Framed Connection

Chapter 9: Intrigue

Elaine steps into the elevator, worrying about whether her team's section is going to survive next month's issue. The warning that if their numbers continued to decline the history section may cease to exist. Having no clue how to go about it, nobody seems to care about the story of how art came to be. Nowadays everyone is more interested in the latest gossip in the art community or just looking at pretty art and nothing else. It seems there's nothing she or her team can do, every change they'd made seems to deter the readers more. It's no use losing morale or waiting it out for it to just implode on them.

Coming off the elevators plastered on the walls were showcases of issue clippings. Showing the best articles of those years, in the earlier years the art history section seemed to have been doing relatively well. However as time went on it changed to just being monthly and after that none at all. The last time the Historical section was mentioned was around 10 years ago. It's a wonder how they even managed to scrape by last month.

"Good morning" Elaine pulled out her thoughts hearing someone greet her from behind. Seeing Roxanna come up next to her, feeling the air around her had gotten a little lighter. "Good morning to you too. Say, did you get a new skin care routine recently?"

"No, I didn't, why you ask?" Roxanna wonders what is with the sudden question about skin care. Not sure if it's supposed to be some sort of compliment or not.

"Really, but your skin seems to be glowing and more vibrant." Wondering if might be holding out on her. Cause for the last few days she'd looked like she could drop dead any moment.

"Thank you for the compliment, however I wouldn't say I'm glowing." Roxanna remembers looking in her bathroom mirror this morning seeing that her eye's still had bandit masks of dark circles over them.

"Fine, keep your secrets. However, just tell me what product you used to make your eyes look brighter." Roxanna is not sure if Elaine is even listening or seeing the same image she saw in the mirror this morning.

"There is no product, but believe whatever you want." Elaine doesn't know why she can't just tell her. Wondering if it might just be a change in diet instead or something. They both walked into the department office together, greeting their colleagues good morning. Some of their colleagues hadn't noticed due to being focused on making some touches to they're drafts so they don't meet the demise of the shredder. While those who did manage to greet them back seemed to be a little shocked by the casual greeting. Roxanna didn't understand why they were so astounded, wondering if some world renowned artist had shown up and was standing behind her and Elaine. Looking behind her to see that was not the case.

Elaine on the other hand knows it's because, the mornings when Roxanna does greet her co-workers. She always sounds as if she said it begrudgingly or like she was annoyed before the morning had properly begun. Knowing she'd probably be shocked to realize she's the reason for their surprise.

"Is there some otherworldly event I'm not catching onto?" Roxanna found that the only reasonable explanation. Seeing them turn back to their work as if nothing happened.

"I haven't the faintest clue." Elaine doesn't have the heart to tell her, feeling like she's been warming up to them a little more lately. Despite the croggy attitude. It might take some time for the others to realize that.

They made it to their desks, Elaine sat down and turned on her computer waiting for it to power up. Elaine takes out her phone to check on the team's group chat.

Ashley: Guys what are we going to do we can't use any of these.

Will: Why not I think these ideas might work this time.

Jasmine: You honestly believe turning the art pieces into cats is a good idea.

Will: Everyone loves cats so it's bound to work. I'm sure of it.