The Finer Arts

* Scene IX * Solids or Stripes

Narrator:

The sun has gone down and more guests have arrived at the Hubbly Bubbly. The atmosphere is lively, blue and purple tinted lights caress the crowd. An upbeat, bluesy electronic melody plays in the background to help set the mood further. Sometimes the excitement of the crowd would rise from a mumble into an energetic roar. Finally the lobby lights dimmed and the stage lights dropped. Silence fell over the audience. The royal purple curtains open to expose a man surrounded by different instruments. An electric keyboard in front of him, a guitar on his lap, bass and tambourine pedals set up at his feet. Finally a bass guitar on a stand to his right. With no one else on stage with him and no words of introduction the man started playing notes from the guitar.

Nova:

I don't know if it was the whiskey or the music, but I was enchanted. I watched his left hand skillfully glide across the neck of the guitar. He builds up a soothing solo before reaching up to the keyboard. Even with both hands off the stringed instrument the melody continues from the live recording. He adds more depth to the main harmony from the keyboard. He flicks back and forth between ivory keys and a beat pad, altering every sound and volume by himself. The man made it all look so effortless. "Charlie, where did you find this guy? He's incredible." I speak to Charlie, but my eyes are glued on the musician. I've never heard the tune he's playing before, but it's resonating with me in a way that makes me feel like there's nothing to worry about. I let it consume me, the feeling of bliss and relaxation is well needed at a time like this.

Charlie leaned over the bar to respond to my question, "Goes by Vox Sol, said he just moved here and is really passionate about music. Heard from a friend we do this type of stuff here." That name sounds familiar, where have I heard it before? I'm trying to think about why he looks familiar, but get distracted. He lowers his hand from the piano keys, but the notes keep playing. He switched to the bass quickly with no lapse in any of the melody. The groovy bass line crawled through the speakers and out into the bar. It crept up the barstool I'm sitting on and started to vibrate with every note. I felt myself beginning to drool. My thighs tighten and I feel a rush of warmth between my legs.

I try to keep my composure but I can't help it. I wonder what type of magic his fingers can do. I could see it now, his hand on my thigh before sliding up to play with the hem of my panties. Teasing me, feeling how wet I am from his tou- My fantasy gets interrupted by Charlie sliding another shot in front of me. Saved by the bell, he must have known what I was thinking about. I try not to look too embarrassed as I shoot the whiskey down.

The performance came to a perfect end too soon. I could listen to Sol all night if given the chance. Intricate chords built a surreal atmosphere that led through many fond memories I've had through life. He continued to switch between instruments flawlessly, using the keyboard's recording system to repeat tracks. I'm surprised he's not signed to a label. Agents would be ecstatic to get their hands on someone like him. A standing ovation was waiting for him after, along with an encore.

I'm staring at my beer wondering what to do now. A handful of the crowd has left so it's quiet except for the T. V. on in the background. The alcohol was starting to take its toll and I was bored. Times like this is when I'd usually go to another bar. "Charlie you should play some pool with me. I'll help you clean up." The old bartender looks up and sighs at me, shaking his head. "Some other time dear, why don't you play with this young man here?" He motions to the gentleman sitting a few seats down from me. I didn't recognize him until he looked at me with his stunning hazel eyes behind dark rimmed glasses. That's why Sol sounded familiar, that's the guy I met in the park. My God, he's so sexy. I never knew someone could look so good in jeans and a T-shirt. His beard is trimmed up more, and his soft curls are messy after playing all night. I didn't expect to see so many tattoos on his arm, last I saw him they were covered with long sleeves.

He flashed me a perfect porcelain smile, "Hey, it's nice to run into you again. As much as I recognize you, I'm terrible with names." Sol's voice reminds me of the feeling I get when I'm curled up with a hot cocoa on a winter night. Warm, safe and comfortable with so many indulgent flavors to explore. I never want him to stop talking. I catch myself staring at him in awe before bringing myself back to reality. f**k, he must think I forgot my name. "Nova! My name is Nova. So... what brings you here?" C'mon i***t, I know why he's here.

"I just got done with a performance. Thanks for letting me play tonight, Charlie. I apologize for going over my allotted time." Awkward silence hung stale in the air for a moment before Charlie chimed in. "It was an absolute delight, Sol! I'll always welcome you back. I can book you as the final show so you can keep playing as much as you'd like." Charlie's eyes dart between Sol and I with mischievous intent. "Say, Nova here is looking for someone to play some billiards with. I think you two should get some games in." My face turns red as I wait for Sol's response. "That sounds fun." He looked at the shot in his hand then at me. "Do you want one before we start?"

We claim a table and line out some quarters. I bend over to rack up the balls when I start talking to Sol. "I was here for the entire thing by the way. It was absolutely breathtaking." I try not to think about how big of an awkward i***t I am. "How long have you been a musician?" I looked up in time to catch him glimpsing down my shirt. Not like I had much to show, but I was for it; I'll do anything for this man's attention right now. A pink hue softly colors his cheeks. He knows I caught him staring, but is he actually embarrassed about it? His eyes awkwardly dart somewhere else before replying.

"Well, since I could remember honestly. It all went downhill when my grandmother let me play on her piano for the first time. I was four or something, just playing to the beat of my own drum."

"Did you take lessons?"

"Guitar and Piano I took lessons. Everything else just made sense from there. What about you, Nova? Do you have anything that inspires you? "

The way he asked the question made me stop and think. It feels like Solomon's question is laced with genuine curiosity to know more about me. Is he truly interested to hear about me? We just met, how is he so easy to open up to? Why does he have to be so charming?

He hit the cue ball, sending fifteen balls around the table. As one ball falls into a pocket it's my turn to grab some eye candy. His tall, lean physique stretches over the table to make another shot. From the way his shirt and jeans fit I could tell he was tone and took care of his body. Worn, strong, hard working hands calloused from years of being a musician held the cue steady and precisely. The lamp over the pool table finally gives me a chance to study the ink work up his arms as they prepare to make a shot. Seeing him so focused again causes a wave of jealousy. What I would do to be that pool cue right now.

He coughs softly to grab my attention. I don't know whose face is more red, his or mine. I wasn't paying attention so he caught me checking him out this time, oh the irony. "Well? Did you think of an answer? I'm intrigued on what keeps your beat going " Sol walks around the table and stands by me. He's dangerously close. The smell of fresh rain in the middle of an evergreen forest takes control of my senses. I struggle to regain control as I just want to inch as close as I can to him. "I'm inspired by people. I express my inspiration for humanity through painting and visual arts. My goal through my artwork is to try and encapsulate what makes humans human. The good, the bad and the chaotic." I watch a spark light up in his eyes as he listens to me intently.

I forgot what it felt like to talk to someone who is actively listening to me. "What about you, Sol? What triggered your inspiration and journey into music?"

"I hope you're ready for a long story. Do you want to get out of here?" After that we never touched the pool table again. It was so easy to talk to him about anything. Before we knew it the bar had to close down for the day. Of course we didn't let that interfere with our conversation.