After school, Sasha approaches Jess, carrying an instrument case. "Hello, Jess! I hear you're quite talented at assisting others! I am quite talented myself!"
"Oh yeah? What's your talent?" Jess asked
Sasha opens the case, revealing a shiny, richly-red violin.
"t's beautiful." said Jess
"As is the music I play on it, but that's for another time." said Sasha
"So, then did you need some help with something?" Jess asked
"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." said Sasha
"Who?" Jess asked
"You don't know her?! That's like asking who is Nicolo Paganini? Or who is Mischa Elman?" Sasha asked
"Um... and who are they?"
"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!"
"Kind of like playing basketball with LeBron James!"
"Who?"
"Er... like singing with One Direction?"
"Is that some kind of focused vocal technique?"
"They're... never mind. You're telling me that this internship is a big deal?"
"The biggest. Unfortunately, there are certain parts of the application that simply cannot be done alone. Will you help me?"
"Of course I'll help!" Jess smiled
"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."
"And where do I fit in?"
"You're the photographer and marketer."
"Marketer?! Do I get to make signs?! Or create posters?! Or strike up ad deals with local businesses?!"
"No... you get to hold the tip hat and call out to passers-by."
On a corner of a bustling shopping district, Jess and Sasha set up to play music for tips!
"Sheet music?" Sasha asked
Jess prop up a music stand with sheet music in front of Sasha. "Check!"
"Tip hat?" Sasha asked
Jess shake a hat with a few coins in it. "Check!"
"Violin?" Sasha asked
"Here it is!" Jess holds up a violin
Sasha plays the violin while Jess take a few pics with her phone. A few moments later, Sasha takes a break.
"That was incredible! Every note felt so precise, so meticulous." said Jess
"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?" Sasha asked
"Zero hundreds. In fact, we've only got a couple bucks so far." said Jess
"Hmph. You know who needs some fine-tuning then, right?" Sasha asked
"The marketer! I'm on it!" said Jess
As Sasha begins another song, Jess shake the tip hat and call out. "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.
"Nice tune!" said Julian
"This is one of my favorites!" said Autumn
Later...
"Great marketing, Jess. How are we doing now?" Sasha asked
"The tip hat is brimming with money! We've definitely reached our goal!" said Jess
"Fantastic. That leaves just the second requirement to play somewhere unexpected or unusual." said Sasha
"Need me to take more pics?" Jess asked
"No, for this we'll need to submit a film and a high-quality one at that." said Sasha
"I think I know just who to talk to!" Jess and Sasha find Henry filming a shot of the quad with a fancy-looking camera.
"Aaaaaaaaaand... cut! Beautiful, people! Take five!" Henry called
Henry turns to Jess. "What's up, Jess?"
"We were wondering if you could help us film a music video for-" Jess was cut off
"Stop right there! I'm in, baby!" said Henry
"But you haven't even heard anything about the assignment." said Jess
"Come on... Jess? Sasha? Music video? That project's greenlit before the ink dries on the script." said Henry
"All right then... welcome aboard!" said Jess
"Just one question... what's the assignment?"
Jess fill Henry in. Afterward.
"What do you think, Henry? Know of any unusual locations?" Jess asked
"I know two that would fit the bill! A gorgeous natural waterfall, and a high-energy rollercoaster! Either of those interest you, Sasha?" Henry asked
"Frankly, I don't care where I am. I can play anywhere!" said Sasha
"Easy to work with. You'll go far with that reputation." said Henry
"What do you think, Jess? Which location shall I grace with my presence?" Sasha asked
"A waterfall!" said Jess
"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.
"That's where I want you! Smack in the center of that island." said Henry
"I don't suppose you have a helicopter to drop me in." said Sasha
"I'm pretty sure this is a low-budget, indie music video." said Henry
"Very well." Sasha wades out to the rock island, the waterfall roaring in the background. Henry sets up the camera.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaand action!" Henry called
Kat begins playing. Kat's violin takes on an echo-y quality in the isolation of nature. After...
"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!" Henry left
"Did you feel more relaxed playing in such a tranquil setting? ...because it didn't seem like you were affected at all!" said Jess
"Of course I was affected... but I've always used music as a way of escaping my emotions." said Sasha
"Really?" Jess asked
"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." said Sasha
"I see." said Jess
"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!" said Sasha
"But... you still need to get accepted." said Jess
"A formality! When you see me next, I'll be grinning from one perfectly tuned ear to another!"
A few days later, Sasha comes up to you, grinning from ear-to-ear!
"You got in?!" Jess asked
"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!" said Sasha
"What are you waiting for?! Open it up!" said Jess
Sasha rips open the envelope! Sasha reads the letter from the Ella Stradavinsky program. "I... I didn't get in..."
"Oh no..." Jess sighed
"But it turns out NO ONE got in! The competition was too fierce, and Ella wants more from the top applicants!" said Sasha
"So it's like you made it to the next round!" said Jess
"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." said Sasha
"You okay?" Jess asked
"I feel like I've had my whole body stuffed inside of a tuba."
"That sounds like a 'no'."
"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!"
"Actually, I have an idea that might help you."
"I'll do anything! What is it?"
"A show put on by the most emotional performers the school has to offer!"
Before the next Glee Club performance at the auditorium, the members of the club are talking with Jess and Sasha.
"It's so great to chat with a fellow music lover!" said Fiona
"Super great!" said Matt
"Sasha is trying to work on letting emotions into her music." said Jess
"Oh, well, seeing us perform today was a good move!" said Fiona
"Nothing is more emotional than when we belt out a tune!" said Matt
The lights flicker, signaling the start of the show.
"Gotta go! See you afterwards." Fiona left
The members of the Glee Club rush backstage while Jess and Sasha get to your seats.
"Quite the crowd. These performers must be reminiscent of Pavarotti to attract such an audience." said Sasha
"Uh, have you ever seen the show Glee?" Jess asked
"No, but I'm dying with anticipation to see this... I love hearing performances worthy of the opera!" said Sasha
The Glee Club performs their show, eliciting a huge, standing ovation from the crowd!
"Come on! Let's go meet them backstage!" said Jess
Backstage.
"What did you think, Sasha? Impressed?" Jess asked
"Oh, I'm impressed. I'm impressed that anyone would ever consider such an emotionally-marred performance worthy of applause!" said Sasha
"Emotionally-marred?" Fiona asked
"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!" said Sasha
"Didn't you hear the audience's reaction? If we were so off, how come the audience loved it?!" Matt asked
"I... I don't know... they must have all been simultaneously confused!" said Sasha
"OR, maybe it's because audiences actually LIKE performances with feeling!" Fiona yelled
The Glee Club members angrily march off.
"Come on, Sasha." said Jess
Away from the auditorium.
"That was a disaster." said Jess
"I appreciate the sentiment behind what you were trying to do... But let's not do that ever again." said Sasha
"I agree. Maybe we'll have you skip OBSERVING emotional music and go straight to actually trying to PLAY it." said Jess
"How?" Sasha asked
"By serenading couples!" said Jess
"That's going to add feeling to my music?" said Sasha
"Of course! Nothing's more emotional than being in love! Being NEAR love's gotta count for something too!"
After several days of Sasha serenading various couples around the school
"I've set a romantic mood for so many cuddling couples, I think I'm going to be sick." said Sasha
"Lovesick?" Jess asked
"Something like that." said Sasha
"More importantly, do you feel like your playing has gotten more emotional?" Jess asked
"You tell me!" Sasha queues up an emailed testimonial from one of the couples.
"Sasha's violin provided the perfect romantic ambience for our date. What a perfect night! I've never felt more in love!"
"Thanks, Jess! For all your help! I know that my playing has improved dramatically because of you!" said Sasha
"Do you feel like you've addressed Ella's feedback about emotion?" Jess asked
"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!" said Sasha
A few days later, Sasha comes up to Jess, once again grinning!
"You got in this time?!" Jess asked
"Nope! But I did receive another envelope from the Ella Stradavinsky program!" Sasha hands Jess the envelope.
Jess rip open the envelope read the letter. "We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into the Ella Stradavinsky program."
"Oh..." Sasha sighed
"We appreciate your efforts, but have chosen someone else to become our new apprentice." said Jess
"Someone else." Sasha sighed
"While some improvement has been noted, your music still feels unfeeling... too clean, too robotic, too PERFECT." Jess stop reading. "I'm so sorry, Sasha."
"I don't understand who is better than me? And how am I supposed to do better than perfect?" Sasha asked
"I don't know oh, there's another handwritten portion from Ella." said Jess
"What'd she say?" Sasha asked
"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." said Jess
"That was certainly kind of her do you want to go with me, Jess?" Sasha asked
"Awww! Of course, I'll go with you, Sasha! I even know someone who works at the theater as an usher!"
At the Ella Stradavinsky concert, Zac ushers Jess and Sasha to their seats
"Enjoy the show!" A few minutes later. Zac frantically runs out and makes an announcement from the front of the stage! "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. "I... I can play them."
"Really?! Come with me!" said Zac
The usher rushes Jess and Sasha backstage!
Backstage, Sasha is freaking out!
"You're on in two minutes!" said Zac
"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?" Sasha panics
"You're playing for the joy of playing, Sasha. This is the moment you've been practicing for, a chance to express how you're feeling in front of an audience!" said Jess
"How am I feeling?!" Sasha asked
"Well, based on how you're acting, I'd say you're excited!" said Jess
"Yeah! That's it! I'm excited!" said Sasha
"You're about to get your chance to show off everything you've learned!" said Jess
"I'm ready!" said Sasha
"Good! You're also feeling something sad... because you didn't get the internship."
"You're right, I am."
"And angry, because they rejected you."
"You're right! I am!"
"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?"
"Got it."
"You're on!"
Zac escorts Sasha out onto the stage! A moment later, the spotlight shines on Sasha, 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. Sasha bows, and the stage is showered with bouquets of flowers!
"Way to go, Sasha!" Jess cheered
Kat turns to leave the stage, but is surprised to see a woman standing there, violin in hand. Kat gasps. "Ella Stradavinsky, everyone!"
The crowd burst into applause. Ella nods at Kat and begins playing and Kat joins her in harmonious, uplifting duet!
A few days later, Sasha comes up to Jess, once again grinning and holding an envelope.
"I have to point out that every time I've seen you with that grin and an envelope, you get bad news!" said Jess
"Not this time! What could possibly make me feel bad?!" Sasha asked
"Ahhh! Why would you jinx it like that?!" Jess exclaimed
Sasha rips open the envelope. "Oh no." Sasha sighed
"What is it? What's wrong this time?" Jess asked
"Just kidding! Ha!" Sasha giggled
"You jinx it. Now what's it say?" Jess asked
Sasha read the letter "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!"
"What's it say?" Jess asked
"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!" Sasha cheered.
"That's so awesome!" said Jess
"Finally, I can say with utter conviction... I never would have gotten this internship without you, Sasha!" said Sasha
"Awww! I'm just happy you finally got your dream!" Jess smiled