A Wounded Fawn

The Wrath of the Erinys,

punisher of men for crimes against the natural order,

goddesses of Vengeance and retribution in Greek

and Roman mythology.

Summoned by victims seeking justice

pursuers and tormentors of the wicked

until they atone for their crimes.

From the blood that spilled on the earth during

the castration of the god Uranus,

the Erinys were born.

Megaera the grudging.

Alecto the unceasing.

And Tisiphone, punisher of murderers.

Gentlemen, I encourage you

to be on your best behavior around them.

A few reminders before we start the evening's bidding.

All sales are conducted in US dollars.

Everything is being sold

according to the conditions of sale.

And I draw particular attention to article one,

which states that everything is sold

under the terms of guaranty on an as-is basis.

Although the artist is unknown,

the authenticity and period of the work have been confirmed

by both the Soho Institute of Fine Arts

and the New York Preservation Society

and comes with appropriate certification.

Those who have seen it in our offices have been entranced

by both the trauma and power

this marvelous sculpture conveys.

And with that, I'd like to start the bidding at $50,000.

$55,000.

$60,000.

$65,000.

$70,000.

Are you coming in, Sam?

No? Maybe on the next lot.

$75,000 to Bruce Ernst.

Simon, are you coming in at $80,000?

I'm at $75,000 now, and I'm looking for $80,000.

Kate Horna, are you coming in?

Thank you, Kate. It's your bid at $80,000.

I'm now looking for $85,000.

It's against you, Bruce.

Will you give me $85,000, please?

Marcel. Thank you, Marcel.

I'm now looking for $90,000.

Bruce, I would like $90,000.

Could you give me $90,000 please?

Thank you, sir.

Anyone else want to come in against Bruce's bid?

Alex, are you going to give me $95,000?

-Bid. -Thank you, Miss Horna.

$100,000 is now with Marcel.

Bruce?

You sure?

So you're out, Bruce?

Okay. It's Marcel's bid.

$105,000.

$120,000.

No? Kate, it's your bid.

One, two, five.

$125,000.

The bidding is now with Marcel at $125,000.

Can I get --

$130,000.

No?

Fair warning to the room, I'm selling to Kate Horna

at $130,000.

There it is.

Thank you, Kate.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, of course. Wonderful.

I will bring it back tomorrow.

Okay.

Oh.

Great work, Kate.

I'm so sorry to bother you.

What are you doing here?

-I know this is highly unprofessional.

-Unprofessional? More like illegal.

What? Did you follow me home?

-Please hear me out, okay? I'm -- I'm just in town

for tonight's event, and my clients insisted

I make you another offer for the Erinys bronze.

If the answer is no, that's okay.

I will gladly fuck off down the road,

but they're willing to pay double

the purchase price your clients did,

plus throw in an additional $25,000 bonus for you.

Why?

-Because they see something beautiful, and they want it.

Your client will literally

double their investment overnight.

-I'd also like 20% of your commission.

Jesus. You play rough.

-You're the one knocking on my door.

-Yeah, that -- That's fair. Okay.

Deal. Why don't you give 'em the call, and I'll wait outside?

Don't be an idiot.

Do you want a glass?

Oh, that's all right.

I shouldn't be celebrating this, uh, deal.

-Champagne's already open. Don't be a sore loser.

So, do you work for a gallery

or a private collector?

A bit of both.

You have very good taste in art.

Thank you.

It's a baby collection, but she's growing.

-Wow. -Good?

Very good.

I'll make the call.

Stop.

Stop it.

Stop it!

Stop.

Yeah.

Yeah, it was good for a while, but...

that's because he kept that part of himself hidden.

-Abusive men are skilled at that.

Has he tried contacting you again?

No.

No, I think he knows it's over now.

He'll...

I mean, he knows how to call the cops if he shows up again.

He learned that lesson last time.

-And what have you learned, Meredith?

I've learned...

...not to absolve a man

for his transgressions against me.

Bravo.

Yeah.

This was quite an undertaking.

What are you so happy about?

-My therapist gave me a compliment.

-Hey, that's awesome. -Yeah.

-How's it been going? -Really good.

Just it feels really nice to finally feel good

about myself again. -Yeah.

-His bullshit took up so much space that I just had to learn

how to not be defined by it anymore.

-Hey, I'm glad you stuck with it.

-Thanks. -Yeah.

We know what a struggle this last year was for you.

Yeah.

So, what are you doing after work?

How about we go out and celebrate?

-It's date night. -Oh.

-Linda's going to come crabbing once this wraps up,

and then we're off to try growth.

-Hate you and Linda for being so hot and happy together.

You're supposed to choose one

and complain about the choice you make.

-Well, Mer, that just leaves you and me, so.

-Okay, well, you know that I love nothing more

than getting drunk and Googling murders with you.

But I have plans this weekend.

-What do you have planned that's better than

tequila and dead bodies?

I'm getting laid.

Okay. Wait, wait, wait.

The mystery man.

-Yeah, that's right. -Mystery man?

What mystery man?

Why don't I know about a mystery man?

-'Cause we're just -- I don't know.

-Wait. Why am I just learning about this now?

Because that's not a big deal.

-Getting laid is always a big deal. I want details.

-There aren't any details. I met him at an exhibit opening.

He's cute. He got me tacos. We'll see what happens.

-Mm. -Yeah.

-Okay. Alright. I just want to know who he is

and when we're going to meet him.

And how big his dick is. -No, absolutely not.

-I mean, this is -- inquiring minds want to know.

-You guys, I'm just getting to know him myself.

So you'll meet him as soon as I decide that he's worth meeting.

Okay?

Okay.

-We're just happy for you. -Yeah.

It's been a journey.

-Oh, my God. I know. I'm ready.

-I know. Look at you. -She's ready?

-Yeah, well, you know, if it works out,

you can finally retire that vibrator.

-Oh, my God. You have no idea.

I had to take the batteries out of the my TV remote.

I will buy you new batteries.

-We're going to get fired. We're going to get fired.

Ladies, I love you.

Please don't ever forget that.

Aw.

What am I forgetting, Slice?

Bruce?

Hi.

-Hi. -Is that everything?

-Yeah. Just the essentials. -Wow.

Stunning and pragmatic. Might as well kill me now.