Once More With Feeling
Virtuoso Help Quest
Requirements
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Requirements
After school, Kat approaches you, carrying an instrument case.
Kat: Hello, Danny! I hear you’re quite talented at assisting others! I am quite talented myself!
Danny: Oh yeah? What’s your talent?
Kat opens the case, revealing a shiny, richly-red violin.
Danny: It’s beautiful.
Kat: As is the music I play on it, but that’s for another time...
Danny: So, then did you need some help with something?
Kat: Regrettably, yes. I’m accustomed to playing solos... however, for this I might need accompaniment. I’m about to apply for a prestigious internship with Ella Stradavinsky!
Danny: Who?
Kat: You don’t know her?! That’s like asking who is Nicolo Paganini? Or who is Mischa Elman?
Danny: Um... and who are they?
Kat: The greatest violinists of their time! Only one person gets the internship, but that person gets to play, study, and even compose with Ella herself!
Danny: Kind of like playing basketball with LeBron James!
Kat: Who?
Danny: Er... like singing with One Direction?
Kat: Is that some kind of focused vocal technique?
Danny: They’re... never mind. You’re telling me that this internship is a big deal?
Kat: The biggest. Unfortunately, there are certain parts of the application that simply cannot be done alone. Will you help me?
Danny: Does Ella Whatshername play a mean violin?!
Kat: Stradavinsky, and yes, she does!
Danny: Then there’s your answer! Of course I’ll help!
Kat: Excellent. There are just two requirements... The first is to make money with my music in a public space, the way Stradavinsky began her career. I have to earn a hundred dollars, which is to be used as the application fee.
Danny: And where do I fit in?
Kat: You’re the photographer and marketer.
Danny: Marketer?! Do I get to make signs?! Or create posters?! Or strike up ad deals with local businesses?!
Kat: No... you get to hold the tip hat and call out to passers-by.
Requirements
On a corner of a bustling shopping district, you and Kat set up to play music for tips!
Kat: Sheet music?
You prop up a music stand with sheet music in front of Kat.
Danny: Check!
Kat: Tip hat?
You shake a hat with a few coins in it.
Danny: Check!
Kat: Violin?
Danny: I thought you had it!
Kat: What?!
Danny: Just kidding! Here it is!
Kat: I shall not forget this prank!
Danny: And I won’t forget this moment!
Kat: What moment?
Danny: The moment when I get to hear you play for the first time...
Time - 6 hours
Kat plays the violin while you take a few pics with your phone. A few moments later, Kat takes a break...
Danny: That was incredible! Every note felt so precise, so meticulous.
Kat: I know. I didn’t fly through the Suzuki Method just to be some second-string string musician! Anyway, how many hundreds of dollars do we have in our tip hat?
Danny: Zero hundreds. In fact, we’ve only got a couple bucks so far.
Kat: Hmph. You know who needs some fine-tuning then, right?
Danny: The marketer! I’m on it!
As Kat begins another song, you shake the tip hat and call out...
Danny: Check out the greatest violinist of our generation! Kat here is on the road toward becoming one of the greats! But in order to get there, we need a little bit of help! Just a tip or two will get us on the way to our goal... One hundred dollars buys us the application fee into an exclusive internship program with Ella Stradavinsky herself!
As the song progresses, people begin to drop money into the hat...
Julian: Nice tune!
Autumn: This is one of my favorites!
Later...
Kat: Great marketing, Danny. How are we doing now?
Danny: The tip hat is brimming with money! We’ve definitely reached our goal!
Kat: Fantastic. That leaves just the second requirement... ...to play somewhere unexpected or unusual.
Danny: Need me to take more pics?
Kat: No, for this we’ll need to submit a film... and a high-quality one at that.
Danny: I think I know just who to talk to!
Requirements
You and Kat find Henry filming a shot of the quad with a fancy-looking camera.
Henry: Aaaaaaaaaand... cut! Beautiful, people! Take five!
Henry turns to you.
Henry: What’s up, Danny?
Danny: We were wondering if you could help us film a music video for--
Henry: Stop right there! I’m in, baby!
Danny: But you haven’t even heard anything about the assignment.
Henry: Come on... Danny? Kat? Music video? That project’s greenlit before the ink dries on the script.
Danny: All right then... welcome aboard!
Henry: Just one question... what’s the assignment?
You fill Henry in. Afterward...
Danny: What do you think, Henry? Know of any unusual locations?
Henry: I know two that would fit the bill! A gorgeous natural waterfall, and a high-energy rollercoaster! Either of those interest you, Kat?
Kat: Frankly, I don’t care where I am. I can play anywhere!
Henry: Easy to work with. You’ll go far with that reputation.
Kat: What do you think, Danny? Which locale shall I grace with my presence?
Danny: A waterfall!
Kat: So be it!
After a long drive, the three of you arrive at a waterfall above a deep blue pool with a rock island in the center.
Henry: That’s where I want you! Smack in the center of that island.
Kat: I don’t suppose you have a helicopter to drop me in.
Henry: I’m pretty sure this is a low-budget, indie music video...
Kat: Very well...
Kat wades out to the rock island, the waterfall roaring in the background. Henry sets up the camera...
Henry: Aaaaaaaaaaaand action!
Kat begins playing...
Time - 8 hours
Kat’s violin takes on an echo-y quality in the isolation of nature. After...
Henry: Awesome! Waterfalls and violins together makes for a phenom combo! Just phenom! I’ll send you the final version tonight! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to bail so I can resume my documentary on traffic patterns!
Danny: Did you feel more relaxed playing in such a tranquil setting? ...because it didn’t seem like you were affected at all!
Kat: Of course I was affected... but I’ve always used music as a way of escaping my emotions.
Danny: Really?
Kat: Classical music’s got a rep for being uncool... for as long as I’ve loved it, I’ve been picked on. And whenever I’ve felt angry or sad, I’ve played my violin to escape those feelings. I try to just block out everything I’m feeling, just play the music exactly as it’s been written, just play PERFECTLY.
Danny: I see...
Kat: That’s why you’ll notice in the video that I didn’t make ANY mistakes! And it’s also why I’m certain that I’ll be accepted into Ella Stradavinsky’s program! Thank you for all your help! Without you, Danny, I never would have made my dream come true!
Danny: But... you still need to get accepted...
Kat: A formality! When you see me next, I’ll be grinning from one perfectly tuned ear to another!
Requirements
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, grinning from ear-to-ear!
Danny: You got in?!
Kat: Essentially! I received an envelope from the Ella Stradavinsky program! I figured you’d want to be present at the moment of my greatest accomplishment!
Danny: What are you waiting for?! Open it up!
Kat rips open the envelope!
Time - 10 hours
Kat reads the letter from the Ella Stradavinsky program...
Kat: I... I didn’t get in...
Danny: Oh no...
Kat: But it turns out NO ONE got in! The competition was too fierce, and Ella wants more from the top applicants!
Danny: So it’s like you made it to the next round!
Kat: I don’t know why they’re hesitating to choose me-- --Oh wait, there’s handwritten feedback from Ella herself! ‘While your technical skills are top-notch, your music lacks EMOTIONAL resonance. Work on this.’
Danny: You okay?
Kat: I feel like I’ve had my whole body stuffed inside of a tuba...
Danny: That sounds like a ‘no’.
Kat: All I’ve ever done is played without letting my emotions affect my music... ...I don’t know if I can play any other way! I’m doomed! I’ll never get in!
Danny: Actually, I have an idea that might help you...
Kat: I’ll do anything! What is it?
Danny: A show put on by the most emotional performers the school has to offer!
Requirements
Before the next Glee Club performance, the members of the club are talking with you and Kat.
London: It’s so great to chat with a fellow music lover!
Austin: Super great!
Danny: Kat is trying to work on letting emotions into her music.
London: Oh, well, seeing us perform today was a good move!
Austin: Nothing is more emotional than when we belt out a tune!
The lights flicker, signaling the start of the show.
London: Gotta go! See you afterwards!
The members of the Glee Club rush backstage while you and Kat get to your seats.
Kat: Quite the crowd. These performers must be reminiscent of Pavarotti to attract such an audience.
Danny: Uh, have you ever seen the show Glee?
Kat: No, but I’m dying with anticipation to see this... I love hearing performances worthy of the opera!
Time - 8 hours
The Glee Club performs their show, eliciting a huge, standing ovation from the crowd!
Danny: Come on! Let’s go meet them backstage!
Backstage...
Danny: What did you think, Kat? Impressed?
Kat: Oh, I’m impressed...
Kat: ...I’m impressed that anyone would ever consider such an emotionally-marred performance worthy of applause!
London: Emotionally-marred?
Kat: You were off-key when you did that ridiculous slide along the floor... ...and you were too early coming into that song about the lions that sleep in the jungle!
Austin: Didn’t you hear the audience’s reaction? If we were so off, how come the audience loved it?!
Kat: I... I don’t know... they must have all been simultaneously confused!
London: OR, maybe it’s because audiences actually LIKE performances with feeling!
The Glee Club members angrily march off.
Danny: Come on, Kat.
Away from the auditorium...
Danny: That was a disaster...
Kat: I appreciate the sentiment behind what you were trying to do... But let’s not do that ever again.
Danny: I agree. Maybe we’ll have you skip OBSERVING emotional music and go straight to actually trying to PLAY it.
Kat: How?
Danny: By serenading couples!
Kat: That’s going to add feeling to my music?
Danny: Of course! Nothing’s more emotional than being in love! Being NEAR love’s gotta count for something too!
Requirements
After several days of Kat serenading various couples around campus...
Kat: I’ve set a romantic mood for so many cuddling couples, I think I’m going to be sick.
Danny: Lovesick?
Kat: Something like that.
Danny: More importantly, do you feel like your playing has gotten more emotional?
Kat: You tell me!
Kat queues up an emailed testimonial from one of the couples.
Danny: ‘Kat’s violin provided the perfect romantic ambience for our date. What a perfect night! I’ve never felt more in love!’
Kat: Thanks, Danny! For all your help! I know that my playing has improved dramatically because of you!
Danny: Do you feel like you’ve addressed Ella’s feedback about emotion?
Kat: Not completely. But I’m starting to figure it out! And I know I’ve improved my skill! That’s what really matters! After all, talent conquers all! Just wait... when you see me next, I’ll be grinning from ear-to-ear!
Requirements
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, once again grinning!
Danny: You got in this time?!
Kat: Nope! But I did receive another envelope from the Ella Stradavinsky program!
Kat hands you the envelope.
Kat: You read it, since you were so INSTRUMENTAL in helping me!
Danny: I’ll open it just to get past that horrible pun...
You rip open the envelope!
Time - 12 hours
Danny: ‘We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into the Ella Stradavinsky program...’
Kat: Oh...
Danny: ‘We appreciate your efforts, but have chosen someone else to become our new apprentice...’
Kat: Someone else...
Danny: ‘While some improvement has been noted, your music still feels unfeeling... too clean, too robotic, too PERFECT.’
You stop reading.
Danny: I’m so sorry, Kat.
Kat: I don’t understand... who is better than me? And how am I supposed to do better than perfect?
Danny: I don’t know... ...oh, there’s another handwritten portion from Ella...
Kat: What’d she say?
Danny: ‘Since it was so difficult to make this decision, I’m inviting you and a guest to attend my concert this evening, free of charge, as consolation.’
Kat: That was certainly kind of her... ....do you want to go with me, Danny?
Danny: Awww! Of course, I’ll go with you, Kat! I even know someone who works at the theater as an usher!
Requirements
At the Ella Stradavinsky concert, Zander ushers you and Kat to your seats...
Zander: Enjoy the show!
A few minutes later... ...Zander frantically runs out and makes an announcement from the front of the stage!
Zander: Ladies and gentlemen, we have an emergency! Some idiot was filming a documentary on the freeway and ended up causing a traffic jam! The opening violinist is stuck in the middle of it! Can anyone here play the violin? We need someone capable of playing the Paganini Caprices...
Kat’s hand raises...
Kat: I... I can play them.
Zander: Really?! Come with me!
The usher rushes you and Kat backstage!
Time - 9 hours
Backstage, Kat is freaking out!
Zander: You’re on in two minutes!
Kat: Two minutes! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do! I only know how to play one way, but now I’m all self-conscious! Plus... this is it for me... I mean, what am I playing for, if not to get into the program?
Danny: You’re playing for the joy of playing, Kat. This is the moment you’ve been practicing for, a chance to express how you’re feeling in front of an audience!
Kat: How am I feeling?!
Danny: Well, based on how you’re acting, I’d say you’re excited!
Kat: Yeah! That’s it! I’m excited!
Danny: You’re about to get your chance to show off everything you’ve learned!
Kat: I’m ready!
Danny: Good! You’re also feeling something sad... because you didn’t get the internship.
Kat: You’re right, I am...
Danny: And angry, because they rejected you.
Kat: You’re right! I am!
Danny: you’re experiencing all those emotions at once! Use them! Don’t suppress them. Let how you’re feeling now shape how you play... got it?
Kat: Got it.
Danny: One more thing...
Kat: What’s that?
Danny: You’re on!
Zander escorts Kat out onto the stage! A moment later, the spotlight shines on Kat, her violin cradled under her neck. Her bow lightly touches the strings of the violin, and she begins playing... The music is like nothing you’ve ever heard before, a blending of feeling... One moment excited and frenzied, the next slow and sad, then rough and angry... And, in the final moments, joyful. When the final note ends it echoes softly throughout the concert hall... ...which erupts in thunderous applause!
Kat: ...
Kat bows, and the stage is showered with bouquets of flowers!
Danny: Way to go, Kat!
Kat turns to leave the stage, but is surprised to see a woman standing there, violin in hand. Kat gasps.
Kat: Ella Stradavinsky, everyone!
The crowd burst into applause. Ella nods at Kat and begins playing... ...and Kat joins her in harmonious, uplifting duet!
Requirements
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, once again grinning and holding an envelope.
Danny: I have to point out that every time I’ve seen you with that grin and an envelope, you get bad news!
Kat: Not this time! What could possibly make me feel bad?!
Danny: Ahhh! Why would you jinx it like that?!
Kat rips open the envelope!
Time - 11 hours
Kat: Oh no...
Danny: What is it? What’s wrong this time?
Kat: Just kidding! Ha!
Danny: You got me. Now what’s it say?
Kat: It says, ‘Due to your impressive, technically proficient AND emotionally-powerful performance at the concert... The Ella Stradavinsky program has decided to bend the rules. This year, we will be accepting TWO apprentices into the program. Our original choice and now... YOU.’ And there’s another personal note from Ella!
Danny: What’s it say?
Kat: ‘You’ve learned that by playing with emotion, the imperfections that make up YOU transform the song you play... ...in a note sadly held longer here, a not played with an angry uptempo here... ...until the song is no longer Mozart’s, no longer Chopin’s, no longer Back’s. It becomes Kat’s. I welcome you to the program. With delight. Ella.’ I’m in!
Danny: That’s so awesome!
Kat: Finally, I can say with utter conviction... I never would have gotten this internship without you, Danny!
Danny: Awww! I’m just happy you finally got your dream!
Kat: I know that a ‘thank you’ isn’t enough for what you’ve done, so please, have a seat if you will, and enjoy the show!
You sit down on a bench...
Danny: Show?
Kat takes out her violin and begins playing a song of such emotion, such passion... ...you start to cry tears of pure joy!
Kat: I take it you liked the performance?
Danny: Bravo! Bravo!
You wipe away your tears.
Danny: That was magnificent.
Kat: I try.
Danny: So, now that you’ve been accepted, what are you going to do between now and the start of the program?
Kat: That’s easy! Practice, practice, practice!
Kat walks away, playing the violin through the crowd of students... ...and all of them seem moved by the music.
- Have a Virtuoso
After school, Kat approaches you, carrying an instrument case.
Kat: Hello, Danny! I hear you’re quite talented at assisting others! I am quite talented myself!
Danny: Oh yeah? What’s your talent?
Kat opens the case, revealing a shiny, richly-red violin.
Danny: It’s beautiful.
Kat: As is the music I play on it, but that’s for another time...
Danny: So, then did you need some help with something?
Kat: Regrettably, yes. I’m accustomed to playing solos... however, for this I might need accompaniment. I’m about to apply for a prestigious internship with Ella Stradavinsky!
Danny: Who?
Kat: You don’t know her?! That’s like asking who is Nicolo Paganini? Or who is Mischa Elman?
Danny: Um... and who are they?
Kat: The greatest violinists of their time! Only one person gets the internship, but that person gets to play, study, and even compose with Ella herself!
Danny: Kind of like playing basketball with LeBron James!
Kat: Who?
Danny: Er... like singing with One Direction?
Kat: Is that some kind of focused vocal technique?
Danny: They’re... never mind. You’re telling me that this internship is a big deal?
Kat: The biggest. Unfortunately, there are certain parts of the application that simply cannot be done alone. Will you help me?
Danny: Does Ella Whatshername play a mean violin?!
Kat: Stradavinsky, and yes, she does!
Danny: Then there’s your answer! Of course I’ll help!
Kat: Excellent. There are just two requirements... The first is to make money with my music in a public space, the way Stradavinsky began her career. I have to earn a hundred dollars, which is to be used as the application fee.
Danny: And where do I fit in?
Kat: You’re the photographer and marketer.
Danny: Marketer?! Do I get to make signs?! Or create posters?! Or strike up ad deals with local businesses?!
Kat: No... you get to hold the tip hat and call out to passers-by.
Requirements
- Danny
- Kat
On a corner of a bustling shopping district, you and Kat set up to play music for tips!
Kat: Sheet music?
You prop up a music stand with sheet music in front of Kat.
Danny: Check!
Kat: Tip hat?
You shake a hat with a few coins in it.
Danny: Check!
Kat: Violin?
Danny: I thought you had it!
Kat: What?!
Danny: Just kidding! Here it is!
Kat: I shall not forget this prank!
Danny: And I won’t forget this moment!
Kat: What moment?
Danny: The moment when I get to hear you play for the first time...
Time - 6 hours
Kat plays the violin while you take a few pics with your phone. A few moments later, Kat takes a break...
Danny: That was incredible! Every note felt so precise, so meticulous.
Kat: I know. I didn’t fly through the Suzuki Method just to be some second-string string musician! Anyway, how many hundreds of dollars do we have in our tip hat?
Danny: Zero hundreds. In fact, we’ve only got a couple bucks so far.
Kat: Hmph. You know who needs some fine-tuning then, right?
Danny: The marketer! I’m on it!
As Kat begins another song, you shake the tip hat and call out...
Danny: Check out the greatest violinist of our generation! Kat here is on the road toward becoming one of the greats! But in order to get there, we need a little bit of help! Just a tip or two will get us on the way to our goal... One hundred dollars buys us the application fee into an exclusive internship program with Ella Stradavinsky herself!
As the song progresses, people begin to drop money into the hat...
Julian: Nice tune!
Autumn: This is one of my favorites!
Later...
Kat: Great marketing, Danny. How are we doing now?
Danny: The tip hat is brimming with money! We’ve definitely reached our goal!
Kat: Fantastic. That leaves just the second requirement... ...to play somewhere unexpected or unusual.
Danny: Need me to take more pics?
Kat: No, for this we’ll need to submit a film... and a high-quality one at that.
Danny: I think I know just who to talk to!
Requirements
- Kat
- A Filmmaker (Henry)
You and Kat find Henry filming a shot of the quad with a fancy-looking camera.
Henry: Aaaaaaaaaand... cut! Beautiful, people! Take five!
Henry turns to you.
Henry: What’s up, Danny?
Danny: We were wondering if you could help us film a music video for--
Henry: Stop right there! I’m in, baby!
Danny: But you haven’t even heard anything about the assignment.
Henry: Come on... Danny? Kat? Music video? That project’s greenlit before the ink dries on the script.
Danny: All right then... welcome aboard!
Henry: Just one question... what’s the assignment?
You fill Henry in. Afterward...
Danny: What do you think, Henry? Know of any unusual locations?
Henry: I know two that would fit the bill! A gorgeous natural waterfall, and a high-energy rollercoaster! Either of those interest you, Kat?
Kat: Frankly, I don’t care where I am. I can play anywhere!
Henry: Easy to work with. You’ll go far with that reputation.
Kat: What do you think, Danny? Which locale shall I grace with my presence?
Danny: A waterfall!
Kat: So be it!
After a long drive, the three of you arrive at a waterfall above a deep blue pool with a rock island in the center.
Henry: That’s where I want you! Smack in the center of that island.
Kat: I don’t suppose you have a helicopter to drop me in.
Henry: I’m pretty sure this is a low-budget, indie music video...
Kat: Very well...
Kat wades out to the rock island, the waterfall roaring in the background. Henry sets up the camera...
Henry: Aaaaaaaaaaaand action!
Kat begins playing...
Time - 8 hours
Kat’s violin takes on an echo-y quality in the isolation of nature. After...
Henry: Awesome! Waterfalls and violins together makes for a phenom combo! Just phenom! I’ll send you the final version tonight! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to bail so I can resume my documentary on traffic patterns!
Danny: Did you feel more relaxed playing in such a tranquil setting? ...because it didn’t seem like you were affected at all!
Kat: Of course I was affected... but I’ve always used music as a way of escaping my emotions.
Danny: Really?
Kat: Classical music’s got a rep for being uncool... for as long as I’ve loved it, I’ve been picked on. And whenever I’ve felt angry or sad, I’ve played my violin to escape those feelings. I try to just block out everything I’m feeling, just play the music exactly as it’s been written, just play PERFECTLY.
Danny: I see...
Kat: That’s why you’ll notice in the video that I didn’t make ANY mistakes! And it’s also why I’m certain that I’ll be accepted into Ella Stradavinsky’s program! Thank you for all your help! Without you, Danny, I never would have made my dream come true!
Danny: But... you still need to get accepted...
Kat: A formality! When you see me next, I’ll be grinning from one perfectly tuned ear to another!
Requirements
- Danny
- Kat
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, grinning from ear-to-ear!
Danny: You got in?!
Kat: Essentially! I received an envelope from the Ella Stradavinsky program! I figured you’d want to be present at the moment of my greatest accomplishment!
Danny: What are you waiting for?! Open it up!
Kat rips open the envelope!
Time - 10 hours
Kat reads the letter from the Ella Stradavinsky program...
Kat: I... I didn’t get in...
Danny: Oh no...
Kat: But it turns out NO ONE got in! The competition was too fierce, and Ella wants more from the top applicants!
Danny: So it’s like you made it to the next round!
Kat: I don’t know why they’re hesitating to choose me-- --Oh wait, there’s handwritten feedback from Ella herself! ‘While your technical skills are top-notch, your music lacks EMOTIONAL resonance. Work on this.’
Danny: You okay?
Kat: I feel like I’ve had my whole body stuffed inside of a tuba...
Danny: That sounds like a ‘no’.
Kat: All I’ve ever done is played without letting my emotions affect my music... ...I don’t know if I can play any other way! I’m doomed! I’ll never get in!
Danny: Actually, I have an idea that might help you...
Kat: I’ll do anything! What is it?
Danny: A show put on by the most emotional performers the school has to offer!
Requirements
- Danny
- A Glee Club Member (London)
- A Glee Club Member (Austin)
Before the next Glee Club performance, the members of the club are talking with you and Kat.
London: It’s so great to chat with a fellow music lover!
Austin: Super great!
Danny: Kat is trying to work on letting emotions into her music.
London: Oh, well, seeing us perform today was a good move!
Austin: Nothing is more emotional than when we belt out a tune!
The lights flicker, signaling the start of the show.
London: Gotta go! See you afterwards!
The members of the Glee Club rush backstage while you and Kat get to your seats.
Kat: Quite the crowd. These performers must be reminiscent of Pavarotti to attract such an audience.
Danny: Uh, have you ever seen the show Glee?
Kat: No, but I’m dying with anticipation to see this... I love hearing performances worthy of the opera!
Time - 8 hours
The Glee Club performs their show, eliciting a huge, standing ovation from the crowd!
Danny: Come on! Let’s go meet them backstage!
Backstage...
Danny: What did you think, Kat? Impressed?
Kat: Oh, I’m impressed...
Kat: ...I’m impressed that anyone would ever consider such an emotionally-marred performance worthy of applause!
London: Emotionally-marred?
Kat: You were off-key when you did that ridiculous slide along the floor... ...and you were too early coming into that song about the lions that sleep in the jungle!
Austin: Didn’t you hear the audience’s reaction? If we were so off, how come the audience loved it?!
Kat: I... I don’t know... they must have all been simultaneously confused!
London: OR, maybe it’s because audiences actually LIKE performances with feeling!
The Glee Club members angrily march off.
Danny: Come on, Kat.
Away from the auditorium...
Danny: That was a disaster...
Kat: I appreciate the sentiment behind what you were trying to do... But let’s not do that ever again.
Danny: I agree. Maybe we’ll have you skip OBSERVING emotional music and go straight to actually trying to PLAY it.
Kat: How?
Danny: By serenading couples!
Kat: That’s going to add feeling to my music?
Danny: Of course! Nothing’s more emotional than being in love! Being NEAR love’s gotta count for something too!
Requirements
- Have 3 Couples that are at least Online Official
After several days of Kat serenading various couples around campus...
Kat: I’ve set a romantic mood for so many cuddling couples, I think I’m going to be sick.
Danny: Lovesick?
Kat: Something like that.
Danny: More importantly, do you feel like your playing has gotten more emotional?
Kat: You tell me!
Kat queues up an emailed testimonial from one of the couples.
Danny: ‘Kat’s violin provided the perfect romantic ambience for our date. What a perfect night! I’ve never felt more in love!’
Kat: Thanks, Danny! For all your help! I know that my playing has improved dramatically because of you!
Danny: Do you feel like you’ve addressed Ella’s feedback about emotion?
Kat: Not completely. But I’m starting to figure it out! And I know I’ve improved my skill! That’s what really matters! After all, talent conquers all! Just wait... when you see me next, I’ll be grinning from ear-to-ear!
Requirements
- Danny
- Kat
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, once again grinning!
Danny: You got in this time?!
Kat: Nope! But I did receive another envelope from the Ella Stradavinsky program!
Kat hands you the envelope.
Kat: You read it, since you were so INSTRUMENTAL in helping me!
Danny: I’ll open it just to get past that horrible pun...
You rip open the envelope!
Time - 12 hours
Danny: ‘We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into the Ella Stradavinsky program...’
Kat: Oh...
Danny: ‘We appreciate your efforts, but have chosen someone else to become our new apprentice...’
Kat: Someone else...
Danny: ‘While some improvement has been noted, your music still feels unfeeling... too clean, too robotic, too PERFECT.’
You stop reading.
Danny: I’m so sorry, Kat.
Kat: I don’t understand... who is better than me? And how am I supposed to do better than perfect?
Danny: I don’t know... ...oh, there’s another handwritten portion from Ella...
Kat: What’d she say?
Danny: ‘Since it was so difficult to make this decision, I’m inviting you and a guest to attend my concert this evening, free of charge, as consolation.’
Kat: That was certainly kind of her... ....do you want to go with me, Danny?
Danny: Awww! Of course, I’ll go with you, Kat! I even know someone who works at the theater as an usher!
Requirements
- Danny
- Kat
- An Actor (Zander)
At the Ella Stradavinsky concert, Zander ushers you and Kat to your seats...
Zander: Enjoy the show!
A few minutes later... ...Zander frantically runs out and makes an announcement from the front of the stage!
Zander: Ladies and gentlemen, we have an emergency! Some idiot was filming a documentary on the freeway and ended up causing a traffic jam! The opening violinist is stuck in the middle of it! Can anyone here play the violin? We need someone capable of playing the Paganini Caprices...
Kat’s hand raises...
Kat: I... I can play them.
Zander: Really?! Come with me!
The usher rushes you and Kat backstage!
Time - 9 hours
Backstage, Kat is freaking out!
Zander: You’re on in two minutes!
Kat: Two minutes! I don’t know what I’m supposed to do! I only know how to play one way, but now I’m all self-conscious! Plus... this is it for me... I mean, what am I playing for, if not to get into the program?
Danny: You’re playing for the joy of playing, Kat. This is the moment you’ve been practicing for, a chance to express how you’re feeling in front of an audience!
Kat: How am I feeling?!
Danny: Well, based on how you’re acting, I’d say you’re excited!
Kat: Yeah! That’s it! I’m excited!
Danny: You’re about to get your chance to show off everything you’ve learned!
Kat: I’m ready!
Danny: Good! You’re also feeling something sad... because you didn’t get the internship.
Kat: You’re right, I am...
Danny: And angry, because they rejected you.
Kat: You’re right! I am!
Danny: you’re experiencing all those emotions at once! Use them! Don’t suppress them. Let how you’re feeling now shape how you play... got it?
Kat: Got it.
Danny: One more thing...
Kat: What’s that?
Danny: You’re on!
Zander escorts Kat out onto the stage! A moment later, the spotlight shines on Kat, her violin cradled under her neck. Her bow lightly touches the strings of the violin, and she begins playing... The music is like nothing you’ve ever heard before, a blending of feeling... One moment excited and frenzied, the next slow and sad, then rough and angry... And, in the final moments, joyful. When the final note ends it echoes softly throughout the concert hall... ...which erupts in thunderous applause!
Kat: ...
Kat bows, and the stage is showered with bouquets of flowers!
Danny: Way to go, Kat!
Kat turns to leave the stage, but is surprised to see a woman standing there, violin in hand. Kat gasps.
Kat: Ella Stradavinsky, everyone!
The crowd burst into applause. Ella nods at Kat and begins playing... ...and Kat joins her in harmonious, uplifting duet!
Requirements
- Danny
- Kat
A few days later, Kat comes up to you, once again grinning and holding an envelope.
Danny: I have to point out that every time I’ve seen you with that grin and an envelope, you get bad news!
Kat: Not this time! What could possibly make me feel bad?!
Danny: Ahhh! Why would you jinx it like that?!
Kat rips open the envelope!
Time - 11 hours
Kat: Oh no...
Danny: What is it? What’s wrong this time?
Kat: Just kidding! Ha!
Danny: You got me. Now what’s it say?
Kat: It says, ‘Due to your impressive, technically proficient AND emotionally-powerful performance at the concert... The Ella Stradavinsky program has decided to bend the rules. This year, we will be accepting TWO apprentices into the program. Our original choice and now... YOU.’ And there’s another personal note from Ella!
Danny: What’s it say?
Kat: ‘You’ve learned that by playing with emotion, the imperfections that make up YOU transform the song you play... ...in a note sadly held longer here, a not played with an angry uptempo here... ...until the song is no longer Mozart’s, no longer Chopin’s, no longer Back’s. It becomes Kat’s. I welcome you to the program. With delight. Ella.’ I’m in!
Danny: That’s so awesome!
Kat: Finally, I can say with utter conviction... I never would have gotten this internship without you, Danny!
Danny: Awww! I’m just happy you finally got your dream!
Kat: I know that a ‘thank you’ isn’t enough for what you’ve done, so please, have a seat if you will, and enjoy the show!
You sit down on a bench...
Danny: Show?
Kat takes out her violin and begins playing a song of such emotion, such passion... ...you start to cry tears of pure joy!
Kat: I take it you liked the performance?
Danny: Bravo! Bravo!
You wipe away your tears.
Danny: That was magnificent.
Kat: I try.
Danny: So, now that you’ve been accepted, what are you going to do between now and the start of the program?
Kat: That’s easy! Practice, practice, practice!
Kat walks away, playing the violin through the crowd of students... ...and all of them seem moved by the music.