Chapter 14: First Set
The Big Man is on-deck, within.
A man in the dumps.
A piano man in the dumps.
Eyes closed he slowly rocks back and forth on the bench.
He plays not with sheet music.
Big Man he plays with his heart.
Three shots and a smoke free his heart.
The tables are watching.
The bar is listening for last drag, last shot downed.
There will be no intro.
Big Man won’t welcome anyone.
Big Man never talks in 1st set.
No eye contact either.
Just a set.
First set, first set it all business…
…Big Man’s eyes closed.
Let the audience wait.
Big Man eyes closed waiting to see the song.
First song, first set always appears behind closed eyes.
And so, the Big Man smokes, drinks, and rocks.
Waits.
Big man sees the song before he hears it.
Words first.
Notes second.
The song, it knows the day that Big Man has had.
The song knows sadness.
The song knows happiness.
Big Man trusts the song to know.
Slowly the rocking back and forth stops.
Last shot is drunk.
Last drag on the cig.
Bench pulled forward.
Big Man takes quick look at the bar and nods.
Bar music suddenly fades out.
Table people stop talking.
Napkins are picked up, mouths wiped.
Bar Lights dim some.
Lights over piano come on.
First song almost there.
Big Man smiles, flexes his fingers.
Song here.
Song knew.
Song got it right.
