The White Keys of Elise

Synopsis: A young musician named Elise deSilva travels the world and heals with her angelic voice. She learns her voice is magical. There is a warlock, Dante Imbroglio who wishes to banish music but he becomes entranced with her ethereal pipes.

~*~CAST~*~

Elise deSilva:

Dante Imbroglio:

Andrea Hilva:

Constance Neely:

Salvador Garcia:

Trent McClure:

Concert Goer #1:

Concert Goer #2:

Concert Goer #3:

Concert Goer #4:

Concert Goer #5:
Concert Goer #6:

Concert Goer #7:

Marie (Audio Tech):

Lucy: (Light Tech):

Octavia Steinway:

Lars Steinway: (her husband)

Allegra Steinway: (eldest daughter)

Rococo Steinway:

Caprice Steinway:

Georgio Steinway: (youngest son)

Scene 1—Musical Gypsy

Elise: (singing merrily) Oh, wherever I may go, there's one thing I know. Music gives us joy, and music makes us whole. This is the gift I bring, so hear the song I sing. Health, peace and love will flow from the depths of my very soul. This is what I do, I'm a musical gypsy through and through.

Andrea: That's a rather pretty ditty, young lady. How long have you been traveling ?

Elise: Ever since I was born. I don't really have a family. I suppose you can say the kindness of strangers has sustained me.

Andrea: Sort of like Blanche Dubois.

Elise: Yes, but I pray not a tragic and melancholy tale prompting the viewer to depression. I'm Elise deSilva.

Andrea: A charming name for such a delightful woman. I'm Andrea Hilva. I haven't really known a life outside this this small town.

Elise: Maybe a little fresh air would do you good, Andrea ?

Andrea: (reluctantly) I don't know. It's comfortable here, I keep to myself.

Elise: That's no way to make friends though. You can't just go through watching the world go by through your window. (Sings 'You Gotta Get Out', and Andrea joins her in a duet.)

(Andrea accidentally bumps into a young man that happens to be shopping in the open market for vegetables, herbs and spices.)

Sal: (embarrassed) Oh, I'm sorry. I was so engrossed in what I was doing I didn't see you there.

Andrea: It's alright. (helps him gather all his supplies back together) Nothing was bruised. I'm Andrea by the way.

Sal: (offers his hand) I'm Salvatore Garcia. Sal for short.

Elise: I'm moving on to the next town where I'll be needed. I'm hoping to have a concert there. It'll be perfect if a piano is available.

Sal: (Curiously) Why ?

Andrea: I'm with Sal. Don't you ever stay in one place ?

Elise: (smiles sweetly) I go where the need is greatest. My work is in making people realize their greatest potential.

Sal: Are you unemployed ?

Elise: No, actually I'm not. I'm a woman of many trades and I repair things for a living, especially pianos. I was self taught in the orphanage and have been able to afford my own Steinway. I'm working my way to earn enough for a traveling keyboard. I almost have plenty to purchase it !

Andrea: Marvelous !

Sal: To think we just met you and now you're heading off to hold a concert somewhere.

Elise: Actually, it's going to be in the city. Not far from here. If you want to come, feel free. (pulls flier out of her backpack)

Andrea: Did you draw this ? This is superb ! Look at all the color, it just leaps off the page. Beautiful !

Elise: I have plenty more if you want.

Andrea: I'm going to pass these out to my friends. You don't mind do you ?

Elise: Not at all. The more the merrier ! Take them all if you want !

(Scene fade)

Scene 2—Nearly Crashing the Party

Elise: This quaint stage is perfect ! Ok, Marie, sound check's all good. I think I'm warmed up enough.

Marie: How about the piano ? Does that meet your standards ?

(Elise sits down at the piano and plays Little River Band's Lady, and Marie and Lucy applaud.)

Lucy: That was sensational !

Elise: You've done well with the mood lighting, too, Lucy.

Lucy: I please to aim ! (she titters)

Elise: Now a little something to lure the people in. (Sings a cover of 'Shine On' by Chris Dane Owens, and concert goers start filing in. She doesn't waste a single moment and begins singing a cover of 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now'. Dante, who was enjoying some silence in his day, happens to be walking by and becomes irritated by the sudden gathering and 'cacophony'.)

Dante: (from a distance, not seeing Elise yet) Music. It's such a nuisance. I've put a stop to it, or so I thought, everywhere I went. It keeps returning, rearing its ugly head. I'm through with it, once and for all. I, Dante Imbroglio, will finally kill music once and for all.

(He raps 'What's So Good About Music ?' until he arrives in the music hall, arms raised, poised to destroy music forever. She is singing 'Thank You For the Music' and catches Dante's eye. Dante immediately falls for her and her golden voice.)

Elise: Come on, sir ! Make yourself at home. All are welcome here.

Dante: (clearly smitten) Oh, resplendent sylph, might I ask your name ?

Elise: I'm Elise deSilva.

Dante: (not so much walking to the stage but floating) All these years, I had been trying to destroy something so pure, innocent and beautiful. I was wrong, filled with vitriol and loathing. I hated everyone and everything.

Elise: Why, though ? You seem like you have the world on a string.

Dante: Not even close. Not even I, the great Dante Imbroglio know what it's like to have everything together. I could have if I wanted to, through fear, force and dark magic.

Elise: (surprised) You're a warlock ?

Dante: You are a magician yourself. It's obvious. Hasn't anyone ever complimented you on how incredible your voice is ?

Concert Goer #1: (a little annoyed) When are we going to hear some music ?

Dante: Come to think of it, inspiration has hit me. It may be a little impulsive and sudden, but I can't let this auspicious moment slip by.

(As he sings 'Something So Beautiful' to her, Elise realizes she never took heed of her abilities until now. Everyone applauds and leaves the concert, fulfilled. She is left with Dante, who so happens to be holding her hand. She doesn't jerk away. She finds his hand comforting and strokes his with her thumb and forefinger. At last there is someone to understand her.)

Elise: So, why the dark path ?

Dante: I didn't have any moral guidance growing up. I wanted to do things the easy way, or what I thought was easiest. Necromancy seemed to be the simplest path, but it cost me everything, even my home and well being. For a while, I had more than I ever longed for, all because everyone cowered in timidity from me. Then I met you and I see there's a better way. You wouldn't mind teaching me, would you ?

Elise: Not at all. Your voice is beautiful, it's just got so much pain and remorse. This can change, Dante.

Dante: With you I think anything is possible. You really are an angel. (shakes her hand, a bit vigorously) I won't make you regret making me your pupil !

(Scene fade)

Scene 3—Meet Clairise

Dante: So, where do you live ?

Elise: Not far from here actually. I can only afford a small apartment. Throwing concerts is one way I make revenue. I'm a Reiki practitioner on the side and it keeps me afloat. I give some of my monies to charity.

Dante: That's remarkable, really. I'm starting to understand why you do it too. It feels good giving back. I was always taking from others, but ultimately it left me empty.

Elise: You needn't do that anymore. Oh, wait, here's the music store ! Guess what I can buy now !

Dante: (applauds) And well earned, I might add.

Trent: Welcome to In Tune Music. I'm Trent !

Constance: I'm Constance.

Elise: Pleasure's all mine.

Constance: Hey, I went to your concert. I recognize you both. Bold move confessing all your faults in front of so many people. I admire that.

Dante: (blushes) We're all fundamentally flawed in some way, but I learned music is something we can all understand.

Trent: What do you want to buy ?

Elise: This beauty over here.

Constance: Excellent eye. That'll be $155.00 please.

Elise: (paying in cash, rather happily) Welcome to the world, Clairise.

Trent: You name your musical instruments too ? Thought I was the only one.

Elise: We magicians, we're an odd lot. Thanks for everything !

Constance: One more thing ! (before she and Dante leave) Can I have your autograph ? I saved a flier just in case you ever came here, and wouldn't you know it, my dream has become manifest.

Trent: Her's and mine both !

Elise: (narrating) It's true what's said about musicians. We are a rather enigmatic and eclectic lot, but music exists in us in one form or another. Whether you sing soprano or bass or not at all, it is the lifeblood that constitutes humanity. Over time, as I traveled to one place and another, sharing music with everyone, Dante and I bumped into a family that was willing to teach him how to play piano.

(Scene shift)

Scene 4—Already Talented

(Driving up to the Stienways' door)

Elise: This is it, Dante ! Aren't you excited ?

Dante: (barely able to contain himself) I can't wait. I've never read music and I've never touched a piano until now.

Elise: I've heard the Steinways are exceptional instructors. I'm sure you'll be playing along with me in no time. (rings the doorbell)

Giorgio: (singing) Hold on ! I'm coming ! Hold on ! I'm coming !

Elise: (Laughs) Apparently they have a marvelous sense of humor.

Giorgio: Hi ! You must be Elise and Dante. Come on in. I'm Giorgio. That's Caprice. She plays clarinet, and fantastically at that. Rococo is my elder brother, an incredibly talented artist. Allegra is the eldest among us and she's the dancer in the family. They're all busy with their respective hobbies.

Elise: You're all impressive ! What do you do ?

Giorgio: I build models.

Dante: (awe-inspired) His little fingers must be super meticulous.

Giorgio: Come. This way. Mom will be the one instructing you today. Dad's occupied with business.

Lars: (conducting important actuarial transactions but he waves at them both)

Octavia: Ah, this must be our student ! (offers hand) I'm Octavia. You can call me Octi if you want. I'm not much for formalities.

Dante: (sits down at the piano, and she gets out sheet music)

(The next scene is sort of a montage. She explains all the mechanisms of theory and that there are 88 notes to a piano. She sets a piece by Chopin out for him and he plays it perfectly, without missing a note.)

Octavia: (baffled) There's nothing else I can teach you. You're already talented. I've never come across anyone like you before.

Dante: (blushing) Elise always told me I had a gift. I just needed help coaxing it out.

Octavia: I have plenty of sheet music that you can have. Take the Chopin piece. Here's Romanov, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart; all the best classical composers are here.

Dante: Got any jazz ?

Octavia: I even have pop if you want some. (laughing) You are a marvel, Mr. Imbroglio !

Today's lesson costs you nothing. You have given me all the satisfaction I need. Where did you learn to play like that ?

Dante: Like I told Elise, I've never even touched a piano until now. She has one at her house though and I won't mind practicing on it.

Octavia: Have you ever thought of playing other instruments ?

Dante: Actually, yes. Saxophone appeals to me.

Octavia: Go for it. Personally I don't think there isn't a musical instrument you couldn't play.

(Even Octavia's children are blown away by Dante's natural gifts.)

Dante: Thank you.

Elise: (looking at him and holding his hand) Who would've thought. You are just full of surprises. (narrating) And over the years, there wasn't an instrument that Dante couldn't play. He stuck mainly with saxophone, piano and electric guitar but I noticed him change. I changed as well, falling more in love with him by the day. We married and were able to afford a home of our own, not far from where I held my first concert. The warlock side of him had completely vanished and he used his abilities to bring healing to those who needed it. Both of us kept a low profile should word get out of our surreal talents. Our lives were plenty full with our daughters now. I had created a family of my own and was finally whole. I had more than I could ever have wanted and no want for anything. I was hopeful to teach my daughters an appreciation of music. They already had a love for dance and song but they weren't old enough to play instruments. There's plenty of time for that and I want to savor every moment Gloria and Nancy had from this time forward.

(We see a beautiful montage of Elise's new life taking place and their daughters starting to get the hang of walking and talking. Their motor functions are starting to develop. We witness all of them sitting around mama playing 'True North' and snuggling with her. Dante is beaming, his chest swelling with pride and unconditional love. I owe this script/play/film to those who believed in me and my abilities and witness the power of music to everyone. It will one day heal us all and bring us all together. Stop letting petty differences come between us. There are more important matters than what team I like or if I'm moderately conservative or not. Music is the great uniter and love is its catalyst. With these two elements combined, we can change and save the world.)