An Unpleasant Visit
Across from the appraiser, Melissa Williams sat patiently waiting. A thirty-five dollar bust stood between her and the lady, which kept catching her gaze.
Despite the appraisal the bust would receive, she swore to herself she would keep a calm temperament.
With every passing word the appraiser uttered, her composure proportionately dissolved. How could she be so naive?
The Dear Cost
She held her breath as the appraiser revealed more details about the bust. Excitement and shock were increasingly difficult to hide.
Despite this, she remained calm. As soon as she heard the bust’s actual price estimate, her heart started pounding like a drum.
There was no doubt: her life had changed forever.
Easy As ABC
As a company, Austin Galleries has always focused on making the appraisal process as straightforward as possible for anyone looking to get their odds and ends evaluated.
They were established back in 1964, so most of history as we know it had already passed through their books.
An annual function was held in Austin, Texas, in an effort to educate the locals about the value of their own seemingly worthless possessions. Melissa’s plan would be far beyond their wildest expectations.
Pocket Change
The appraisal was only a matter of curiosity for Melissa Williams, 45, a mother from Lakeway, Texas.
No matter what it was worth, anything was better than nothing.
While she waited patiently for her turn for the fifty-two-pound bust, she held on her lap, to be appraised. Her hands now held such wealth; if only she knew what was at stake.
Charity Shop
The bust was acquired at a Goodwill near her home and was set in her living room along with other finds from over the years.
At first, Melissa believed it was a replica made of cheap and less desirable, local materials.
Nevertheless, as she kept it at home, and things began to change.
Unique
First and foremost, Melissa noticed how enormously heavy the bust was, which gave her all the more reason to believe it wasn’t just some random pick.
The material of the bust felt exactly like marble, that of which the most expensive busts are made.
In spite of this, she reminded herself that it was merely an imitation, albeit an excellent one. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that the object she possessed could be a window into lost ages.
Flaunting
The bust had been propped down in Melissa’s living room for just over a month before she finally sold it. The moment she bought it, she couldn’t stop admiring it.
Although most visitors weren’t as captivated by it as she was, they could agree that it was something unusual.
It wasn’t until one day that she noticed something was very wrong.
Grime
The bust’s nose had a stain, Melissa noticed upon closer inspection.
She had seen it as she made her purchase and shrugged it off as something that could be easily removed with some elbow grease.
However, she had not made any progress in removing the stain after an entire month. Having exhausted all of her options, she decided to seek the help of a guru.
Siblings
Her sister Joan, the expert cleaner, ran a flourishing business throughout the city.
Her ability to remove stains from any surface was unmatched.
Seeing the bust as a non-issue for her sister, Melissa felt confident she could be of assistance. A discovery they would make would turn their world on its head.
Scrubbing Away
A cleaning session was set up between Melissa and Joan for the bust. There was no success in removing the stain despite hours of grueling labor. She had never been bothered by the stain before.
However, now that it was becoming obvious that Joan wasn’t able to remove it, the mother of five was unable to do so either.
As of yet, she was unaware that this very stain would reveal the bust’s historical truth.
How She Found It
As her sister tried to remove the stain, Melissa recalled the trip that blessed her with the bust.
It had been a warm evening, and she was driving home after seeing a few friends.
She hadn’t meant to enter the Goodwill store, but a feeling kept telling her to go in. “Okay,” she whispered and hurried into the store, unaware she was about to make a remarkable discovery.
She Sees It
The bust had caught her interest the moment she walked through the door. She walked to it, admiring the expert craftsmanship.
Usually, such pieces would cost a hundred dollars, if not more. So you can imagine Melissa’s surprise and joy when she saw the thirty-five-dollar price tag.
She knew she would be taking the statue home with her.
It Won’t Come Off
“It looked and felt like the real thing,” the mom shared while speaking to local news reporters. “It was ornate and beautiful. Timeless. I knew it would fit well in my living room.”
But now she couldn’t get the stain off its nose. She grimaced as her sister threw in the towel, claiming the stain wouldn’t come off.
But what was supposed to be bad news would open a door that would change their lives forever.
At Work
The stain was stuck in Melissa’s mind as much as the bust. Working as an HR rep at a local paper company, she couldn’t focus on her work.
She spent the entire day googling different ways to get the stain off. But she soon discovered that Joan had already tried each of those methods.
But her search would lead her to another discovery.
It’s Possible To Clean It
Melissa learned that although you could clean most stains from a marble surface, the process became trickier when the marble was old.
How old, you might wonder? Well, Melissa’s research estimated about a century. Her heartbeat paused when she read it.
And she couldn’t help but wonder what the bust in her living room was really made of and how old it was.
Is She Wasting Her Time?
Sitting in line at the Austine Galleries appraisal event, she wondered if she was reaching for smoke here.
What if she was wasting time, and the bust was just another piece of cheap junk meant to beautify a room?
But if that were so, why couldn’t the stain come off? Melissa thumbed the bust’s nose, staring at it with furrowed brows. What was going on?
Going In
The line before her went on slowly, but eventually, it was her turn to see an appraiser. She walked in quietly, the bust held firmly in her hands.
“Hello,” she greeted the appraiser, who returned her greeting with a bright smile and nodded before asking her to take a seat.
“What do we have here?” she asked Melissa.
Time For Work
“A gift from Goodwill,” Melissa joked with a grin and placed the bust on the table between her and the appraiser. “An exquisite gift,” the appraiser observed in a British accent.
She wore gloves, steadied the glasses slung above her nose, and began scrutinizing the piece.
Melissa watched patiently as she worked, not knowing what the woman was about to uncover.
A Remarkable Piece
After an hour of studying the piece, the woman sighed and removed her glasses. She set them aside, removing her gloves as well.
“This is a remarkable piece, Mrs. Williams,” she said. She had introduced herself as Ms. Kimberly Crawford, an appraiser from London working with Austin Galleries.
She took a few photos of the bust for her file. But she didn’t stop there.
Why Appraise It?
“Can you tell me the reason you decided to get this piece appraised?” she asked.
“Yes. The stain there,” said Melissa, pointing at the bust’s nose.
“My sister and I have tried everything in a bid to remove it, but nothing has worked. I read that such occurrences are common with pieces of old marble.” That was only the start of her truth.
Is It Marble?
“I didn’t know it was marble before. I’m not even sure it is if I’m being honest.” “It is,” Kimberly cut in. “It is?” Melissa asked with a smile.
“Yes. But that is far from what’s baffling about this item.” Kimberly pointed at the bust’s outline using a pen on her desk.
She was about to change everything Melissa thought she knew about the statue.
Idealism
“Most renowned bust makers in civilization, the Greeks and the Romans from the Classical period focused on idealism. This means that their works revolved around young-looking faces that were not only life-like but visually perfect.”
She pointed at the bust’s face and neck, turning it around to give Melissa a better view.
“They focused on calm faces and well-defined muscles, as you can see here,” she said. “But this is not the confusing part.”
Where It Might’ve Originated From
“Some works from the Renaissance era embodied the same attributes from the Classical period. So this creates another confusing fact about this bust here.”
“It might have originated from any of those eras, or it could be a reasonable replication of what happened at the time, only made in China by someone who knows their craft.
Either way, it is a fascinating piece.
It’s Still A Remarkable Piece
“Modern technology has allowed us to replicate most of the techniques that ancient civilizations used,” she continued.
“I suppose that’s why the bust looks so refined.”
“Regardless of its origin, I cannot deny that it is exquisite. I’ll be honest with you. I don’t have much at the moment. I have taken a few photos of the bust, and I’ll ask for your contact information so we can keep in touch. There is something remarkable here, Mrs. Williams. I want us to root it out together.”
Heading Back Home
Melissa nodded and collected the bust. After a few bouts of small talk with the appraiser, she left the office, glad she’d made the visit.
She drove home and had a peaceful night for the first time in many nights.
She hoped Kimberly would help her get to the bottom of everything.
Back In The Living Room
A few days passed, and a hopeful Melissa kept her eye on her phone, waiting for Kimberly’s call.
She’d returned the bust to its original spot in the living room and had actually formed a liking toward its stained nose.
What had started as an irritating smudge had led her to the appraiser’s office, where she’d learned a lot. She couldn’t appreciate the bust enough. But she had no clue that her life was about to change.
A Quiet Afternoon
When her phone rang, Melissa had been outback with her husband and kids, enjoying the July sun.
Her daughter ran with the phone, informing Melissa that it had been ringing nonstop for thirty minutes.
Melissa answered immediately, delighted to hear Kimberly’s voice. But her enthusiasm died off instantly after she heard the appraiser’s tone.
She Has The Answers
“I took the photos to our experts in New York,” started Kimberly, barely able to talk. “They spent considerable time studying the bust, and what they found has me floored.”
“Do you mind meeting me for coffee now?” she asked.
“Nothing formal, just a quick meet-up where we can speak freely.” Melissa agreed, not knowing what Kimberly was planning.
Meeting For Coffee
The two ladies set up a meeting at a Starbucks in town. Melissa showed up to find Kimberly seated on one of the shop’s outside tables. But she wasn’t alone.
Next to her was a burly man. His arms were dark with tattoos, his face covered in a thick beard, and his clothes rugged.
If Melissa were to guess, she’d say he was part of a biker gang. Why would Kimberly bring such an individual here?
Kimberly’s Companion
Melissa had never been one to judge people based on their looks. She understood that everyone was different and that what was outside didn’t equal what was inside.
But she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about the man seated next to Kimberly.
Regardless, she approached them with a smile, shaking the man’s hand before sitting down. She needed to know what Kimberly had discovered.
Meet Mr. Rogers
“This is Mr. Rogers,” began Kimberly, introducing her associate. “He flew all the way from London to meet you.”
“Mrs. Williams,” Mr. Rogers said. His voice was a smooth baritone, a contrast from his external features.
“While we still don’t have much information about the bust, we’ve made a considerable discovery – enough to have me take a flight across the pond.”
How Old Is It?
“We know why the stain wouldn’t come off the bust’s face,” said Kimberly. “Your research was right.
Sometimes cleaning old marble can prove difficult. But can you guess how old this marble is?”
“I don’t know,” said Melissa uneasily. She could tell Kimberly and Mr. Rogers were working hard to dumb down their excitement. “Take a wild guess,” they said in unison.
Wrong Answer
“A hundred, maybe two hundred years?” Melissa said. Two hundred was the highest she could think.
Surely a bust in such good condition couldn’t be older than that.
“Two hundred?” Mr. Rogers chuckled. “Try two thousand!” Kimberly clapped at the reveal, and Melissa’s mind almost imploded. How was any of this possible?
Classical Era Piece Of Art
“As we said, we still don’t have much on the matter,” Mr. Rogers continued. “But we are certain it’s an original Classical era piece of art.”
“Now,” said Kimberly. “Something like this can fetch a pretty penny if auctioned correctly. So, we wanted to know if you are interested in selling it.”
“How much can it go for?” Melissa asked.
Wrong Again
“At the moment, we are estimating a hundred, maybe a hundred and fifty,” Kimberly answered. “We can find the best market for it and ensure you come out with top dollar.”
“A hundred dollars?” asked Melissa. That was by no means ‘top dollar’ or a ‘pretty penny.’ It was only three times what she had paid for the bust originally.
“A hundred?” asked Mr. Rogers. “No, Mrs. Williams. A hundred thousand dollars.”
A Hundred Thousand
Melissa almost fell back, her heartbeat sounding in her ears. “A hundred thousand dollars for a bust?” she asked with excitement written all over her face.
“A hundred, maybe a hundred and fifty,” Kimberly answered. “But that’s if you sell it now.” “What do you mean now?” Melissa asked.
Was there any more good news that the two intended on telling her?
There’s Still More To Be Done
“Well, we still don’t know who created the bust,” Kimberly said. “We are also still determining the exact period within the Classical era where it comes from.
Additionally, we don’t know who it is. Most of the busts from those times usually depicted someone of great renown – a politician, war hero, or wealthy aristocrat.
Understanding each of these factors can significantly increase the piece’s value.”
The Estimated Price
“What is currently a hundred to two hundred thousand dollars can easily jump to a million or even two million dollars.”
Melissa leaned back in her seat. A sheet of sweat covered her forehead, and her throat was dry from the information she’d just learned.
A hundred thousand dollars was nothing to scoff at. But a million or two million was beyond insane. So what did she do?
What To Do Now
Melissa had never thought of herself as a millionaire before. Although she and her family lived comfortably, they weren’t obscenely wealthy.
They weren’t even slightly rich, for that matter.
But this bust seemed keen to change that reality. She sat silently as her mind tried to figure out the way forward. What was the best path for her to follow?
Think It Over
“What will it be?” Kimberly asked. “You should know that if you agree to sell it now, I can wire the full one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to a bank account of your choice,” said Mr. Rogers.
“Mr. Rogers is willing to take the bust out of your hands,” Kimberly clarified.
“But the option to explore the other path is still open. You don’t have to give us your answer right now. You can sleep on it, discuss it with your family, and call me.”
Speechless
With that, the two appraisers said their goodbyes and left. Melissa spent the rest of the afternoon stunned, wondering what to do.
Her mind could already picture everything she could do with the one hundred and fifty thousand Mr. Rogers was willing to pay.
But would it be fooling to take such an easy route?
Calling Backup
Melissa called her husband, Mark, who drove to Starbucks to pick her up. On the drive home, she explained everything, from her trip to the Austin Galleries event to her conversations with Kimberly.
She told him about the bust’s true nature and what it cost. “One hundred and fifty thousand dollars if we sell it now,” she said.
“But that cash can go up significantly if we hold out and let Kimberly and her team finish their research.”
Sound Advice
Mark listened carefully to Melissa’s conundrum. “One hundred and fifty thousand is a lot,” he said.
“But ask yourself why they want to take it off your hands this early.
Why did that man fly across the Atlantic Ocean after learning the bust was in your possession? If it were up to me, I would hold out and let everything fall into place. But it’s not up to me.”
Is She Missing Something?
Melissa internalized his words, seeing sense in what he was saying. Why was Mr. Rogers keen on buying the bust from her before they finalized their research?
There had to be something more she was missing. Perhaps refusing his offer was the best way forward. Melissa had never been money hungry, so waiting a few weeks or months for the full report didn’t seem hellish.
With that thought in mind, she made her decision, unaware of the repercussions that would come her way.
The Long Route
Melissa called Kimberly in the morning, informing her she was taking the long route. She wanted to know everything she could about the bust, and although selling it now seemed lucrative, she couldn’t do it.
“I’m glad you’ve chosen this option,” Kimberly said. “Knowledge is always better than a quick buck, I usually say. We should meet up and discuss the way forward.”
Disclaimer: To protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.