Audition - Isola

[Isola]

It was Saturday evening,
Isola stood outside and tried to gather enough courage to enter the Savoy.
She had her white hair in a sloppy knot and was dressed in black as usual, but for the occasion she had chosen a tattered skirt in satin that ended just below the knees and her red bag that she always carried with her, she kept a tight grip while she took a deep breath and opened the door.
Once inside she saw to her surprise that the whole lobby was packed, apparently the Devils at Dawn was a big deal because there were people of all ages with all kinds of instruments. The most common were, however, guitar, bass and anything else you would need in a rock band.
Isola pushed her way through the crowd towards the reception and asked the woman behind the counter for Devils at Dawn and got a form to answer.
When it was completed, she went and sat among the other candidates and looked out over the crowd to see if there were anyone she recognized...

All of a sudden it was Isolas turn to audition so she stood up, cleared her mind and went over to the door leading in to the audition-room and stepped inside.

[Balthazar]

It was an assistant from the record company that opened the door to Isola, and he took the form from her and gave it to Balthazar that sat in a comfy chair with his legs crossed. Balthazar wore a pair of black jeans, a black shirt, and a rosary with dark red beads around his neck.
He did not really recognize Isola at first though he thought he might have seen her somewhere before. But when he saw the name he remembered. He smiled faintly and made a gesture for her to come in to the middle of the room.

"So, you showed up. Well let's see what you got then, I'm sorry I couldn't stay to listen longer the last time."

[Isola]

Isola blushed slightly and returned the smile, nodded and said: Here goes nothing..
Then she started to play Vivaldi´s Summer third movment with a passion so fierce that her entire body trembled.
When she was finished Isola looked "Stephen" in the eyes, trying to see his thoughts.

[Balthazar]

The girl was really good, and he liked the enthusiasm, it was almost like she didn't notice anyone else in the room.
When she had finished and stood looking at him, he did not react straight away. He sat thinking, his hands together on his knee.
He did not tell her what he thought of it, he just nodded slowly and said:
"Do you play any other instrument?"

[Isola]

When he didn´t comment her playing and changed the subject Isola got a bit confused, was it a good thing or a bad thing?
Yes, I can also play the piano and sing, but I doubt my singing skills are of any interest to you.
She raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a knowing glance.

[Balthazar]

Balthazar notices Isola getting confused, and that was not his intent, so he tried to explain:
"You are a very good violin player, really, but I am of no need of another in the band, and yes, no singer either, except perhaps to do back up, but I am guessing that is of no interest to YOU. But I would love to hear you play the piano. Well, in this case keyboard, since we do not have a piano here."
He looked back meaningly at Isola, and also questioning. He did not say that he wasn't really actively looking for a pianist, but he was letting every instrument audition, and perhaps it would feel right.

[Isola]

"No, what I meant was why did you want me to audition with my violin if your mind is already made up that you don´t need another in the band."
Isola smiled at him and then tried to hide that she blushed like a little schoolgirl when she suddenly remember that he just said she was very good. Still blushing and smiling she turned around to try and find the keyboard although it was right behind her.
A bit surprised Isola got behind the keyboard and said:
"What would you like to hear?"

[Balthazar]

"I did not specifically tell you to play the violin"
He smiled at her kindly
"I just presumed that no musician can play only one instrument. Especially a violinist. And I'm looking everywhere for my new band"
When she got behind the keyboard, he made a gesture for her to play.
"You may play anything you want."

[Isola]

"Oh, I see.. "
Once again Isola blushed but this time her cheeks went all red and she felt really foolish, of course he looked for all kinds of musicians for his new band. She was nothing speciall, just one in the crowd.
Her fingers caressed the keys and then started to play the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.
"Satisfied or shall I sing too?"

[Balthazar]

Balthazar sat and listened. She was really good at the keyboard too, even though he thought she mastered the violin much better.
He wrinkled his forehead. It was much harder to choose who would "pass", than he had thought.
To her question he just raised his hand and shook his head .
"You mind playing something contemporary for me?"

[Isola]

Isola started to play a melody* from inside of her head that she had heard a long time ago, but she couldn't remember the name of the song or where she had heard it.
All she hoped was that it was to his liking.
Whilst playing Isola looked at the man in the chair, the way he was dressed and the rosary around his neck, she used to have a similar one but she lost hers.
Then her eyes went up and got caught in his.

( *The song Isola was playing is DCLXVI by Entombed. )

[Balthazar]

When Isola had finished the song, Balthazar stood up, and went over to her.
"Lovely, Isola. Refreshing from all the crazy types that have been in here today. I'll let you know to..."
He looked down at her form he had in his hand.
"Highgate station...? OK, we'll do that then."
Balthazar laughed just a bit and smiled at her holding out a hand to say godbye.

[Isola]

Isola took his hand and shook it, smiled and said:
"I am looking forward to hear from you."
She turned around and walked towards the door, but before she opened it and went out Isola looked over her shoulder and whispered:
"Bye"