As I walk towards the stage with the file tucked under my armpit, the Conductor turns and sees me approaching, wolf ears twitching all the while. As the Conductor focuses his attention on me, I see that the amicable expression on his face changes sharply to one of surprise as his bushy eyebrows rise nearly to the top of his head. The Conductor quickly schools his expression into one of studied neutrality as he plays with his black, neatly trimmed beard.

I walk up to him and extend my hand asking, "Mr Trietel I presume?"

The Conductor grasps my hand in a firm handshake but does not respond. The somewhat distracted look returns to his face and he forgets to return my greeting. Instead he adjusts the slicked black hair on his head, unconsciously tracing the streaks of silver running through them with his right hand.

That's odd. This is the first time my condition affected anyone twice. The Conductor should have fully recovered by now and taken in my presence.

"Is there something on my face?" I ask.

The Conductor jumps at my question and laughs awkwardly, "No! No! I am just a bit overwhelmed. Its not everyday you meet a local celebrity. Mr Greer right?"

Local celebrity? What's this guy talking about?

Seeing the puzzled look on my face, the Conductor explains in an embarrassed voice as his gold rimmed glasses glint in the light, "Your, uh, meeting with the local crime family has made the rounds in the staff room. That and your prolonged absence from the Academy just after getting hired. There was talk that you went into hiding or on the run now that the Matsui heir was looking for you."

I sigh and make a motion of dismissal with my hand, "That story again? I am never going to live that event down am I? I just got my balls busted by the boss this morning about the whole thing."

The Conductor smiles apologetically, expressing his sympathies. Not even a month in and I am already the talk of the town. Damn it.

I quickly continue the conversation before the awkwardness becomes too much, "Anyway, I am not a member of the teaching staff, so its natural that you would not have seen much of me. I do most of my work off campus. I am only here today because of your upcoming concert."

That gets the Conductor's attention. "Oh!" his voice rises in alarm, "Is there a problem Mr Greer?"

I open the file I was carrying and retrieve two sets of documents from within. I pass over one set to the Conductor and look around for the Idol. The Conductor furrows his brow as he takes the documents and notices me casting about for his co-star. He quickly gestures towards one of the idling orchestra members and indicates that the Idol be brought to meet me at once.

The orchestra member rushes backstage and quickly retrieves the Idol. She briskly walks towards us and stands respectfully behind the Conductor while going through the usual spazzing out as she adapts to my presence. Once she has recovered, I hand her the other set of documents still in my hands.

"Just need both of you to sign something for me." I explain to the pair, "Its the contract for your remuneration regarding the concert. The Board has agreed to both your proposed fees for the performance. Just sign the agreement and I can send it back to Administration for processing." I hand a pen over to the Conductor.

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The Conductor nods and quickly signs the documents and passes the pen over to the Idol. She signs as well and soon both sets of documents are back in my file. I quickly pull out a timetable and address both of them again.

"Alright, now that the money issue is settled, let's talk about when this concert is actually going to be held." I say.

An embarrassed look crosses the Idol's face and she looks at the Conductor for support. He frowns for a moment before replying, "Kira's management has not set a concrete date for the concert yet, other than it is to be happening very soon. We are still trying to bring in additional players for the orchestra. Maybe even a dance troupe to perform in accompaniment. We need to make this event perfect. I am sure that the Board of Governors would understand."

What? That's the most backwards reason I have ever heard. At the rate you guys are rehearsing, I am sure a date has already been set in private. I don't know why you are trying to keep it a secret, but it can't be for anything good.

I push the timetable into the Conductor's hands and sternly respond, "The highlighted dates are the only times when the entire Board can attend the performance. And trust me, the Board insists on attending. So which date will it be?"

"Well," the Conductor hesitates, "I suppose the concert will be held on the last week of the month."

I knew it. You know the date. You just don't want to tell me. What's your game here?

"The last week of the month. You confirm?" I eyeball the Conductor while saying this. He nods.

"Then I will arrange for the various suppliers to start sending the evening wear for your orchestra and the stage sets for the performance immediately. You are able to take possession of these items?" I challenge the Conductor. No taksies backsies guy. You are going to confirm the date for me one way or the other.

The Conductor raises his palms up in protest, "Where will all this stuff be stored in the meantime? You cannot rush the preparations like this!"

I raise my eyebrow, "In the hall of course. I'll book the hall for your use one week before the actual performance. The items can be stored here and the stage set up at the same time." I tap the timetable in the Conductor's hands, "Just tell me when you want the items delivered and I'll arrange everything."

And the trap closes. Go me.

The Conductor sighs in defeat and scrutinizes the timetable one more time. He finally marks a date with the pen I gave him. "There, deliver everything on this date." he replies.

I nod, satisfied. There, I have locked in the time when Fate is going to spring whatever its got planned. Now, to satisfy my curiosity.

"So, what was that you were doing just now during the rehearsal? I have never experienced anything like it." I ask.

Before the Conductor can answer, the Idol cuts in, "Its amazing isn't it! The power of magic and song, creating a world made purely for the performer and listener. Its heaven on earth!"

"Uh." I unintelligibly say. What in the world are you talking about?

The Conductor smiles indulgently at the Idol and picks up the conversation, "What Kira means is that by combining our magic with the music being performed, a kind of "closed space" is created that is shared between the performers and the audience. There, our performance is not just about ordinary music, but the music that springs from the depths of our hearts. Its a very intimate experience, don't you think Mr Greer? We share something deeply personal of ourselves with the audience during the performance." the Conductor gives me a salacious wink, "As if it were between lovers, eh?"

No. No thank you. I am never going to take a power drill or a howler monkey as a lover.

"It was quite something." I finally manage to say.

The Idol nods enthusiastically, "Yes! It is! And we are getting the chance to share this magic with everyone. Will you be joining us for the concert then, Mr Greer?"

I give a thumbs up to both of them as I begin to leave the hall. The Idol waives back happily.

But the Conductor merely turns away from me and heads backstage without a word of farewell.