Merzan, the Destiny of an Artist by Marc Blake

Author:Marc Blake [Blake, Marc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

27 The Artiste has Arrived

A few days go by. Philippe sees a limo pull up to the curb outside his shop. The camera shop door opens. Matahina walks in – chaperoned by Claudette. Philippe acts surprised to see her and smiles with a warm reception. Merzan walks in only a moment behind her. Philippe is now completely taken and his smile increases with equal curiosity demonstrated by exaggerated facial expressions!

Looking at Claudette, Philippe nods with a greeting, “Mademoiselle!”

Looking at Matahina (and Merzan), Philippe nods with a more formal greeting and slight bow, “Matahina. How nice to see you again. What brings you, both... here today?”

Matahina answers, “Bonjour monsieur Philippe. We are assigned to create photographs for the Ministry of Culture from my Island.”

Philippe is impressed, “Oui?”

“And so...” Matahina smiles and the room becomes still and silent, “...we shall need film.”

Philippe breaks the silence with an overly excited response, “film? Ah, oui. This I must have.”

He looks at Merzan with a prying expression, “And you, Merzan are to be the photographer for this collection?”

Merzan stands there, silent, with his eyes stretched open extra wide – in disbelief.

Philippe readily realizes Merzan is NOT capable of speaking. Philippe hides his obvious enjoyment of this unexpected predicament.

Philippe takes a coin from his pocket and flips it in the air, then catches and makes it disappear. The others are preoccupied in the shop and only Merzan sees Philippe’s trick. The two stare at each other silent for a moment, Philippe is acting all-knowing! Philippe begins gathering film from the rack. Matahina has wandered over at this point.

Philippe places the film on the counter, “So! I think this should be enough film for now, no?”

Merzan is still in a trance.

“Merzan? Merzan. Your film?”

In a time warp, Merzan replies, “Merci Monsieur Sopoko.”

Philippe curiously asks, “Monsieur Sopoko? Merzan?

Merzan settles down, “Merci Philippe.”

Merzan begins to fondle the film on the counter top, not paying close attention to the film type. Philippe is waiting for Merzan to react.

Matahina begins looking at the Polynesian brochure and is thinking about her home.

Philippe, verifying, “This will be enough film Merzan?”

Merzan finally notices the film type is not correct for his camera.

“Philippe this is not the correct film for my camera.”

Philippe leans in close to Merzan and almost scolding him says, “No Merzan! This is the correct film.”

Merzan arguing, “But Philippe this is the wrong film.”

Philippe grows more pushy, “Merzan. Are you a shopkeeper here for more than 15 years?”

Merzan, a little ashamed to even argue for a moment with his kind friend and in front of Matahina, timidly replies, “No monsieur, but this film...”

Philippe interrupts, “Merzan. You have the correct film, but you have the wrong camera for your project.”

Merzan is confused and twists his face trying to make heads or tails of things, “The wrong camera?”

Philippe goes to the window and pulls the Rolleiflex camera from the display.

Philippe now pretending to be angry, “If I know anything about cameras and film Merzan than I know that this film is going to fit this camera.

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