"The stroke of the brush affair" for the Short Affair

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Challenge: The Short Affair

-Prompt Word #2 – Paint

-Prompt Colour – Copper

Title: The stroke of the brush Affair.

Author: mrua7

Word Count: 590

The furniture had been moved, drop cloths spread, walls taped and just when the painting was about to begin, Napoleon Solo  received a telephone call.  He disappeared into the bedroom, waving his apologies to his partner.

Illya had come prepared, dressed in a white tee-shirt and white coveralls and had just finished stirring the first can of paint.

“I have to take this call chum. I won’t be long.”

Solo was dressed in what he called his rags, but to Kuryakin, his partner looked as though he were about to stroll off on a date.  He wore a tan polo shirt, a silk neckerchief, and a pair of khaki trousers… though he was shoeless, wearing only a pair of white cotton socks on his feet

Somehow the senior agent had suckered the Russian into helping with the painting. In truth Napoleon was somewhat short of cash and the promise of a nice dinner was the price he could offer Illya after all the paints and other necessities were purchased.

It was one of several colors that Napoleon had selected for his apartment.  Yellow for the bathroom, white in the kitchen, a neutral beige in the living room and dining room areas, then lastly a deep burgundy with copper and brown for the bedroom.

Kuryakin had the kitchen finished by the time Solo reappeared.  “Sorry chum, I had to take that call it was from…”

“A lady friend, correct?”

“Well ah, yes,” Napoleon shrugged again, figuring there was no point in lying. His partner knew him too well.

Picking up a roller and paint tray, Napoleon prepared to help Illya with the living room walls as two would make the work faster.

“Why do you not start on either the bedroom or bathroom?” The blond suggested.

“Won’t it go faster if we both…”

“Ring…” In mid-sentence the telephone rang again.

“Hello?” Napoleon put down the dry roller as he answered the call.

“Why hi Marguerite...ummm could I call you back...no? All right, but just for a minute.” Napoleon covered up the receiver.  “Do you mind chum? She says it’ll only be a minute.”

Illya waved him off with a roll of the eyes. What would be the point in arguing.

Napoleon reappeared some time later seeing no trace of his partner, though the painting in the living, dining and bathrooms were done. He spotted a note on the coffee table.

“Napoleon I have made dinner reservations at Colombo's Italian restaurant for six o’clock. Join me after you are finished painting your bedroom. By the way, this is going on your expense account, whether you show up or not.”

“Smart aleck Russian,”

There was a P.S.

“Do not call me a ‘smart aleck,’ and this is the last time I help you paint your apartment unless your telephone is disconnected."

Napoleon smiled “Hmm, guess you know me too well for sure, partner mine.”

It was nearly 5:45 when Solo had finished showering, shaving and dressing himself, though the bedroom was still unpainted.  It could wait for another day; better he meet Illya at the restaurant before one hungry and annoyed Russian ate his way through his expense account for the next month.

He pulled a bottle of wine from the rack, and a conciliatory bottle of Stoli from the freezer for good measure before setting the alarm and headint out. Napoleon gave his apartment one last look before closing the door.

"Gee Kuryakin, if you ever give up your current line of work, at least you'll have something to fall back on."

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Gee I wonder if I can bribe a certain blond Russian to come paint my house. He'll definitely get more than just a good meal...wink wink. :D

Smart aleck or plain smart? I think both. lol!

Thanks for commenting!