Work Text:
Miss Diamond, you are cordially invited to Longwood for the American Guild of Organists as a part of its Ninth General Convention. Your attendance is of the utmost importance since your selection, along with two others, will have the chance to perform along with the celebrated organist Firmin Swinnen. All three will be invited to play a single piece on our second Longwood Organ with its impressive 10,010 pipes. We will also pose for a group photo at our Open-Air theater, dinner, and end the night in a spectacular show from our grand fountain display! We are glad for the determination of your organ teacher to have us listen to your demo performance back in May and are truly excited to hear the full performance this June 25 1930 at one o’clock.
〜Warm Regards Mr. and Mrs. du Pont
What a whirlwind of a few months it has been sneaking to my performance in May; however, I am a professional in the matter of sneaking out and playing the organ. I just can't believe how real this all feels to be able to play in front of a crowd of like-minded people and to escape my prison of loneliness. Edith delicately places the letter that her organ teacher had given to her in her previous sneaky lesson into a book titled “Further Chronicles of Avonlea” and places it snuggly back into the bookshelf above her desk. This book was the last gift for the new year that Edith received from her parents when they unfortunately never returned from their trip to Europe. The Spanish Influenza pandemic was thought to have finished its terror and since the biggest group of victims were young adults Edith stayed. Her parents left in late January but did not return the next month as planned because they would both tragically contract the disease and pass 10 days later in March 1920. Edith was 14 and an only child with a life that was now unrecognizable.
The life that was once filled with love was replaced with one of imprisonment. Not literally Edith did not go to jail, but she probably would have preferred it. Instead, she was forced into the “care” of her Aunt Lillian. No doubt she was an extremely wealthy widow, but definitely not a kind person. Edith was then locked into the mansion. Aunt Lillian forbade her to leave the estate and was only allowed to step foot onto the grounds on Sundays. The rest of the week was spent inside. Four months after her parents' passing was enough for Edith to go crazy and she knew if she wanted to get better she must go out, but her aunt was a problem.
Aunt Lillian was widowed very young after a short marriage to an extremely old and most importantly rich husband. After his passing her aunt went all out with parties, men, women, and honestly, anyone that would give her attention. When Edith was then her responsibility Aunt Lillian refused to be overshadowed, so the solution was to simply hide her away. Aunt Lillian was no monster, she thought well I will give the girl Sundays to go outside, she has a personal maid, and plenty of staff to attend to her which will be plenty for a girl. For Edith, it was not. So after four months of being ignored, pushed to the side, and mourning Edith organized a plan with the staff of the home and her old organ teacher.
Previous to her parent's death and then bitch of an aunt Edith was an organ prodigy her parents had a resident Aeolian organ constructed for the home. It was such a fine way to end the night by playing the organ as her parents sang a hymn. She remembered those sweet memories and craved for a piece of that back. She tried to be honest at first, because that was how she was raised, by asking for her aunt's permission to continue lessons with her organ teacher, but surprisingly, not at all surprisingly, her aunt said no. So the little plan, which has continued ever since, she will on every second Sunday of each month sneak out off the grounds to a local theater meet her organ teacher,O and have a lesson. Everyone in the estate is a part of the operation and everyone chose to care for Edith as a found family.
Edith then slowly stands up from her chair pushing lightly behind her so that she may leave her desk to walk towards her bed. Over the years her room has changed from something drab to an island made for her. She decided a long time ago if this will be the place I am stuck in I might as well make it my own. Everything is mostly pink and chiffon. So she takes a very plush seat on her bed that is layered with silky sheets, a large comforter, and a pink quilt with many geometric shapes she made. As she gets in there is still one worry on her mind.
Damn it all, what am I going to do? I worked my ass off for that demo performance and although I am good at sneaking out on Sundays, how am I going to sneak out on a Wednesday for the convention? Stupid bitch aunt. I know I’ll even risk my secret lessons if I ask, it is dumb to even think of it. Geeze Minnie and Francis told me that they will come up with a plan and that I will definitely be going, but I can't help but think this could go terribly wrong and I’ll be worse off because of it. Let me think about what I could possibly do that Aunt Lillian would be a complete fool of. On Wednesdays, she normally stays home all day to recover from partying from Saturday to Tuesday.
Edith shifts to her right side and pulls her layer up and over her head, although the radiator was set to 72 by Minnie it just could not get the whole room to that temperature. What if she was invited to an extremely upscale party on that Wednesday? It would have to be an all-day event one that she could not possibly say no to. But I nor anyone in the estate have any connections to even create such an event. Hugh. This is impossible. I will see what Minnie and Francis have to say in the morning.
Some weeks passed and the conclusion to Edith's little plan was surprisingly well-timed and oddly perfect. “EDITH”! “someone please fetch Edith” Aunt Lillian shouted then exasperatedly ended her command pinching her nose due to the fact it was a Wednesday. It was exactly a week before Edith had to pull off her plan but turns out her aunt came up with a much better plan for her. Edith entered her aunt's trashed room covered in clothes, her aunt's special “medicines”, and partially clothed people. Edith rarely visits her aunt's wing because other than being forbidden she also just does not want to know what shenanigans her aunt is up to. “Thank god you arrived. I have some inspiring news”, Aunt Lillian gloated with an airy breath. To Edith “inspiring news” from her aunt was just code for bragging and dangling social life in Edith’s face because she would never be allowed to be a part of it. “I will be leaving next Monday and will not arrive until Wednesday night because I was invited by the Rockefellers to several New York elite parties being introduced to a number of high-profile people. I told you didn’t I that I had connections that reached so far that you could not possibly imagine. I mean how could you imagine? Almost sad really, but not really. This palace is all you need if not more. I recommend you do not try to imagine it's nothing that concerns you.” Aunt Lillian ends her monologue with a light chuckle. This is what Edith is talking about, but every interaction with her aunt has been like this for the past ten years so it just gets old and not something she gets mad about anymore. “Oh how wonderful, please enjoy your time in New York,” Edith said in a way that was monotone enough to make her aunt think she was jealous but polite enough not to make her aunt mad. In reality, Edith was genuine with her words and probably the most happy she had ever been in her whole life since her parents passing.
Today was the day. Aunt Lillian did leave Monday which left Edith with plenty of time to prepare for her concert with her organ teacher on Tuesday. She woke up Wednesday extra early putting on the outfit she had been saving for a week. It was a baby blue satin dress that had little triangle cutouts around the round neckline. She lastly put on her ivory leather gloves and a round-brimmed hat. Once ready she pulls down her hat and jumps the stone wall in the furthest part of the grounds like she does every Sunday, but this time sits in a prepared car on its way to Longwood.
The car pulls up to a small field where a group of cars have been parked in rows. Since Edith is being dropped off the car continues to pull further where a spectacular conservatory on the left with an even more grand fountain garden to the right all come into view together. Edith is dropped off at the bottom of the conservatory. She is greeted by a pair of staff and is directed to the end of the hall which has stairs and an elevator. She decided to just take the stairs. Up the stairs she is welcomed by more staff and around her is the conservatory which is walled with glass pains and filled with the sweet aroma of tropical plants. The sun shines right through giving the whole area a stunning brightness. She was then checked in by staff and lastly given a guild member pin which she placed over her heart.
“HAha,” a full chuckle was exhaled. Edith turned because of the noise and there they were a joyous pair wearing their matching pin also over their hearts. The man who had just belted the laugh stood there holding his round belly. What showed his age was that he was wise enough to wear a white suit this hot June day, that and his simile lines that peaked around his thick black framed glasses. No one could tell you this old man was not the big cheese of the event because of how he carried himself and his large swanky tie. And clutching onto the older man’s shoulder with their head slightly thrown back was probably the most charming man Edith had ever seen (she had not seen too many men her age in a while, but regardless he was the berries). He was dressed smartly (not for the weather though) in a black suit and matching black trousers with his hair slicked back. Edith never leaves the house other than for her organ lessons so nothing was holding her back from approaching the pair. “Um, hello, or excuse me.” Edith tries her best to say confidently. “Hoho. you are excused young lady, may I help you with something.” the older man chuckled. Now both of their attentions were on Edith. “HA! YES UM” Edith exclaimed loudly “sorry” she then quickly commented. Darn I have no idea what to say, how do I even start a conversation she thought to herself. The dashing man then spoke up saying “There is nothing to apologize for. We have been the loudest pair since we got here.” He ended it with a chuckle. With some courage, Edith responds “Yes, I definitely heard you two before I saw either of you.” The two men chuckle, the older man slapping the younger one on the shoulder. Edith continues “I want to join you two and I hope you don’t mind. It's just I rarely go out and the two of you seem to be having so much fun and I too want to have some fun.” The two men give each other a look and the younger man then reaches his hand out and says, “Well normally in a social setting it begins by introducing ourselves with our names.” Edith laughs, “It is a pleasure my name is Edith Diamond,” she says, reaching out her hand. “There we go and my name is Ray Mannox,” Ray says with an arched brow. The two shake hands locking eyes, poor Edith is entranced by his deep-colored eyes, until Ray is the one breaking it taking his hand back and reaching behind his back holding his other elbow. The older man then reaches down and kisses Edith’s gloved hand, “And my name is Wilfrid Perry,” he then ends the exchange by shaking her hand cupping it between his two hands. “And that is how you properly greet a lovely young lady. Take notes, Ray.” Wilfrid says with a full chuckle. “No sir, first you must get to know a lady then ask with her consent if you may kiss her. Otherwise, you run the risk of being perceived as a pervert by such a lovely lady” Ray says in response taking a side glance at Edith. “Ho! You are calling me a pervert Mr. Mannox.” Wilfrid responds as if he is offended. “No, I only suggest the possibility of being perceived as one.” teases Ray as he and Edith giggle at Wilfrid’s ridiculous and over-exaggerated shocked face. “Well, Mr. Mannox I am not sure if you are aware but talking about such a thing in front of a lady is probably just as improper,” Wilfrid says switching to clutching to his heart for the added scandal. A staff member then comes by to take away both men's glasses and replaces them with new glasses filled with champagne also handing one to Edith. “Well then I guess we may all be perverts since we all have stayed for this scandal” Edith comments as she takes a sip from her glass. Ray then spits and chokes on his champine completely caught off guard as Wilfrid howls into a big laugh so hard it echoes throughout the whole conservatory.
With that the whole group of “perverts” we interrupted by the host Mr. du Pont. With some more professional exchanges, the group decided to tone down the rowdiness, but still crack jokes to each other as they waited for the performances. The talk with Mr. DuPont revealed that all three of them were the selected performers who would perform before Firmin Swinnen (the resident organist for Longwood). This information only connected them more, beginning a whole tangent on organs and musical pieces they are trying or would like to try or have written themselves.
“Okay now if our three organists can come to the ballroom so we can quickly get ready and begin!” A staff member shouted to catch the three's attention. Together the three quick friends walked to the ballroom. They were led behind the organ and the pipes in a little room. It was said that Wilfrid would be the first performer, Edith would be the second, and Ray would be the third. Wilfrid was escorted out of the room to perform. Because the organ was so large Edith and Ray would be able to hear Wilfrid's performance perfectly fine. So together they listened to Wilfrid perform a song that he had explained to them in their previous conversation was one that he and his wife hold dearly in their hearts and also to catch the little change he makes in it that his wife always laughs at when he plays it. So Edith and Ray listen carefully. In the part of the song where the lyrics refer to a lady finding a bug on herself the organ sounds as if it shrieks. Making Edith and Ray almost tear from laughter as they try to quietly hold it in. After Wilfrid’s performance, they hear the crowd clap and then he is once again in the back. “Don’t be nervous kids, I warmed them up for you. All you have to do is dazzle as I know you will do!” As Wilfrid finishes up his encouragement he is escorted out and Edith is introduced.
Edith is a little nervous, but so much more excited to share her song with her new friends. The song she will play is self-composed; it is titled “A Place To Go To” and the song invites listeners to imagine. To think of somewhere magical and for Edith that was a mystical forest that opened up to a meadow of flowers where fairies would play and dance among the flowers. Just like her bedroom the feelings when she played this song were of warm pink blossoms. The song also took her back to those feelings she felt when she would play and her parents would sing. For her, the moment was very intense, but she held it together so no tears could blur her vision as she played. She finished the last note and the sound of elegant clapping replaced her song in the ballroom. She bowed and then was escorted to the back. However, her tears could not wait any longer and she began to cry silently behind the organ and its pipes. The staff had left giving her a few minutes.
Ray was still there though waiting on his introduction. This is where in a rash feeling and seeing his new friend cry he bent down and gave Edith a tender kiss to the side of her right eye wiping her tears and again to the left leaving yet another kiss and wiping her tears. He then looks into her eyes as if to ask if she is fine. Edith in shock could only nod and then said a very small “thank you,” adding a quick “pervert”, but before anything else could be said a staff member entered and took Ray for his performance. It was then Edith was also escorted to a seat in the front row next to Wilfrid to watch Ray. Wilfrid silently patted Edith’s hand and left it there to comfort her because he two was feeling emotional after his performance and her own. Ray did not say much about his song but only told the other two that it was self-composed. “This song is an original and it is titled “Absolute Desalude” and with that, he sat down and began to play. Edith and Wilfrid were just as the rest of the crowd were engrossed in the sound that Ray was playing because unlike Wilfrid’s cheery song and Edith’s tender song Ray played something much darker. It had drama, it was hitting the most baritone notes only, and in the mirror that was placed to see the organist's face Ray was very serious. The three organists performed a diversity of pieces, so as Ray held the last note the crowd stood and clapped, Ray stood and waved Edith and Wilfrid over to him and together they bowed.
After Firmin Swinnen’s performance, the party left exiting the ballroom past the west conservatory and out into the outdoor gardens. They took a stroll over the Open-Air theater which was a stage that also had fountains. However, there was no theatrical show today; instead, they used it as the backdrop for their group photo. It had begun a little difficult to coordinate so many people around the du Ponts and Mr. Swinnen. Finally with everyone settled the photographer was at ease and ready for the picture. Edith sat right next to Ray who sat next to her holding his knees to his chest and Wilfrid sat to the left and behind Ray. Just as the photographer counted them down Wilfrid said, “Don’t smile too hard, don't want to shit yourself”. And in that moment Edith and Ray had to keep themselves composed by holding in their laughter for the photo. There was no doubt Mr. DuPont heard, but that didn't matter because all three of them after the photo had to keep themselves from pissing themselves from laughter. The walk back to the conservatory was a riot, but the possibility of ever being invited back was definitely fading. Regardless the trio was having a ball and with their newfound friendship dinner was filled with loud discussion.
The day had started in the late afternoon and quickly became evening. The party once more left the conservatory to the main fountain garden for a spectacular light fountain show as the sun was almost set. The fountains began their dance swaying and exploding towards the sky. It was truly a marvel. This day was a dream and what a perfect way to end the night, thought Edith, I am surrounded by like-minded people who have joined together for the whole purpose of their love for the organ. This is a feeling I miss, community, love, and joy. With new friends, I feel as if they will help me out of this drawn-out time of loneliness. Edith turns to Ray looking at him for a moment seeing how the glow from the fountain outlines his silhouette in the now absence of sun. She then taps him on the shoulder and asks “when can I see you again” she whispers. The marvel due to the fountain's performance in his eyes is replaced and he answers “I live in California. I’m sorry the only times I have been allowed to this side of the country was because they paid for my train tickets for the demo and for right now. And…I leave for California tomorrow.” Ray’s eyes are now solemn. Edith also has her hope replaced by sadness. “oh.” is all she can say. She turns to Wilfrid and asks him the same question, “when can I see you again”. Wilfrid takes a moment, it's unbearable, this day was the most fun all three had in such a long time and to end it like this? “I am sorry Edith I have a European tour and will be there for the next year.” Wilfrid pats Edith’s shoulder. As the lights continue to illuminate the fountain in its joyful dance Edith stands there empty and thinks I might actually be condemned to loneliness. During the conversation throughout dinner, there was no doubt in Edith’s mind that they were going to be together forever. Reality can be very bitter. That's what made meeting them so sweet. As the lights went out the fountain stopped and the last words from the host were announced and the partygoers began to leave, Edith stayes, Ray stayes, and Wilfrid stayes. "we can always send letters to one another and meet after my tour, what are your addresses?” Wilfrid suggested. “I can’t, I mean you two definitely should regardless but I can’t.” Edith sadly responds not looking either in the eye just focused on the ground in front of them. “why is that?” Ray asked. “it could possibly put me in danger, I am sorry to be so vague yet make it sound so scary, but it is the truth. I will be okay but receiving a letter from one of you could jeopardize the little life I live now.” Edith sadly answers. “sounds awfully dangerous,” Wilfrid responds. “It's not, sorry I made it sound way darker than it really is.” Edith clarifies. “How about this we give you our addresses and when you are finally able to receive letters you send one our way so that we know we can freely communicate without endangering your current situation.” Ray offers. Edith although still with shock nods her head and takes one last look at the two men whom she may have just met, but changed her life. She can see her ride rolling up to the conservatory across the way. All three did a group hug and off she went. They follow her and Ray opens her door. Leaving a whisper of “hope to see you again” and with that Ray closes her door. The car ride is quiet, the road is dark, and Edith's heart is gone.