Masterpiece

James checks his sleeve for Marvin and finds him under his collar. He asks if Marvin can do the drawing, moving Marvin closer to the original Fortitude so he can inspect it. Marvin takes time memorizing the shapes and recalling the criticism about his first attempt. James asks if Marvin heard what Christina had said about Dürer’s process and unscrews the cap for the brown ink.

Marvin takes a deep breath, dips his legs in the ink, and begins working. He falls into the same artistic trance, forgetting everything around him. The drawing takes shape on the page. Marvin spends extra time studying the delicate details of the original piece. James watches quietly, wide-eyed. Marvin draws until his legs hurt and his eyes burn from concentration.

James tells Marvin that it’s been an hour and the adults will return soon. Marvin finishes and collapses on the edge of the work, surveying his piece. It’s the best he’s ever done, and he is sure he won’t be able to do better. James is pleased with the work as well.

Christina, Denny, and Karl return. Marvin hides in James’s sleeve. The adults surround James, studying the new copy of Fortitude.