Pub Player

Jamie had just turned eighteen today. She was invited out to play at a pub for the night by her friend who happened to be a bartender at the place.

“This place pays well,” he told her. “Just stop by and play your music for a little bit and you can be on your way. You might even get noticed by a talent agent or a record producer.” Jamie doubted that last part, but she could use the money to get her own place. She showed up around seven in the evening. The bar didn’t look as packed as she imagined. Jamie held her sheet music to her side. She scanned the room for the manager’s office. At last, she spotted in across the room. Jamie dashed across the pub in her gold kitten heels. A few eyes fell on her and her black pine-stripe suit. She knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” a man’s raspy voice asked.

“Uh… It’s my, Jamie Wilson,” the young musician said. “I’m here to play for the pub tonight. I am filling in for the regular girl.” She took a step back when the door opened. A pudgy man with a fat cigar hanging out of his mouth looked her up and down.

“What did you say your name was?” he asked.

“Jamie Wilson,” Jamie repeated. The man took out his cigar and puffed out smoke.

“The piano is over this way,” he said, pointing towards the back corner. “Come with me.” Jamie tried to stomach the smell of smoke as she followed the manager over to a dark wooden piano near the fire exit in the back corner.

“All you have to do is play your music for a few hours until closing time,” the manager said. “Something soft, loud and fast music would not match with this atmosphere.” Jamie nodded as she listened.

“Okay,” she said.

“Do you have any questions?” the manager asked.

“No, sir,” Jamie said.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to it,” he said. The young musician watched as the manager walked back to his office. Jamie sat down on the wooden bench and set up her music. She took a peek at the bar she was playing for. It started to pick up a little bit since Jamie spoke with the manager. Her bartender friend, Kevin, was working his shift at the bar. She tried to wave to get his attention, but he didn’t look up. After a few seconds, Jamie lowered her hand into her lap. Oh well, she guessed that she would have to talk to him in the morning. The musician returned her focus to her sheet music. She didn’t go for the classic pieces tonight. Instead, Jamie brought with her a relaxed tune that she had been working on after she graduated high school. She rolled back her shoulders and took a breath.

Jamie’s fingers danced up and down the keys. She didn’t think about the money she would be getting for the night. She didn’t think about her potential road to fame or that flat she wanted. The only thing that mattered was the music she was playing. The notes teased her ears and eased her heart. Her hand seemed to have a mind of their own with the black and white keys. She couldn’t even see the face of her audience. If they liked the music, great. If not, oh well. There would be plenty of other venues to play at. All that mattered was the music. Once she got into the first verse, Jamie was lost in her own music.

When the song was over, she felt cold until she began the next one for the night.

“Good work tonight,” the manager said as he was closing up for the night.

“Thank you for letting me play for tonight,” Jamie said as she was heading out the door.

“Hey, Jamie,” he said. The musician paused and looked over her shoulder.

“Yes?” she asked. The manager snubbed out his cigar on a glass coaster on the wiped down bar.

“Are you free to play for tomorrow?” he asked. Jamie felt like flying all over place and squealing.

Instead, she said, “Yes, I am, sir.”

“I will see you tomorrow night, then,” the manager said. Jamie couldn’t hide the smile on her face.

“Thank you, sir,” she said. “Good night.”

“Good night,” the pudgy man said back. Jamie waited until she was outside and out of range of the pub to start squealing in joy.

Music is Passion