The Gift

In the Museum of Fine Arts in the city of Leemstadt, an artist in a white dress stands there like a statue—a museum exhibit. Yet she is a living person, though a placard at her feet says otherwise. As if the girl were a “thing” that can be used however someone pleases. The museum is about to open, and visitors will pour in—there will be many of them. They’ve been waiting since early morning. Waiting to use the “exhibit.”