Post by vinlander on Oct 13, 2022 22:18:18 GMT
Auguste Balls and his wife, Johi lingered at the table where they had just finished a large midday meal. Neither wanted the moments of peace and tranquility to end. Johi sipped at a small glass of wine, while Auguste toyed with the one he had emptied. At that moment, the maid entered with a letter resting on a silver tray. The maid approached the baron and offered him the parchment.
"From the Palace," she softly explained.
The baron waved her away. and she shut the door behind her.
As her husband broke the seal, Johi perked up. News of Auguste's position for the next year was undoubted within. After a moment or two, she asked, "Well, are you still Director of the Academy, or did you get the Theatre Royal?"
"Neither," he answered in a dejected tone, sliding the missive across the table for her to read.
Johi held the note aloft as she read.
"Dear Lord Balls,
"His Majesty is in receipt of your request to continue as the Director of the Royal Academy of Science, and he wishes to express his gratitude for your efforts to advance French scientific and cultural development. His Majesty, however, believes that the time has come to have someone new at the head of the Academy. At the same time, he feels putting you in charge of the Theatre Royal is most problematic as you own a theatre and operate a theatre company of your own. There is a seeming conflict here.
"As a result, His Majesty has declined your requests.
"On a personal note, I believe His Majesty would like your experience and wisdom deployed in less cerebral ways. An application for a more earthly post could meet with a different outcome.
"Yours blah blah blah"
The baron remarked bitterly, "The King's Equerry writes well, does he not?"
Johi paused a while. "Darling, has not the Equerry given you a hint of what His Majesty truly wants of you? Read it again, and it says 'Dream Bigger, Auguste!' Surely, you have more to offer the King than what you have already given."
"More than advancing human knowledge, elevating the French theatre and providing investment profits for more than a few of his nobles and commoners?"
"Yes, more tedious work than that. Come down from Olympus and live among us mortals."
"Perhaps you are right. Maybe a new job might bring new opportunities."
"From the Palace," she softly explained.
The baron waved her away. and she shut the door behind her.
As her husband broke the seal, Johi perked up. News of Auguste's position for the next year was undoubted within. After a moment or two, she asked, "Well, are you still Director of the Academy, or did you get the Theatre Royal?"
"Neither," he answered in a dejected tone, sliding the missive across the table for her to read.
Johi held the note aloft as she read.
"Dear Lord Balls,
"His Majesty is in receipt of your request to continue as the Director of the Royal Academy of Science, and he wishes to express his gratitude for your efforts to advance French scientific and cultural development. His Majesty, however, believes that the time has come to have someone new at the head of the Academy. At the same time, he feels putting you in charge of the Theatre Royal is most problematic as you own a theatre and operate a theatre company of your own. There is a seeming conflict here.
"As a result, His Majesty has declined your requests.
"On a personal note, I believe His Majesty would like your experience and wisdom deployed in less cerebral ways. An application for a more earthly post could meet with a different outcome.
"Yours blah blah blah"
The baron remarked bitterly, "The King's Equerry writes well, does he not?"
Johi paused a while. "Darling, has not the Equerry given you a hint of what His Majesty truly wants of you? Read it again, and it says 'Dream Bigger, Auguste!' Surely, you have more to offer the King than what you have already given."
"More than advancing human knowledge, elevating the French theatre and providing investment profits for more than a few of his nobles and commoners?"
"Yes, more tedious work than that. Come down from Olympus and live among us mortals."
"Perhaps you are right. Maybe a new job might bring new opportunities."