Relaxing with music.
Posted on Monday 11 July 2016 @ 23:27 by Captain Melody Jones
Mission:
Old, New Ship
Location: Holodeck
724 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure
The uneasy sensation Melody had been feeling since sickbay was still with her and Melody had come to the conclusion that some music might help her feel better. She came to a halt outside the holodecks doors, she turn to the panel on the right “Computer, is this holodeck free?”
The computer replied “Holodeck is clear, no reservations for 5 hours, Computer standing by.
“Computer load Jones program 105, authorization Gamma 6599.”
“Program complete, you may enter when ready.”
The doors opened and Melody walked into the back of a dimly lit concert hall.
She walked down towards the stage on a rich carpet that had a very ornate pattern on it. She continued past the many rows of the stalls, their seats upholstered in red leather. Melody ran her hands over the tops of the seats as she went, feeling the material beneath her fingertips. A set of wooden steps led up to the raised stage at the front of the hall. As she walked up them, they softly creaked beneath her feat. As she reached the top of the stairs, she paused and took a deep breath as she started to relax.
In the middle of the front of the stage sat a Steinway concert grand piano, brightly illuminated by a spotlight from above. She walked up to it and sat down. She lifted the lid and gently ran her fingers over the keyboard.
The then computer chirped.
“Please select sheet music or freestyle”
She thought for a minute “Sheet music file, Rachmaninov, piano concert No.2”
“File located” and a large PADD appeared on the stand before her with her music on This has the added advantage of following Melody’s playing and automatically turning the page as the piece progressed..
The rest of the stage was suddenly filled with an orchestra, very smartly dressed, conductor on the podium. The polished instruments glinted in the stage lights.
She had worked long on this particular program to get all the sights, smells and nuances as detailed as possible.
She inclined her head towards the podium “Maestro”
The man on the podium came to life, turning to her “Good afternoon Miss Jones, from the top or is there anything in particular you wish to look at?”
“From the top is fine, thank you.” Melody responded.
The Conductor raised his baton and the rest of the orchestra came alive, bringing themselves ready, instruments poised.
Melody started with the opening chords, her fingers moving elegantly over the keys. Then the orchestra joined in, matching her speed and style the strings first picking up theme, the horns joining in more subtlety. After the initial intense opening, Melody continued playing with passion focusing all her attention on the intricate patterns of each section. She relaxed into the rhythm and let her thoughts wander as she trusted the years of playing to guide her hands.
Unbeknownst to her, the holodeck doors opened as Mr Carson walked in and sat down quietly at the back.
The music built dramatically to a powerful climax with the strings repeating the main theme as Melody lay down increasingly complex chords rapidly and gracefully.
The piece finally ended and there was a moment of silence as Melody sat felling much better than when she had started. She was suddenly startled by the sound of someone clapping
“Who’s there? Oh Mr Carson, you startled me.”
“Apologies, my dear girl. That was very impressive playing. I just came to see if you were all right. I heard about what happened in engineering” He said with a concerned look on his face.
Melody walked down of the stage towards him “How did you hear about that?” She asked.
“I listen. Besides, it’s a small ship” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.
“It’s a massive ship” Melody picked up on the worried expression on his face “I’m fine, was just feeling a bit off. I came here to relax and it has helped.”
Carson smiled “If you need to talk abut it, my door is always open.”
“Thank you, I could do with a cup of that lovely tea” she admitted.
Carson put an arm around her shoulders “Of course my dear” and lead her out of the holodeck.
OFF:
Lieutenant Melody Jones
Chief flight control officer
USS Merlin
&
Jacob Carson PhD
Librarian
USS Merlin
