Music to Drown By

“Keep playing,” the lead violinist says. We nod and comply.

Dancers and diners eye the exits, nervously touching their purses, tiaras and each other.

We keep playing.

Music sheets slide off their stands, a bottle rolls across the floor, empty tables change position.

“Something by Liszt,” I suggest to my fellow musicians in an attempt at wit.

“What about Handel’s Water Music?” a neighbouring cellist says, warming to the theme.

We keep playing.

The grand piano, along with its stool and pianist, who’s still gallantly tinkling the ivories, trundles past us.

We keep playing.

Meanwhile, the unsinkable ship keeps sinking.

Drabble published April 13, 2015 13:49

Samantha Grace Bishop about 9 years ago

I love the perspective.
D.M. about 9 years ago

clever musical selections!
T. Willemann about 9 years ago

Nice drabble!
It may be my faulty command of English, or that I as a Dane am in the dark about some cultural reference well known to anyone with an Anglo-American background, or that I’m just plain stupid (God, I hope that’s not why), but I fail to understand how suggesting something by Liszt is an attempt at wit; please help!
T. Willemann about 9 years ago

Thanks Drew! Now the Liszt joke is my favorite.
Sorry, Julie, for turning your comment space into English 101.
Julie about 9 years ago

Thank you, folks!
Julie about 9 years ago

@Thomas Andersen - Drew explained the Listz thing so I don't have to. That's the great thing about reading and writing - one is always learning new words, new meanings, etc. So, next time you read a sea story and a panicked sailor yells "The ship's starting to list, captain," you'll know what's going on :)
T. Willemann about 9 years ago

I love language - in Danish 'list' may describe both cunning/sly behaviour and tiptoeing/sneaking (imperative).
Julie almost 9 years ago

Thank you, Jamie.