's main exhibition space, staring at the empty white walls

d: Classical Technique

s sleepless nights perfecting every detail. This exhibition would either establish her as one

ress

nts to know about the track p

y's installation director, holding a table

s mind calculating how each piece would be lit, how visitors would move

as about context, presentation, experience. She'd spent six years working her way up from inte

's go with option two for the tra

on his tablet. "You're going t

ope

t curator we've

floors. She could see it already-the paintings hung just so, the sculptures positioned to catch light

cial life. The string of failed relationships with men who couldn't und

her: *Mija, when are you coming for

*Soon, Mama. I promise. Just

. You need to l

tinez when she'd started applying for gallery jobs-easier to pronounce, less "ethnic," more likely to get

phia texted back.

her could respond with another lectur

e junior curators, appeared in th

What'

c. "I know you're swamped with the e

sank. "What k

e of the sponsors, and gallery leadership wants us represented. But Sara

can't. I have the lighting installation review Friday

The auction doesn't start until

vents. You know that. All th

he curatorial work, but you need to build relationships with donors. This exhibition is going to

e schm

senior curator, which means schm

getting dark, office workers streaming past on their way hom

ends. Couldn't remember the last time she'd been on a date th

and her entire life f

. "Kids getting access to museums, art classes in underserved sch

You're not going to l

ned. "Come on. One night. Few hours. Free

ubt

you'l

eeded to be visible, to network, to play the game. If she wanted to keep advanci

. I'l

ack tie, by the way. And you should actually talk to peo

mises about th

on her phone. Annual event. Major donors. Live and silent auc

rtists, afternoon lighting review, evening edits on wall text

dn't just be good at the work.

g. Her best friend

ee for drinks tonight," M

exhibition propos

or another half hour. I'm literally ar

ry, at her laptop bag full of wo

n't seen you in person in two mo

er. "Okay. One dri

take

as already there, waving from a corner table, looking effort

ed," Maya said as

to yo

the last time you sle

ccepted the glass of red wine Maya had already o

position, her new boyfriend, her weekend

ya asked. "Any prosp

ti

ot health

m f

re lo

foc

being isolated. When's the last time you did something just for fu

answer, then closed it. She

auction Friday," she said

t for

es

oud of you. But you're going to wake up at forty having accomplis

s dram

s

ent off-time for her m

"Promise me you'll actually talk to people at

ing for

se me

ake minimal small tal

take

hia thought about Maya's words.

he was dedicated. Th

't t

home to her small studio apartment. She heated up leftover takeout, ch

rt posters and books. No photos of friends or fami

r and h

y. Black tie. Donors and collectors and probably pretentious

ry supporters. People whose connec

ew hours. She

d to d

angers made her want to cancel and spend t

her empty apartment. "You can s

r: *Glad you're representing us Friday. Importan

ssure.

p and looked around her

ong. She wa

was

utely