The Geniuses in the Attic

        Daniel heaved an exasperated sigh as he lumbered his way up the stairs to the attic. He hated that his dad insisted he clean up there, with the draping curtains of cobwebs, the miscellaneous junk in every corner, and the dust bunnies half Daniel’s size. Where in the world was he even supposed to start? And what was even the point of cleaning the attic anyways? What, was his dad expecting company up there? It wasn’t like anyone was actually going to see how messy the attic was; it’s an attic, a room designed to store away useless junk you never intend to use again yet can’t allow yourself to part with. It’s supposed to be a mess!

             Daniel kicked a dusty cardboard box in frustration, but he kicked it a little harder than he meant to, as the box tumbled over, spilling all its contents and sending clouds of dust into the air. Daniel sighed and ran his fingers through his hair as a wave of embarrassment replaced his anger. He knew he was way too old to have let his frustration overwhelm him like that, especially over something as trivial as cleaning an attic for his father. He bent down on one knee and began remorsefully shuffling the random items back into the box, eyes watering from all the dust flying in his face, when one particular item that was stranger looking than the rest suddenly caught his eye. Face down on the floor, it looked like a small, wooden arrow. Daniel lifted the strange object closer to his face and flipped it over to the other side, brushing away smokey wisps of dust. The front side of the object had what appeared to be a thin needle, with a series of numbers in ascending order directly behind it.

             Daniel continued to investigate the bizarre object until he noticed a small, silver dial on its right side. The contraption was clearly quite old and hadn’t been used in ages. Daniel still wasn’t even sure what is was or how it worked. But maybe…

             The dial was extremely stiff likely due to its lack of use, but Daniel was eventually able to make three complete turns. He paused, awaiting some kind of response, when the needle suddenly began to move. It swung side to side like a pendulum, and a steady ticking noise began to play in time with the needle’s movements.

             Interesting, Daniel thought, but what purpose does it serve?

             “I’m telling you, Wolfy, you were dragging!”

             The voice startled Daniel so badly, he nearly sent the mysterious device tumbling to the floor. Instinctively, Daniel ducked behind a large stack of boxes to hide, his heart pounding violently in his ears. He knew for a fact he did not recognize that voice, but who could have possibly gotten into his attic without him noticing?

             “I’ve been tickling the ivories since I was three years old, Luddy, I think I know what 120 beats per minute sounds like. Honestly, old chap, how would you even be able to tell?”

             Another voice seemed to be teasing and debating with the first one; two strangers hiding in Daniel’s attic?!

             Daniel bit his lip nervously, wracking his brain for a plan, when he suddenly realized the contraption in his hands was still ticking. He caught his breath and began frantically twisting the silver dial, but to no avail; the ticking refused to cease. Should he break it? No, that would just make an even louder sound and give away his location. Desperately, he tried stuffing the device into his sweatshirt to muffle it, but that was when he noticed something odd. As the two voices continued to argue back and forth, the device began to tick faster, as though responding to them. Daniel peered cautiously from behind his hiding place to ensure no one could see him, then he pointed the device in the direction of the voices. Sure enough, the contraption ticked even faster, like an excited puppy trying to get his master’s attention.

 Daniel wasn’t sure what was compelling him to do it, but he decided to obey the device’s wishes and follow the sound of the two voices. He could feel his pulse racing faster as the strangers’ voices grew louder, the device, meanwhile, ticking at a bizarre pace as though crying out in joy. Finally, Daniel saw his dad’s old grand piano sitting beneath the attic window, along with two young men having a heated debate.  

The man sitting at the piano immediately turned to look at Daniel, making him gulp. The stranger’s face suddenly broke out into a smile.

“Ah, Daniel, you finally made it!”

The first man proceeded to tug on the sleeve of the second man standing next to him, who didn’t seem fazed by or even aware of Daniel’s presence.

“Look here, Luddy, Daniel made it after all! Oh, and look! He remembered to bring our metronome!”

The device ticked gleefully upon hearing the first man say “metronome.” Daniel momentarily worried it would leap out of his hands and head straight for the mysterious strangers.

“Is…is that what this thing is called? A ‘metronome?’” Daniel asked timidly.

“What?!” the man who apparently went by “Luddy” suddenly grunted impatiently, “Now speak up there, young man, nobody likes a mumbler! Now what on earth did this mumbler say there, Wolfy?!”

Daniel’s heart leapt in his throat at Luddy’s abrupt response. The first man, seemingly named “Wolfy,” simply gave an amused grimace.

“You’ll have to learn to speak up around poor Luddy here,” said Wolfy as he patted Luddy’s arm, though it appeared to be more of a condescending gesture than a sympathetic one, “Dear soul can barely hear a thing these days. His ears just aren’t what they once were, it seems, but his brilliant mind almost makes up for that!”

Luddy didn’t seem amused by Wolfy’s cheeky remark.

“Yeah, I’ve got half a ‘brilliant mind’ to use your head as a metronome and prove just how badly you were dragging!”

Wolfy’s smirk didn’t fade from his face, but he was still quick to change the subject as though worried Luddy might just act on that threat.

“Speak of the devil, would you mind handing me that metronome you have there, Daniel? We tuned this old gal before you arrived.”

Wolfy patted the piano as he spoke, and Daniel only realized in that moment that his father’s filthy, abandoned grand piano, which was over a century old and missing some keys and strings, now looked as shiny and new as the pianos on display at a music shop. He gingerly handed the metronome over to Wolfy, who eagerly set it down on top of the piano and plopped down into the playing bench. He stretched out a hand towards Luddy, who placed in it a stack of papers littered with musical notes Daniel could never hope to comprehend. Wolfy sat the sheet music down in front of him and turned to the first page, crackling his fingers in anticipation.

“Metro, old friend, give me a BPM of 120,” Wolfy audibly exclaimed “120” and shot a cocky glance at Luddy, who merely folded his arms while still maintaining eye contact with Wolfy. The metronome gladly accepted Wolfy’s request and began ticking at a brisk yet steady tempo.

The second Wolfy began to play made Daniel gasp. Never before had he witnessed a pianist play with such incredible skill and precision, not even his father, yet Wolfy made it look completely effortless. There were times Daniel could swear he wasn’t even looking at the piano or the music, literally playing with his eyes closed. He could even recall moments when Wolfy would just give Daniel and Luddy a prolonged, arrogant smile as he expertly performed extremely advanced passages without the slightest falter or folly, just to show off. The music itself had a fast-paced and playful feel to it, with tidal waves of notes rising and falling and spiraling about like a musical roller coaster. It was wild and free, yet planned and calculated, like perfectly controlled chaos.

When the piece was over, Wolfy stood up to bow to Daniel’s uproarious and Luddy’s less enthusiastic but still respectful applause. Even the metronome seemed to be vigorously ticking its needle as a substitute for a pair of hands.

“Well, good to know I have some fans in the audience tonight!” Wolfy said as he pretended to wipe some sweat from his brow, “Wrote that one myself, but of course you already knew that.”

Daniel, in fact, did not know that.

“You write music too?!”

“Yes, I’ve dabbled in a bit of composing over the years,” Wolfy chuckled in amusement, “Let’s see, um, 17 piano sonatas, including the one you just heard, 25 piano concertos, 21 operas, 12 violin concertos, 27 concert arias, um… Luddy, was it about 50 or over 50 symphonies?”

Luddy’s response came in the form of shoving Wolfy out of his seat on the piano bench.

“Alright you pompous, snarky little showoff, you’ve had your moment to shine, now let a true artist show you how it’s done.”

“Hey! Who you callin’ pompous?!” Wolfy retorted, seemingly unfazed by Luddy’s other insults. Nevertheless, Wolfy backed out of Luddy’s way and took his place next to Daniel. Unlike Wolfy, who was pretty quick to get started, Luddy was preparing at a slow and steady pace, seemingly mulling over every possible detail to ensure everything was in its place. Completely absorbed in his process, it was almost as if he had forgotten Wolfy and Daniel were still there.

“So Wolfy,” Daniel whispered as Luddy continued readying himself, “Luddy must be an amazing musician too, right? Does he write his own music too?”

“Indubitably, Danny Boy,” said Wolfy.

Daniel was instantly pumped. “That’s so cool! How many, eh, what was that word, ‘symphonies’ has he written?”

“9 to be exact,” Wolfy replied.

Daniel cocked an eyebrow. 9 certainly didn’t sound like a lot, especially compared to Wolfy’s over 50. Maybe Luddy was a newer composer? Or maybe he just wasn’t as skilled or as serious a composer as Wolfy. He sure didn’t act that way when he took to the piano, though…

“No, Luddy has written that many symphonies in his lifetime,” Wolfy continued, as if reading Daniel’s mind, “But I think you’ll understand why here in a moment.”

Daniel peered over at Wolfy’s face. His normal sarcasm and energetic wit was replaced with a tone of respect and admiration, as he stared at Luddy the way a soldier would stare at a well-decorated general.

“80 beats, Metro,” Luddy said finally. The metronome obliged, and Luddy took a deep, shaky breath.

The moment the first chord struck, Daniel began to understand what Wolfy had meant. Daniel’s heart swelled with an indescribable passion as Luddy played, totally immersed in his craft as the raw power and grandiose of his artistry burst forth. Luddy’s playing style somehow perfectly combined ferocity and benevolence, allowing a geyser of emotions to flow within the heart of the listener. His art was truly an extension of his own spirit, the result of him piercing his own soul and allowing it to pour forth onto the piano. Daniel remembered how Wolfy had told him Luddy’s hearing was failing. He wondered if Luddy was even able to fully appreciate his own musical genius. Or maybe, he appreciated his work in a completely different way, a way only Luddy could ever hope to understand.

When Luddy was finally finished, Daniel once again responded with ecstatic applause.

“Well Luddy, I must say, I’m impressed,” Wolfy said as he slowly clapped his hands, “Somehow, you made that performance feel even longer than the last one!”

Wolfy obviously meant that mockingly, but Daniel swore he saw Wolfy quickly wipe his eye as he spoke, as though trying to swipe away a tear. Perhaps Luddy noticed this, for instead of shooting Wolfy back with a cynical comment of his own, he merely flashed a satisfied smile and stood up from his bench.

“Good to know she still sings as beautifully as in the good ol’ days,” said Luddy, “It’ll be perfect for teaching Daniel the basics.”

Daniel’s eyes widened.

“T-teach me? To play like you guys!?” Daniel asked excitedly.

Wolfy returned his enthusiasm, “Of course, Danny Boy! What, you think your old man taught himself how to play like that?  No, he was trained by the very best there ever was! Oh, and Luddy helped too.”

Luddy didn’t react to Wolfy’s remark, apparently choosing to ignore it. Or maybe he just didn’t hear it.

“Truth is,” Wolfy continued, “We’ve been awaiting a new pupil for several years now. Someone new to pass the ol’ baton to, and your pops promised he’d bring someone special we could help mold into a modern musical sensation!”

“And we can’t wait to meet him,” Luddy grumbled.

Daniel’s heart stopped as his enthusiasm melted away. Wolfy shook his head at Luddy.

“Oh come now, Luddy, give Danny Boy the benefit of the doubt here!”

“What?” Luddy asked in genuine surprise, “You think you’re the only one who can have a sense of humor around here? I was mostly joking.”

Daniel wasn’t sure what to make of the “mostly” part, but at the moment, he didn’t care. The two greatest musicians he’d ever heard were going to give him lessons. Two grand artists, both fundamentally different yet incredible in their own unique way, were going to pass their skills and wisdom along to him. He would truly be learning from the very best.

“Given that you didn’t even know what a ‘metronome’ was, I think it would be ideal to get started right away,” Luddy said, “We’ve got a lot to go over, young man.”

Wolfy’s eyes suddenly brightened as if he’d just remembered something. He turned to look at the metronome on top of the piano. It was clicking steadily as it had before, only now incredibly slowly, like a children’s toy with a dying battery.

Wolfy frowned, “Ah, sorry, Danny Boy. Looks like we’re gonna have to pick this up another time.”  

Daniel looked away in disappointment. He wasn’t sure why, but somehow, he knew that Luddy and Wolfy had to leave for now. Wolfy gave an encouraging smile as he nudged Daniel in the shoulder.

“Ah cheer up, champ! We’ll be ready for you with a perfect beginning lesson real soon! In the meantime…”

Wolfy picked up the metronome from the piano and handed it to Daniel.

“Keep Metro close to you. If you hear him start to tick, come back up to the attic. We’ll be waiting on you.”

“And don’t keep us waiting,” Luddy warned, “To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. Wolfy could tell you a thing or two about that.”

Wolfy’s cheeks flushed red as Daniel warmly accepted the metronome, beaming at the two musicians.

“Welp, Danny Boy,” said Wolfy, “Looking forward to working with you! Aren’t we, Luddy?”

“What?” Luddy asked.

“I said-"

“Ah never mind it. Anyways, we look forward to tutoring you, young man,” Luddy said as he reached out to shake Daniel’s hand. Wolfy did the same, mumbling something like “I swear he does that on purpose…” and Daniel proudly and vigorously returned the gesture. Daniel turned to walk away, metronome in hand, when a question suddenly crossed his mind.

“Wait! Is… is there anything I can do in the meantime? You know, to prepare for the lesson?”

Luddy and Wolfy exchanged a pleasantly surprised glance, like Daniel had asked the correct question.

“Well that’s an easy one, Danny Boy!” Wolfy exclaimed, “Practice! Play around with this old piano by yourself a bit, connect some dots on your own. Maybe even ask your dad for some pointers!”

“And tell him his old teachers told him to,” Luddy winked, glowing in a way Daniel wouldn’t have expected from him.

“I will!” Daniel nodded. He waved a final goodbye to his new musical instructors before finally heading back towards the attic stairs, the metronome ticking to a halt. He knew he still needed to clean the attic like he was told, but there was something important he needed to tell his dad first.