(Blog 33) Another Run-in With Perrie Hauteur
(Continued from our last post…)
The morning was still early and most businesses on the block were not even open for a few more hours. Spyder, Calisto, and Lime hear Perrie Hauteur raising his voice at someone. Spyder walked outside to investigate.
“You can’t just paint things because you feel inspired. That’s not how property works,” Perrie Hauteur barked. “This is an unauthorized installation.”
Perrie Hauteur was lording over a young female dragon holding one of her paint brushes in his hands and waving it so close to her face that she was crouching back to avoid paint spraying her in the eyes, or worse, being hit by the brush. His voice was getting louder and more aggressive as he listed each violation she was under and pointed the brush at her like it was a sword. He began to spread his wings to make himself look more intimidating. With that Spyder yelled from across the street as he began to walk towards them.
“Excuse me, Miss!” he shouted. “I was wondering what time you were coming in, but I see now, you're painting the wrong building.”
The artist’s took another step back to removed herself from Perrie’s wing span and flailing arms. She gained clear look at Spyder’s kind eyes and caught on that he was already acting out a plan to get her away from this mad dragon. She changed her expression to play along.
Acting startled, she said “Oh my stars, I’m so sorry. I must’ve misread the address. I was supposed to be working for him.” Then she squinted her eyes to gain a good read of the business name to which her accomplice came from. Perrie Hauteur was so deep into his rage speech at this point, he didn’t notice that she was reading the name on the fly. “Wing Tails Sticker Studio, that’s right! I don’t know how I confused the buildings.”
She forced out a fake chuckle and gave Spyder a hopeful smile.
“Right,” he said, I’m Spyder. Remember we talked on the phone the other day about doing some work inside the studio. “Except I never hired you, not yet anyway.”
Perrie whipped his head around and turned his wrath on Spyder, “You’re telling me you didn’t hire this artist, and yet she’s on public property with paint in her claws and has started an installation? What are you going to do about this Mr. Locke.”
By this time, the female dragon moved to stand next to Spyder.
“Simple misunderstanding,” he said calmly. “No dragon in perfect. Poor communication on my end really. She’s hardly painted an outline. I’ll have someone come by this week to pressure wash the bricks. Will I need a permit for the pressure washer, Mr. Hauteur.”
“I expect to see a permit application filed before anything further painting happens on this wall or any wall on this block for that matter. I’m aware you still have not obtained your fire permit either, Mr. Locke.”
“Of course, a permit’s need for painting. Got it!” Spyder said, clenching his teeth. “We’ll handle it. And we have the fire permit inspection scheduled. Thanks for checking on that.”
Watching it all unfold, Calisto and Lima stood at the window at the front of the stufio. “What a jerk!” Calisto said. “Who would ever want to be around someone that takes pleasure in being mean to reptiles?”
“Poor thing. He was really out of line. He looked like it was going to hit her.” Lima squeaked with a little fear in her voice. “I’m surprised you weren’t out there with them.”
Calisto smirked. “Trying not to not let my mouth get me in trouble, I guess. I don’t need a reason to go to jail. Although I’d like to smack that compliance office with his little clip board if we’re being honest.”
Lima laughed, but didn’t verbalize her thoughts.
The artist and Spyder were now walking back across the street to Wing Tails, “Thanks for that. He’d already snapped one of my brushes in two. I’m Ashley, by the way. I owe you one.”
“No worries. But what were you actually doing painting that wall? Did you have a commission?” Spyder asked. “I hope I didn’t just offer to remove someone else’s mural.”
Ashley looked down, her head spotted with paint. “No, no commission. I live in that building with my dad. He’s been really sick lately. I was just trying to keep my mind busy—and make the block a little less depressing. I guess I needed a permit. I never would have thought anybody would have cared. I can’t hardly get the landlord to fix the water issues we keep having, let alone care about what the place actually looks like.”
Spyder gave a crooked smile. “Hmm. Well Ashley, it’s good to meet you. Sorry it had to be like this, but I’ve got a feeling we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”
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To be continued… New posts each Friday. Subscribe below to follow the dragons. Read the beginning of it all at Blog 1: New Adventure Awaits.
