Page 283 - The Grotesque Children's Book

Chapter 36.

The Ceilings

Two months before the murder of Santi del Meglio, that is to say

June 1581

Tozzo is drunk again. This is a problem, thought Santi del Meglio. Not so much for
Tozzo, who seems quite happily, slurpingly, asleep, curled up just inside one of the galleries at
the north end of the hallway -- but for me. That Tozzo! Asleep, and unable to paint until he
sobers, somewhere around noon. Half the daylight gone! And this the fourth time this month!
We’re behind, Tozzo, and you remember what Allori said: He’ll start paying us again only once
we have finished Bay 37.

With Tozzo asleep, Santi was having to do the work of two painters. In fact, the work of
two painters working faster than two painters, so they could catch up, so Allori would resume
paying them again. It would be no use, of course, just waking up Tozzo. He would be in no
condition to paint. Better he stays asleep; he’ll sober more quickly.

Santi tried to get Aurelio to paint faster as well, but his deaf compatriot actually cared too
much about the art itself to hurry it along. Aurelio was so engaged in his work there were times
when Santi would have sworn that he thought Aurelio was having mimed conversations with the
figures he was painting. Santi saw Aurelio gesticulating, smiling, frowning, shaking his head,
and his fist, apparently trying to win some sort of philosophical battle of wits with his imaginary
foes or friends. Santi would urge Aurelio in their own mimetic language to hurry along, money
is time is money is time, and Aurelio would look sheepish and apologetic, increasing his speed
earnestly for a good number of minutes, but soon intensifying into a slower, concentrated style of
painting.

All of which forced Santi to work faster, even faster, the pace of which he didn’t mind,
really, for fast or slow was all the same to him. He was still only eighteen; fit, trim and athletic.
Nor, oddly enough, did he resent Allori for withholding their weekly pay until they got caught
up. Makes sense, actually, thought Santi, he thinks he’s motivating us, to work at breakneck
speed. Well, in fact is motivating us, or at least motivating me. But at the end of the day, Santi
could only work until the end of the day, whence the sunlight would fade, the Duke would brook
no workers in the Uffizi after dark (security reasons; lurking assassins and the like), and besides,
there was Santi’s ill father to get home to. In short, Santi was in trouble, and rapidly getting into
deeper and deeper trouble with each passing withheld weekly pay.

One afternoon as they were finishing for the day, Santi humbly pointed out to Allori how
rapidly he was working, and so would it be possible to restore his proper, regular payments?
“We’re painting as quickly as we can....”

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