Chapter 15 Partners and Collusion

London, February 1885 The midnight dinner is a tradition at the Le Fevehore house.It had originally been arranged by Chandrash on a whim, due to chronic insomnia and constant drama preoccupation with regular meals, and partly because of his genuine distaste for dinner party etiquette in general.There were plenty of places to go for a meal after get off work, but none were to Chandrash's liking. And so he began to introduce elaborate multi-course dinners, the first course of which was always served at midnight.At exactly twelve o'clock at midnight, when the grandfather clock in the hall began to strike the time, the first course was served on the table in time.Chandrash felt that doing so added a bit of ritual.The earliest evening banquets were small, intimate gatherings among friends and colleagues.Then it became more and more frequent and extravagant, and finally became a kind of secret event.Being invited to a dinner party has become a coveted honor in some social circles.

The guests of the banquet are of course strictly screened.While occasionally there may be as many as thirty, as few as five are not uncommon.Twelve to fifteen digits is the general standard.In short, regardless of the number of guests, the delicacy of the dishes remains the same. Chandrash never offers menus for such meals.Some such feasts, if any, would have menus printed in fine calligraphy on fine paper, detailing the contents of each dish, or at least listing interesting themes or dish titles. The night banquet was originally full of the mysterious atmosphere of the night, but Chandrash found that the practice of not providing the menu and cooking process would make the banquet even more mysterious.Plate after plate of dishes was brought to the table, some served in banana leaves, baked with apples, or garnished with brandy-soaked cherries, easily recognizable as quail, rabbit or lamb.Other dishes are more mysterious, coated with sweet sauces or spiced soups; or unidentifiable meats, hidden in pasta and milk sauces.

Even if a guest asks about the nature of a certain dish, the origin of a certain dim sum or condiment, a certain indescribable flavor (because even the sharpest gourmet tongue cannot identify every flavor), they have to ask. to a satisfactory answer. Chandrash would say that these recipes are personal to the chefs and I don't want to take away their privacy. Curious guests will look down at the mysterious meal in front of them, perhaps politely say that whatever the secret, it's still pretty good, and savor each bite thoughtfully, wondering where the special flavor came from. Where did it come from.

At a dinner party, there is very little conversation between servings. In fact, Chandrash would rather not know all the ingredients and not know every cooking technique.Such ignorance, he claims, brings life to each dish and makes the entire meal worth the price of admission. (Ah, one guest said during the discussion on this subject: You'd rather not look at the cogs in the clock, as long as it tells the time correctly.) Desserts are even more amazing.An assortment of sweets made with chocolate and butterscotch, filled with creamy and liqueur-flavored berries.Cakes stacked to incredible heights, meringues that are fluffier and lighter than air.Figs dripping with honey, sugar flowers pinched into spirals and blossoms.Often guests say the desserts are too beautiful and appealing to eat, but they always manage to get over it in the end.

Chandrash never revealed the true identities of those chefs.Rumor has it that he has kidnapped culinary talents from around the world, imprisoned them in his kitchen, and coerced them in shady ways into cooking dishes that suited his every whim.It was also said that the dishes were not cooked at his mansion, but were delivered from a number of fine dining restaurants in London, and that they were paid well for late night hours.It's just that the rumor always ends up sparking debates about how to keep hot food warm and cold dishes cold, often leaving the debating guests hungrier. No matter the origin, the taste of the meal is undeniable.The dining room (or room, depending on the number of people) is always as attractively decorated as the rest of the house, with rich red and gold accents and displays of art from all over the world in every visible place. Arts and crafts.The whole space is illuminated by chandeliers and candles, creating a kind of not very bright, but deep and warm, with a little ethereal light.

There are also various sideshows in the banquet: dancers, magicians, and exotic musicians.More intimate gatherings are usually accompanied by one of Chandrash's personal pianists, a young woman who plays the piano non-stop throughout the evening without speaking to the guests. It's just dinner, but the atmosphere and the late hour make it different, making it a rare and unique thing.Chandrash has a gift for the outlandish, and he knows the magic of atmosphere. The banquet this evening was quite private, with only five guests.And tonight's dinner is no ordinary social gathering.

The first one to arrive (the pianist was already playing earlier) was Anna.Mrs. Padwa, a retired Romanian ballet principal, was a close friend of Chandrash's mother during her lifetime.He had called her Aunt Padwa since childhood, and still did.She was a lady of stateliness, with the elegance of a dancer and an impeccable eye for beauty even in her advanced age.Her aesthetic vision is also the main reason why she was invited this evening.She is a master of aesthetics and has a unique and enviable fashion sense, which has also allowed her to maintain a considerable income after her retirement from the ballet world.

This lady is a magician of costumes, so the papers say, a miracle worker.Madame Padwa shrugged off these comments, though she did joke herself that with lots of silk and a strong corset, she could turn Chandrash into a fashion star. This night she was wearing a black satin gown with intricate hand-embroidered cherry blossom patterns, which looked like a kimono regenerated into an evening gown.Her silver hair was coiled on top of her head and held in a small chignon with a small black silk net encrusted with jewels.A perfectly cut deep ruby ​​choker encircles her neck, giving the vague impression that her throat has been slit, and the overall effect is slightly morbid yet extremely elegant.

Aiden. W．Barris, an engineer and architect of considerable renown, was the second guest to arrive.He looked as if he had strayed into the wrong place in a trance.With his shy demeanor, silver-rimmed glasses, and hair brushed carefully to cover his balding head, he should feel much more at home in an office, a bank, or some important place.He and Chandrash met only once, at a symposium on ancient Greek architecture.So this invitation took him quite by surprise.Mr. Barris was not the type to be invited to special late-night social gatherings, and even very few in general, but he felt it would be rude to refuse.Besides, he had long wanted to see the mystery of the Lefevre house, which had always been a legend among his colleagues who were engaged in interior decoration.

Not long after arriving, he found himself enjoying a lighthearted exchange of pleasantries with a former ballerina over a glass of bubbly.Special late-night social gatherings were fun, he told himself, and he should attend as often as possible in the future. Sister Burgess arrived at the same time.Tara and Leni do just about anything, sometimes as dancers, sometimes as actors.They also worked as librarians, though it was only mentioned when they were very drunk.Recently they have started a consulting business, which is not limited in scope.They offer advice on everything from relationships and finances to travel and shoes.Their secret (and something they only talk about when they're drunk) is their razor-sharp observation skills, seeing every detail and noticing every nuance.If Tara missed something, Leni made it up for her (and vice versa).

They prefer to solve people's problems through verbal advice rather than shouldering all the chores.More fulfilling, they say. The sisters look alike: the same brown chestnut wavy hair, large, expressive hazel eyes, make them look much younger than their actual age, not that they would be willing to admit their age, or give out who is younger long.They wore fashionable evening gowns, different styles, but cleverly echoed and complemented each other. Madame Padwa greeted them with the practiced indifference she always had for young beauties, but warmed up again when they complimented her hairstyle, jewelry, and dress.Mr. Barris found himself attracted to both, though it might just be the alcohol.He also found it difficult to understand their thick Scottish accents, whether they were Scottish or not.He wasn't sure of that at all. The last one arrives shortly before the feast begins, when all the guests are seated and the wine glasses are filled.He was a tall man with a featureless appearance and no age.Dressed in immaculate gray tuxedo, he handed over his bowler hat and cane at the door, and handed out a card with the A. H︱Business card with the name of Mr. H︱.He nodded politely to the other guests as he took his seat, but said nothing. Then Chandrash joined the table, followed by his assistant Marco, a young man with beautiful green eyes who immediately caught the attention of both the Burgesses and sisters. I invite you all for a reason, said Chandrash: I'm sure you've all been guessing in your minds too.Anyway, it's a matter of business, and I think that's the kind of thing that's best done after we've had our fill, so let's leave the business for after dessert.He waved slightly to one of the waiters, and when the clock in the hall struck twelve, the low, thick sound echoed through the house, and the first course was served. The conversation during the meal is as smooth and pleasant as the wine that goes with the course.Ladies are much more talkative than men.In fact, the man in the gray suit barely said anything.Although only a few of them have ever met, by the time the main course is gone, onlookers might assume that these people have known each other for most of their lives. It was almost two o'clock in the morning, after the dessert was removed, Chandrash stood up and cleared his throat. Please move to the study for coffee and brandy, so we can get down to business. As he spoke, he nodded to Marco, and Marco slipped away quietly, and then brought several large notebooks and rolls of paper, and went upstairs to join them in the study.Coffee and brandy were served, and the guests were divided among sofas and armchairs around a crackling fire.After lighting a cigar, Chandrash began to speak, puffing out puffs of smoke from time to time to emphasize his tone. I'm inviting you here tonight because I'm embarking on a project, a feat, so to speak.I do think this is a feat that will be interesting to all of you, each of you can contribute to this project in your own right.As for everyone's assistance, of course, this matter is entirely based on personal wishes, and I will extend my gratitude and generous rewards.He said. Stop playing around and tell us what your new trick is, Chandrash darling.said Madame Padwa, swishing her glass. Some of us are not young anymore.One of the Burgess sisters suppressed a giggle. Of course, Aunt Padwa.Chandrash saluted in her direction.My new trick, as you quite aptly put it, is the circus. circus?Leni.Burgess laughed and said: Wonderful! Like a carnival?Mr. Barris asked, somewhat puzzled. Better than a carnival, said Chandrash: better than a circus in fact, a circus like no other.Not just one tent, but several, each with a unique exhibit.There are no elephants or clowns, no, only something more graceful than that.Nothing banal.This is different, it will be a unique experience, a feast for the senses.Drama without the theater, an immersive entertainment.We're going to take down all the preconceptions and preconceived notions people have about the circus and make it into something completely different, something new.He waved to Marco, and Marco immediately unrolled several rolls of paper, spread them out on the table, and pressed them with various paperweights and small things (monkey skulls, butterflies frozen in glass) their corners. These drawings are mostly sketches with annotations written all around them.Only fragments of the concept are seen: a circular tent, a central passage.Along the side of the diagram are many scribbled lists of possible highlights and performances: fortune-teller, acrobat, magician, cartilaginous stuntman, dancer, fireman. Sister Burgess and Mr. Barris pored over the sketches, reading every word and listening to Chandrash explain.Madame Padwa smiled, but remained seated, sipping brandy. A． Mr. H︱ remained motionless, his expression unfathomable and unchanged. It's still only in the conception stage, so I invite you to come over, hoping to get a start and continue to develop.It requires style, pomp, technical and structural ingenuity.Full of confusing atmosphere, maybe a little mysterious.I think you are the perfect team for this task.If anyone disagrees, you are welcome to leave at any time, but I respectfully ask you not to disclose this to anyone.I would like these drafts to be kept strictly confidential, at least for now.After all, the current stage is very sensitive. He took a deep puff of the cigar, exhaled the smoke slowly, and then came to a conclusion.As long as we get it right, this thing will keep going. can i have a pencilasked Mr. Barris. Marco handed him one.Mr. Barris began drawing, taking the rough sketches on the circus blueprints as a basis and expanding it into intricate designs. Chandrash's guests stayed at his house until just before dawn.When they were finally ready to leave, they had accumulated three times as many diagrams, blueprints, and notes as they had when they first arrived, scattered or thumbtacked around the study, like maps leading to unknown treasures.