sixwordstories | (no subject)

Congratulations! There's a good feeling to have. What genre if you don't mind me asking?

[Tom thinks for a minute before answering] It's a-an a-a-acoustic rock s-sort of th-thing. L-like J-Jack Johnson o-or J-John M-Mayer. [Damn stutter. He hates being like this]

[Blanc waits paiently, not judging him at all.] Sounds good, not enough appreciation for acoustic these days.

[Tom's grateful this guy hasn't made fun of him] Everyth-thing's so electronic r-right n-now. L-like Lady Gaga.

Or auto-tuned. [He gives a shake of his head.] A pity.

[Tom shudders. He hates auto-tune] It r-really is. I'm T-Thomas, b-by the way.

[Blanc gives a friendly smile and offers his hand for a handshake.] I'm Blanc, nice to meet you, Thomas. Always a pleasure to meet another musical connoisseur.

N-nice to m-m-meet you t-too. [Tom makes a small face at his stuttering, but plows on] I d-don't known th-that I'm a c-connoisseur e-exactly.

Sure you are! Some might argue to be a connoisseur of music one needs... [he gives a small flourish with his hand] distinguished tastes or formal training or some other such nonsense. I believe anyone who enjoys and purses or is otherwise involved in the arts is a connoisseur.

[Tom grins] I l-like the w-way you th-think. B-but I've g-got formal training on the p-piano at least. [He stutters a little less when talking about things that interest him, like music and computers]

There, see? A connoisseur. Never did learn piano myself, just guitar and singing myself.

[Tom is slightly red and shrugs his shoulders] Y-you stick with s-s-something long enough, you g-get good at it.

Devotion and dedication, there's an art often lost these days.

So tell me, when can I expect to hear you on the radio?

[Tom looks a little sad] Y-you'll probably h-hear m-m-my songs...b-but I w-won't be s-singing them. You h-have to b-be able to s-s-sing in public...and th-that's someth-thing I j-just can't do.

Nonsense. I'm sure you can sing.

I c-can. J-just not in f-f-front of p-people.

Take a deep breath, calm down, and sing me a few bars. Anything works.

[Tom thinks, then begins to sing] It's going to take a lot to drag me away from you. There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do. I bless the rains down in Africa. We're gonna take some time and do the things we never had... [He's got a clear tenor, but he can also hit some high notes as well]

[No lies, the guy has a good voice and it was better than expected. Blanc grins and applauds when he finishes.]

There! No problem at all. You have a good voice.

[Tom is embarrassed and mumbled] Th-th-thanks.

Sorry, what was that? Couldn't hear you. Speak up a little, will you?

[Tom rolls his eyes and raises his voice slightly] I s-s-said th-thanks. [Dang. His nervousness is showing now]

[Blanc grins and gives a satisfied nod.] There we go, much better. Mumbling is an ill-advised habit, I suggest always speaking clearly to be heard.

[Tom bows his head] M-maybe I d-d-don't w-want people to h-hear me.