The orchestra room, like the choir room, was big, once again accounting for acoustics. Unlike the choir room however, the temperature was normal, in fact, it was a little on the warm side, for Iago, like Elsa, liked to be reminded of home as much as possible. There were a few chairs scattered about the room but most of them were arranged in a semi-circle around a whiteboard, in front of which was a music stand. In the corner of the room there was a piano, it was old, in poor shape, and in desperate need of tuning, but it was still a piano. It was on this piano that Iago was found, just as Keith, Fay and Josephine, Iago's only students, were packing up their things and heading to their next class.
Jack walked in with the same demeanor that he had when leaving Elsa, his shoulders hunched, hands in his pockets, and an annoyed and slightly smug expression on his face. Strolling casually towards the piano, Jack pulled out the now crumbled document and sat it on the piano. Iago ignored him, in favor of "Dancing Dogs" by Greg Maroney, which he was currently playing, not very well of course, given the piano's condition but it was still being played. An upbeat pastoral, the work was lively and something that one could dance to, as the name implied. For Iago, it carried special significance, for it was the first song he had learned how to play perfectly, a feat considering its complex nature.
"Class is dismissed" Iago said as he continued to play, never once looking up from the piano, "Come back later, I might have something for you."
Jack raised his eyebrows curiously, for he hadn't even as much as said anything, much less why he was there, and already Iago was offering help. He assumed that Iago did not know who he was and that the parrot automatically made the assumption that he was one of his students.
"My name is Jack Living" Jack replied, deciding to get straight to the point, "I'm here because I want to learn how to sing."
Iago laughed and casually gestured towards the door with his head, still playing the piano.
"Room 14" Iago instructed, "See the Snow Queen, she's the choir director, she'll help you out."
Jack moved a little closer, making sure to get within the bird's view.
"I've already seen Elsa" Jack returned, "She got all bitchy. I was hoping you could help."
Iago nodded solemnly and sighed, it was deep and full of thought. Still he continued to play, almost as if his life depended on finishing it, as if by completing the piece, which was relatively short, Iago would fulfill some sort of purpose or accomplishment that he had not yet filled previously. The parrot, after much thought and a few more notes, slowly turned around and faced Jack, his fingers, anatomically wings, temporarily having a mind of their own.
"I'm an orchestra teacher" Iago continued, clarifying, "Whoever sent you here was mistaken. Unless you want to pick up an instrument I can't help you."
Discouraged, and now believing that Basil had led him astray in order to teach him some of lesson in lowering expectations, Jack picked up the document on the piano and gave a nod, for he was tired of wasting time and wanted some kind of forward progress. Just as he was about to reach the door and return to the hallway the piano stopped.
"Wait a minute kid" Iago exclaimed, flying over and hovering softly behind him, "Who sent you?"
"Basil" Jack answered, hoping against hope that the name meant something.
At hearing Basil's name, Iago took a moment beside himself, for he did not think himself to be worthy of such high regard as to be recommended by anyone, let alone Basil of Baker Street. It was an honor, a privilege, and compliment of the highest order to have one's name spoken by the detective, for with it came a certain degree of status, one that signified that you had made it somewhere.
"What did he say?" Iago began excitedly, not really wanting to know any details, "And why?"
Before Jack could even answer, Iago had grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him into his office, on the back wall of the main room. Rushing inside and closing the door, Iago immediately began clearing space, for the office was quite messy- littered with papers and sheets of music as well folder upon folder of symphonies and opuses that he had written and had yet to have been published- ultimately throwing everything on the floor or in the recycling bin, Iago bade that Jack sit in the opposite chair, and upon having done so, sat in his own.
Iago's office, to get a better view of the space, was small in comparison to most. Three large filing cabinets, all of them full, lined the right wall immediately next to the door; next to them was the desk and then the far left wall, on which was an empty shelf that was meant for awards, plaques and documents, and a few spare music stands. Behind the desk were several framed pictures that hung in chaotic orderl. In the upper right, a picture of Iago and his twin brother, Othello; to the left, one of Carpet and Abu playing a game of chess; in the center towards the right, Jafar, the late Grand Vizier; next to him, the late Sultan; further down, Genie, Aladdin, and Jasmine. In the center of the wall the most prominent picture, as well as the largest, Iago's wedding photo, simple in nature and design the bride and groom sitting in a tree watching a setting sun over an Arabian villa.
"Very personal pictures aren't they?" Iago said after some time had passed of relative silence, Jack having taken in the scene, and Iago examining him in turn.
"Yes" Jack replied, "Why?"
Iago gave a subtle laugh and an equally subtle smile.
"To remind me what's important in life" Iago answered, "To always remember that no matter what I have going on that I got people behind me, folks that care about me and want me to succeed. "
Iago paused, as if waiting for something, after a few seconds he continued.
"It's also my office and I can do what I want with it."
It was then that awkwardness began to sit in, for neither of them knew exactly what to say, Jack, unsure of how to go into the conversation, and Iago, not really good at small talk to begin with. Still, Jack commended the bird in his head for trying, which is more than he could say for most.
"So you want to sing huh?" Iago said, starting off, "What makes you want to sing? Passion, money, opportunity? Something else entirely?"
Jack did not really have an answer to the question, at least one that he knew would satisfy Iago, for he knew by the nature of the question that Iago valued passion over everything else. If Jack answered honestly, then his answer would be simple- opportunity, a chance to get out. If however, he gave his answer as money or opportunity, or something else entirely like fame or respect, all of which were realistic instead of idealistic, than he would be only be serving himself, and thus deny Iago both satisfaction and the need to teach.
"Opportunity, fame, and respect" Jack declared, "Those are my reasons Teach, and I'd say they're pretty damn good ones. No lesson required today."
Iago nodded and laughed again, this time heartier than before, for he could not deny Jack's logic, for it was sound and based in reason, especially given the circumstances.
"I'm not accusing you of anything" Iago defended, once again clarifying himself, "I'm just trying to get a sense of where you stand. Opportunity, fame, respect, money, those things are well and good, worthy to obtain anything in its own right. But Passion? Love? Those are the reasons you do things. All that other stuff, that's what careers are for. Passion and love. That is what life is for. Don't do something because you have to, do it because it gives you reason to live. "
The clock on the wall read 1:15, the day was almost over. Taking note of this, Iago pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and made a note which he then signed.
"Take this to your class" the bird said, "Tell your teacher you were with me studying. No tricks, no embellishments, just stick to the note and you'll be fine. Don't skip classes again. I want your report cards and your evaluations handed in to me as you receive them…that goes for tests too. You slip up and I'll have your ass."
Jack raised his eyebrows, confused as to what was going on.
"What does that mean?" Jack asked, hoping for more clarity, "Does that mean you'll help me?"
Iago shoved him out of the office and back into the main room, he continued to push until he got to the hallway door.
"Consider our little chat your first lesson" Iago replied, "And don't worry about Elsa. You just stay on top of your grades and I'll take care of her."
"You're serious aren't you?" Jack continued, "You're actually considering this."
Iago nodded, "I'm trusting you to keep your part of the bargain."
Jack immediately felt guilty at hearing the word bargain, for he had nothing to give Iago that would compare to the potential of a life-changing skill.
"I don't have any money" Jack exclaimed as he opened the door, "But I will find a way to pay you back. First law of the streets- always pay your debts."
It did not take much thought for Iago to think of a solution, in fact, he thought of several solutions, and all of them Jack seemed capable of doing. It was a combination of physical labor, community service, and personal stakes.
"Alright then" Iago said confidently, "Since you're so eager to pay me for my time, here's the deal. I teach you and you do whatever it is I say for two months. That should be enough time for you to get the idea and be on your own. Nothing too extensive. It's mostly manual labor, I will not lie, but it's also helping me tie up a few loose ends, fix what I broke over the years. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"
There was little need argument and little time to protest, leaving Jack with the option to agree with the terms. Walking out the door and into the hallway, Jack turned to say goodbye and to express his thanks, only to find that Iago had already returned to his piano, starting up "Dancing Dogs". As the upbeat melody returned Jack could not help but smile and think to himself that maybe it wasn't going to be such a bad year after all. As he walked towards his next class, this thought was only aided with the realization that the entire day had been spent, for no sooner did he reach Room 14 did the school bell ring, releasing the horde of children from their prison, the first day having come to a close.