Devonne Brown

“One of the best parts of the concert is when the orchestra tunes up their instruments,” said Silas. “It hides the frenzy backstage, but hints at it when the squawks and squeaks get flung from the pit to the back of the house.” 

“The more frenetic the tune up, the bigger the tribute the director,” said Margo. She was crushing on Silas and had been since the start of rehearsals for the show. She played bassoon, he played bari sax. They didn’t sit close together, but she managed to get close to him during breaks and was always within ear shot of him at parties. 

Arlene disagreed with Margo. “Rubbish. Tune up has nothing to do with the director. It’s all about caring for your instrument. You let yours get damp, it sat too close to the window and you need new reeds. You should never start a show with new reeds, you know that.”

“My, my Arlene, got your panties in a bunch this morning??” asked Silas. “New reeds have nothing to do with respect for the director of a show, nor the conductor of the orchestra. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen who played with a brand new reed before a show. When was that? Dolly or Kinky Boots?”

“Clarinet quacking again, Arlene? Why don’t you just hide in the chorus so you can mouth the words and dance? Everybody could see how pretty you look then.” said Margo. 

Silas smiled and gave Margo an air high five. 

Arlene went off stomping backstage to get a cigarette, a reed, and some sympathy from somewhere. She was tired of being picked on. She was just trying to help Margo understand that not everything revolved around her opinion of the director. And what about the conductor? They were both idiots. They were in an idiotic show. Why had she signed up to do this production in the first place? Maybe they were right. She should have just joined the chorus, mouthed the words and danced so everybody could see how pretty she was. Her talents were wasted down in the orchestra pit.

“Margo, will you run through the opening bit of the first opus with me? I have trouble with that first sequence.” asked Silas. Margo was in heaven. Of course she agreed. She would agree to play all the parts of the whole orchestra with him at once if he asked. She played her notes.

“Your tone’s a little off,” said Silas. “Arlene was right. You need new reeds.