"

Belle turned with a smile." It doesn't work that way."

"Then tell me what you see."