Write the Story: A Strange Request at a Piano Bar
Using these words: carnival ; sprained ; mask ; oxidation ; awkward ; apple ; juvenile ; controversy ; twirl ; sassafras
The Doctor bobbed his head happily to the tune of Duke Ellington in a piano bar in 1920s New York while Ian, Barbara, and Susan stared from the other side of their small table. They watched as the once grumpy old man now appeared delightfully cheerful. The Doctor stood up, twirled his cane to the music, barely avoiding tripping a passing waitress. Barbara sipped her sassafras tea, nudged Ian playfully, and smiled at the Doctor. Susan pouted in her chair because she could hear the roaring noise of a far more entertaining carnival-like event just outside in the streets.
In the furthest, darkest corner of the piano bar, a mysterious woman threw an apple at the performing Duke Ellington on stage, knocking the pianist unconscious.
Music stopped. The Doctor, grumpy once more, scanned the piano bar for the person most likely to have caused the disruption. The mysterious woman, wrapped in a purple cloak while wearing a hideous mask with bulging, creepy eyes, was conspicuous enough for the Doctor to spot. The Doctor felt like he recognized her, but couldn’t quite remember how he recognized her. He shrugged off the odd feeling about the mysterious woman, nudged Ian, and then said, “Chestador, don’t just sit there, keep the music going. Use your talents to entertain the other guests while Susan and I have a mystery to solve!”
“Me?” Ian asked. “But I don’t know how to play the piano!”
The Doctor turned his head sharply to Ian, “What? Were you not a music teacher at that school for juvenile delinquents?”
“No, I was not,” Ian replied. “I taught chemistry. You know… oxidation, reduction… bunsen burners type of stuff.”
The Doctor chuckled, “Same difference, my boy! Now get up there, sprain an ankle, and make believe you’re oxidizing a reaction of sodium penta-chloride or something or other.”
“The expression is ‘break a leg’ Grandfather,” Susan added.
“Doctor, why don’t I play the piano and Ian help you with the mystery?” Barbara suggested. “I played the piano for seven years when I was in school.”
The Doctor chuckled again. “A fully clothed, capable female up on stage? In 1920s New York? Oh dear me no, that would stir quite the controversy, don’t you think? Perhaps in a century, the times will change when that sort of thing can be taken more seriously… Who knows….”
In the furthest, darkest corner of the piano bar, the mysterious woman slyly whispered, "Yes... Who knows indeed...."
