Legacy
By C. Gerard Luft
Chapter One
An old, bearded man in a worn leather coat sat at the piano bar, gazing at a Carnival mask on the wall. The beautiful, dark haired pianist in an elegant, black evening gown finished her number, and rose from the bench with a bit of a twirl.
"What are you drinking?" asked the woman.
"Sassafras," said the old man as he rubbed the brass rail of the piano bar with the sleeve of his coat. "Terrible oxidation…"
"I didn't know we served sassafras."
"You don't. I brought my own, " said the old man as he pulled an apple from his coat pocket and bit into it. "I'm looking for a Joan Smith. "
"I'm Joan Smith, " she said a bit awkwardly.
"I have something for you that belonged to your mother. "
"I'm an orphan, " Joan said defensively. "I don't need any controversies here. I'm trying to build my career as a pianist. I don't need any trouble. "
"Damn juveniles!" said the old man as he rose from his stool and nearly fell. His lined face was creased in pain.
"Are you alright?" asked Joan.
"I sprained my ankle in my last battle, " he said. "Won't you please hear me out?"
"Fine! Met me at the door. "