EXT. Hedgemsze cont.

                    EMORY
          Therein lies the problem doesn't
          it? If I were to tell you what
          we wish of you and you were to
          refuse I'd be forced to resort
          to one of the more unpleasant
          facets of my job.


                    CHRIS
          I wouldn't want that on my
          hands.

                    EMORY
          No, I assure you, you would not.

                    CHRIS
          Then let's talk price.

                    EMORY
          We are aware of your going rates
          and are prepared to offer an
          additional fifteen percent per
          canvas in exchange for your
          alacrity and your discretion.

The man continues to lead them deeper into the floral labirynth.  Despite the many twists and turn, he moves without hesitation, confident in his direction.

                    CHRIS
          Well fortunately for all
          involved, I'm known for both.

                    EMORY
          Yes, we are aware of that as
          well.

                    CHRIS
          Of course.

They round another corner and enter a chamber dominated by a squat but intimidating man in a smartly tailored suit. A man who fancies calling himself the BARON.

                    CHRIS
          Very dramatic.

The Baron gazes at him over his overwrought nez-pince, feigning disdain.

                    BARON
          This is the artist?

                    CHRIS
          The fake(cooler word).

                    BARON
          Pardon?

                    CHRIS
          Counterfitter, forger, knock-
          off. A fake, not an artist.

                    BARON
          The fake....I like it. No
          delusions of granduer to
          entertain or tortured soul to
          coddle.

                    CHRIS
          You can entertain or coddle me
          all you want as long as you pay
          me.

                    BARON
          A professional and a fake....I
          believe you're  just the man I'm
          looking for.

                    CHRIS
          What's the job?

                    BARON
          Mass production.

                    CHRIS
          The artist?

                    BARON
          Various.

Chris waits for more details in silence. With a silent command from the Baron, Emory leaves the alcove.

                    BARON
          Suffice it to say I have a
          number of paintings, most of
          them missing, some of them
          altogether unknown, that will
          soon be reclaimed by those who
          feel more entitled to them than
          I.

                    CHRIS
          How many?

                    BARON
          Twenty-two.

                    CHRIS
          Will I be working from the
          originals?

                    BARON
          You will be provided with full
          sized photo reproductions of
          each piece but, if absoluely
          necessary the originals will be
          made available.

                    CHRIS
          And when can expect my full
          sized photo reproductions?

The Baron stops and gives Chris a look of disdain. He's led them to a dead end.  Emory is there, waiting.

                    BARON
          Do you know the easiest way to
          navigate a garden labyrinth?

                    CHRIS
          I suppose I can just keep one
          hand on the wall and keep on
          walking.

The Baron shakes his head...

                    BARON
          Hedge clippers.

Emory grabs a section of the the meticulously cut hedge and pulls it aside providing an exit.

A limo awaits the Baron as he steps through the makeshift opening. Chris follows and Emory closes the opening behind them.

                    BARON
          Am I correct in assuming we have
          an understandin?

                    CHRIS
          Entirely correct.

                    BARON
          Emory will provide you with the
          necessay materials as well as a
          means of contact. Until then...

A DRIVER opens the limo door as the Baron approaches and enters.  Emory retrieves a large plastic tube from the trunk of the car and hands it to Chris.

Chris watches as Emory enters and the limo slinks away.

Chris shoulders the long plastic tube and leaves on foot.

INT. CHRIS STUDIO - DAY

Chris removes the reproductions from their storage tube and looks through them:

Landscapes, portraits, tableaus...an impressive collection.

After some consideration he choses one of the landscapes, pins it up next to his canvas, and begins mixing paint.

INSERT  - THE LANDSCAPE PHOTO

DISSOLVE TO:

THE LANDSCAPE PAINTING hanging carelessly over the kitchen table.

INT.  CHRIS AND LISA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lisa gazes at the painting with a critical eye. Chris is in the kitchen preparing dinner.

                    LISA
          Cezzane?

                    CHRIS
          Think it will pass?

                    LISA
          The workmanship is fine, but...

                    CHRIS
          An undisvovered masterpiece.

                    LISA
          That's pressing our luck a
          little? Unfiscovereds by the
          Old Masters are put under too
          much scrutiny these days..

                    CHRIS
          Want to see the original?

                    LISA
          Sure.

                    CHRIS
          Too bad. This is the best I've
          got.

He unrolls the working print and hands it to her.

She's immediately struck by the photo and examines it closer on the table.

                    LISA
Where did this come from?

                    CHRIS
A new client.

LISA
Who?

CHRIS
A referal.

Lias scowls, skeptical.

CHRIS
Remember Louis from Athens?

LISA
The frog?

CHRIS
Oui.

LISA
If this is real, it's. Little out
of his league don't you think?

CHRIS
Are you implying it's  little out
of my league?

LISA
without someone to the the rails
for you, yeah.

CHRIS
Relax, the man they're for is just as vested in keeping a low profile as I am.

LISA
Yeah, that'll help me relax.

She rolls up the photo


EXT.  THE STREETS - DAY

The fashionable tourist street terms with SHOPPERS and DINERS.

Chris slows to a walk as he turns the corner onto the busy street.

He makes his way towards an outdoor cafe, setting his sights on two WOMEN