Participants:
| Scene Title | Making Music in the Park |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Harrison is playing in Central Park where he meets Adelaide for the first time… |
| Date | December 13, 2009 |
//Central Park has been, and remains, a key attraction in New York City, both for tourists and local residents. Though slightly smaller, approximately 100 acres at its southern end scarred by and still recovering from the explosion, the vast northern regions of the park remain intact.
An array of paths and tracks wind their way through stands of trees and swathes of grass, frequented by joggers, bikers, dog-walkers, and horsemen alike. Flowerbeds, tended gardens, and sheltered conservatories provide a wide array of colorful plants; the sheer size of the park, along with a designated wildlife sanctuary add a wide variety of fauna to the park's visitor list. Several ponds and lakes, as well as the massive Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, break up the expanses of green and growing things. There are roads, for those who prefer to drive through; numerous playgrounds for children dot the landscape.
Many are the people who come to the Park - painters, birdwatchers, musicians, and rock climbers. Others come for the shows; the New York Shakespeare Festival at the Delacorte Theater, the annual outdoor concert of the New York Philharmonic on the Great Lawn, the summer performances of the Metropolitan Opera, and many other smaller performing groups besides. They come to ice-skate on the rink, to ride on the Central Park Carousel, to view the many, many statues scattered about the park.
Some of the southern end of the park remains buried beneath rubble. Some of it still looks worn and torn, struggling to come back from the edge of destruction despite everything the crews of landscapers can do. The Wollman Rink has not been rebuilt; the Central Park Wildlife Center remains very much a work in progress, but is not wholly a loss. Someday, this portion of Central Park just might be restored fully to its prior state..//
As the day rolls on, the City that Never Sleeps continues on with it's daily schedule. The time? It is close to High Noon as people are out and about enjoying their lunch or what not. The bundled up New Yorkers move in two speeds in the city…strolling or super! A lone figure is on the North side of the park this afternoon standing on a small soap box. Harrison has his six string over his right shoulder, and his case open before him.
As the young musician plays, his eyes are closed as if he was lost in his own world. He sings" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF1mGXCiAb8 (OOC:This is his music and voice icly. So even though it is not the actor singing I am using the musician as if it was…)
High noon, Adelaide wanders, her gitaur case slung over her back and she pauses as she listens to the music, momentarily at a loss for words. "Nice voice."
As he continues to play, Harrison's voice carries as if he has been trained. His fingers moving gracefully over the strings. The song comes to a close, as he opens his eyes and the few people who stopped begin to move on again. His eyes fall on Adelaide, and her guitar. He nods his head to the girl and says, "Yo."
Adelaide nods. "Pleasure." She speaks carefully with a no much accent, though if one were to know it, its certainly east-coast, the upper region. She smiles. "You sing well, may I join you?"
Harrison cocks his head, his own Maine accent there, "Sure…yet…what do you play? Or sing?" He looks down into his case-slash-tip jar and sighs at the amount of money before looking back at the pretty girl. "Not much of a…well Top 40's person. I like a little more creative music."
Adelaide nods. "I do both." She sets her case down and begins to play, people even in the cold winter air begin to gather. Not many but a few. She raises her voice gently openingly. There are whispers in the crowd of various degress… "Isn'tthat her?" one voice says "Yeah.." another responds. Money isn't thrown its tenderly place into the open case-not much is collected by the end of the song, but arousing applause is given at the end.
Harrison nods slowly as he listens, and blinks at some of the people. He looks back at Adelaide and says, "Beautiful pitch. Anything you have in mind you wish to play together?"
Adelaide thinks for a moment "Nothing in particular, why not something we make up as we go. Sometimes spontanous performances work out better than a planned thing."
Harrison hmmms as he runs a hand through his hair and says, "Well…I have a song I have been working on. You can add what you want in…act as back up vocals…or I can do the same for you. Or…we could make it up as we go. Something in the key of…c Major?"
Adelaide thinks. She plays a few notes, a simple scale, and starts singing it's a careful, pleasant-but intense tune about romance and spring… the flowers in bloom.
As he listens for a moment, Harrison adds in his own guitar. A simple half step higher and with a little bit of a jazz back tone. He begins to echo her now and again on the chorus and bridge. His voice blending with Adelaides.
It's a seemless dance the pair do, with voices, melodies and rhythyms' Adelaide's much higher voice, and lower playing gituar making rounds and carefully pulling out the different tones, to weave her story-song.
The young man has a natural talent with his guitar, and he is practiced. His fingers dance elegantly over his strings as he lets the woman lead the song adding his echo now and again when he things it will sound right.
Adelaide pauses as she ends the song. "So.. ummm you sing very well, I'm Adelaide and who may I have had the pleasure of singing with sir?"
"A pleasure Adelaide…m'name is Harrison." He extends his hand to her, "You have a nice voice…and you have some skill with the change overs. I am impressed."
Adelaide grins. "Thank you." she says softly. She straightens herself up and puts her gituar away handing him the money out of her case. "Here you go."
Harrison blinks as he looks down at her case, "No…that is your money. I simply enjoyed the honor of singing with such a talented singer Ma'am. That is payment enough…plus I can get another 30 to 40 bucks at rush hour."
Adelaide shakes her head. "Hardly, I have a job, and can handle myself." she says holding it out. "Please." she says softly.
He is a student…and he is far from poor yet he is far from rich. He takes the money and says, "Thanks. I am grateful…I can get me some treats for Christmas then." Harrison puts the money in the pouch inside his own guitar case.
Adelaide nods. "Sure, not a problem.. hey,, aren't you in my class?" she asks after a mmoment, she removes her glasses and approaches him and then replaces him. "I've seen you on campus." she says with a pleasant smile.
Adelaide smiled pleasantly, she wasn't unknown on campus- if anything she was well know, the Evolved-equality'princess' the one who'd publicly outed herself in an attempt to make people understand. Interesting and loaded, single, she was often at the campus open mic events and was always trying to promote her group 'Evolved Anonymous'.
Adelaide put her gituar town into the case. "Yeah, Christmas…" she said softly her voice nearly cracking.
He is in the same department, yet he is not in the same class. He has seen her, and he has heard rumors of her being an evolved yet has never really focused on that fact. His own mind shifting to his ability for a moment before he blinks and looks at the woman, "Yeah but you always seemed so busy and I tend to stick to myself. I am considering transfering to Columbia next semester."
Adelaide smiles. "Ahh.. why?" she asks moving closer to reach out a hand. "I mean I don't mean to pry… I mean ahh." she looks away. "Busy, I guess I am on occassion- but I've sort of put EA-Evolved Anyonymous on hold for a moment, so I can get on with my life…" she shakes her head.
Harrison does not shy away from the woman, but his eyes fall on her, "I don't like their music department as much as I thought. I have been getting very good at my newest audtion piece. I was even considering Juilliard. I want to be taken seriously for what I can do with a guitar."
Adelaide nods. "As do I, but perhaps that's why I am… double- majoring- err yea, not trippling… of sorts. " she smiles. "Bio-medical & English, nearly tried to squeeze Music in." she frowns. "But I want to become a doctor, and write novels and I want to be appreciated what I can do musically as well, sometimes, you have to just audition and get a good job to pay the bills." she explains. "Believe me, musician won't pay the bills as much, my father got lucky…" she makes a fist.
Harrison chuckles softly, "Yeah I could have played football professionally if I wanted." His mind shifting to the reason why he couldn't. His ability might accidentally harm someone, "Yet…I decided to focus on my music."
Adelaide nods. "Well ummm if you wanted you could play with me? We could have a go at my big musical comback!" she raises her hand in the air happily.
Harrison smiles softly. "That is very nice of you to include me in your plans Adelaide. Well…you barely know me…and I am only a Sophmore. I have still three years before I graduate. I want my music degree. If I cant get a contract I can at least teach with my degree."
Adelaide nods. "True. but I'd like to have you help me out." She grins. "Besides more than one person singing on stage might induce some crowds to love us. I think we blend we.."
Harrison hmmms softly as he moves to slide his guitar into his case, "You do have a nice voice. We did well together….yet…we have a saying…if it is too good to be true…it is. I am not sure." He crouches down and begins to secure it into the case."
Adelaide follows suit to secure her own case. "Yes.. you're right. I suppose I should completely silly," she huddles a bit in her coat. "How about some tea?"
Harrison takes his case, and swings it over his shoulder as he rubs his hands, "I don't do tea yet…hot coco sounds about right at this time." He motions for her to lead the way.
Adelaide nods. "Agreed." she says. She paues. "Now walking or driving." she murmurs after a few steps..
Harrison grins as he walks beside the woman, "My mother told me not to get into cars with strangers…even pretty ones. Why don't we walk to somewhere close?"
Adelaide nods. "Oh nice… very true." she grins. And there's almost a skip in her step.
Harrison nods as he walks with her, "Are you from the area Miss Adelaide?"
Adelaide grins. "Well I was raised here in New York."
Harrison nods and says, "That is awesome. And how did you like growing up here?"
Adelaide thinks. "It was pretty nice, at least until the bomb, I lost my family in that, so I've been holding out on my own." she frowns. "It's new York, I spend time down in MAryland- with many parent's family who've moved down there." she frowns. "I miss it."
Harrison nods and says, "I am sorry you lost your parents in the bomb. That must be hard…" He sighs looking down at the path as he walks with the woman, "Yet I beleive everything happens for a reason."
Adelaide nods. "I guess so. I lost soo much but I gained a lot more." she whispers. "But I do miss what I lost."
"Yes…you said you were an Evolved. That has to be hard too. Aren't you worried that people will harm you for knowing that?" Harrison does not seem to have an malice in his voice or show intent of harming you by his question.
Adelaide shakes her head. "Hardly, I mean there might be some crazy nuts who might. But if I don't stand up and say something to them.. to people to make myself heard, what about my future children, those kids growing up today? They should have a peaceful life.
Harrison nods slowly as he says, "I suppose that is one way to look at it." He does refrain from asking what she can do because he does not want to lead on that he is an Evolved himself…yet. "You are a brave woman I have to say to consider that course of action. I think if I were in your shoes I would be a bit more scared on that subject."
Adelaide nods. "It's not that I am not scared.. I am terrified. Sleeping is hard sometimes. I worry, my ability isn't anything.. shiney or flashy…" she shrugs. "It's not powerful at all.." she sighs "Though I want to fix the world if I can. Following in my mothers footsteps I'll become a doctor, I cheer the world up with medical and music… and my gift."
As he nods, Harrison gives the woman a side glance and adds, "I am sure you have other gifts. Your beautiful. You could be a model if you wanted."
Adelaide shakes her head. "no way, I couldn't." she blushes. "It's not in me. I am no model."
Harrison smiles as he looks down at his own fit body, "Neither am I but I get offers every day. I just chuckle at them and say…Thanks but no thanks." He presses the button for the walk sign to come on so they can cross the street.
Adelaide nods. "Hmm yes.. well I usually don't get asked. I mean been pretty much been told I can't… in a way. There's not much of a market, for African American models- like they're very specific, and my glasses sort of 'disqualify' me. I don't do contacts." she grins.
Harrison nods and says, "Laser surgery or whatever they call it. I hear it is very useful and no more glasses."
Adelaide shakes her head. "Nope, my glasses are a part of my look. I am not some perfect doll."
Harrison walks to the door and opens it up for her and says, "And I think the look suits you yet you seem like a woman who
Adelaide nods. "True. I will. I'll just do it with my glasses." she says stepping inside quickly, to get out of the cold air.