6584/Summer in the Park

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Summer in the Park
Date of Scene: 16 June 2021
Location: Bushwick <Mutant Town>
Synopsis: Laxmi meets Albert - who repairs the broken swing in the park.
Cast of Characters: Laxmi Mallick, Albert Rothstein




Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    A strange, haunting melody is droning from a small park in Bushwick. The park itself is unimpressive - just a small patch of grass where children play soccer, and a sandbox with rundown equipment - a single slide, and a swingset with one broken swing, hanging from a single chain. Under the park's only tree sits a woman with dusky skin and dark hair, but green eyes. She's dressed in a bright sari skirt, with a blouse that bares both her midriff and back. She sings along as she strums the strange, large stringed instrument with a silver neck - the tune quiet, and sad. It's arresting in its quietly to capture someone's attention, and ellicit an emotional response. It could be years of training.
    Or it could be a subtle use of mutant ability.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein comes pulling up outside the park in his perfectly restored '70 Cougar. He finds a parking space, and the huge man climbs out of the car and heads to the trunk area, opening it, and getting a metal box and setting a toolbox on top of the box and heads into the park. At hearing the music he smiles and will offer a nod in greeting as he walks towards the playground equipment, sitting the box down near the swing set.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    The woman offers a nod and a smile - watching as the man and his box approach the sandbox, where a few children are digging with buckets. As his destination becomes clear, her smile broadens - but she continues to sing. It was good there were people looking out for these things. She's wondered what to do about the broken swin herself, but it wasn't in her skillset.
    Laxmi continues to concentrate on her music though - weaving a sad song that slowly brightens into a sense of hope, like a new day dawning.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein is there to help yup. He smiles a bit as some of the kids point at him, and seems he is used to it between his size and his big red mohawk it happens. He starts to check the swingset out making sure no weak spots or what not, and then pulls a screwdriver out and pries the clamps look on the broken swing to remove chains there. He does seem to find himself moving a bit with the music as he works.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    After a while, the song slowly fades out, and Laxmi sets the sarod down in her lap, pulling out her phone instead. She starts typing in a few quick notes in shorthand - a look of concentration on her features as she seems to be intent on getting something down on paper. She hadn't been composing on the fly, had she?
    It's hard to tell. What is readily apparent is that she's quite skilled at typing with those thumbs.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein works on the swing, bringing out new chain and replacing both sides of it, and then going ahead and replacing it on any of the swings that were still ok, better to change it all at once. He looks over and says "Hey what was that song, was a nice one, but don't think I have heard it before.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Do you listen to a lot of Indian music?" Laxmi asks with a smile as she finishes off her notes. "I'm working on an adaptation of Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin for the Sarod - a new arrangement, and a bit of a re-write," she explains, her gaze watching the man's features for any sign of recognition as she speaks.
    "Do you work for the city?" she asks - nodding towards the repaired swing.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein shakes his head, and says "Have heard some used to work with an indian guy, I did not complain at his music on his days as long as he did not on my days." He offers with a smile and then adds. "Na, I'm a mechanic and part time teacher, but I come out to Bushwick a lot, and heard the play ground needed a little TLC. " He says and does tighten the screws on the slide.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "That's kind of you," Laxmi says with genuine warmth. "This equipment looks at least half a century old. How long has it been since they made all metal playground equipment?" she asks - giving a shake of her head. "It's good to know that someone cares."
    She picks up her instrument again, and begins idly picking out a few chords - seeming to improvise, though without any singing for the moment.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein chuckles a bit and says "Well at least it holds up pretty well." He does rub his hand down the slide making sure no burrs or places kids might slice themselves. "Well it is as safe as I can get it I think, still will be blistering in the summer if they aint careful. Maybe should see about adding in a jungle gym. Some old pipes, maybe some concrete and a welder should do it."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Nothing a bucket or water can't fix. Or someone with ice or cooling powers," Laxmi remarks easily. It is Bushwick - you never know when someone with the right talent will show up. She continues idly plucking the strings as she asks, "I don't suppose you have a business card? Would you mind if I called you - if something broke again?"

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods a bit and putting his tools away, he will walk over to the lady carrying his stuff with him with ease. He pulls out his wallet, and gets a card that says "Rothstein Mechanical. and has a phone number and address near Gotham. "I'm Albert, but everyone calls me Al." He offers in introduction offering her the card.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I'm Laxmi," the woman answers as she accepts the card with both hands, studying it before she'll tuck it away into a little pouch at the back of her phone case. "Thank you, Al. I've taken to practicing here fairly regularly - so if anything goes amiss, I should be able to let you know. It is so generous of you to give of your time to these children who have so little, already."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein shrugs a bit and says "I like helping people, and since I started teaching some, I have seen I like helping kids more, you can actually tell the appreciate it." He jokes

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "They are more expressive and less inhibited," Laxmi agrees with a quiet laugh. "It's refreshing." She smiles at Al asking curiously, "What age do you work with? I've actually been trying to find some work teaching myself. Teaching music, of course." Still her fingers dance across the strings - the song relaxed, and calm - but without the emotional force the other song had had while she was singing.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein looks to her and says "High school kids, I work at Happy Harbor, I teach PE, and shop class." He offers in explanation. He hmms and says "You have credentials or anything, I could pass them on to the school

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Well - I don't have any teaching credentials," Laxmi admits. "But I do have a Bachelors of Music from Juilliard - I majored in vocals. But I meant more as a private tutor, though." She finally sets the instrument aside, opening a small purse and taking out a few copies of her business card. Climbing to her feet - she offers these to Albert. "If you know anyone interested in vocal training, or learning the sarod, kathak dance, or traditional Indian vocals..." All of these things are also helpfully listed on the card, along with her contact information.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods and takes the cards and puts them into his wallet. "I will keep it in mind, and will pass it on to who ever is teaching music and the drama teachers, never know when someone wants to improve their voice trying to get that lead roll, or for their solo in the choir."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Indeed," Laxmi agrees. "And really - I think all children should be encouraged to find creative ways to express themselves. Whether it's music, or dance, acting - or even scientific discovery." She looks towards the repaired swingset, then back to Al as she asks curiously, "Is there much 'creativity' in mechanics?"

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein makes a so-so motion with his hand, and says "More puzzle solving than creativity I would say, unless your having to jury rig something, then it can pay to be very creative." He offers with a smile. "I never got much into playing music or singing, I was the jock growing up.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Oh, I haven't the physique for that," Laxmi replies modestly. "And really - music has called to me since I was quite young. Apparently, I once jumped on stage to dance with the 'pretty lady' and my parents had to retrieve me before I derailed the performance further," she recalls with a small smile.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein chuckles and says "Hey long as your doing what your enjoying and everyone is having fun, more power to you." He offers. I hit my growth spurt, and my grandfather took me under his wing, and taught me a lot, he was a golden gloves boxer.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Doing what you love is what matters," Laxmi agrees - before adding wryly, "Now if only I could make a living at it." She lets out a frustrated sigh. "In the meantime, it's waiting tables for tips. The life of many performing artists at the start of their careers."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein smiles and says "Hey without people waiting tables, our food would never get to us when we eat out, so good thing we have people doing it. He jokes a bit. You live and work around here?" He asks her wonder where she might wait tables at.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Oh, yeah, I've been waiting tables at the diner," Laxmi remarks - pointing to the building not very distant from them. "It isn't bad. The owners nice enough, and the food..." She shrugs her shoulders. "Well, it's a diner, not a Michelin rated restaurant."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods and says "Well they have pretty good Pie and dinner food is nice and filling, and when you eat as much as I do, that is a very important factor." He smiles as he says that. So what is your long term goal with your music?"

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "That's fair," Laxmi agrees, standing with her hands folded in front of herself. She seems to always stay an arms length away from Albert as the pair talk. "Honestly? I'm still trying to see if I can adapt the sarod to use it in American popular music - and trying to make a name for myself. I'd like to raise the profile of classical Indian art forms in America, and prove that a mutant of my complexion can be successful in the music industry." She doesn't ask for much - does she?

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein smiles a bit and says "Well, I am sure, if you put your work into it you can do it, your really good." He tells her. He does not try to close the distance, knowing some are uncomfortable with his size.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I know," Laxmi answers - her smile broadening for a moment, before returning to a more demure, polite expression. "But if we're both being honest - there are many extremely talented people in the world who never succeed in the music industry. It can be brutal."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein says, "Yes, but your in a good spot to work on it, and you are talent, add in the hard work and you have the best chance you can get."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Well - and I met Alison Blaire," Laxmi confides - her smile broadening. "The only mutant to make a go of it in the music industry. Well - the only //out// mutant. She asked me to send her some of my music," she explains, her expression showing just how excited she was by this prospect.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods and says "See seems like you have made even more progress than I knew about, give it six months and I can say "I knew her when."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Six months?" Laxmi repeats - letting out a quiet laugh. "That seems overly optimistic. I'd say a year or two. But I suppose we'll see how it goes.
    "And how about you?" she asks. "Is teaching the school, and running your shop... your entire plan? I mean - both are wonderful things, of course," she hastens to add.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein says, "Well, Ah can't really do what Ah wanted to do, but I do hope to at least get to fly some more planes and choppers, and such." He offers a bit of a sad smile at not being able to do what he really wants."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "I'm sorry - I hope it's not too forward - but why wouldn't you be able to do what you really wish to do?" Laxmi asks with concern. "Weren't you just advocating for following your dreams?"

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein looks to her, and says "I wanted to be an astronaut, but Ah don't quite fit in the standard space shuttles and such.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Oh," Laxmi breathes, giving the man a regretful smile. "I can see how that would be a challenge. And I can understand the allure. To explore the unknown - to experience something so few have been a part of? It seems unfair that it should be shut to you."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods, and says "It is what it is, I can do a lot of other things, so have to look on the brighter side of things.

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "It benefits no one to linger and lament over what we cannot have," Laxmi agrees. "And to use your gifts to benefit others - at the school, and as you did here today - what better calling can we have in life?" she asks in a warm tone.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein shrugs a bit and says "Well helping people more perhaps, but I do what I can, and try to help as many as I can.' " He looks to her, and says Fun and helping folks sounds like a plan."

Laxmi Mallick has posed:
    "Well - there's nothing to say we can't enjoy ourselves," Laxmi agrees - though an apologetic look comes over her features as her phone makes a sound. "I'm sorry - that's my brother, let me just-" She retrieves her phone, checking her texts, before giving Al an apologetic look. "It looks like he's been called into work. He needs me to mind my niece and nephew."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods and says "Nice meeting you Laxmi, I will make sure to put the word out for your music tutoring " He offers her with a smile.