Brush with Danger Page #2

How much?

Four, six, zero, zero.

- Ken.

- US dollars.

[laughs] Really?

I think that's a little high.

I think I would

try for a thousand.

Maybe, a little more.

You mean one

thousand US dollars?

What is your name?

Alice.

And this is my brother.

Ken.

Alice, I would like to

try to sell your work.

What do you think?

I...

I'll take three.

Wait a minute.

What's this?

Oh, no, that's just a copy.

Yes, I know.

Cezanne.

Not the same size, of course.

You did this?

In my country, people

only want European art.

No one wants originals.

- Originals.

Hmm, I like here.

And here.

You got it exactly right.

Well, no more of this.

From now on, only originals.

Come.

Sit.

My name is Justus Sullivan.

I invest in people I think

have potential like you.

Here is what we can do.

You loan me those

three paintings to hang

here in the gallery.

And in exchange I give you a

small fee for the privilege of

selling your work.

Now, should we get lucky,

the gallery's commission

is 50 percent.

How much fee?

500 dollars.

Deducted of course, from

the proceeds of the sale.

Whether they sell or not, the

five hundred is yours to keep.

What about this?

Oh, you can keep that as well.

Alice and Ken... your last name?

Qiang.

Spell that, please.

Q-I-A-N-G

Ken!

Alice, what?

It's your paintings.

Anyways, now you'll be famous.

Well, if that's all settled,

I'll have my secretary drop

a contract tomorrow.

Where can I reach you?

Well...

We'll figure that out, later.

In the mean time, how

about joining me for dinner?

Well, let's celebrate!

No, it's okay.

Thank you, you've

done so much for us.

Don't be silly.

I'll tell you what.

My house is not very far from

here and I have a wonderful

housekeeper who cooks for me.

What would you like?

Steak?

Pasta?

What about a hamburger?

We probably can manage that.

Come on.

Wait.

My paintings.

Of course.

Welcome to my home.

There are so many.

Where did you get all of this?

Some I bought.

Some are gifts.

In one day, I've seen more

original paintings than in

my whole life.

I have quite a few I think

you would appreciate.

Right this way,

one of my favorites.

This one.

Oh, this one, I got it in Paris.

That was about five

or six years ago.

And this one I

picked up in Moscow.

And here is the TV room.

It's like a movie theater.

Look at these.

Can we watch one?

Ken, not now!

Sure, why not?

You can come over and watch

movies anytime you want.

Now, Alice, here is

the pice de rsistance.

I used to paint myself,

I don't much anymore.

But, this is my favorite

part of the house.

I admit to having a bit

of love affair with art.

I guess I discovered that

my talent was more about

finding original artists,

than making original paintings.

All of this and no one...

No.

A bit of a waste, really.

Sort of like the TV room.

Use it whenever you want.

Why?

Why me?

I mean...

Why us?

Cause, like I said, my

talent is for finding artists.

Helping to bring new

work into the world.

When I find someone

I believe in.

Come on.

Let's eat.

So, why did you come

to the United States?

Because, I want to be a painter.

You don't sound very convinced.

Do you have family here?

No, it's just us.

What?

Might as well tell the truth.

So, where are you staying?

Ah, just as I thought.

Let me guess.

Maybe a park?

You're very lucky, you know?

Many people don't even

survive the journey.

You must've wanted to

come here very badly.

Alright, then.

You need a place to stay.

And as you see, I have

a lot of spare rooms.

Can we Alice?

Can we?

We appreciate that.

But, we will be fine, thank you.

Look, I have been very lucky in

my life and I like to give back

when I can.

Alice!

We're living the dream!

Shh!

You'll wake Mr. Sullivan up.

Good morning!

Strawberry pancakes

are on the table.

Did you ask for them?

I told him they're

your favorite.

Oh, good, you found

the paints already.

Sorry, I should have asked.

No, I'm glad you

feel comfortable.

That is what I wanted.

Breakfast?

You better eat.

You need great strength to

be a great painter, you know.

How can we ever thank you?

You can't.

Oh, if I don't hurry, I will be

late for my first appointment

at the gallery.

Bravo!

Wow.

Impressive!

Where did you learn

how to do that?

Our grandpa taught me

everyday after school.

Alice too.

But, she won't help

me out anymore.

What do you mean?

She's too busy

learning how to paint.

It's all she thinks about.

Maybe you should be

learning things too.

You're sixteen.

You're going to have to

finish high school some time.

I don't like to study.

What do you like?

This!

But, I just can't get it right.

You know, I have a friend

I'd like you to meet.

A fellow who happens

to own a boxing gym.

- Really?

- Mhm.

What are you doing

tomorrow afternoon?

Nothing.

We're on.

Mr. Sullivan, Alice doesn't

really like for me to fight.

I guess we don't have

to tell her then, do we?

So, what do you think?

Can you find

something to do here?

Awesome.

Justus.

Good to see you.

Who do we have here?

Half of my latest project.

His name is Ken Qiang.

Ken, this is Lee.

New in town.

He's got some great moves.

See what you think.

Hey, uh, Freddie.

Get this kid some gloves.

Come with me, kid.

And, the other half?

His sister.

A painter.

Asking for trouble.

We'll see.

Keep the kid busy, will you?

- I don't want to worry about...

- Sure.

What about Mei?

No news.

So... good news.

Even better.

Because I believe we

may have a new client.

Hey, kid.

Is that the best you can do?

Okay.

Bags are one thing.

Let's see how he

does in the ring.

Okay.

Hey, not bad.

Not bad.

You want to try sparring?

Sure.

Hey, Rob!

Take Ken for a couple rounds.

Don't worry.

Won't hurt you too much, kid.

Don't worry, old man.

I won't beat you up too bad.

Okay.

Okay.

Ken?

Give me a hand

here with this guy.

Ken?

Let's get him out of here.

I don't want

somebody seeing this.

That's not bad.

That's not bad at all.

Listen, we're having a

competition here tomorrow night.

You should come.

Maybe you make a few bucks.

Bucks?

As in American money?

How?

I'm in.

I like your attitude.

Sure, fighters can

make a little cash.

But, of course, it's the

winners who make the most.

Land of opportunity.

I love it!

Come on, Marty.

Something, anything because

the bosses are all over me

on this one.

Well, you were right

about the paint.

There was something funny.

We missed it the first time.

Now, we're talking.

So, oil paint, on her

hands, and on her jeans.

Lead-based.

That's odd.

That's what I thought.

Lead was banned in

most paints years ago.

Most, but not all.

Meaning?

I'm not sure yet,

but I have a hunch.

Such a great investigator.

Got a hunch about a man for me?

Thanks for this.

Good morning!

Good morning.

How are you?

I've never had so much

canvas, paint, time before.

If I'm not good now,

I can only blame myself.

Alice, I have a favor to ask.

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