Van Gogh Reborn!

Chapter 165: Eroica (1)

Chapter 165 Eroica (1)

Painter Jean Jericho was furious.

He had been a member of SNBA for years, never missing a payment or buying a single piece of clothing, but he had never qualified for the Antermittang benefit.

He had been waiting for the news that he had met the eligibility criteria this year, but instead he got a rejection letter.

He went to the headquarters of SNBA, hoping to make a scene, when he heard an unexpected announcement from the receptionist.

What did you just say?

Congratulations. You will receive this months support fund by the end of this week.

Jean Jericho was dumbfounded.

He couldnt believe that SNBA, which had ignored his work and photos for so long, had approved his application so easily.

Are you kidding me?

But his anger didnt subside in an instant.

What?

Come on, you know what I mean. Ive submitted so many documents before, but you ignored them. Why are you processing it so easily now? Am I being played with? Do you look down on me because I have no money?

The receptionist calmly listened to his rant and apologized.

Im sorry.

He felt like a child.

He felt awkward when the young receptionist, who was much younger than him, bowed his head.

As you said, there were some flaws in the evaluation of the Antermittang system until now.

Hmm.

I know its inconvenient, but if you submit the evidence that you met the eligibility criteria before, we will pay you retroactively. Please understand.

Jean Jericho doubted his ears.

He wondered if it was possible to get the support fund that he should have received last year and the year before.

He also wondered where the evidence that he had submitted before had gone.

You want me to submit the same thing again?

The staff who was in charge of the matter lost the previous data. Im very sorry.

He couldnt trust the receptionists words.

He couldnt tell how much he should believe.

He couldnt believe that the French National Art Association had lost its administrative data.

How can you lose that?

Im sorry.

The young receptionist bowed his head.

He looked tired. He must have graduated from college not long ago.

He reminded him of his son who was working, and he couldnt be harsh anymore.

The receptionist apologized again.

All the staff of SNBA are working hard to correct the mistake. Please trust us one more time.

Jean Jericho left the headquarters of SNBA.

He opened the guide document among the people who were entering with confidence.

He saw that he would receive 12,050 euros, which he should have received this year, in a lump sum on Wednesday next week, and that he would be eligible for the Antermittang benefit until the end of this year.

It was a lot of money that he could use to deal with urgent matters.

His phone rang.

It was his colleague, Nasim Mimouni.

They had become close friends after being expelled from the association a month ago, comforting each other.

Hey.

-What are you doing?

Wait a minute. Why?

-I just called to talk. If youre okay, come to my place.

He had some good news to share, so Jean Jericho gladly accepted.

He felt like he could drink some good Benedictine today.

A little later.

Jean Jericho bought a bottle of Fcamp Benedictine and went to see Nasim Mimouni.

He was about to share his good news with his friend, but he had to hold his tongue when he heard his friends complaints.

How the hell is this country running?

Why?

Theyre not satisfied with cutting off the support fund, they want me to spit it out. Damn it.

He was shocked to hear that the government was reclaiming the unemployment benefits that he had received through Antermittang.

It was very different from what he had heard from SNBA.

No. Why? Youve been receiving it well until now.

Its all because of that bastard Marso.

Think about it. Why did the system that was working well become like this? Hes just being spiteful because he cant have it his way.

Jean Jericho couldnt react to anyones words.

He didnt know who was right.

Why. Whats wrong?

No. Just

Tsk tsk. You should have some sense of crisis.

Nasim Mimouni straightened his posture.

So, heres the thing. We have to protect our rights, dont we?

What do you mean?

How long are we going to be treated like this? Didnt you hear what Jerome Kerbier said on TV?

I saw it.

It was a big shock to the whole of France when Jerome Kerbier, who had been the secretary of SNBA, voluntarily left the association.

It was because of the oppressive attitude that Henri Marso had shown at the SNBA board meeting.

SNBA is rotten now. Lets make a real association for artists.

Jean Jericho hesitated, and Nasim Mimouni shook his head in frustration.

Youre still fooled by him? Hes just doing whatever he wants. The hero of Antermittang? Give me a break. There are over 500,000 members, but how many of them received it?

Only 140,000.

He raised his popularity and got donations by saying he would give benefits to all artists. Huh? Isnt that just filling his pockets?

Jean Jericho couldnt erase his doubts as he listened to Nasim Mimounis words.

He was going to receive all the support funds that he hadnt received until now from SNBA next week.

Nasim Mimounis words were very different from that.

Actually, I was on my way back from SNBA.

What?

They said they would give me the support fund. All the ones I didnt get.

Nasim Mimouni was surprised.

He had been trying to gather people around him to make a new group with the expelled ones, but he didnt expect SNBA to move so quickly.

Nasim cut him off, not wanting to give him time to think otherwise.

Look at this frustrating guy. Hes trying to calm down the public opinion. Dont you know that?

Jean Jericho was skeptical.

Do you think theyre giving me that money just to shut me up?

But his doubt had no effect on Nasim Mimouni.

He thought Henri Marso was too rich to pay tens of thousands of euros to hundreds of thousands of members who had never received unemployment benefits, just to overturn public opinion.

Come on, you know whats going to happen. Once things calm down, theyll go back to the way they were.

Jean remained silent at Nasims words.

The criticism of Henri Marso, who had been revered as a hero, after more than 3,000 members were expelled.

The Antermittang system that was back on track.

Jean Jericho kept thinking that he might have been wrong about something.

I should ask other people.

*

Pierre Malo, who met countless artists every day, was sensitive to the trends.

The artists who visited Chardon had great influence in their fields, and some of them gave Pierre Malo various information directly or indirectly.

The visitors who came to buy ready-made products without dealing with Pierre Malo directly also told stories through the staff.

The most talked-about topic lately was the expanded and retroactive Antermittang.

Pierre Malo, who was curious about the increase in sales of ready-made products, received an unexpected tip.

I wanted to get a Chardon frame for myself, since I had some extra money.

Extra money?

Pierre Malo stroked his mustache.

Yes, I think its thanks to Antermittang. Some people received up to 20,000 euros. I feel more stable financially, so I can pay attention to things like frames and tools.

Speaking of which, I think Elles customers have increased too.

Another staff member mentioned Elle, a painting shop two blocks away.

It was a place that made and sold brushes, and it had a long history like Chardon.

As the artists pockets became fuller, the related industries also gained vitality.

Of course.

Pierre Malo nodded his head, recalling Henri Marso, who emphasized the normalization of Antermittang more than anything else.

And he felt sorry that the positive flow of the market that should have happened four years ago had only started now.

Ring- ring-

Yes?

Pierre Malo answered the intercom.

-Mr. Go Suyeol and Mr. Go Hoon, the artists, are here to see you.

Please show them to the reception room. Ill be there in five minutes.

Pierre Malo looked around with a smile.

The staff noticed that they had to finish the meeting and listened carefully.

The trend will get better for a while. Lets think about how to increase the sales of the low-price line for the next agenda.

Pierre Malo wanted to extend this wave that started from Henri Marso as much as possible.

He hoped that the tide would get stronger if possible.

First of all, lets sell all the products except the ones we make ourselves at a 10% discount from tomorrow.

What?

The staff were surprised.

The products that the artisans of Chardon made themselves were excluded, but all the products that Chardon produced were another work of art with their artistic spirit.

They had refused even the basic sales methods such as discounts, points, and bonuses with that spirit.

They couldnt believe Pierre Malos decision.

Is that okay?

Mr. Malo, Im sorry to say this, but wouldnt some people doubt our work?

I think differently. It could be an opportunity to build a closer relationship with the painters.

Wouldnt it be better to move the high-price products to the front? They have more choices now that they have some money.

No. Theyre not in a position to spend it all at once, even if they received the support fund.

Or it could give the impression that were after the unemployment benefits they barely got.

Pierre Malo looked at the staff who were discussing among themselves with satisfaction.

Then Ill go first.

Okay.

Thank you for your hard work.

So, Mr. Malo, youre saying that we should give discounts to the people who didnt visit Chardon because of the price. You mean to make a relationship with them.

And to make them come back.

Pierre Malo hurried his steps.

He was excited to see the new work that Go Hoon brought.

He felt like he was flying, feeling the good wave that came to France.

Mr. Go Suyeol, Mr. Go Hoon.

Pierre Malo opened the reception room door wide.

Malo.

Go Hoon, who had gained some weight since a month ago, turned around with a macaron from Pierre Herm in his mouth.

Oh, monsieur. How lovely you are.

Pierre Malo greeted Go Hoons cheeks alternately.

Have you been well?

Of course. Very happily.

Pierre Malo also greeted Go Suyeol.

You both look a bit tanned.

Ha ha. We got sunburned at the beach.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Pierre Malo didnt hide his desire to see Go Hoons new work.

I cant wait any longer. Is that it?

Yes.

Go Hoon unwrapped the package.

Pierre Malo, who was soothing his excited heart by stroking his mustache, lit up his eyes when he saw Go Hoons <Summer Wave>.

Oh l l.