sing as though no one can hear you |tag: o INACTIV

[missmary]

outfit

Mary Morstan had been given the day off. She was so happy. She liked her job as nanny to the Graham family's little boy, Eddie. He was a very sweet little seven year old and he didn't get into too much trouble. On any normal girl's day off, she would go hang out with her boyfriend but Mary knew her boyfriend was busy. Jay Watson was most likely off solving a case with Sherlock Holmes which let her alone. She knew no one else in the city besides Jay (and, unfortunately, Sherlock) so she decided to wander around the new city she was to call home.

Mary liked New York, not as much as London but it was growing on her. It was so large and she found it easy to lose her way but she was getting better and better at it...as long as she stayed away from Central Park. As she wandered around, she found a theater. Theater was her first love. She LONGED to just perform, not be a nanny to some kids. She loved kids...but performing was her real passion. She decided, if no one was using the theater, maybe she could get some time in. She hadn't performed in so long and she had been itching to just sing for weeks.

After wandering around the theater a bit to find no one who'd kick her out, Mary walked out onto the stage. She found center quite easily and a smile spread across her face. She missed theater. Being onstage is where she truly belonged. Quickly, she pulled out her iPod from her purse and started flipping through the karaoke she had on there. She found accompaniment for the song Moonfall from the musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood. It was one of her favorite songs so she couldn't resist. She pulled a small speaker for her iPod out of her bag and hooked it up quickly. She put her bag on the floor and pressed play. The piano instrumental filled the theater slightly. Her voice rang out beautifully. She missed singing and performing FAR too much.


((OOC: I hope somebody will join in with Miss Mary Oh, and this is Mary's song (from my show ) > www.youtube.com/watch?v=wznwcQDxCQU I think Mary'd sound just a little more youthful than the wonderful Patti Cohenour XD ))

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

A whole host of problems were nagging away inside Richard's mind. It was as though his brain never stopped work, making plots and plans, ensuring ones already in motion were working as they should. It was true that the comptroller preffered work to pleasure in the majority of cases, but even he needed a break sometimes.

Usually as he was so busy he would seek solace in classical music or the refuge of a good book. But these meant he would stay within the confines of his office, and for once he didn't want to stay there...he wanted out.

Having ensured all that needed to be done that day which was urgent or at least had a degree of importance about it was given to someone capable to handle (and everything else left until later), Richard hailed himself a taxi, asking to be taken to a specific theatre he frequented. The taxi driver looked very confused as to why Richard Plantagenet wanted to go to a theatre on what was clearly a working day, but didn't have the willpower to voice his opinions and simply drove.

Despite the fact he didn't plan to walk far, Richard had brought his walking stick along with him and, having alighted from the taxi, made use of it as he ascended the steps to the theatre.

The building, from the outset, seemed deserted. Richard had hoped there would have been a show on, something to lose himself in, but no such luck. However, even as he thought this, he heard a voice coming from across the foyer where he stood, inside the theatre itself. Spurred by curiosity, considering the recent silence and loneliness of the place, Richard made his way into the main theatre.

The sight that met his eyes was not unexpected, yet still somewhat unusual. A young woman stood centre stage, singing for all she was worth, a set of iPod speakers set up nearby her from whence her accompaniment came. Richard continued to listen for a moment or two, remaining in the shadows near the doorway, but as the song continued he came forward a little, eventually settling himself in an aisle seat a few rows from the back.

He hoped his sudden appearance wouldn't bother the singer; he found himself pleasantly enthralled by her voice and her ability as a performer. No doubt she was professionally trained, if not a professional herself.

[missmary]

Mary was lost in the world of song when she could possibly see a figure standing near the doorway. She was considering the possiblity of it being a Phantom of this theater...and she was hoping against that. She did not want to be a Christine Daae. She loved Jay and could never love another like she loved him. Maybe'd she sing a love song next....

Durning a slight rest in the music, Mary saw the figure sit down in one of the last few rows of the theater. What's someone doing here... she thought, There's no show here now. The closing notice from the last show was still on the windows. Her concentration was on figuring out what she now had an audience but it didn't effect the quality of her voice. It still rung out sweet and youthful and it soared through the air. She knew she was coming to her favorite part of the song and she returned her concentration back to the words.

"Betwixt our hearts, let nothing intervene," Mary sang out, "Between our eyes, the only sight I've seen is lust'rous moonfall as it blinds my view, So that soon I only see but you." She let her voice ring out for the final note. The music stopped as her voice did. It'd been years since she'd sung for anyone and she hoped the person watching enjoyed her singing. She then tried to see from the stage who was in the audience. "Hello...?" she asked, her British accent strong as always, "Who's out there?"

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"Betwixt our hearts, let nothing intervene, Between our eyes, the only sight I've seen is lust'rous moonfall as it blinds my view, So that soon I only see but you."

Richard found himself smiling as the song continued; he had never head it before but that hardly mattered. The melody and, indeed, the woman's voice, were pleasing to the ear. As the song finished, he was about to do something by means of a gesture of appreciation, but the young woman spoke before he could.

Her accent was very strong, definitely British. English, to be more precise, although of the exact location in England Richard couldn't be quite sure, having not returned to the United Kingdom for years now. The woman's tone was curious, a little nervous perhaps. After all, who goes to a theatre when there's no show to be seen?

He got up from his seat and moved closer to the stage, until he was no longer a shadow in the darkness but was brought into focus by the glare from the stage lights.

"Richard Plantagenet," he said, inclining his head with a smile. "If you don't mind me saying so, you're an excellent singer. I would assume that you have made singing your profession."

[missmary]

When the man moved from the shadows, Mary was glad to see she wasn't going crazy. What was her doing in the theater when there was no show going on. She hadn't even sung for anyone since she graduated college...since she got engaged and her first fiance died... After that was when she first started being a nanny. For a couple months after that, she didn't want to sing. She couldn't get herself to. She didn't really love her fiance but it was still rather sad. They were friends growing up and they had even played love interests in shows growing up.

"Richard Plantagenet," Mary nodded a bit. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Plantagenet." she said, smiling a bit, "My name is Mary, Mary Morstan." "If you don't mind me saying so, you're an excellent singer. I would assume that you have made singing your profession." She couldn't help but smile a bit shyly at that and blush a bit. It had been a long time since she'd gotten a complement on her singing. "Thank you very much, Mr. Plantagenet." she said, "Unfortunately, sir, I'm not a professional singer...I'm a nanny..."

Mary always hated admitting she was a nanny. She wished she had the nerve to just tell all her friends and family (and Jay) that she wanted to sing anymore and not be a nanny. She was good with kids but she didn't like them very much anymore, after the bratty ones she dealt with.

((OOC: Sorry if it's a bit short.))

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Plantagenet. My name is Mary, Mary Morstan."

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Morstan," Richard replied, returning her smile. Her reaction to his compliment was what he had expected, but her answer was not. A nanny? Why on Earth was this woman working as a nanny when she had such talent as a singer?

"A nanny?" he repeated, his tone somewhat incredulous though not, he hoped, enough to that effect to come off as rude. "Miss Morstan, despite the fact we've only just met and I know hardly a thing about you, I must confess my belief that you may be letting that talent of yours go to waste. I take it you've taken singing lessons, at least?"

Richard wasn't sure why he was so interested in Miss Morstan. He guessed this was his chosen method of the day for distracting himself from the things weighing on his mind. Unsure he may have been but he'd take it.

[missmary]

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Morstan," Mary couldn't help but smile as he did. Her cheeks were bright pink after that complement, she knew that. It'd been quite a long time since someone told her she liked her singing. It'd been a long time since she sang with someone in the room too. "A nanny?" she nodded. "Yes, sir." she said, "I work for the Lewis family of Fifth Avenue. I take care of their son Charlie."

"Miss Morstan, despite the fact we've only just met and I know hardly a thing about you, I must confess my belief that you may be letting that talent of yours go to waste. I take it you've taken singing lessons, at least?" "Yes, I have." she told him, "I attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Graduated top of my class." She blushed a bit as she admitted that last part. "Being a nanny pays better, honestly, sir." she said, "Or so I've been told..."

Mary wished she could just give her two weeks notice to the Lewis's and just start following her dreams. But what would people say? What would her father say? But More importantly, what would Jay Watson, her boyfriend say? He didn't even know she could sing and wanted to it for a living.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"Yes, sir. I work for the Lewis family of Fifth Avenue. I take care of their son Charlie."

Richard nodded as this information was afforded him; he did not know the family personally, although he had been part of a committee involved in sprucing up a section of the Avenue back in his city planning days.

"No doubt it is a worthy occupation, giving up your time to help others, Miss Morstan," he replied at last.

"I attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Graduated top of my class."

Richard's smile grew a little wider at Miss Morstan's last comment, although she herself blushed. He liked to think he knew talent when he saw it and being so lacking in talent in usual areas of expertise he was always fascinated by those who did have such.

"Being a nanny pays better, honestly, sir. Or so I've been told..."

Richard chuckled.

"I wouldn't know, Miss Morstan. But I have to say it is good to be holding onto a steady job in such a godforesaken economic climate as we're having now. But monetary matters aside...do you enjoy this line of work? Or would you rather choose another path? Forgive me for prying, Miss Morstan, but I'm curious."

[missmary]

"No doubt it is a worthy occupation, giving up your time to help others, Miss Morstan," "I suppose so, sir." Mary told him, "I'm good with children so it fits, I guess." She shrugged a bit. Children seemed to adore her but most days, she didn't even want to go to work. She liked Charlie, who she took care of now, and Charlotte and Jane Jenkins, who she took care of back in England but there were days she wished that she could just follow her dreams and perform every day instead of taking care of children.

Some days, Mary missed her days at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Those were the days she was able to sing and perform all day long. Of course, that was before she met John Watson, her boyfriend, and she didn't want to lose him ever. She just missed performing. Mr. Plantagenet was the first audience she had since she left LAMDA.

"I wouldn't know, Miss Morstan. But I have to say it is good to be holding onto a steady job in such a godforesaken economic climate as we're having now." Mary smiled a bit. "Yes, you're right about that, sir." she said, agreeing. She knew she was lucky to have a job. But monetary matters aside...do you enjoy this line of work? Or would you rather choose another path? Forgive me for prying, Miss Morstan, but I'm curious." "No, no, you're not prying." she said and then sighed a bit, "Too be honest, Mr. Plantagenet, I don't. I like kids and everything but I'd much rather be a performer..." That was the first time she'd ever admitted that to anyone but it felt good to finally say it.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I suppose so, sir. I'm good with children so it fits, I guess."

"It is indeed fitting that one should do a job that one fits, so to speak. You're good with children, so your job involves looking after them. It makes sense."

Not that Richard himself cared for children. Couldn't stand them actually. But Miss Morstan didn't need to know that; his opinion on the subject was not relevant to the conversation at hand.

"No, no, you're not prying."

Richard smiled and nodded, quite pleased she thought he wasn't prying when, in truth, he was. What else were such personal questions but prying and digging up information?

"Too be honest, Mr. Plantagenet, I don't. I like kids and everything but I'd much rather be a performer..."

It seemed to Richard that it had taken a lot for Miss Morstan to admit what she just had. Hadn't she told anyone of her true ambitions before now, assuring everyone she was happy in her job when in reality she would rather choose a different path?

Why didn't she become the performer she so clearly wanted to become? Why did she continue doing something she didn't enjoy, especially when she had the talent and ability to do something she could enjoy? Here Richard was orchestrating his own future (and in the process the futures of others) while Miss Morstan let others control her life, or at least influence it enough so as not to allow her to do what she dreamed of.

"Have you ever told anyone about this, Miss Morstan? Your wish to be a performer rather than a nanny, that is. Or are you...I don't know...keeping it a secret?"

[missmary]

"It is indeed fitting that one should do a job that one fits, so to speak. You're good with children, so your job involves looking after them. It makes sense." Mary nodded. "Exactly, sir." she said. She came "highly recommended" from London so finding a new position in New York was not hard at all. As much as it flattered her to be "highly recommended" as a nanny, she'd rather be "highly recommended" as an actress. It'd be her dream since her father had taken her to see her first musical as a little girl.

"Have you ever told anyone about this, Miss Morstan? Your wish to be a performer rather than a nanny, that is. Or are you...I don't know...keeping it a secret?" "Well," she told him, "My father, of course, knows...since he did pay for LAMDA..." She looked down for a moment and then admitted, "My boyfriend doesn't...We've been dating for quite some time and yet I've never told him where I went to school and what I really want to do...I don't know how supportive he'll be...he has a "practical" job, as some would call it...he's a doctor, you see..."

"I don't mean to keep it a secret from him..." Mary revealed, "I just...I just am afraid of how he'll react..."

((sorry it's a little short...I'm in the middle of tech week for my show...))

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard listened as Miss Morstan spoke, mulling over her words in his mind as he did so. He liked to think he was a good listener as well as being good with words, and Miss Mortsna's story intruiged him.

"Well...My father, of course, knows...since he did pay for LAMDA..."

A fine school for dramatics, Richard thought, very fine indeed. No wonder then that Miss Morstan was such a fine singer.

"My boyfriend doesn't...We've been dating for quite some time and yet I've never told him where I went to school and what I really want to do...I don't know how supportive he'll be...he has a "practical" job, as some would call it...he's a doctor, you see...I don't mean to keep it a secret from him..." Mary revealed, "I just...I just am afraid of how he'll react..."

At these words Richard shook his head.

"If I may be frank, Miss Morstan, what I think you should do is this. I think you should tell him. Tell him where you went to school, how much you long to be a performer...show this young man your talent, which I assure you you have. If he's a true friend, he should give you his full support. Just because he's a doctor shouldn't mean he can't appreciate theatre...I myself have what some would label as a practical, if not somewhat tedious occupation, and yet I am a enthusiast for the arts. What's to say this boyfriend of yours won't be the same?"

This being said he gave Miss Morstan what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

ooc: Sorry this took so long my dear! D: