Ling Ling Says | A TwoSetViolin Wholesome Tragedy

Uh Oh. Part Four - Break a Leg

Eddy and Brett managed to keep the mood positive and light with the audience and in the end they clapped and cheered and gave a standing ovation. They really had the best group of supporters.

Eddy and Brett took one of many last bows and exited stage right. They were surprised to find the AC repair man being examined by a paramedic.

"Oh shit, did you actually have an injury?" Brett exclaimed with genuine concern.

"I guess. My leg is swelling. Still don't know why I didn't feel anything though."

"Probably an adrenaline rush." One paramedic said,

"How did it happen?" Another paramedic asked,

"The ladder." Eddy pointed at the thing that had now been moved. "The thing that holds both sides together, I think it snapped."

"And I just got the darn thing too." The repair-man sighed,

"Dad! Dad!" The girl who talked to Brett earlier ran back stage,

"Dad you smashed Eddy's instrument!? Oh my gosh dad no, I thought you weren't hurt."

"It was not on purpose." Brett immediately said,

"I wouldn't say that." One paramedic spoke up.

"What are you talking about?" Eddy asked,

"The story checks out. The ladder is brand new, no signs of wear or rust or anything."

"You'll have to forgive Issac," One paramedic said, "Sometimes they forget were're just supposed to examine patients not incriminate."

"Hush Tyler," Issac said, "Brett and Eddy, was it?"

"Yes?" They answered in unison,

"Do you know who has been back stage?"

"Just us." Brett answered,

The way Issac eyed them, Brett began to wonder if he shouldn't have answered that question.

"Issac, stop playing detective."

"Shut-up Tyler, you guys never take me seriously. Like that virus overseas? The fancy crown named one. It's coming here in a few months and you all are going to be shocked and go, 'Why can't I just live normally?' You'll see."

"You are being so unprofessional."

"Yeah Issac, stop being so paranoid." Another paramedic said, "Now help me get him onto a stretcher."

So AC repairman guy- because Eddy and Brett never learned his name was taken into the ambulance. Brett signed something of his daughters', which made her feel better. She didn't want to bother asking Eddy for one because he still looked really gloomy but Eddy was actually just thinking.

"Come on," Brett said, "Bubble-Tea on me."

"Your world would collapse if you couldn't drink that stuff." Eddy remarked,

"Yeah, probably."

So they picked up their instruments- including what was left of Eddy's and went out.

While walking around, Brett noticed Eddy was still being quiet. Sure he would joke from time to time but it had only been a couple hours since his violin had been destroyed.

"I'm sorry about the violin, bro." Brett said, interrupting their comfortable silence.

"Oh yeah, shit." Eddy said,

So that's not what he's thinking about?

"So what is on your mind?" Brett asked,

"The ladder."

Brett nearly choked on his bubble-tea as he laughed,

"Bro, what? You know that's not your fault right?"

They walked in silence for a good few seconds.

"You didn't mess with the ladder or anything, did you?" Brett asked,

"No, no! Of course not!"

"Well good, because that would kind of be a bad omen and considering that we hang out all the time, I wouldn't want my violin to be around you."

"That's so messed up." Eddy said, laughing a bit. "No, I'm just thinking about how it could have happened."

"Hey, maybe the guy had a warranty."

"And medical bills?"

"He can sue the ladder company."

"But what if someone really messed with it?"

"I'm sorry but, are you just wondering because you want to think there had to be a force behind the misfortune of your violin?"

"Well, yeah," Eddy said bluntly, "There's no way a caring god would just that shit happen, Brett."

"Eddy, come on."

"You don't get it, Brett. First off, someone hurt that man- also involuntarily hurting a fan in the process-"

Brett rolled his eyes,

"Secondly," Eddy shuffled, getting the violin case off his back, "What am supposed to do with this? Throw it away?"

"I- I don't know. Maybe we can- bury it?"

Why the fuck did I say that?

Maybe it was because Brett rarely saw this flustered side of Eddy and it made him anxious. Eddy was his best friend and they were a duo. A literal duo.

Brett tried to put himself in Eddy's shoes, imagining what it would be like to suddenly lose his violin to a freak accident.
And he just couldn't. He didn't want to imagine anything bad happening to his violin.

Eddy didn't answer him but closed his violin case. He walked a bit further and placed it next to a trash can.

"Eddy,"

Eddy kept walking,

"We're still meeting tomorrow, right?"

Brett watched the back of Eddy's head and Brett looked at Eddy's instrument case. He picked it up, thinking to himself this wasn't the right way to deal with it. Eddy just wasn't in a good headspace at the moment. He wasn't being himself. He just needed time.

Brett picked up his phone.

Brett: It's an emergency.

Olaf: Send me a picture.