02/12/2023
A short story in 3 pictures maybe 4….and it starts where the sun is most of the time setting. Where the nicest sunsets I experienced. On the far, far West….. Los Angeles. Actually let’s say it’s already D’Ark and I suppose to show there up 2 hours earlier. In this very house on a cliff in Malibu CA. It’s my last piano delivery I brought from the East. Piano #5, steinway model L made 1981. Never been played, like new condition, the owner died before playing it, bla bla, bla…..and usually in such a situations everything in a household is a subject for an Estate Sale. Easy, not complicated state of affairs!!! To find stuff chiply and sell it nicely - The Essence!!! I remember most of those instruments I successfully hunted. Call them sometime orphans when I feel lonely. That’s maybe the only thing I can give them in exchange - my time, my energy, later just keeping them in my memory. In a form of motion pictures. I give them new owners they bring me stories worth living. Such a mutual beneficial relationship.
Being late 2 hours after driving 3600 miles for 3 days plus dropping 4 other pianos before it’s not a terrible job. Now I see the man in front of his grand house. Good-looking man with silver color hair and silver beard. Next to him is standing a boy. Must be his 11 years old son Malcolm. He called me two hours earlier to explain the situation a little bit closer. His son Malcolm wanted this piano from Santa on Christmas. And is February almost. They were able to explain to Malcolm the heavy weight packages are now delayed in post-pandemic-new-normal reality. But the rest of explanation supposed to be now on my side. I see them both starring at me. The father and his young son. Both have eyes wide open. And the boy is very excited but a bit shy.
- HoHoHo Malcolm - I started. Sorry about the delay. Rudolf blew his nose going up those hills here around LA. Earlier we got stuck a bit in Area 51 where we couldn’t explain to some morons there that Santa is real. Anyway finally we are here…..
- is there really inside of your truck my piano??-he asked with big entusiasmo.
- Sure. Check it out yourself.
- I can’t believe it. I thought it’s only a Joke… - he said
Nope, it wasn’t. We smiled then and moved his piano to his room. Where I met his beautiful mom. She was very nice but also she said: Sorry you came two hours late. My neighbor was here with his son waiting for you to check the piano. But it was a bit to late for them so they left. Like 20 min ago. But will come tomorrow for sure…. Btw, you should know him. He plays the character in Avengers - Iron Man.
-??????? Robert Downey Junior is your neighbor? He was here waiting to play my piano???? It’s a joke, right???
- No. It’s not - she said smiling little bit
Then the father patted me on the shoulder and took to his office saying to the room: WE go now away for a little bit to “take care of a business”. Then he said to me:
- „Don’t worry next year you bring piano for Iron Man”
- Sure. It will be made of titanium this time. And carbon fiber. And I’m serious about it.
Then I asked him one last question:
- Why do you guys here on the West buy pianos from East? Its So far away???
- BECAUSE they are cheaper there!!!😁 - easy, strait-forward answer. Shaked hands, got shot of whiskey. And See you next year….
Next day I have packed 3 other pianos which supposed to go this time to the East. Nice and easy, I need to go there back home anyway. Sometimes I think piano movers got the best money in this whole industry. One goes to Maryland one to Delaware one to New York……….
… and finally yesterday I delivered the last one. Very impressive, majestic move. At least the building but privately prefer to be rather on the west side of continent. Actually it was West Side too. St. Francis Xavier in west side of Manhattan. This time my friend Thomas helped me. As usual after all he played nicely his favorite song. In my opinion this is his trump song, his voodoo song - he sold the most pianos online using this song. When some potential client is requesting a sound sample of a given piano and he is no aware yet once the music gets to his ear the piano is SOLD.
Then I asked the client on the East same question:
- Why did you buy piano in California? So far away?
- BECAUSE they are cheaper there!!!!😂
Obviously it makes sense….
Later this night got a call from my friend Thomas. Someone just wanted one of his pianos online. Steinway concert grand model D. But first requested a recording of the sound. They are in Arizona so not locals to us. A special recording was made quickly as usual. Same song, same intention same voodoo…….
30 min later he got a call. I don’t think he sold that piano this time. But I’m sure his face….. “got ghostly (like mine in Malibu) turned a whiter shade of pale….”😉
The women’s voice introduced herself: Hi there, this is Martha Argerich. I’m looking for a piano for my 11 year old grandson. But maybe I need something newer. Anyway, the reason I’m calling you is to confirm you are polish. I made a bet here with my family whoever plays this Polonaise must be born in Poland!!! - He confirmed absolutely everything. She won!!!! As always, probably. Then they talked about….. he doesn’t remember very well about details. But when checked the timing it was over 15 min of talking.
How can you know by listening few notes someone must be born in Poland? What about other countries? Can you recognize same way an Australian for example? Is there any other country in the world having such a strong obvious signature of spirit manifesting so strongly? - or it is just a Poland…..
