Chapter 1: Starving Artist

• Name: Joseph Zaltari
• Age: 30
• Sign: Libra
• Aspiration: Pleasure
• Occupation: Self-Employed Artist

 

My name is Joseph Zaltari, and I come from a long line of what you might call ‘successful’ businessmen. My father was the CEO of Zaltari Enterprises, a company dedicated to the mass production of next-generation entertainment technology, whatever that means. Basically they made bigger, shinier, and more expensive televisions.

Before my father was the CEO, his father was a CEO, and his father was the CEO before that, etc. It goes back about ten generations or so to the founder, Jericho Zaltari. The business has changed what it does from time to time over the ages, but one thing is always for certain; a Zaltari is to money as a fish is to water.

I’m something of a black sheep in my family; my brother insists I’m insane, and perhaps he’s right. I mean, I moved from Belladonna Cove to the long abandoned Arbordale, with only 100 bucks to my name. My brother insisted that if I was going to go on this ‘soul search’, that I would at least take the lot our grandfather once purchased and used for a ‘retreat’.

I was half expecting to find an empty lot when I arrived, having to fend for myself. But my brother had other plans. Instead of a barren lot on which to build…

 

I found a rather impressive house, though poorly furnished. Grandfather wasn’t one for unnecessary luxuries, it seems.  The whole place has a ‘homey’ feel to it, though I’m not about to judge the house by it’s outside.

I was pleased to find a small garden from which to grow my own food. Arbordale doesn’t exactly have much in the way of a grocery store, at least not that I’m aware of. And while I’m sure I’m the only resident, I’ve heard rumors of a small community hidden somewhere. Who knows if those rumors are true.

Using my knowledge of gardening, I quickly plant a few tomatoes, which reduces my funds from 100 to 28, if you count the fertilizer. I am going to have to find a cheaper way to plant my crops if I plan to survive up here… though if I suffer, my art should thrive, or so they say.

It isn’t long before a visitor arrives and admires my work in the garden. We chat for a bit, and he informs me that there are several people who still live near Arbordale, even if they don’t live where the town once stood, like I’ve chosen to. Apparently my house is on a hiking trail, so while no one lives here but me, I’ll sometimes see people walking by at any given hour. I’m glad to hear this piece of news, as I might just go stir crazy before too long if I’m forced to have minimal contact with the outside world. After my chat with this man, I quickly take a tour of the house.

This is the kitchen and dining room. The dining room is a good example of my grandfather’s ‘practical’ side. He only needed a small table and chair for his meals, and since this house wasn’t used to entertain guests, he was allowed to go on the cheap. I’m glad there’s at least a sink in here, as well as a counter to prepare my meals…

Speaking of which, I take a quick inventory of the fridge. It’s fully stocked, at least, but I can’t rely on it forever. Good thing I’ve started my garden. Hopefully I can last a while until I start getting a steady supply of food. It occurs to me I may need to expand the garden, though, but I won’t be able to do that until I start making some money.

I make myself  a quick sandwich, and lick the plate clean. Bologna, my favorite!

I realize there’s a living room across from the dining/kitchen area. No TV, ironically enough, but there is a loveseat with a bookcase. Grandfather was always content with a good book, while I had always preferred my soaps, er, I mean action movies! Clearly that’s what I was going to say!

The bathroom is rather small, but suitable for a bachelor such as myself. Here’s where I agreed with grandfather in that simpler was better. It wasn’t like I was going to spend my entire life on the toilet… well, unless I eat something spoiled, who knows.

Apparently, this room was where my father spent his childhood, along with his own brother. The toys are a bit old, but still good enough to be played with. Who knows, if I ever have children of my own I could always use them!

Ah, the nursery. There’s only one crib, as my father was the youngest of the two siblings, so grandfather was able to use this crib as a ‘hand-me-down’ for my father. Again, some old toys are lying around. I name the bear Mr. Waffles. Why not?

And then I come to what used to be grandfather’s room. It’s simple, yet somehow elegant I guess. It’s good enough for me, at any rate. And those glass doors…

They lead to the balcony outside, just like the other glass doors near the staircase. I knew there was a balcony but I’d had no idea it wrapped around from the front to the master bedroom! This may save me a bit of travel time when I go to my easel, which my brother was kind enough to transport from home. He agreed to buy any art I may send him, of course. Though he’s not going to do me any favors and give me more than I’ve earned! I’m curious about the telescope, though. It wasn’t grandfather’s, and it’s not mine or my brother’s…

I decide to leave it alone for now. I didn’t know I’d be getting a newspaper way out here, but apparently word’s already spread that I’m living in the old Zaltari residence. I quickly check the weather forecast for today, then decide to compost it.

Looks like I’ve found a cheap source of fuel for my garden… I plant another tomato to celebrate. It reduces my funds to 20. I better finish a few paintings, or something…

After all that, I decide to start my first painting. I like this balcony already, as I can not only draw upon my surroundings for inspiration, but keep an eye on my garden as well (and use it for inspiration should the muse hit me).

It soon gets a bit too dark to work on my painting, so I decide to investigate the telescope that shares the balcony with my easel. It’s pretty fancy, and when I look through it, I can see so many stars… I may use this as another source of inspiration, even!

Wow, I never knew how clear the skies in Arbordale were. I suppose that’s only natural, when there are no cars, no city lights, and no pollution. I’m thirty, but I feel like I’m a teenager all over again.

Well almost a teenager. I certainly don’t have the endurance I once had, and I quickly get a kink in my neck. It’s getting late anyway, so I should be turning in.

There’s some pajamas in the drawers, so I slip them on, take my shirt off, and get into the bed. While the frame belonged to my grandfather, my brother kindly decided to take my bedsheets from home along with my old mattress. I quickly fall asleep.

The next day, I know I’m going to have to tend to my small garden. Die, foul weeds, die! I randomly pull and twist until the tomatoes are free from their evil clutches. Then I water them, rewarding for their survival. Zaltari & Garden 1, Weeds 0.

Oof, that took a lot out of me. I decide to lounge around on the loveseat. I’ve still got a twinge in my neck, but not as bad as last night.

I suddenly realize this is going to be a lot harder than I thought.