Musical Affair

The night’s quite lively here. People who came in drinking after a hard day at work, pals bonding, and couples spending their night together filled the saloon.

Well, it’s just another normal night at Mallard. It appears that Marsh is a really close friend of Mr. Dallas, and he recommended me to attend the bar.

I’ve only worked here for ten days. But, I’m already used to it’s antics and familiarised myself to it’s visitors.

There are those who visited the saloon regularly.

Such as the gambling duo who always sits at the corner poker table. I’m pretty sure their names are David and Lucy. They’d always invite people to play.

Other visitor like Roy the local sheriff would visit from time to time too.

The Tinker brothers would visit almost every night and make the saloon livelier with their silliness. Though, they’ll become a bit of a ruckus once they got too drunk.

At that point, Lance would have to kick people like them out. Before they become too much to handle.

Speaking of Lance, he’s the other bartender who worked here before me. And now we’re coworker who attend the saloon from sunset to sunrise.

Like a flame that attracted moths. The atmosphere of the saloon in the middle of the night like this, will always have visitors who found themselves wandering.

A pair then entered the establishment. The man wore a flannel shirt and trousers with suspenders. While the lady wore a dress that’s fair and respectable.

They then sat on the seats at the counter.

“I’ll have a gin sling, please.”

Said the man.

“And I’ll have a glass of brandy.”

Said the woman next to him.

“Great choice! Comin’ right up.”

I replied with a smile. I then got to work and make their drink. Lance then asked me a question.

“Lillia, you know how to make gin sling?”

“Of course! Can you take care of her brandy for me?”

“Ok then.”

I grabbed a tumbler and drop a spoon of sugar in it. Added a little bit of water and stir them to make a syrup.

After that, I added the gin. Last but not least, I squeezed in some juice from an orange and stir them one last time. I then served it to him with a smile.

“Here’s your gin sling mister.”

“Alright then, cheers!”

He said joyously to the women as their glasses clinked.

Both of them has a ring on the finger of their left hand. It appears that the rings are rose gold that matched each other.

Curiosity then took over me.

“What a lovely couple you guys are. How long have you been with each other?”

The woman then replied with a smile after taking a sip.

“Well, honestly, I lost count. Dear, do you remember?”

“Let me think, hmm... Maybe eight, no. Nine years I think.”

“I see...”

I said while wiping clean a wine glass.

“What is it missy, you want to elope like us or somethin’”?

“Ahaha... Not at all, I just want to spark a conversation that’s all”

Laughing nervouly. I wasn’t slick at all.

“Just ignore her, partner. She’s just on the fence on wheth—“

I then stepped on his feet, stopping him dead on his track. But it was all for naught.

The woman then chuckled.

“Just take it easy girl, there’s no need to rush. Isn’t that right dear?”

“Yep, just flow with the river.”

“But, if you want to take the initiative, don’t be afraid and do it.”

She said as she took another sip. It appears that this woman has read my mind.

“Wow, you’re good at reading people.”

“Not really, is just that we met a lot of people throughout our journey. And sometime ago, we met a type of person that just like you.”

“Is that so?”

Lance then butted in.

“Speaking of, are you guys traveling to somewhere in particular?”

The man then replied.

“We’re travelling from city to city and town to town to perform.”

“Perform?”

I asked.

“Ah, I forgot to introduce myself aren’t I? You can call me Lenny.”

“And I’m violet.”

“I’m Lillia, and he’s Lance.”

I said, introducing myself and him.

“There’s supposed to be one other person. He’s a best friend of mine and violet’s brother, Ringo.”

“But it seems like he was delayed.”

“He did say that he’s taking a detour. Anyway, the three of us travel together as a folk group.”

Lance then asked a question, eyes filled with admiration.

“So you guys play music?”

“That’s right, I play the banjo.”

“I’m the one who sings, but I also play the piano. And my brother plays the guitar.”

Me and Lance would converse with each other when we’re not serving customers.

Recalling the conversation I had with him, I then shot Lance a question.

“Speaking of music. You said you know how to play the harmonica didn’t you?”

“I did. But, the last time I played it was years ago. Don’t know if I could still do it.”

Lenny then spoke.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. I once stopped playing my banjo for a while. But when I picked it back up, it doesn’t take too long for me to get good again playing it.”

“The problem is, I don’t know where I put it. It’s probably covered in dust somewhere in my room.”

Violet then stood up, as she walked towards the piano that’s on the saloon’s small stage.

“Speaking of dusty, seems like this one has seen better days.”

“Oh, the last time someone used it was around a year ago. And she was the previous bartender.”

She then ran her finger across the piano’s surface to check dust. Opening the fallboard, she was surprised to see the nameplate.

“Just like I thought, it really is a Chickering. Lance, it’s incredible that you got your hand on one of this.”

I then immediately replied, since I know how the piano got there when I spoke to Mr. Dallas the other day.

“That is not Lance’s. Mr. Dallas is the one who owns it, he’s the saloon owner.”

“Then he must be quite wealthy.”

“Not really. A government official gave it to him, because he didn’t play it anymore”

“Oh, I see. Either way, no one ended up playing her huh?”

She then pressed a key, a sound then come forth. Telling that the piano isn’t broken.

“Mind if I play with her for a bit?”

“Please, go ahead.”

Said Lance.

She then played a song. The other customers attracted by the beautiful play, gave their full attention.

For some reason, her plays Evoked some nostalgia out of me. It reminded me about my father, he used to play it sometimes when he was bored.

One time, after a short trip from Bonn, I asked if he’s got any souvenir for me.

He said that he did. However, the souvenir was a musical piece. He said that a kid named Ludwig helped him made it.

The piece was beautiful. One of the best one I heard. And it stuck with me long after.

But, Violet’s play is still great nonetheless. The people at the bar then applauded her, as she finishes her play.

“Nothing’s wrong with it, other than a tad dusty. Can you get it cleaned for me later?”

She said, as she sat back down on the seat.

To which Lance replied.

“Sure no problem.”

“So you guys are going to play here?”

I asked. Lenny then replied.

“Of course!”

“When?”

“Tomorrow night. I think Ringo will arrive tomorrow morning.”

I then put a finger on my chin, as I fell in deep thought for a minute. A smirk then formed on my face without me realising.

“Lance, you should search and find your harmonica!”

“Umm... Ok. But, why though?”

“Trust me. Beside, I reckoned having someone that plays a harmonica would complement your guys performance. Correct?”

Lenny then replied.

“Of course, the more the merrier missy!”

“Sure, I’ll search for it. What are you planning Lillia?”

He asked while raising an eyebrow.

“A plan to make an unforgettable night.”

He then chuckled.

“Sure, whatever you say. I’ll tell Mr. Dallas that you guys will perform, I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you guys for tomorrow night.”

The night then continued like usual. It’s the next morning now.

I walked back to our room and found Marsh sitting on the bed, putting on his boots.

“Morning Marsh!”

“Morning Lily!”

“Off to chop some logs again?”

“Yep!”

“Say Marsh, let’s go for a ride tonight. I want to explore around the area for a bit.

“Oh, sure. No problem.”

As he got up, he then looked directly at me. With a smile, he asked me a question.

“You seem to be in a good mood. Did something good happened?”

“Yes, and something even better might happen too.”

Elated and smiling radiantly, without a doubt, tonight is the night I'm looking forward to the most.