07 Feb The Totem and the Bunny-Man
The Totem and the Bunny-Man
The Farm, Bakery and Studio were the busiest they’ve ever been. And with Margaret gone, William began hiring people to help out, which was easy for William as his reputation attracted a good stock of hardworking and trustworthy people.
Tom Wilkes:
A strong farm hand with plenty of experience. He was from a family of five children that lived by the seasons and the soil. Schooling was second to harvests, favouring a practical education over a scholarly one. His hands were hardened at an early age, and dedication was a habit.
Marcel Dupré:
A pastry chef for the Bakery. He was originally from Lyon, France, where he trained in classical French Pastries. Also, Marcel’s father owned a photographic studio, so he had experience with Photography and could help as an assistant.
Alfred Hawthorne:
A 73-year-old violinist with a lifetime of playing music in dance halls and parlours. His style is loose, his notes often wander, but they are always in tune with the Totem. Best of all, he doesn’t ask questions.
With all the new hires came wages to pay for, so William started shooting paid portraits with the Totem in the studio.
It was an easy business decision because the community was asking for photos with the ‘Spirit of the Orchard.’ And with Halloween approaching, patrons were lining up. William was obliged.
MARCEL: So what is this ‘Spirit of the Orchard’?
WILLIAM: We call it the Totem. Its an obelisk shaped spirit that haunts the farm. When Marg was alive she would see it around. Eventually I caught it with the camera after she passed away.
MARCEL: Haunts? It's in plain sight most of the time, no much of a ghost if you ask me.
WILLIAM: That's because a spiritualist I hired discovered that playing Marg’s violin brings it out of hiding. It's long story. People started noticing it in the TinTypes I had sold with our pies.
MARCEL: You photographed it without knowing?
WILLIAM: It was hiding originally, I never saw it firsthand in the beginning. It just mysteriously appeared in some of the photos.
MARCEL: And now you play violin to a ghost.
WILLIAM: That’s why we hired Alfred... and please don't use the word 'ghost,' we call it the ‘Totem’, its friendlier.
MARCEL: It looks ominous… and it stares blankly.
WILLIAM: Well, currently it's an opportunity. And with it being Halloween season, people love the theatrics. In fact, a banker is coming by this afternoon.. paying a pretty penny to dress up in a bunny costume and embrace it.
MARCEL: Wow, that's strange. Do you charge more for that?
WILLIAM: Sure do. Good ol' Alfred plays the right tune and the Totem plays along as well. It's a good gig so far.
MARCEL: Well, history gonna remember you, “The Totem Portrait Pioneer.”
WILLIAM: Yeah… in the meantime, I need to ask Alfred to tune Marg's violin. Hoping he can get the Totem to lean a little for our bunny-man banker.
William walked over to the staging area, moving tables and chairs out of the way to allow Tom to dig a hole. Marcel disappeared into the darkroom to prepare the film.
A few minutes later, Henry came by for a surprise visit after hearing that the Totem was now an official attraction. He spoke to William, preparing for the next shoot:
HENRY: Congratulations, exciting news, Halloween shots with the obelisk. Where do I get inline?
WILLIAM: Yes, sir… we’ll see how it goes. By the way, we called it the ‘Totem’ now.
HENRY: Totem? Sounds catchy, but aren't you concerned about questions?
WILLIAM: No. I have it covered: an object of unknown origin, floats for a good fiddle, currently visiting the premises… you see how I'm selling it.
HENRY: Yeah, but 'visiting'? That implies it might leave.
WILLIAM: ‘For a limited time,’ that’s good salesmanship, my friend.
HENRY: And what about the floating?
WILLIAM: Stage Magic, of course. Levitation tricks are all the rage.
HENRY: The Totem rose three feet off the ground yesterday, William. Three. Feet.
WILLIAM: Gracefully… look, we charge more if they want it to float. That makes it sound disciplined and controllable.
HENRY: You’re the boss.
WILLIAM: It hovered long enough for Mrs. Blakely to sit beneath it. And she has never looked happier.
HENRY: What if they ask whether its dangerous?
WILLIAM: We say, “No incidents to date.”
HENRY: And if they ask where it comes from?
WILLIAM: We gesture vaguely to the east. People respect that. It’s all theatrics, Henry… let’s give them a show. The Totem responds to the violin, it comes, stands and stares. If it meant us any harm, it’s surely taking its time.
HENRY: Very well. Unknown origin. Controlled levitation. Safe and Friendly.
WILLIAM: Yes. And with that, I need to get back to work … we have a Banker in a bunny suit coming and he wants to climb out of a hole with the Totem.
HENRY: Wild. You’re a dedicated man, William, that’s why I like you.
~CJ~
