<strong>Alan - Seven Steps to Success College, Art Studio B <br/><br/>"They hide in shadows." </strong>Alan stood frozen in time. Several things had just happened at once. He was offered a<em> thousand</em>dollars for one of<em> his</em>paintings. That same painting just<em>spoke</em>to him. The gorgeous muse he had been enthralled was now a nauseating spectacle, a mockery of the human condition. Somewhere, deep in the folds of his subconscious mind, he wanted to start another painting! Such a subject!<br/><br/>Suddenly, he was snapped back to reality as he remembered that 'Crea-sandra' was still standing, waiting for a response, exactly for how long she was waiting for his mind to return, he was not at all certain.<br/><br/>"Erm, that is yes, well, of course, that's reasonable. I mean, I'm certain you don't have that kind of money on you now, so just...ah...write me a a check... and well, yes. It's. . . ahem. . . been fun, but I've really got to get some sleep, it's getting late and well, I haven't been sleeping well lately. . . "<br/><br/>He turned on one heel, the rubber of his canvas sneakers making a loud squeal as the 180 finished and he made for the door. As it was closing behind him, he shouted back "Don't worry about the mess, the studio is in better condition than usual... don't touch anything, just take the painting and go!"<br/><br/>As his body raced down the hallways to get out and get back home, his mind raced with thoughts of what transpired. . .<br/><br/>