#bergen_county

Lori has that look of a woman who just realized how she's been not just ditched but forgotten

Piper waves as she steps over. “Hey Lori… Jonas decided he wanted to take Siv out to dinner to celebrate 2nd place- you want to split a Lyft back into town?”

"I guess I have to, my sister took the car.. and her boyfriend peeled out"

"You didnn't want to go with your friends?"

“Nah, they deserve a night out together. I was more interested in talking with you. Can you tell me more about the music you've been playing around with?”

Her eyes light up "I guess you could call it Alternative but I try some fusion of genres. I mean, my parents want just classical, and I love classical fine but we haves so much to draw from. World music is out there and we can shift and sample, we're like... alchemists, taking magical ingredients and refining them into elixirs of audio delight"

Oh this girl could be a well spring of glamour

“What do you think your parents would say if you asked about seeing a tutor for classical Viola?” Guessing that perhaps a family that seeks classic instrument training and belongs to this country club may well be able to afford tutors…

"They'd humor me, and probably pay them," She sighs "But I just told you, I'm not feeling pulled to classical like I used to" Yup, over her head

A grin. “Aaand what if I told you that I could tutor you in both classical Viola, and also look into that fun stuff you like?”

“I bet I can make the original stylings fun again too, if you give me a chance.”

"Really? Wait, are you asking me to help con my parents?" Her eyes widen

Oh little lamb. Piper's old crew would have had fun with her

“Not exactly. Listen, I don’t have an instrument handy, but you should believe me when I day I have the skills to back up my claims. Listen-”

She hums up and down the scales, then whistles the same, and then sings a series of notes, in perfect pitch.

“I can play violin and viola, guitar and lyre, mandolin and cello- and I bet if you gave me an hour with a sitar or shamisen, I could belt out some tunes. I sing, but I also specialize in instruments. I can play anything with a string.”

"Wow.. your voice is.. gold"

She beams "Really, I.. you know, we'll do it.. I just find your name a bit ironic now. I thought you'd be woodwind"

A laugh! “Woodwinds and brass and flutes are great and all- but I’d rather play something I can sing along to. Call me Piper because of my pipes!” She taps her throat with a wink.

She lowers her voice "My real name is Lorelei but I just go by Lori to avoid assholes "

“And you are suuuure you’re not a singer? Because that's a siren’s name.” Grinning. “Pretty name. Do you mind if I call you that?”

A blush "I don't mind. Annd yeah, I knnow the story, she crashed guys into rocks"

“I’ve heard a few versions where they deserved it.”

"Those DO make me feel better " She laughs "Sure.. you know, we can hold off on the lyft if you want or.. go somewhere to talk music?"

“Sure! Sounds good to me, let’s get something to eat. Golfing makes me hungry, even when I'm not playing.” A grin, and will gladly accompany Lorelei to talk music… and tutoring! Nothing better than musing a new dreamer… except getting paid to do it.

Indeed, Lorelei is passionate about music's variety, and has been repressed. Piper's musing is not only productive, but a welcome relief. The only danger? Both girls may lose track of time!

(End scene)

A day or two passes, and Piper gently coaxes.

Lori responds, grabbing her viola and heading off with Piper "I know where we can get some space if you want?"

“Definitely! It’s a great day… and I brought a speaker and some tunes to listen to. I asked my friend Etsie what she might recommend, and she’s an expert on electric strings. Maybe some of that will light a few Viola sparks.”

"Well, it's amazing how wmuch dislike the Viola gets... I like it, it has a rounded sound..." They head into the city proper

"Somewhere.. oh where is it?" She looks about

Squeezed in behind a warehouse and some grocery store parking, they come up to a weatherworn building

"Ah, here we go" She explains to Piper "it's such a shame, you know? It's got great accoustics"

“What used to be here?”

“Or is here?” She corrects possibly, looking over the building.

“Viola IS more than just a lesser cousin to the violin. Without it, you’d miss an entire range of alto between violin and cello. It’s important…”

"THANK YOU" At that last, then moves past the tape and akes out a key "This is an old Recording studio building. Vandals ripped some of the rooms out before they were chased off.."

“Do you know the owner? Just checking if I need to have an eye out for the fuzz.”

"My parents" She sighs

"They were going to sell it to the grocery story for parking, but Covid killed the grocery store's interest. This buildin is old.. like.. almost a century"

“Let’s take a look around! You can give me the grand tour.”

Piper might have noticed a very very faded painted name on the bricks on the side of the building, near the roof line as they came in: Goldfinch Studios

"Surely" She glides Piper in

They come into the reception area first , it's clear someone tried a refurbishment... but both original 1930s/40s lay out, and some attempt to salvage it it in the late 70s/earrly 80s have been torn into by vandals here and there

Yet, Piper can almost imagine the young dreamers of various decades coming into here , hoping to get their shot, save their sound and send it out to the world

She turns around, taking it all in. A deep breath, thinking of all the dreamers of the past, and all those or no longer sees, dreamers like Lorelei who may languish in an unwelcoming world. A hand lightly pressed against a bit of decoration that hasn’t quite been demolished. “It’s so sad.”

"It is," She says "They did radio shows here too"

“Really? That’s cool! I can imagine it falling out of favor now that anyone can podcast from Home. Music, though? There’s a lot more acoustically to take into account than a verbal show with sound effects…”

"Oh I agree.. come on.. let's see.. " She leads pIper in deeper, " couple offices over there, an editing room, a small studio like closet size and oh here. " They enter a larger studio for bigger groups! And Piper can hear her hoof beats show he sound is.. fanttastic

“Ohhhh….” She can't resist, she swings her guitar around from her back and gives it a test strum.

The sound flows perfectly... she can imagine having a drop mic before her as she sings the purity of it right there