The Other Side Read Free Page A

that’s something I don’t know either’, Gautsch replied. ‘They are all old properties. Some are even falling down and would be worthless to anyone else; others, though, are solid and well preserved. They come from all over Europe. The master himself designated each one individually so one must presume these buildings, both wood and stone and gathered together from different parts, must have some particular significance for him. Why else would he have invested millions in founding this city?’
    ‘How much money does this man have then, for goodness sake?’ I exclaimed, astounded.
    ‘Ah, well, if we knew that ‘, was his melancholy reply. ‘I have been in his employment for ten years and have certainly paid out close on two hundred million for purchases, compensation, transport and other goods and services. There are agents like myself in all parts of the world. It is impossible even to guess at the extent of Patera’s wealth.’
    I gave a groan. ‘I believe you, sir, but I still don’t understand. It all sounds so mysterious. Well, go on, go on. What is life there like?’
    ‘I’ll try to explain some things. To tell you everything would be impossible, there isn’t time for that. And anyway, I don’t live there permanently, I just visit from time to time. What kind of thing would you like information on?’
    I was naturally interested in artistic matters so Gautsch told me what he knew about the arts in the Dream Realm.
    ‘We don’t have special museum buildings or art galleries. We don’t pile up valuable works of art, but you will find many an exceptional individual piece. Everything is shared out, “in use”, so to speak. I must say, though, that I cannot recall a single case of a more recent painting, bronze or other art object being purchased. The 1860s are the absolute limit. I can tell you from my own experience that I despatched a crate of good Dutch paintings, including two Rembrandts, myself a few years ago, so they must be there now. Patera is more a collector of antiquities than of art, though on the grand scale. As I have already explained, he buys extensive building complexes. But there is even more! He has an unbelievable memory and can remember almost all the objects in his realm. We agents purchase them to order. We often receive lists of the desired objects with precise details of their appearance, where to find them and who owns them. These goods are acquired, often at the highest prices, and then carefully packed and sent to Pearl. And quite a task that is too’, he added. ‘I often find it incomprehensible where he gets his immense knowledge of these things. Although I have been in his employment for many years now and might be expected to be used to anything, I keep on being amazed. Valuable articles and what is clearly trash are both demanded with the same insistence. How often have I visited people, from respectable city-dwellers to peasants living in remote mountain areas, and had to rummage through their cellars and lofts looking for some old piece of rubbish. The people themselves often have no idea that they possess the thing, a broken chair, an old cigar-lighter, a pipe-rack, an egg-timer or whatever. Sometimes, when the object is too trifling, they just laugh and let me have it for nothing. Quite often I have great difficulty persuading the people they actually possess the object I’m looking for, but we always find it in the end. It’s usually the wily peasant who takes the fattest cut. Yes, I’ve plenty to keep me occupied. Only last week I received a consignment of old pianos. There were some very worn-out ones among them.’

    ‘Oh, I just love old junk’, -l interjected.
    ‘Yes, I’m sure you’d feel very much at home there. We have everything you need. Good food, not to be compared with the usual swill travellers get in the orient. Housing is comfortable and you’ll find lively society everywhere. There’s even an excellent coffee house. What more could