1 The constraints of reality (1/2)
Jericho's long bony fingers gripped the door handle. The starving musician's overly slender frame shivered from the cold.
The house door opened.
”Brother! You are back!” A young cheerful voice called out.
Jericho smiled at the freckled girl as she embraced him.”I'm home, Moira. How was school today?”
The young black haired girl looked up. ”It was okay…” She trailed off.
Jericho's face pursed with seriousness. ”What happened?”
Moira frowned. ”Nobody believed me when I told them your music is magical. They teased me a lot. They said that instead of making up stories about your music that I should play virtual reality games like them. But I think your music is better than games.”
Jericho smiled sweetly at his kid sister. ”As long as you believe it, I am happy. What they think will only affect how much money I can earn from sharing my gifts.”
Moira's frown disappeared. ”Before dinner can you play me another one of your songs?” She asked expectantly.
Jericho nodded. ”Sure. Since today has been hard for both of us, let me play a piece I created before you were born.” He rushed over to the piano, seeming to lose his fatigue.
”Which one?” Moira's brown eyes glistened with excitement.
The man stretched his fingers. ”I call it The Serenade for the Soothing of the Soul. It actually requires 3 instruments for the full song but I will share with you the piano section. My few fans call it the Song of Healing.”
A haunting, yet calming melody voiced itself from the old grand piano. The minor tone sent relaxing chills through the sibling's bodies.
After the melody ended the two ate a meager meal in silence.
Moira let out a sigh. ”Brother, your music is so wonderful. Why don't others love it like we do?”
Jericho gave a sad laugh. ”The instruments I use are considered relics of the past. These days, music is created electronically. Because my music is alive, it gets suppressed by the plentiful songs others make. My music is considered outdated. That is sadly the reality of our world.”
The next morning, Jericho walked to work. The little antique shop's dusty atmosphere brought a small smile to his face.
An ad rested on the counter for a new VRMMORPG ”Freedom Online.”
The slender musician pulled out some tools to repair a damaged violin acquired not too long ago. Jericho was very familiar with instruments. His great grandfather had taught him how to make and repair most major ones.
The morning was quiet as usual for the rundown business.
After finishing the adjustments of the violin, Jericho tuned it. Very quickly a melody formed. The vibrations of the strings escaped the confines of the store.
An elegantly dressed woman stopped as she passed by. ”What a beautiful song.” She whispered.
”Boy! Stop making a racket and get back to work!” A grumpy middle aged man shouted.
Jericho abruptly stopped playing the violin. ”Yes boss.” He replied reluctantly placing the newly repaired violin on the shelf to be sold.
The woman outside frowned. ”Why did it stop?” She walked into the store.
The bell hanging beside the old shop's door rang.
The musician looked up. ”Welcome to Grandpa Todd's antique shop.” He replied in a very professional manner.
The model like woman looked around. ”Where is the music playing device? It sounded so pure.”
Jericho laughed inside. ”This is an antique shop. With the exception of the register, everything in this place is old. We don't carry modern music playing devices.”
”Then what was that music I was hearing before?” She inquired pursing her heavily lipstick covered lips.
”Oh that?” Jericho asked pretending he realized what the woman was referring to.
He picked up the violin. ”That song came from this beauty.” He replied ignoring the makeup covered woman's charm.
”What is that strange object? That doesn't look like it is connected to the network. How does it play songs?”
Jericho laughed. ”This is an ancient relic known as a violin.” He mildly exaggerated for dramatic effect. ”By using this special stick and rubbing against the strings in very specific ways you can create music. The song you were hearing earlier is something I played using this device.”
The woman looked wide eyed in shock. ”Can you show me how it works?”
”Let me ask the boss.”
”Sure.”
Jericho turned his head to the stairs. ”Hey Boss!” He shouted. ”There is a client that wants to hear how the violin works.”
A muffled grunt was heard in reply.
He smiled before turning back to the lady. ”The song I am going to play is a song I wrote calledMoonlit Lullaby.” He lifted the violin and started to play one of his many majestic songs.
She listened and watched the man in awe. She felt relaxed as he played. Her light tears slightly smeared her mascara.
He finished the song and placed the violin back on the shelf.
She stared at the lanky man in shock.
Jericho smiled. ”Feel free to browse. I hope you can find something you like.” He returned to his business mode to break the stunned silence.