High Strung Page #2

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Pull yourself together.

Now, get out there!

And dance!

Are you okay?

I already have blisters!

Just swing by the pharmacy

to get Pepper H and H.

For my feet.

It numbs the toes.

I've never heard

that one before.

Girl, you have got

a lot to learn.

I'm going to get my student ID.

I'll see you at the apartment.

Oh, sorry.

Hey, look who's here.

The Village People.

The one in the yellow hat.

- Hit it, Jay.

- Gotcha!

Come, on! Let's go!

Hey, yo, yo, yo, check

this out, check this out.

The Work crew are battling

the Reapers.

His head's in his butt!

Oh!

Hey!

No!

- Are you okay?

- Yes.

- Watch your bag.

- Thank you.

No. No.

Your violin. Oh!

- Hey, on your feet.

- There's a cop, he can help you.

Wait!

- Why are you following me?

- Because I want to help you.

Thanks, but I think

you've done enough.

Why won't you

just go to the police?

Could you say that any louder?

I'm sorry. I don't know

what your story is.

I'm screwed, that's my story.

Wait, I think we should just stop

for a second and make a plan.

Listen, we are not a team here.

Where's the closest

place to hawk a violin?

I have no idea.

Come on!

I think it's a pawn shop.

No pawn shop, lady,

it's a consignment store.

I'm sorry.

We're looking for a violin.

No, it's a Luigi Mingazzi.

It would have been brought in

no more than 15 minutes ago.

- By who?

- A thief.

Are you insinuating that I

buy hot property in here?

- No, not at all.

- I think she just did.

She didn't mean to.

Why don't you two clowns

clear out of here?

Wait, can we leave our number?

Just in case

someone brings it in.

You're wasting

our time with this guy.

He isn't going to help us.

Sometimes, people

can surprise you.

- Thank you.

- Yeah, I'm full of surprises.

It's a really special violin,

isn't it?

My grandfather gave it to me.

Why are you peddling

down in the subway?

- Busking.

- Busking.

Well, I can only work for cash.

Are you a tax evader?

No.

I am British and I don't

have a visa to stay here.

- Well, that's a relief.

- Not for me.

I thought...

I don't know, maybe you were

some hardened criminal.

No, it's just...

there isn't really

anything for me

back in England.

What about your family?

Like I said...

It's nothing.

Can I buy you a piece of pizza?

- What's your name?

- Ruby.

- That's pretty.

- Thanks.

My mom named me after

the Balanchine Ballet.

So, you're a dancer?

Yup.

I'm Johnnie.

Nice to meet you.

I'm home!

Is that my delinquent roommate?

Yes.

What is that smell?

Oh, I cremated my pointe shoes.

I see.

It works. They're

as hard as a rock.

Where have you been?

I had a bit of an adventure.

Without me?

Sit. I want details.

I met this guy...

in a weird, weird incident.

And he's moody,

and edgy.

And eccentric.

What does he look like?

I don't know how to

describe him, actually.

Well, is he cute?

He's more like fierce sexy.

Ugh! I love

the sound of that.

- Did you get his number?

- Yeah.

- Where does he live?

- Uptown.

I think he said, "Inwood."

Ruby, that's atrocious!

Jason, wait till you're

behind the music!

- How are you doing? -I've

never heard anything like this.

- It's like G.I. Joe Jazz!

- Hang in there.

Shaun, what's going on back there?

You're late!

Good, April!

That slide needs to be bigger.

And up!

Great roll, I like this.

Hit that line, ladies.

That'll do. Next.

How do you pick up those

combinations so fast?

I know!

Ruby, can I see you, please?

I know you're trying to

get a handle on my style.

But without Contemporary,

you can't be competitive

in the professional world

and that just won't

fly with this school.

I understand that,

and believe me,

I am willing to do whatever

it takes to catch up.

- I promise. -Well, I want

to see it next class.

A bit tough on Ruby,

don't you think?

It's because she's so talented.

Ah, interesting technique.

Well, don't you have

thirty two fortes

to unleash on your next class?

Hey, Neal,

it's Johnnie Blackwell here.

I've left you a ton of messages and I

haven't heard anything back from you.

Got my cash, and I really

need that Green Card.

Call me, please.

Hey, whoa, what are you doing?

- Going to see my lawyer. -You've

got to sign in here first.

Who do you want to see?

Neil Tamlen.

From Tamlen

and Ginsburg Law Firm.

No, you got the wrong

building, buddy.

I don't think so.

That's our address,

but, there's never been a Ginsburg

and Tamlen on this building.

At least not for the last

15 years I've worked here.

That's impossible.

It's an immigration law firm,

I've been Neil's client

for the last 3 months.

You've been up to this guy's

office in this building?

No, I always met him

outside the office.

Sorry, kid.

Card's a fake.

Fat free, sugar, carbs.

Fat free.

Fat free.

Oh, but there's chocolate

with peanut butter!

Are you going to buy something

or you just talk to the machine?

Oh, I'm sorry, go ahead.

Thank you.

Fat free!

Always.

- Hey, pretty girl.

- Hey, Kyle.

There you go.

One loaner violin bow.

You break it, you buy it.

It's the best you've got?

Hey, Ruby, right?

- Yeah.

- How's first week going?

Good! Well,

challenging, actually.

Yeah, mine too.

I, uh...

broke my bow playing Bartok.

Ooh, sounds painful.

Yeah, it is, I've to

use this lame loaner

till I can get

to the music store.

- They loan instruments here?

- Yeah.

Hey, I'm off to practice,

but I'll, uh...

- see you around?

- Okay, yeah, bye.

Hi.

Yes?

Can I borrow

that violin, please?

This is a viola.

I meant the other violin.

- To the...

- To the right.

Okay.

- Are you a student here?

- Yes, sir, I am.

Can I see some ID, please?

I have it right here.

Okay.

One violin.

Need a bow, too?

Oh, yes, please.

So, are you

entering the competition?

What competition?

That competition.

There you go.

Hey, Simon.

- How's London? -What do you think?

It's cold and it's wet.

Where's my rent money?

I'm sorry it's late.

You know, I had an unexpected

setback, but um...

I'm working on it.

Oh, you better work quickly

or you're out on the street.

Listen, Johnnie,

I'm not messing around here.

- You hearing me?

- I hear you.

Hey, what's going on, baby?

Hey.

Hi.

Oh, I love your place.

Yeah, thanks.

- It's not mine.

- You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

What's that?

It's a loaner violin

from my school.

Crazy idea.

You can enter into this contest

for the Peterson Foundation.

Winner gets $25,000.

So, you could buy a new violin.

And you get a full scholarship to the

Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts!

Which will qualify you

for a student visa.

I don't need a handout

from any conservatory.

What's wrong

with conservatories?

Oh, nothing if you're

a spoiled rich kid

willing to conform

to the rules and politics

of an elitist school

promoting success over arts.

I see.

And you're above all that,

down in the subway

where you're really

nurturing your art.

I play what I want, when I want.

I don't get you.

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