“You there, freshen up my drink won’t you.”
The butler, having served this boys club on a weekly basis for years, is resigned to the fact that these men will never learn his name. He doubts if the head of the household even knows. Jones, Jennings, Jeeves, he alternates. It’s actually Martin. Ten years later, it’s still Martin.
He places the drinks on the table and coughs as he stands in the cloud of cigar smoke that lingers through the study.
“Rude bugger, that one. Coughing in our faces, thinks he is better than us. These cigars cost more than he makes in a year!” The men laugh as Martin leaves the room, though he’s still within earshot.
Martin is fed up. He makes a pot of coffee and adds an ingredient he’s been waiting for the right moment to use. He returns to the study with the tray of coffee.
One of the men is standing by the large cabinet, leafing through a history book. “What fool wouldn’t know he’s been poisoned, bloody Renaissance nonsense if you ask me.” He says, placing the book back on the shelf and scoffing at Martin for placing the coffee cup on the desk without a coaster.
The men all sip their coffee and remark on the odd flavor, but continue to drink it nonetheless. Drunk on self-satisfaction and deliriously pleased with himself for going through with the act, Martin returns to the kitchen and pours himself a congratulatory cup of coffee.
England
The butler, having served this boys club on a weekly basis for years, is resigned to the fact that these men will never learn his name. He doubts if the head of the household even knows. Jones, Jennings, Jeeves, he alternates. It’s actually Martin. Ten years later, it’s still Martin.
He places the drinks on the table and coughs as he stands in the cloud of cigar smoke that lingers through the study.
“Rude bugger, that one. Coughing in our faces, thinks he is better than us. These cigars cost more than he makes in a year!” The men laugh as Martin leaves the room, though he’s still within earshot.
Martin is fed up. He makes a pot of coffee and adds an ingredient he’s been waiting for the right moment to use. He returns to the study with the tray of coffee.
One of the men is standing by the large cabinet, leafing through a history book. “What fool wouldn’t know he’s been poisoned, bloody Renaissance nonsense if you ask me.” He says, placing the book back on the shelf and scoffing at Martin for placing the coffee cup on the desk without a coaster.
The men all sip their coffee and remark on the odd flavor, but continue to drink it nonetheless. Drunk on self-satisfaction and deliriously pleased with himself for going through with the act, Martin returns to the kitchen and pours himself a congratulatory cup of coffee.
England
c. 1900
Rosewood and other exotic wood inlays
101.5" wide x 26.5" deep x 111" high
$35,000
