Page 86 - The Woven Tale Press Vol. V #7

Choir Seat (continued from preceding page)
Tall Martha’s interpretation of this mysterious piece was unexpectedly emotional and expressive. Jane du Lac whispered to the student. “She can certainly play. I so wish for someone to play with,” she said.
buttoning the cuffs. She took her tailored jacket from the wooden hanger which was labelled Dr J du Lac in felt pen. She straightened her skirt.
The music over and praise given, the male student untied Jane’s apron and gown. She took off these garments and hung them on the back of a chair. “I’ve finished, Gilbert,” she called, facing the preparation room.
Tall Martha had finished playing, and through that frosted window, Jane du Lac regarded the sky judiciously. “It’s about to rain,” she said. “It should clear up by this evening, though. I’m look- ing forward to it. The Fourth is not that common- ly performed, as you say.”
“Long base strings.” Tall Martha had opened the top lid of the piano and taken off the front to examine the action. “You could call it an upright grand. A Solidus.”
Tall Martha, with a gentle finality, closed the
She joined Tall Martha, and the technician looked at the two women standing together at the piano, underneath the frosted window. He began to slip the organs and the cotton-waste back into the body; he replaced the sternum and ribs and rap- idly and deftly sewed up the long incision with a running stitch of linen book-binding thread.
“I don’t know much about Solidus pianos,” said Dr du Lac.
“Solidus’s instruments were well thought of be- fore the first war,” said Tall Martha. “Manchester,
I believe. It has a reliable Northern look about it.” She replaced the front and closed both lids. “A fine piano.” She laid her right hand upon its top. “May I play Satie’s Piccadilly Marche?” She re-opened the keyboard lid. Perhaps the mention of Manchester had put her in mind of Piccadilly.
“Do,” said Jane du Lac, with a somewhat emotion- al laugh. She clearly felt that something had been resolved. She walked to the washbasins. She pulled off her tall rubber boots and stepped into her dark tan court shoes.
While Tall Martha played this short piece, Jane du Lac washed her hands at the sink, pressing the pedal-tap with her foot. She dried her hands care- fully on a roller-towel; she applied a little hand- cream and then rolled down her shirtsleeves,
77
Chaos
bronze 22'' x 10'' x 10'' By Mark Yale Harris