The Band are working on something in the garage. They seem to be splitting the garage into sections so that they all have thier own space. They seem to be using older wood and plastics and curtains from the dump. Whatever they can find. Forte has managed to ladder up to the ceiling of the garage and build downwards - creating a floating platform for his space. He's cut out a bit of the garage front door and put in some hinges and some plywood to make a makeshift window to let some air in and be a watchtower of sorts. He's opened the window and sees Piano walking by, Keytar bag on her back. She puts it down, opens the bag and stares away from the garage. She unfolds a stand, places the Keytar on top and starts using it like a normal Keyboard. She starts playing a song and singing.
Forte: Guys. GUYS.
Fortissimo: What is it? Jeez.
Forte: There is a girl outside our garage door BUSKING. I swear to god she's like 11 years old. You have to get up here and take a look.
Triplet: You're not joking are you?
Fortissimo: Surely not, doesnt she know...
Forte: Get up here NOW.
Viola: Okay Okay, we're coming.
The band barely fit into the floating platform space but take turns looking through Fortes makeshift window.
Triplet: Holy shit.
Fortissimo: You weren't kidding.
Viola: What the FUCK is she doing she could get picked up by HARM! They dont care how old you are.
Forte, Fortissimo and Triplet all stare at Viola.
Viola: What? What is it? Why you all staring at me and not the 12 year old doing illegal shit outside?
Triplet: I think thats the first time youve said an expletive in front of us.
Viola: IM STRESSED OKAY. THERES A POOR LITTLE GIRL OUT ON THE STREET DOING SOMETHING ILLEGAL IN PLAIN SIGHT. THANK GOD SHES DOING IT HERE BECAUSE HARM NEVER SHOW UP BUT STILL IM STRESSED.
Forte smiles, probably thinking that getting a swear out of Viola means that she trusts them a lot more now.
Viola: WHAT THE FUCK ARE WE STILL DOING UP HERE? WE NEED TO GO OUT. NOW.
Triplet: Wait. Listen for a couple of seconds. Shes good. She knows what shes doing. Fortissimo do you think?
Fortissimo: Absolutely. I think we could easily harmonise. And it'll split the melody layers as well.
Viola: GO. NOW.
Everyone rushes out of the garage, and before approaching Piano take a second to listen to her song. It's entrancing. The high pitch of her voice, the slower chords of the keytar.
Triplet: (aside to the band) so how do we even approach this?
Fortissimo: (aside) I mean I could sing with her - show her we're friendly?
Triplet: (aside) That may be a bit too much to handle... oh god those two are gone.
Fortissimo: They simply cannot help themselves when they see someone in need. Especially my brother.
Viola and Forte approach Piano as she finishes up her song. They both kneel down to match her height.
Viola: Hey dear. Whats your name?
Piano: (small whisper) Piano.
Forte: That's a nice song you were playing. You know youre not allowed to do that right? Are you okay?
Piano: I... I know. I was just leaving. There arent any cops around here so I thought it would be safe. I havent played for a couple of days. I was missing it. Im going. Ill stop bothering you. Im fine. Ill just go back home. This was a silly idea anyways.
At the mention of home, Piano chokes up and her voice cracks as if she doesn't want to.
Forte: Hey, no. Just wait a second. You arent bothering us. We're just... worried about you. We play music too. We know how dangerous it is. We want to make sure you're okay.
Piano seems to be looking for proof of that statement. Forte gives a nod to Fortissimo. Viola seems to catch a drift.
Viola: Piano dear, can you play that song again?
Piano: The one I was just playing?
Viola: Yes, that exact one.
Piano: Are you a cop? Trying to catch me in act or something? Need evidence?
Triplet laughs.
Fortissimo: Whats so funny?
Triplet: Well, thats normally your line. Im surprised you didnt say it.
Fortissimo: Im not asking the 12 year old if shes a cop.
Piano seems amused by this.
Piano: Im 11 actually.
Fortissimo: Im not asking the 11 year old if she's a cop. Even I know that much.
Piano: What if I was a cop though?
Fortissimo: (smiles) Are you a cop?
Piano: (laughing) You guys are funny.
Viola: As you can clearly see from those two knuckleheads, we aren't cops. We just want to help.
They open up the garage door and grab their instruments. Piano starts playing the song. This time, the band joins in. The song ends and Piano looks very content.
Fortissimo: I cant believe we just did that. Out in the open completely. We are so stupid.
As if to prove her point, sirens sound in the distance.
Forte: Shit. Okay. Maybe that one was a little bit TOO loud with the door open.
Viola: Piano. We need to hide from HARM. If they find this place we dont have anywhere else. Come in quickly. With your stuff. I promise the next time they come by, we can protect you. Just... not here.
Much to the bands surprise, Piano packs up and runs in. The garage door closes. The sirens get louder and then fade away. When the sound is gone completely, conversation starts up again.
Forte: Why did you trust us Piano?
Piano: You played my song. Made it sound better. And you all seem nice anyways. I trust you.
Fortissimo: That's very simple way to judge character.
Forte: Fortissimo, she's 11.
Fortissimo: I know. I just wish it was that simple for us too.
Triplet: Piano, why were you out there by yourself anyways? How have you made it this long?
Piano: I ran away from home. Dad... isnt here anymore. Mum has a friend. He tries to be like Dad. He isnt. He tried to take this away from me. It's Dad's. I wanted to keep playing. Mum sided with him, I dont know why. I get its illegal, but you know. I like music. It helps me connect to him. So I stole money from their wallets and ran. I havent been able to play for the last 3 days. Its all Ive been wanting to do. I can do it here right?
Triplet: Who here in this band has lost a family member? To illness, to HARM or some other reason.
Everyone raises their hand.
Triplet: I think we have a song to write.
Fortissimo: Wait Triplet. Are we sure we can take care of an 11 year old? Like, thats a lot of responsibility.
Triplet: No one else is. We will.
Viola and Forte seem pleased by this.
Triplet: And I somehow have a feeling you can handle yourself just fine, right Piano?
Piano nods.
Triplet: Your song was amazing. It was really good. You have a lot of skill and talent. You're amazing Piano. Would you like to join our band? We play actual shows and beat up the cops and stuff.
Piano seems to light up. She nods quickly. She outstretches her arms looking for a hug and Forte picks her up. The band all introduce themselves to her properly.
Fortissimo: Arent you going to ask her not to call you... uh... the 4 letter version of your name?
Triplet: Nah, she's allowed. But only her.
Forte: How come she's allowed? Ive been wanting a nickname for you for ages.
Triplet seems to slightly blush at this. Piano makes a fart sound with her tongue that then gets the whole group laughing.
Viola: Triplet, can you adjust a couple of the songs, just to see how they sound with a backing vocalist and the Keytar?
Triplet: On it.
The band then practice with Piano. She fits into the band perfectly, layering the vocals and melody. It makes the music deeper and more complex, but Pianos voice ultimately makes it sounding lighter and more emotional. She sings with everything she has. After practice, conversation starts up again.
Forte: Piano, where do you want to sleep? You can pick wherever you want.
Piano points up to the overhang platform that Forte just built. The rest of the band seem disappointed but impressed.
Triplet: You're really not scared of anything huh. You're going to fit right in. Welcome in Piano. I hope you like it here.
Piano: I already do.