Ling Ling Says | A TwoSetViolin Wholesome Tragedy

Uh oh. Part. 1 - No 50 Dollar Violins

Authors Note: This will be an awkward, light-hearted and fun story with some plot. This is not to be taken seriously and in no way do I depict these characters- based upon real ones- with any intent of accusation of the following actions in this story. Nothing illegal will happen in this story- obviously. Just something I need to clarify.
I do not claim to know the violin or viola so if I make a mistake, I am sorry. Neither are my instrument.

Brett took a sip of the bubble-tea. Despite that it was made too sweet and the frequent purchases were putting a dent in his wallet, he was content with his calming sugar before the show.

Eddy was on the other side of the backstage area, trying to get in more practice.

Brett told him not to worry about it. They had already practiced 40 hours every day- to which Eddy smiled and shook his head.

"I can't believe we get to do this." He said,

Brett fanned himself. The only thing they had to worry about was the heat.

The air-conditioning of their venue was currently being fixed.

Though I would like to say, calm-down, there's no way they would.

The temperature kept changing and kept getting more hot as more people entered the venue and made their way to their seats.

So every couple of minutes, Eddy would fidget with his violin and tune it. This was so frustrating. Of course, they loved what they were doing and they loved their fans even more. Doing tours was a lot of hard work but they felt fufillment like it that many could never describe.

They had audience members who lived and breathed classical music. They had audience members who didn't know a thing about it but just loved their personalities and wanted to learn more and Brett and Eddy loved them all the same.

Until-

8 minutes until the show begins. Eddy had gotten so crazed about fine-tuning that Brett had asked him to tune his too. He knew how to tune his own instrument, but tuning was something that calmed Eddy down. For some reason, Eddy didn't buy a bubble tea that day.

It was satisfying. The note would be just a bit off until-
Perfect.
And it rang like physics meant it too.

Eddy hummed with the last string with firm approval. Then he saw Bretts eyes go wide with horror at something that was happening behind him.

Eddy heard it before he saw it. The sound of something quickly sliding against the wood of the stage in the worst way possible until gravity pulled it down.

Their main concern went to the man who had been fixing the AC. The ladder he was on had managed to topple. He looked okay but-

Eddy covered his mouth and tried not to scream. The dent on his violin case from the ladders weight on top of it did not look good.

7 minutes.

"Are you okay?" Brett asked, trying to stay oblivious to Eddys instrument and helping the man up.

"I'm fine- I can't believe- oh my god I'm so sorry." He saw Eddys instrument case underneath the ladder. "Please tell me your violin wasn't in there."

Eddy wordlessly grabbed the case. He was in shock. He didn't know what to say or do. He loved his violin. He made sure to take care of it and always made it look prestine but now-

Eddy walked to the small table Brett and him had been at only a minute before and opened the case.

The f-holes didn't even exist anymore. It was just one gaping hole with a hung neck. He heard Brett come up behind him and pat his back.

"We'll figure something out. We always do."

"I will gladly pay you back for the violin." The AC guy said, "How much do you need? Fifty? Sixty?"

Eddy started crying.

Brett turned toward the man.

"I know it was an accident and I'm not placing any blame on you. But we have a show in-"

Brett checked his phone.

"Six minutes. We can talk about it later but for now, we need to get another violin."

"My daughter loves you guys! If she found out what I did to Bretts instrument."

Brett ignored the fact that the man did not know what their names were. He didn't have time to argue. Who could he call that was available? Who could spare a violin for a couple hours?

"My daughter! My daughter has a violin in the car! And I know she would love to let you guys use it."

Brett nodded but looked over to Eddy for his approval. Afterall, that would be his instrument for the night.

"It's worth a shot." Eddy said, finally pulling his eyes away from the violin.

Brett got info as to where his daughter was sitting in the audience. Apparently, she was a big fan and had now been playing for one year.

Brett walked toward the edge of their side of the curtain and looked at Eddy. Eddy met his eyes.

"It's going to be okay." Brett mouthed,

Eddy nodded.

Eddy knew he made it to the other side when screams filled his ears. They died down after a minute and Eddy prayed to Ling Ling Brett found who he was looking for.

My violin is not worth 50 dollars.

5 minutes.