Night at the Gallery

The Studio Valley Island Gallery. An art gallery located near the beach and is well known in the local area. While it is not as notable as other more famous galleries and museums as, let’s say, the Louvre in Paris, it does its job. 

However, while the Louvre may have its Mona Lisa, the Studio Valley Island Gallery has its own quirk. One that the world does not know of. 

“Clear!” The crow calls out. 

“Finally.” She stretches her body, as Max and Carl, the monkey and cat respectively, go about their business once the owner of the art gallery leaves. The rest of the occupants of the paintings follow as Max and Carl are doing, going to each illustration every night. They can’t go outside of the drawings though. 

Francine goes to a picture depicting a lake with a mountain and a tree by it. She relaxes against the tree, sitting next to the bear that occupies the nature painting. 

“How’s it going, Fran?”

“Going alright, Barry. You?”

“Fine as well.”

“That’s nice…” She looks out the painting, toward the outside world with a sigh.

“Still thinking about the outside.”

“...”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“I’m that obvious, am I?”

“You want my advice?”

“Sure.”

“Let it go.”

She glares at Barry. “Wow, great advice. Thanks for that.”

“It’s the truth, Fran. Let it go. You’re only fooling yourself.”

“A girl can dream.” She huffs as she looks away.

“And dreams can lead those astray.” 

“How can you be sure?”

“How can I not?”

“Oh come on!” She throws her arms up and looks back at him. “Haven’t you ever dreamed before?”

“Yes.” He nods. “Yes, I have. I dream of catching fish and yet I know that’s not happening. So therefore, I know not to let myself be fooled.”

“Yeah well, your dream is not right there-” She gestures to the outside world. “-in front of you. I mean come on! Wouldn’t it be nice to just…” She looks at the real world. “...step out of here…” She motions around the painting before pointing at the world. “...and out there…?”

“Yes. Yes, it would. But Fran…” Her green eyes staring deep into his dark brown ones. “...consider what will happen if you go out there.” He gestures to the world with his head. 

“That I can finally explore a new world?”

“That but consider the consequences of it.” He lays back against the tree before scratching his stomach. “Say you make it outside. Then what? Hooray, you made it! But then they will see you. The real ones will know about you and who knows what will happen. Will they accept you?”

She stares at him…

“Or will you be outcasted?” 

…she looks down.

“Maybe you hang out with them. Or maybe they will harm you since you’re not like them.”

“...”

“Fran.”

“...”

“Fran.” She looks back up at him. “It’s a nice dream you have and all, but you need to really think about it. Think about what happens if you achieve. All of the good things with it…” He tilts his head to one side. “...and the bad things.” He tilts it to the other side. 

“...” She looks back down for a moment then nods. “...You’re right.” She sighs. “You’re right.” She looks toward the lake. “But…”

“I know.” He pats her shoulder. “It would be nice to go outside.”

“Yeah…” She sighs. “Thanks for that, though.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

“It’s just…” She looks back at the world. “...out there, you know…? What would it be like to go out there? To meet the real ones. Other places, other paintables.” She gestures around the painting. “And not be stuck here forever and have the real ones just look at us.” 

“Mm.” Barry looks at the real world. “Out there, the sky's the limit. But I am content to just stay here.” He glances at her and chuckles. “You probably want to go out into the real world and see that other paintable the real ones compare you to. What was her name?”

“Mona Lisa.” Francine grumbles, clenching her hands into fists as her lips become a fine line. 

“Yes, that’s her name. Mona Lisa.” 

“Agh! God!” She throws her hands in the air and stands up. “Don’t get me started on her! Every day! Every. Freaking. Day!” Francine paces back and forth. “Everyone keeps comparing me to her! “She’s almost as beautiful as the Mona Lisa.” “She’s kind of like the Mona Lisa.” God!” She stomps on the grass. “I just wish I could just…” She holds her hands up like she wants to- “...just reach and strangle them! J-just yell at them to stop saying all of that! Ah!”

Francine glares at Barry as he chuckles. 

“Don’t you laugh! You have no idea how frustrating it is!”

“I might have.”

“No you don’t!” Her eyes narrow at him. “No. You. Don’t! Ahh!” She huffs and crosses her arms before sitting back down and leaning against the tree right next to the bear. 

They sit against the tree for a few moments, Francine giving the death stare at the grass while Barry gazes at the lake. All is quiet save for the wind blowing through, rustling the leaves of the tree. The moments continue on until…

“Hey guys!” The crow from earlier flies in, landing on a branch of the tree. 

“Hello, Curtis.” Barry greets. 

“Mm.” Francine grumbles a response. 

“What’s up with her?” Curtis peers at her.

“Upset at being compared to other paintable.” Barry answers.

“Really?” Curtis tiles his head. “Oh wait. You mean that paintable the fleshy ones always say. What was that paintables’ name?”

“Shut it!” Francine snaps, frowning at the crow. “Don’t need a reminder of her again.”

“Woah there.” Curtis tilts his head to the other side. “Alright, if you say so, Francine.” Curtis peeks out his right wing. “I just came by to ask if you guys want to come to the poker painting. I hear Carl is going to clean the house at the poker tournament tonight.”

“I guess I can go see it.” Barry gets up before facing Francine. “You coming, Fran?”

“...” Francine stares out into space for a moment then signs and shrugs. “You know what? Why not?” She stands up. 

Barry and Curtis travel from the nature painting to the poker painting. Before she follows them, Francine gazes out to the real world one more time. 

Out there. Where the real ones reside. Other paintables. Other places. Out there where she can be like them.

She peers out her hands. 

To feel what it’s like to be real. 

She looks back up. Maybe someday. 

She travels out of the painting and sees if what Curtis says will come true.