Essay on Music of the Night A Short Story - 1906 Words

Music of the night Pain shot through Ruth’s gnarled knotted hands. Hands twisted by arthritis. Hands that once made audiences weep as they flew over the keyboard of the Steinway. Hands, which the New York Times once called the hands of an angel. Now she was the one weeping. She thought of her wasted life. Her gorgeous silk dresses replaced with rough clothing. Now she wore garments appropriate for cleaning the concert hall where she once performed. Her dreams were gone dashed on the rocks of reality. She took this job to near the stage that had brought her so much joy. Tears misted her eyes obscuring her vision. Never again would she hear the thunderous applause, or experience the standing ovation of thousands. Those days were†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Hay, don’t I know you?† â€Å"No, sir.† Ruth said turning her face away. â€Å"I just started here last week.† â€Å"Well, if you want to keep your job make sure this place is gleaming. The last one didn’t and that why you got her job.† â€Å"Yes sir† Ruth said keeping her head down. For the next hour she worked, polishing the glass until it sparkled. Then on her knees scrubbing the spots from the carpet. Twenty moments after he came Wheeler left without even looking at her. Two years ago he paid her twenty thousand to perform at the holiday gala. Now he paid her menam wage. It was a fantastic concert. She became lost in the music as she always did, her fingers flying over the keyboard. The orchestra performed superbly. As the last note died, the audience set in astonished silence. Then the hall erupted in thunderess applause. They then exited the hall in almost revered silence. Back then she played almost every night. Her tours took her to every large city in America. Each day her agent called with new offers. Booked a year in advance she sometimes felt, as she couldn’t drag herself on stage. Weariness overwhelmed her. Yet it was always the same. As soon as the music began a surge of energy flowed through her. She forgot her problems; she closed her eyes lost to this world. Heaven seemed open to her. At the end of each piece, she reluctantly opened her eyes. It was custom for the performer to receive applause at the end of each piece. In Denver she broke withShow MoreRelatedThe Effect Of Temperature And Music On The Retention Rate914 Words   |  4 PagesThe test scores of the participants in the study did not vary enough to warrant a conclusion of the effects of temperature and music on the retention rates. There was a slight tendency for those in the warmer condition to have a more positive attitude and, possibly because of this slightly improved mood, to score higher on the retention test (Figure 5-2 Figure 6). It is possible that because culturally reading is commonly associated with warmth—cozy blanket, burning fireplace, hot chocolate, etcRead MoreAnalysis Of Bird By Ralph Ellison1307 Words   |  6 Pagesliving†. 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