Cmnm Monsieur Francois Gay -

He turned on the axis of his spine. She traced the mallet up the back of his calf, into the hollow of his knee, and stopped at the hem of his briefs.

“The trousers,” she said.

He unfastened the brass button. The zip descended with a dry rasp. He pushed the wool down his thighs, stepped out of them, and folded them as well. Now he stood in simple cotton briefs, socks, and oxford shoes. The socks were navy. The shoes were polished to a mirror shine. CMNM Monsieur Francois Gay

She was Madame V., the curator, dressed in severe black: a tailored blazer, a high-necked blouse, and trousers that flowed like oil. She carried a leather-bound portfolio and a small, silver-headed mallet. Behind her, two assistants in white cotton gloves stood motionless by the door. He turned on the axis of his spine