The naked lady

Part 4: Zadok - nine

The owners have just arrived.

They're here to look at their house.

They have not seen it for almost three months.

Zadok doesn't know their names.

He calls them Mister and Lady Gorky.

Not that either of them really deserves those titles.

Their daughter has also come.

She does look just like her mother.

A lean, gorgeous woman, but never with a smile.

Zadok shows them the kitchen.

He is so proud of this room.

He tiled everything and put in new wooden shelves.

Lady Gorky shakes her head.

'It is not what we agreed on.

I said a dark wood; this is almost black!'

Mister Gorky is also upset.

'These tiles aren't straight; they are uneven.

You will have to do all of them again...'

Zadok listens to them moan.

The bedrooms do not go any better.

'These walls are too yellow, the roof too white.'

Only the daughter doesn't wail.

She has never seen the apartment before.

It is beautiful; her parents just cannot see it.

'I guess that is that.'

Zadok leads them out the front door.

The family of three looks back at their house.

Zadok is overwhelmed and shocked.

They have not said one good thing.

The Gorky family does not smile or look pleased.

'It is not yet complete.

We are paying you lots of money.

You must do your job belter... or else...leave...'

Zadok cannot help but sigh.

'I need more money to correct everything.'

Mister Gorky shakes his head, 'There's no more money.'

'But I cannot complete it...

Not without a few hundred, at least.

Please, I have been a good builder to you.'

The couple does not care.

'We want everything done by next month.

You can now work harder. Zadok try at least.'

Zadok is stunned with uncertainty.

'It cannot be done, not next month.

I need eight weeks, maybe seven if I try.'

Mister Gorky shakes his head.

'You work for me, not any other.

It is time you do as you are told.'

Zadok does not answer him.

For the first time, the daughter speaks.

'Nothing has gone according to your plan, dear builder.'

Zadok watches the family go.

He goes back inside to view everything.

Room by room, Zadok sees how he has failed.

He must redo it all.

How will he do it without money?

The pride of being a good builder is gone.

In the kitchen, he rages.

Zadok stares sadly at all the shelves.

He is certain Lady Gorky wanted them this dark.