Vinnie and Mandy followed the boy out of the storage room and through another door.
"Whoa!" Vinnie exclaimed.
They were in a large, spacious room with a high ceiling.
In one corner, sunlight poured into the room through big windows.
Young artists sat looking at a woman posing in a red robe.
They made sketches of her in their notebooks.
In another part of the room, some boys were painting shields.
Others were painting chests.
The workshop was busy with activity.
"Hey, Leo, who are your friends?" asked a boy with dark hair.
He came up to them.
He had some blue paint on his cheek.
Vinnie and Mandy introduced themselves.
"My name is Sandro," said the boy.
Then he turned to his friend.
"You know the rules, Leo," said Sandro.
"Work to create and create to work.
That means no visitors.
If Master Verrocchio finds out, you're in trouble."
"They are new to Florence," replied Leo.
"I promised to show them around.
I'm sure the master won't mind."
"Florence?" Mandy shouted, clapping her hands loudly.
She had always wanted to visit Italy.
Several people stopped and looked at her.
"Mandy, people are staring at you," Vinnie whispered.
Suddenly everyone turned to look at the door.
A tall, older man came in.
He was dressed in a black robe that covered a blue tunic.
He wore a black hat.
"Why am I hearing talking and not creating?" he asked loudly.
"Master Verrocchio? Our new student here has brought some friends to visit," said Sandro.
"Is that so?" Master Verrochhio said.
He walked over to them.
"I was just outside the workshop.
I didn't see anyone come in.
How did you get inside?"
He glared at the children.
Before they could answer, Leo said,
"Sir, I take full responsibility for them.
They were lost.
I thought I could help them."
Master Verrocchio's face softened as he looked at Leo.
"Did you finish the drafts I wanted?" he asked.
Leo handed him a stack of paper.
Master Verrocchio studied the drawings.
To Vinnie, they looked like computer drawings.
The lines were so straight and precise.
Master Verrocchio nodded with approval.
"You have a gift," he said.
"Your talent is already being noticed."
Master Verrocchio handed Leo a soft leather folder.
"Inside are plans for work at the Medici Palace.
The lord's son has requested you to bring them to him."
"But, sir," Sandro protested.
"I was supposed to deliver them."
"Young Lorenzo wants Leo," Master Verrocchio said.
Nodding to Leo, he said,
"Return here after delivering the plans."
"Yes, sir," Leo replied respectfully, taking his notebook and pencil.
Leo bowed and left the workshop with Vinnie and Mandy.