White Fire

The wind was roaring, and with it a million little droplets were being carried and dropped onto the struggling crowd. The stone staircase was riddled with pieces of rubbish, that should have been long gone had there not been such a crowd trampling up the stairs. At the top of the staircase a great structure was looming, five peaks of white soaring into the sky.

She bit her lip, worried, almost afraid of what was to come. Within seconds of forcing her way up through the crowd, she reached the marble platform and looked out onto the river. Her eyes followed a ferry and it’s white flickers on the water before it disappeared behind the arch. Her eyes followed the arch to the white peak, and looking beyond it she saw two more, with the other two hidden behind them. A fresh spray of water pelting down with the wind interrupted her gaze. Her attentions were re-focused onto the four sets of doors being invaded by a flood of people in great white, brown and black coats, hiding their better garments from the weather.

She sighed, knowing that within minutes they would be her audience. Candice took one last look at the great arches and then followed the masses of white, brown and black into the building. Into the reception people continued to flood, unaware of the art that surrounded them. Great pictures of the white peaks that were practically rising out of the river hung all around, and Candice looked upon them in awe. They reminded her of the swans she used to see so often when she was in Perth.

Interrupting her thoughts was a man in his early twenties dressed head to toe in black holding a bright red clipboard. His brown hair fell into his eyes and he looked hot and flustered as he repeated himself.

“Candice Leary?”

Candice heard him this time and nodded. He looked her over. She looked a little different from the photo he had been given to identify her, but she was still the fair skinned, blue eyed brunette that stared so predominately out from the photograph on his clipboard. Right now however, she seemed less than that cool, calm, and controlled woman and more an intimidated and scared little girl.

“This way Miss Leary.”

He walked slowly toward the door behind the reception desk with Candice slightly behind, unsure of where she was headed. She hadn’t been prepared properly due to the badly organized state of the Conservatorium. They had booked the Sydney Opera House for the next week almost one month before, but someone had forgotten about them it seemed, because whoever was in charge had called the Conservatorium two days ago and told them they had to make the date earlier. It seemed a ballet had been scheduled to begin the exact day the Conservatorium had planned to have their own concert. It seemed rather unfair that the Conservatorium had not been acknowledged. They had many influential people, and for the people in charge to just forget was peculiar. No matter though. They had been able to very hurriedly re-schedule everything and Candice, never having been inside the Sydney Opera House before, had been told a man in black would meet her to take her to where she needed to be... this was obviously the man. He was supposed to tell her what would be happening. She watched as he took a set of keys off his belt and placed one into the door behind the desk.

The creak of the door was silence compared to the crowd flooding in, and the dark room behind it was calming without the bright lights of the reception area flooding in. Three corridors stretched out to her left, right and straight ahead of her, and only a few people occupied them. She heard herself breath a sigh of relief and she became calm once more. The man turned to her and gave her a small timetable with a list of names on it.

“I think you’ll find everything pretty straight forward Miss Leary. You’re on fourth. It’s all we can do to apologize again for the great inconvenience of the poor organization we’ve managed to display.”

Candice gave a small smile. “It’s quite alright.”

“There were some others who didn’t think so. Even though they were students like yourself they threatened to put the whole thing in jeopardy by pulling out.” He paused and waited for a response to this, but Candice just smiled slightly at him, unsure of what she should say. He came to the conclusion she wasn’t interested in whom they were and continued on.

“Now, all you need to do is wait on the left hand side of the stage, which is strangely up the right set of stairs.” He stopped and pointed out the staircase on her right, at the far end of one of the corridors. “You can watch from the side until it’s your turn to perform. The compere for tonight is introducing everyone in groups of three, so basically that means he’ll introduce you and two others after the first three. I believe you submitted the form as to what you need on stage?”

Candice nodded.

“Good, then you shouldn’t have any problems. You do your performance, then leave the stage the side you entered upon. You can leave straight after if you like but there is an after party for all the performers at the Sydney Extra restaurant, which you’ll find near the ferry docks. All good?”

“Yes thankyou.” Candice gave another one of her half smiles.

“Great. Now, you can get changed in the dressing room down the left corridor labeled 416. It should be empty at the moment. But remember not to go up the left staircase. You want to go up the one on the right, remember that okay? Once you go up the staircase there’s a man in black without a headset…” he paused to tap his own “…that would like to talk to you. His name is Enrique.”

“Thanks for that Mister…”

“If you see me again, just call me Daniel.”

“Thanks Daniel.”

Daniel left her and Candice watched him retreat down the corridor in front of her. She went up the left hand corridor and stopped outside room 416. Daniel said it would be empty, but she wanted to be sure. She knocked twice loudly on the door before entering and was somewhat relieved to hear the reply of nothing. She stepped inside and put down her sports bag that she had literally adapted as part of her body and pulled out her topaz blue dress carefully. She kicked her off shoes and then took off and folded her jeans and button up shirt. She slipped on the dress carefully and it hovered above the ground a bare few centimeters. She slipped on her black flat sandals, took out her hair from her bun, letting the brown curls fall on her shoulders. She looked at herself in the mirror and was greeted by the sight of someone else. She looked like a princess. Completely fake of course. She never looked this good all the time.

She tore herself away from the mirror and took a makeup bag out of her sports bag and touched up her lipstick. That would probably be enough for now. Candice emerged from room 416, and crossed back into the room and down the right corridor. She clambered up the stairs, not wanting to be late at all. She arrived at the last stair and stepped into a darkened room with wooden floorboards. It appeared to have a large rectangular hole in the wall. Candice stepped closer, curious, and recognized the buzz of the crowd as she peeked out at the stage and what had to be hundreds of people. She looked around the room and remembered she was supposed to be finding Enrique. But before she could spot anyone in black Mr. Darlingford appeared.

“Hello Candice. You are looking fabulous. Much better than your usual jeans and shirt. Excited?”

“Mr. Darlingford! I didn’t think you’d be here…” Candice trailed off, scared she might have upset him.

“What?!” cried Mr. Darlingford. “You really didn’t think I’d go on holiday when I could be watching you and your fabulous defeat of Rachmaninov did you?”

Candice grinned at her slightly crazy piano tutor.

“You must remember though Candice, every student at the Conservatorium has made amazing accomplishments this year and not a single one would be worth missing.”

“Ah sir, I had a feeling you really loved us.” Candice giggled. As crazy and lovely as Mr. Darlingford could be, he was actually very strict and had pushed all his students until they had all reached their own full potential.

“Of course I loved you all. As far as my memory serves I still do.” He gave Candice a cheeky grin. “Now hate to love and leave you but I do want to talk to some of my other students before it starts.”

“That’s perfectly alright Mr. Darlingford. Wish me luck.”

“All within implication Candice. Break a leg.”

Candice smiled. “Thankyou sir.”

She watched as his brown hat disappeared down the staircase. Mr. Darlingford was certainly queerer than most but evidently nicer as well. She turned around and was greeted by the sight of a man in black without a headset, and her memory awoke her to the fact she was supposed to be meeting him.

But Candice was never without her forgetfulness. What was his name? She pleaded with her memory to tell her. It flashed something at her, but before Candice was able to recognize it, it faded as quickly as it had appeared. Something starting with E… but what? Oh well, it shouldn’t matter should she know his name or not. He’d be bound to introduce himself anyway.

“Hello. I was told to come and speak with you. Daniel said…” but before she could continue he cut her off.

“Ah yes, Miss Leary.” He looked her over. Candice was rather beautiful, more so now then he had been told. Candice looked down at her feet unsure of what to say. He looked at his watch than back at Candice.

“You’re a bit late you know.”

“What on earth for?” Candice interrupted, looking up at him.

He continued, ignoring her. “Had you gotten here a little earlier I could’ve run the whole thing through with you. No matter though, I can still tell you some of what I need to.”

Candice was getting worried. What had Daniel not told her?

“First thing’s first I suppose. My name is Enrique Tivocelli and it’s a pleasure to meet you in person. I believe you’re the Rachmaninov conqueror I’ve heard all these rumours about. But truth will emerge with the sight of such things I suppose.” He laughed at his own little cliché. He stopped laughing and became aware of the sudden shuddering Candice had acquired.

“Candice, are you alright?” He asked her, with something that almost looked like concern on his face.

Candice was looking at Mr. Tivocelli in shock. She knew very well who he was. He was well known in the Conservatorium and over most of Sydney. You couldn’t get much higher on the social ladder then he was. He\'d set up countless hopeful artists and sent them to fame and fortune. He had even been in the papers lately for some reason or other. He was the best known producer ever, always extending a hand into areas well beyond what was required of him... But why would he be here? And why was it she had been asked to talk to him? A faint feeling of excitement spread through Candice but she pushed it away, not wanting to be bitterly disappointed.

“Yes, I’m fine thankyou. It’s just a bit chilly up here.”

“Would you like my jacket then?”

“No thankyou, I’ll be fine.”

Mr. Tivocelli looked at her and as the concern wiped away from his face and it was replaced with something else. But what Candice could not place. Candice wasn’t sure what a man of his status could want or even need from her.

“Miss Leary, it might be of interest to you to know that I am looking for a pianist of your extreme talent to play in a club I have just opened.” He looked at her intently, waiting for the reply he was expecting, the disappointed and slightly angry reply she would soon bark out.

Sure enough, Candice looked at Mr. Tivocelli with disgust written all over her face. Working in a club, even of Mr. Tivocelli’s standards was low paid work. She would earn more if she became a tutor, and that was saying something.

“Mr. Tivocelli… I do not think that I should want to…” but Mr. Tivocelli held up his hand, after a moments decision. He did not want them to be on bad terms.

“Like I said Miss Leary, it is too late to explain everything, and I’m afraid I cannot stay long enough after your performance to finish off what I have to offer you.” Enrique looked at her, and was satisfied by the questioning look upon Candice’s face. She will listen; he knew all too well what she was after.

“What on earth could there possibly be as well as what you have already offered me? I’m sure your club would be of the highest standard possible, but I do not want to live off tips with no spare time for a real career.” She paused, hoping he would do something before she said something unforgivable but he stared back at her, almost daring her to go on. She gave herself a few minutes to re-think her words, and not surprising herself she didn’t speak a word she had been thinking about Mr. Tivocelli not two minutes before.

“Mr. Tivocelli, I will consider your offer after you have told me all your thoughts. I do not want to put my future in your hands just yet.”

Mr. Tivocelli thought to himself. She was indeed clever. He was not used to being left hanging, but there was more to this than a simple job offer. No one else would have dared to speak against him or his thoughts. Come to think of it, she was the first real person to question him. He stared at her with somewhat disbelief that a girl in her early twenties could be so daring. He decided to let it slip. After all, she had not heard everything he was about to offer her.

“Miss Leary, I share your sentiments. I will contact you at your home address tomorrow at 10:30am. Do not trouble yourself with cleaning. I would very much like to see you in your natural environment. I am sure it would be much more comfortable than two minutes before you are to perform a very difficult piece. I’m sure you will agree. Well, I will be down in the audience watching. See you tomorrow morning at 10:30, Miss. Leary.”

With a small nod of his head, Enrique turned and Candice’s eyes followed him down the flight of stairs on the far side of the room. She had not noticed the buzz of the audience a few meters away become a deafening roar or the increase of the people around her, but suddenly she snapped out of her trance and took in her surroundings.

She gave herself a small squeeze with her arms and looked out to the stage. A white spotlight appeared on the other side, and a man stepped out into it.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen. I will be your compere for this evening. It is my pleasure to introduce up onto the stage tonight to you, the finest students of the Conservatorium of Music performing here at the Royal Sydney Opera House.” There was a round of applause from the audience as well as some cheering, He stopped and waited for them. Candice watched with some contempt as he made statements that should never go out of a circus tent.

“… Now will you please welcome… Miss. Maggie Taylor.” He emphasized on her name very strongly, but as posh as the crowd had appeared to be when Candice saw them all that while ago they seemed to enjoy his manner and cheered more loudly then before. He left the stage, and Candice saw Maggie walk out, confident as ever, with violin in hand. Candice listened to Maggie play, and took herself into the quiet world once again, filled with dreams and songbirds. The piece Maggie had chosen was soothing and but at a good enough pace to keep everyone interested. Maggie finished, and the applause woke Candice from her trance. She looked around the room only to find no familiar faces. She slid herself into the corner, and entered her world of daydreams once again.

This time around, no applause took her back to the real world. It was the sight of Daniel that re-awoke her to that of the living.

“Candice…”

Candice opened her mouth to say something, but Daniel raised his hand and pressed his finger against half opened lips. She was almost taken aback with such the familiarity.

He whispered. “Candice, don’t speak too loudly. The audience can surprisingly hear a lot of things when it is most crucial for them not to. I saw you and I thought you shouldn’t be off daydreaming. Especially since you’re on in 40 seconds, give or take.”

Candice looked out to the stage where Jason had just finished off his piano concerto.

Daniel took Candice’s hand and she was surprised how warm it was. He led her over to the large rectangular door. \"Just walk out here when that idiot announces you,\" he whispered with his silver-tongue. Candice found herself quite liking the sound of his voice.

“Thank you once again Daniel.”

“It’s alright. I didn’t think you’d really want to go on four minutes late that’s all.”

Candice smiled. “No, I don’t think the audience would appreciate it either.”

Daniel smiled briefly then turned and headed down the stairs.

The compere came back on the stage. “Thank you very much Mr. Jason Hedly, that was lovely. What say we have another round of applause for our first three?” There was much cheering and the compere seemed to be enjoying the effect he was having on them.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our next three performers, all of which have worked a tremendous effort these past few years at the Conservatorium. The first of these three is Candice Leary, who is a pianist and will be performing Rach Three by Rachmaninov.”

There was a slight gasp from the audience, and it was Candice’s turn to enjoy their reaction. There was not one doubt in her mind… she was a talented person. Which was why it angered her to be offered a life in a restaurant or whatever it was which Enrique had offered her. She’d much rather take up a tutoring position at the Conservatorium which had just become available. Seeing as she had just completed her last year she definitely met with the requirements, and it would be a great honour to work in such a wonderful institution which has helped her develop and define her own skills. And even if she didn’t comply with their terms, she’d go into teaching or set up her own tutoring facility. She wanted to help people develop their talents, not share her own with them in such a vulgar manner. The thing was…

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Miss Candice Leary.” The compere’s voices boomed in her head, scattering her thoughts across the room. She took a deep breath and walked out. She could feel the thousands of eyes follow her as she walked across the stage. There was much applause, but it ended in a single moment as she sat down on the black leather. She looked over the piano. It was finer than many Candice had ever seen. It looked as though it had been bought especially for the Conservatorium but then again the cleaners that the Opera House employed probably polished it every day. She slipped hands into her starting position and began. Her surroundings fell away, and her dream world opened up again. She played harder and faster as the piece picked up. She was living in a thunderstorm; the music was dictating her very thoughts. Her hands were moving at an incredible rate, and there was lightning flashing all round her.

Enrique Tivocelli looked upon her with a great amount of interest. There was no doubt at all she was talented, she didn’t even need to look at the keys to know which ones she was playing. She was beyond perfect. He had to make her agree.

Candice found herself at the ocean, where the storm was making the waves taller, and as they crashed around her she felt herself beginning to reach the climax. Her hands were no longer clearly visible to the audience, for they were moving far too quickly. She reached the height of the piece, a lightning bolt hit the water, and suddenly it all wound down, the waves became smaller, and their crashes proceeded to become quieter until they were gentle laps against the shore. She let the ripples become still til the water was crystal clear. She ended.

She took a few deep breaths as the real world came back and surrounded her as hundreds of white, brown and black coated people were applauding thunderously. Candice stood up and stepped around the stool. She took a slight bow and left the stage, applause still fresh behind her.

Mr. Darlingford was waiting for her, looking worried.

“Candice, are you alright?”

“Of course I am… why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just… you were swaying so much on that bloody stool I thought you were going to falling off it.”

“What?!” Candice cried. “I mean, I didn’t go up there and just sway for 5 minutes did I?”

“Of course you were playing my dear, you were just a bit over-enthusiastic. I think you were in your dream world again. You never seem to have control once you enter it.”

“Oh… yes I was. At least I played alright didn’t I?”

“Not a single mistake was made Candice. I wasn’t worried about that though. You looked white by the end of it. At least you have colour in your face now.”

Mr. Darlingford leant over and gave her a small hug.

“Now I know you’re okay, I’ll return to my seat. Now I recommend you go home. I’ve arranged for someone to drive you over to your house. Best to be on the safe side…” He trailed off, remembering all too well that awful day. He looked at her, and could see she was thinking about it too. He shuddered. Anyway Candice, he’ll be waiting for you in the reception, and don’t worry about having to find him, the reception’s quite empty now.”

“Thank you.”

“Anything for a brilliant student... and dear friend.” Mr. Darlingford squeezed her arm gently and left.

Candice went down the flight of stairs and over to the left corridor and opened the change room. She grabbed her sports bag and pulled on her white over coat. She did a quick survey of the room to make sure she had left nothing behind, then walked out. The corridors were dark but she liked them that way because they made her feel calm and collected.

She entered the great room and opened up the reception door, and this time round she could hear
the noisy creak it made. The floodlights nearly blinded her, her eyes having been used to the darkness for some time.

As her eyes adjusted she looked around the large area, and spotted a man with his back to her bent over looking at a small model of the Opera House in a glass case. He must have heard her because he straightened his back and turned around.

“Ah hello again Candice. Funny I should keep on bumping into you.”

“Yes it is a bit.” Candice looked at Daniel and felt her stomach do a little lurch. He really was striking to look at.

“You were brilliant you know, but I do understand Mr. Darlingford’s concern. You were a little pre-occupied.”

“Yes, I often get like that when I play. The music... it takes me somewhere else.”

“Yes I could see that. Anyway, would you like to be taken home now?”

“Not really but I’m on Mr. Darlingford’s instructions so I don’t have much choice in the matter.”

Daniel gave a small laugh.

“At least he seems to be concerned about you. It’s always a nice thing to have in a teacher. If they aren’t concerned, students get off feeling unappreciated and have low self-esteem and all that…” He broke off.

“Is that what happened to you?” Candice asked him.

“Something like that.”

They walked down the staircase together in silence. The wind was much softer on her face then before, and she felt completely relaxed.

“Where we headed anyway Candice?”

“51 Cherry Grove North Shore.”

“The North Shore?” He paused, thinking. “That’s where…” he stopped in mid sentence.

“What?” Candice was getting a bit suspicious of Mr. Tivocelli. Daniel looked uncomfortable and tore his eyes away from her to look at his black sneakers.

“Well Daniel?”

“Nothing Candice. Nothing.”