Auction Action

“That’s what we’re here for,” he heard someone say from behind him, and he saw tall, and stunning with the face of the Marlboro man, and what appeared to be the body of a Greek god, in a tuxedo. The guy he was speaking to was tall and thin, and he looked like some twink kid with blue hair.

“Really,” the kid whined. “Can’t we just leave and go dance.” He actually began to gyrate his hips slightly, and it wouldn’t have surprised Frederick to hear the kid whine, “I’m horny”.

“You didn’t have to come with me,” Greek God said in his rich, deep voice, and Frederick sipped from his glass so he wouldn’t appear to be listening.

“You said this would be fun. It’s just a bunch of old people.” Twink Boy pouted, setting down his glass and grabbing two more from the tray, downing first one then the other in a gulp. “Well, that was as fun as it gets, can we go now?”

Frederick felt laughter coming on, so he backed away out of earshot, but to where he could still watch people looking at the painting. He also got the added bonus of being able to watch Greek God and Twink Boy carry on an argument until the boy stormed away in a huff and left the room. For a second, Frederick felt sorry for Greek God and followed him with his eyes until he felt another set of eyes staring at him. As he shifted his gaze toward the painting, he saw Greek God staring deeply at him. Frederick knew when he was being mentally undressed, and turnabout was definitely fair play.

Fredrick stared back for a few seconds—never one to back away from a challenge—until Greek God’s tuxedo lay in a mental heap on the floor. Greek God looked away, and Frederick turned and moved through the room. It hardly mattered where Greek God was looking. Besides, Frederick figured that he was probably looking for an easy good time, now that his likely sure thing for the evening had flounced off, but a mental undressing was all Greek God was going to get from him.

“Frederick,” Saundra called as she approached, and he pushed his mental drama from his mind. “Scoping out the competition?”

“Of course,” he answered, and they traded cheek kisses. She moved on to work the room while Frederick continued to watch who was paying attention to what. Of particular note was the fact that Greek God was still scoping him out. It was then he realized he’d been a bit foolish and Greek God had simply identified his interest. He could deal with that. Frederick knew auctions and he knew how to win, and he fully intended to within Saundra’s limits.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” floated through the room, and all eyes shifted to a small stage at one end of the room. “Good evening and welcome. We are going to start the auction in just a few minutes. I’d like to draw your attention to the terms that are printed in your catalogs this evening.” The first painting was brought up and placed on the easel behind the gentleman speaking. “Our first item is ready.” The man described the painting and then began calling for bids. Thankfully he had a light manner and didn’t make it sound like a Texas cattle auction, the way many auction houses did. The item sold and Frederick watched who it went to, making a mental note of the amount paid and who did the buying.

Item after item was sold, and Frederick quickly got an idea of who the big spenders were and how they were bidding. Greek God hadn’t bought anything.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last lot of the evening. Portrait of a Lady, by Steven Jennings. Can I have an opening bid of fifty thousand?” A man in front nodded and the bidding began... seventy-five, one hundred thousand. Greek God bid one twenty-five, and Frederick immediately bid one-fifty. The bids climbed, and every time Greek God bid, Frederick immediately topped him. Two-fifty, three hundred thousand. Frederick had the bid, and the auctioneer called for final bids. Greek God bid three twenty-five and threw a smug look in Frederick’s direction, raising his glass.

Frederick nodded, and the auctioneer began once again calling for final bids. “Five hundred thousand,” Frederick said forcefully without raising his voice…