Team Ahimsa Blog Relay, Various Contests

Tuning Up or Tuning Out

Words: 299

"Ta - daaaaaa!" Eric opened the bedroom door with a flourish and displayed himself to his sister.

“Are you going to wear that?” she squeaked.

Eric's face fell. "Well, yeah, you don't like it?"

"You look like the laundry man's assistant," she giggled. "I feel like giving you my dry cleaning."

"What do little girls know about what musicians wear?" he retorted.

"They know more than their big brothers, I think. Well, good luck with that outfit and good luck with the contest."

"Good luck? Aren't you coming to see me on stage?"

"No way am I admitting that someone wearing that is my brother. Maybe the music will lull the judges and the audience to a state where they don't notice your clothes."

She flounced away, and Eric, muttering under his breath, picked up his guitar and made his way to the front drive, where the van driver was playing a tune on the horn.

The driver remarked, "Flashy outfit," and then pretended to focus on the traffic while grinning to himself.

Eric's fellow musicians, whom they picked up along the route, showed no sign of noticing anything amiss with his garments. Everyone was in a state of nerves.

Turn after turn was put up. The judges were in a biting mood and scores were low. The audience applauded sometimes.

Palms sweaty, Eric and band took the spotlight when they were called. Eric's heart was beating so hard he couldn't hear his own answers to the judges' preliminary questions.

They played.

A standing ovation. The judges were on their feet, too. The head judge took the mic. "Great music, great chemistry - and I would like to appreciate the lead guitarist's outfit," she stated. "It's not many people who have the courage to pick clothes that really express their personality."