I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House Page #2

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You say you haven't seen it anywhere else?

No. Only right here.

Well... As to whether or not

the estate will approve the cost

for cosmetic repairs,

that is another thing altogether.

I'm not sure I'd agree it's cosmetic.

Well, cosmetic as opposed to structural.

The flesh and not the bones.

Well, I just thought

that for Ms. Blum's respiratory...

For my respiratory to be...

breathing mold.

Well, as you know,

it is Ms. Blum's stated desire

to remain in this house

until the occasion of her death

and that all medical care be provided

here on the premises regardless

of financial burden to the estate.

And you've been here

nearly a year already.

Well, given her advanced age

and present condition,

it seems fair to assume

that your arrangement

would not extend beyond

another year or two at maximum,

wouldn't you say?

Overall, I'd say her physical health

is rather good.

Um, so, I'm sure I couldn't say.

No, no. Of course. Of course.

That's... good.

But, um...

Isn't she all there is to the estate?

She doesn't have any children,

no family.

Not a single visitor

in all the time I've been here.

True, but Ms. Blum

has designated the property

as the centerpiece for a grant foundation

to be awarded after her death

to a worthy woman author

as a home and work space at no cost.

"House of Stories," she calls it.

Well, it'll have to be fixed up then,

for whoever.

Well, it will be, when the time comes.

But the estate can't pay for everything.

Here we are.

They've been out in the past

and will give us a better idea.

- Was there anything else?

- No.

Yes.

Do you know anything

about anyone named Polly?

Polly? Polly who?

Ms. Blum insists on calling me Polly.

She never calls me anything else.

Of course, it's a natural thing

for someone with her condition.

It's just that a confusion like that

is usually with the memory

of someone significant.

Not just a no one.

Well, there is Polly

from Ms. Blum's novel,

The Lady in the Walls.

Easily her best known.

You haven't read it.

Heavens to Betsy, no, I haven't.

No, um, I scare too easily. I...

Yes, that's right.

Well, there is a not-very-good movie,

if you prefer.

No. No.

That would be much, much worse.

I'd likely run down to the road screaming.

And who'd look after Miss Blum?

That particular novel was most notable

for Ms. Blum's deliberate choice...

to leave off

the presumably horrific ending.

Though she always insisted

it wasn't a choice at all,

but rather an obligation.

An obligation to be true to the subject.

To Polly.

I don't understand.

Well, I don't want to give it away.

But, Mr. Waxcap, I...

I'll never read it.

I'd hate to keep you.

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