Classical Revenge

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 10:54 PM

Classical Revenge
by Robert Burton Robinson

Amy took the ring of keys out of the drawer and walked toward the front door.

The door burst open, and a woman rushed in and pushed the door against the blowing snow until it closed. “If the stupid idiots can’t learn to drive in the snow they need to move out of Cleveland—find themselves a nice warm spot in Miami!” She pulled her hood back, took off the parka, and hung it on the coat rack near the door. Then she saw the ring of keys in Amy’s hand.

“Were you about to close?” She checked her watch. “It’s only six o’clock.”

“Yes. We close at six.”

“Two days before Christmas?”

“It doesn’t matter. Our hours never change.”

“Oh, I understand. It’s because of your location, right? Customers are afraid to come to this part of town after dark.”

Amy locked the deadbolt, ignoring the woman’s comment. “Welcome to Amy’s Classical Guitars. I’m Amy Kilmore.”

“Good to meet you. I’m Luci.”

“So, are you looking for a guitar for yourself? Or is this to be a Christmas gift?”

“For me. Wow, I’ve never seen this many classical guitars in one place.”

“It’s my specialty.”
>>>

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 10:55 PM

“So, I guess you don’t get many rockers in here—even though the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just a few blocks away.”

“Actually, I do get some occasionally. Mostly those who have seen the error of their ways and are converting to classicalism.”

“Classicalism?”

Amy smiled. “That’s what I like to call it. When a guy’s been playing steel strings all his life, and then gets his hands on a great classical guitar—well sometimes he’ll convert—as he should. Because the dynamics, the overtones, and the warmth of the classical guitar are far superior.”

“Steel strings are all I’ve ever played, since I was 14 years old. But I’m considering a classical guitar. So, convert me.”

“Okay. Come on over here and take a seat.”

Luci walked over to the chair and sat down.

“Now put your left foot up on this little stool.” Amy turned and reached for one of the guitars hanging from the wall. She handled it lovingly—as though it was a newborn baby. “Try this one.”

Luci reached into her pocket and pulled out a pick.

Amy frowned. “Oh, no—you don’t use a pick. You pluck and strum with your fingers.”
>>>

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 10:56 PM

“I feel naked without a pick—but I’ll try it.” Luci formed a G Major chord with her left hand, and strummed with her right thumb. “Nice. Very nice.”

“Yeah. See what I mean about the tone?”

“Yes. It’s beautiful. What kind of strings are these? Catgut?”

Amy smiled. “No, they’re man-made. In fact, those are my own special brand. I give each batch its own unique name. Those are Macho Delights.”

“Interesting name.”

“Thanks.”

Luci hesitated. “They never really made strings from cats, did they?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Catgut is short for cattle guts. Usually sheep intestines.”

“Yuck.”

“Most classical guitar strings are nylon these days. Or a composite material made from synthetic fibers. But you can still buy catgut strings. You can order a set on the web for $80.”

Luci’s face contorted. “How do they make guitar strings out of intestines?”

“It’s quite a process. They have to remove them from the animal’s body while they’re still warm. Then they clean and strip them, twist and polish—“

“—gross. I’ve heard enough. So, what’s so special about your strings?”
>>>

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 10:59 PM

“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you,” said Amy, stone-faced. Then she laughed. “Just kidding. But it’s a secret process. Amy Strings are only available from me. And I plan to keep it that way, so I can continue to charge $250 a set.”

“People actually pay $250 for a set of guitar strings?”

“Sure. These are professional musicians, playing $5,000 instruments. I get orders from all over the world through my website. In all honesty, I don’t get much walk-in traffic here. The online sales are what keep me going. So, what do you think of that guitar?”

“It’s amazing. How much is it?”

“$4,500, including the strings.”

“Whoa.” Luci carefully handed the guitar back to Amy. “That’s way too steep for me. Why is it so expensive?”

“Because it’s hand-made. Most of these guitars were built by a wonderful old luthier who lives down in LaGrange.”

“What’s a luthier?”

“A person who makes stringed instruments.”

“Well, don’t you have anything cheaper?”
>>>

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 11:01 PM

“Yes. There on the back wall I’ve got a couple of Japanese guitars, and a few from Spain. But they’re not hand-made.”

“That’s okay.” Luci got up and walked toward the cheap instruments. On her way, she was startled by a cat that was sitting on the counter. It was frozen in place. She looked more closely. “What’s this? It looks so real.”

“It is real. My 20-year-old son is an amateur taxidermist. When he was 12 years old, his dog died, so we buried it in the back yard. But he couldn’t stand to lose his best friend, so that night he did a little research on the internet. And the next day, he dug up Fluffy and performed his first taxidermy.

It was a mess. Looked like some kind of furry alien. But he’s really improved over the years. I’ve lost track of how many little animals he’s killed and stuffed.”

“So, he killed this poor little cat?”

“Not on purpose. It kept running into the store every time a customer came in. So, he would shoo it out with a stick. But one day he accidentally whacked it on the head and killed it. Then he asked me if he could stuff it. I didn’t see any harm.”
>>>

rajnish manga · 15-07-2014, 11:02 PM

Luci walked to the back wall, picked up a guitar, and began to strum it. “Does your husband help you run the store?”

“My husband was killed in a car accident.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She hung the guitar back on the wall. “Wait. I think I read about it in the paper. That’s why your name sounded familiar. Wasn’t that just a couple of weeks ago?”

“Yes.”

Luci walked over to where a stuffed squirrel was sitting. “Did Casey do this one too?”

“Yes, he did.” Amy wondered how Luci knew her son’s name.

Luci bent down and looked directly into the squirrel’s eyes. “It’s so life-like.” Then she pulled back, as though she wasn’t absolutely sure it was dead.

“Yes, he’s getting really good at it.”

“Well, if you don’t mind me asking—are you sure your husband was actually in the car when it went over the cliff? I read that they never found his body.”
>>>

15-07-2014, 10:54 PM	#1
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Classical Revenge Classical Revenge by Robert Burton Robinson Amy took the ring of keys out of the drawer and walked toward the front door. The door burst open, and a woman rushed in and pushed the door against the blowing snow until it closed. “If the stupid idiots can’t learn to drive in the snow they need to move out of Cleveland—find themselves a nice warm spot in Miami!” She pulled her hood back, took off the parka, and hung it on the coat rack near the door. Then she saw the ring of keys in Amy’s hand. “Were you about to close?” She checked her watch. “It’s only six o’clock.” “Yes. We close at six.” “Two days before Christmas?” “It doesn’t matter. Our hours never change.” “Oh, I understand. It’s because of your location, right? Customers are afraid to come to this part of town after dark.” Amy locked the deadbolt, ignoring the woman’s comment. “Welcome to Amy’s Classical Guitars. I’m Amy Kilmore.” “Good to meet you. I’m Luci.” “So, are you looking for a guitar for yourself? Or is this to be a Christmas gift?” “For me. Wow, I’ve never seen this many classical guitars in one place.” “It’s my specialty.” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)

15-07-2014, 10:55 PM	#2
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Re: Classical Revenge “So, I guess you don’t get many rockers in here—even though the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is just a few blocks away.” “Actually, I do get some occasionally. Mostly those who have seen the error of their ways and are converting to classicalism.” “Classicalism?” Amy smiled. “That’s what I like to call it. When a guy’s been playing steel strings all his life, and then gets his hands on a great classical guitar—well sometimes he’ll convert—as he should. Because the dynamics, the overtones, and the warmth of the classical guitar are far superior.” “Steel strings are all I’ve ever played, since I was 14 years old. But I’m considering a classical guitar. So, convert me.” “Okay. Come on over here and take a seat.” Luci walked over to the chair and sat down. “Now put your left foot up on this little stool.” Amy turned and reached for one of the guitars hanging from the wall. She handled it lovingly—as though it was a newborn baby. “Try this one.” Luci reached into her pocket and pulled out a pick. Amy frowned. “Oh, no—you don’t use a pick. You pluck and strum with your fingers.” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)

15-07-2014, 10:56 PM	#3
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Re: Classical Revenge “I feel naked without a pick—but I’ll try it.” Luci formed a G Major chord with her left hand, and strummed with her right thumb. “Nice. Very nice.” “Yeah. See what I mean about the tone?” “Yes. It’s beautiful. What kind of strings are these? Catgut?” Amy smiled. “No, they’re man-made. In fact, those are my own special brand. I give each batch its own unique name. Those are Macho Delights.” “Interesting name.” “Thanks.” Luci hesitated. “They never really made strings from cats, did they?” “No.” “I didn’t think so.” “Catgut is short for cattle guts. Usually sheep intestines.” “Yuck.” “Most classical guitar strings are nylon these days. Or a composite material made from synthetic fibers. But you can still buy catgut strings. You can order a set on the web for $80.” Luci’s face contorted. “How do they make guitar strings out of intestines?” “It’s quite a process. They have to remove them from the animal’s body while they’re still warm. Then they clean and strip them, twist and polish—“ “—gross. I’ve heard enough. So, what’s so special about your strings?” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)

15-07-2014, 10:59 PM	#4
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Re: Classical Revenge “If I told you that, I’d have to kill you,” said Amy, stone-faced. Then she laughed. “Just kidding. But it’s a secret process. Amy Strings are only available from me. And I plan to keep it that way, so I can continue to charge $250 a set.” “People actually pay $250 for a set of guitar strings?” “Sure. These are professional musicians, playing $5,000 instruments. I get orders from all over the world through my website. In all honesty, I don’t get much walk-in traffic here. The online sales are what keep me going. So, what do you think of that guitar?” “It’s amazing. How much is it?” “$4,500, including the strings.” “Whoa.” Luci carefully handed the guitar back to Amy. “That’s way too steep for me. Why is it so expensive?” “Because it’s hand-made. Most of these guitars were built by a wonderful old luthier who lives down in LaGrange.” “What’s a luthier?” “A person who makes stringed instruments.” “Well, don’t you have anything cheaper?” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)

15-07-2014, 11:01 PM	#5
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Re: Classical Revenge “Yes. There on the back wall I’ve got a couple of Japanese guitars, and a few from Spain. But they’re not hand-made.” “That’s okay.” Luci got up and walked toward the cheap instruments. On her way, she was startled by a cat that was sitting on the counter. It was frozen in place. She looked more closely. “What’s this? It looks so real.” “It is real. My 20-year-old son is an amateur taxidermist. When he was 12 years old, his dog died, so we buried it in the back yard. But he couldn’t stand to lose his best friend, so that night he did a little research on the internet. And the next day, he dug up Fluffy and performed his first taxidermy. It was a mess. Looked like some kind of furry alien. But he’s really improved over the years. I’ve lost track of how many little animals he’s killed and stuffed.” “So, he killed this poor little cat?” “Not on purpose. It kept running into the store every time a customer came in. So, he would shoo it out with a stick. But one day he accidentally whacked it on the head and killed it. Then he asked me if he could stuff it. I didn’t see any harm.” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)

15-07-2014, 11:02 PM	#6
rajnish manga Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Faridabad, Haryana, India Posts: 13,293 Rep Power: 241	Re: Classical Revenge Luci walked to the back wall, picked up a guitar, and began to strum it. “Does your husband help you run the store?” “My husband was killed in a car accident.” “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She hung the guitar back on the wall. “Wait. I think I read about it in the paper. That’s why your name sounded familiar. Wasn’t that just a couple of weeks ago?” “Yes.” Luci walked over to where a stuffed squirrel was sitting. “Did Casey do this one too?” “Yes, he did.” Amy wondered how Luci knew her son’s name. Luci bent down and looked directly into the squirrel’s eyes. “It’s so life-like.” Then she pulled back, as though she wasn’t absolutely sure it was dead. “Yes, he’s getting really good at it.” “Well, if you don’t mind me asking—are you sure your husband was actually in the car when it went over the cliff? I read that they never found his body.” >>> __________________ आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः (ऋग्वेद) (Let noble thoughts come to us from every side)