“A Price Too High” — a short story by Russell Waterman

September 3rd, 2019

.

.

“A Price Too High,” a story by Russell Waterman, was a finalist in our recently concluded 51st Short Fiction Contest. It is published with the permission of the author.

.

.

 

Image by Juraj Varga from Pixabay

 

.

.

A Price Too High

By Russell Waterman

.

___

.

 

…..Robert Shines lifted his sweat stained fedora just enough to wipe his brow. Stuffing his handkerchief back into his breast pocket he repositioned his hat at a slight angle, rakish style, just enough for a breeze to cool his skin, should one happen by. As luck would have it the Mississippi air was stagnant and sticky this August evening.

…..There was a bounce in his step as he passed the sign welcoming him to the 1932 Delta Blues Festival: Home of the Greatest Bluesmen!

…..Robert wore his pin-striped wool suit and tie, and polished his boots up special. He attended all three nights, but wanted to look his best on the last night of the festival.

…..This night taking an alternate route to avoid the crowds, he walked along the oak lined paths of City Park toward the music, led on only by the sounds of the delta blues.

…..Entering an oval shaped courtyard lined with thoughtfully placed oaks and chestnuts, he retired to a bench surrounded by tall grass on the far side. Tipping his hat to a young lady, he received a smile in return, “Ma’am,” said Robert. In no rush and with the stage still a fair trek away, he thought it was best to rest his old bones.

…..Placing his fedora beside him he soaked up more perspiration: it was indeed a steamy night. A few folks had the same thought in taking this slightly longer walk to avoid the mass of festival goers. Robert greeted some and struck up brief conversations with others. All the while he listened to the sounds of cicadas and crickets echoing the blues beat in the distance, with his head bobbing and his feet keeping time.

…..A large object leaning against a nearby tree caught his eye. It looked like a guitar case half covered in the tall grass. Yes, but how did it get there? Was it left by mistake, neglect, or otherwise? It wasn’t strange to see guitars at a blues festival, just not in this condition. No self respecting guitarist would do such a thing.

…..Old and weathered, he laid it down in the grass and gently released the latches, taking care not to break the brittle hinges. His mouth dropped at seeing the Kalamazoo. Robert had only seen one in a picture once being played by his hero, Robert Johnson. The markings indicated it was a ladder braced KG14. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. Cradling it like a newborn and returning to the bench, he gushed over the spruce flattop and the headstock that tapered to a point.

…..Curiously the strings appeared in good shape. They didn’t feel stiff or look rusted, just slightly out of tune which he quickly remedied. Striking an E chord sounded pitch perfect. He grinned. Folks didn’t take much notice when he plucked a few notes of Kindhearted Woman Blues: after all, this was a blues festival.

…..“You’re not bad old man. Why don’t ya follow us and come see some real bluesmen?” said a passerby.

…..“Yeah, I ain’t playing half bad am I?” said Robert, smiling at his new found talent.

…..The string action was low making it easy to finger notes and chords. More than one person stopped and stared, amazed at Robert’s ability to move up and down the fret board. Soon, he was seamlessly playing alternate bass lines with his thumb while fingering the melody on the high strings. He changed tunings to play Hell Hound on My Trail, and retuned with ease. The more Robert played the better he became.

…..Before long a small crowd gathered. They whooped and hollered when Robert hit the last note to They’re Red Hot. They applauded and with a smile as wide as the moon he tipped his hat in gratitude.

…..Looking the Kalamazoo over, Robert said, “Don’t know how I did that. Guessin’ I was possessed by the spirit of the blues.” He flexed his hands, feeling a funny tingling sensation in his fingers, like the pins and needles you feel when they fall asleep.

…..He began rubbing his fingers thinking he over did it, trying to wake them up. He couldn’t remember ever playing like that before.

…..The impromptu audience left and continued on toward the show, with several chatting about Robert’s gift. Still trying to rid his fingers of the tingling sensation, and wanting to see the show himself, Robert returned the guitar.

…..Sliding the guitar back into its case he noticed a crumpled paper previously hidden by the guitar. Thinking it might identify the owner, he read it. His smile disappeared. Finding the message unsettling, his mouth hung open as he read it again, this time weighing the meaning of each word.

…..Hmm, I don’t like the sounds of this, thought Robert. This must be some kind of sick joke.

…..Shaken, he folded up the note how it was before, lining up each crease and putting it back exactly where he found it, then placing the case up against the tree. Robert formed the grass around the case and inspected the area. Looks good, he thought. He wasn’t sure how real the note was, but he was sure of one thing: he wanted to get as far away from it as possible.

…..He picked up his fedora and followed others making his way out of the courtyard. As he walked he looked back toward the guitar case, not knowing what to expect.

…..Moments after he left the courtyard walking on another pathway, he stopped and waited, staring back. Ignoring people passing him by, he stood sweating, but not because of the humidity. His night enjoying the blues had turned into a night fearing for his life.

…..Sensing nothing had changed, Robert drew a deep breath. He rejoined in the walk toward the stage. Then the transformation started.

…..With each step his pace slowed and his back grew hunched. His chest began to ache, as did his body. He could feel a blistering, searing pain move up his legs. He felt on fire. To find relief he sat on a patch of grass, resting his arms on his knees. He noticed how thin his fingers had become, and how weak and frail he felt.

…..This is what it must be like to get old, and dying? Then what the note warned is coming true. There’s no other explanation, Robert thought.

…..With precious little time, Robert asked a passerby for help getting to his feet. The young man lifted Robert, being careful as you would with any old man, and fashioned a cane out of a long stick.

…..“Thanks very much,” said Robert, now grey haired, his face a wrinkled mess. His one thought was to return to the courtyard, and the guitar, before it was too late.

…..Robert trudged along finally entering the courtyard. He eyed the guitar case. Increasingly weak, Robert made a move toward the oak and collapsed at the base of the tree. A couple who saw him fall assumed he’d had too much blues, and booze. Robert propped himself against the tree, wheezing for air.

…..He opened the clasps and grabbed the neck with his right hand. The guitar fell into his lap. Gathering strength he positioned his hands and sluggishly plucked a few notes of Kindhearted Woman Blues. Multiple times he stopped to breathe and rest his stiff fingers before trying again.

…..At first he played without passion or mastery, unable to regain what once he thought was his. Determined to get back his youth, he continued to work the Kalamazoo’s frets and strings. As he played bar after bar, verse after verse, he began to play upbeat, and in tempo. His eyes lit up: life was returning.

…..When the tune was finished, Robert once again felt the strange tingling in his fingers: which were no longer bone thin. His body no longer ached and he could stand without trial. He was young again.

…..Robert retrieved the note and analyzed each word, desperate to save his life. “Well, Robert, looks like you’re at your own crossroads,” he said. “All things considered, the price to play this good is just too high. And I know only one way to get out of this deal with the Devil.”

…..Robert tilted his fedora back and launched into Cross Road Blues with all the soul and skill his fingers could summon: courtesy of this devilish guitar. Playing from the heart he began singing the words for the first time. They poured out of him, but somehow he knew it was wrong. The song’s spirit was meant for only one person, and it wasn’t Robert Shines.

…..A couple stopped and listened to Robert play, thinking he must have made a deal with the devil, no one could play that good. “How ‘bout you try?” said Robert, offering up the guitar. “I promise you’ll be great.”

…..“No way can I play like that, man. Fact is I ain’t never heard nobody play like that before.” said the man, taking his girl’s hand before moving on.

…..Later, foot traffic picked up with the blues show winding down. Robert spoke to anyone remotely interested in watching him play. But none would touch the guitar. There must be someone willing to try, thought Robert.

…..With stragglers thinning, when another man watched in awe, Robert took advantage.

…..I noticed you watching me play, young man. You know the name of that tune? It’s called Cross Road Blues. Only the best can finger that one. And I bet you could be the best, given you have the right guitar.”

…..Robert saw the man drooling over the Kalamazoo and laid it on thick.

…..“Beautiful, ain’t she? Guitar has a real nice sound too, don’t it?” said Robert, striking a chord and grinning up a storm. He motioned for the boy to come closer. This might be his last chance tonight, so he had to make the most of it. “It’s a classic you know? Here,” said Robert, gesturing the boy to sit next to him on the bench.

…..Extending his hand, Robert said, “I’m Robert, and you?”

…..“Name’s, Harry.”

…..“Glad to know ya, Harry. You play don’t ya? I can tell by them calluses. You been playin long? I bet you’re pretty good.”

…..“A couple years now. I ain’t as good as you, but I been tryin’,” said Harry, excited by the possibility and the compliment.

…..“Now don’t short yourself. I bet you’re really good. And with this Kalamazoo I guarantee you’ll be even better before you know it. Take hold and try her out. She’s really sweet, easy action too. I call her Cora,” said Robert, making up a story. It was time to throw the hook, the line and the sinker.

…..Harry eagerly positioned the guitar and strummed a couple basic chords: getting used to the action and feel. After a little flat pickin’, he said, “that does sound nice, mister.”

…..Harry was a novice, but Robert saw Harry’s face light up once he started to play. Plus he was young and pliable.

…..“Call me, Robert,” he said, praising him with a gentle slap on the back. “Yeah, you know how to play. You’re pretty good too. You know any delta blues tunes? I bet when you start ‘er up on ole Cora that it’ll never sound finer,” said Robert.

…..“How ‘bout When You Got A Good Friend? I learned it ‘cause of the festival,” said Harry.

…..“Great! Let’s hear it,” pushed Robert.

…..Harry started off slow, not quite in time, but the notes rang true. After the second verse, Harry was up to speed and getting better. It’s working, thought Robert.

…..“You got it, you got it. Now let’s hear a little solo, from deep down in your belly,” said Robert, watching as Harry’s confidence grew. The last few festival goers hung out as Harry improvised and finished the song with another blistering free form, much to his own surprise.

…..Robert howled and clapped, encouraging the onlookers to do the same. Harry couldn’t smile any bigger.

…..“My fingers are tingling. I think my whole body is! I never played that good in my entire life!” said Harry, shaking his hands.

…..“You did it, Harry. I knew you could. And I’m proud of you. So proud you know what I’m goin’ do? I’m goin’ give Cora to you.”

…..“I can’t take your guitar,” said Harry, secretly thinking the opposite.

…..“I’ve had her for years. I’ve been thinking it’s time I pass her on to someone just like you. You got a gift, son, and I can’t let you waste it. And with Cora, you’ll only get better.”

…..Robert could see the finish line. Harry began another tune, already playing with prowess, as Robert stood and took a few steps toward the pathway as he spoke. He couldn’t give Harry time to think. “Come this time next year, I bet you’ll be headlining this festival. And I’ll be sittin’ right there in the front row watchin’!”

…..Nearing the courtyard exit and gambling on the note’s final test, Robert said, “One last thing, there’s a note tucked away inside that guitar case you should read when you get a chance. No hurry.”

…..“What’s the note say?” yelled Harry.

…..“Everything has a price, son.”

…..Robert left the courtyard and stopped where he had earlier, waiting for a swift death, or if what the note said was true: freedom. He heard Harry riffing in the distance, basking in his new found glory.

…..Robert remained in the same spot outside the courtyard for some time. Coming to realize he didn’t need a bedeviled guitar to be blessed.

…..Harry was no longer playing. Robert heard only a faint whimper. Or was it the sounds of the blues?

…..The heavy air was thick with the sound of cicadas and crickets. Robert lifted his sweat stained fedora just enough to wipe his brow, and smiled as he walked home.

.

.

___

.

.

 

 

 

 

 

Russell Waterman is an Amazon published author, has won accolades from SIA for his murder mystery .Murder in the Morgue,. and is the consummate short story writer with a soon to be published compilation of short stories.

.

.

.

 

Share this:

Comment on this article:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Support is Appreciated

Jerry Jazz Musician has been commercial-free since its inception in 1999. Your generous donation helps it remain that way. Thanks very much for your kind consideration.

Site Archive

In This Issue

Announcing the book publication of Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry...The first Jerry Jazz Musician poetry anthology published in book form includes 90 poems by 47 poets from all over the world, and features the brilliant artwork of Marsha Hammel and a foreword by Jack Kerouac’s musical collaborator David Amram. The collection is “interactive” (and quite unique) because it invites readers – through the use of QR codes printed on many of the book’s pages – to link to selected readings by the poets themselves, as well as to historic audio and video recordings (via YouTube) relevant to many of the poems, offering a holistic experience with the culture of jazz.

Feature

“What one song best represents your expectations for 2025?” Readers respond...When asked to name the song that best represents their expectations for 2025, respondents often cited songs of protest and of the civil rights era, but so were songs of optimism and appreciation, including Bob Thiele and George David Weiss’ composition “What a Wonderful World,” made famous by Louis Armstrong, who first performed it live in 1959. The result is a fascinating and extensive outlook on the upcoming year.

The Sunday Poem

art by Allen Mezquida

“Jazz clouds under the undulating sky of Riga while digging the Epistrophy of Thelonious Monk” by Namaya


The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work....

Namaya reads his poem at its conclusion


Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem

Feature

photo of Rudy Van Gelder via Blue Note Records
“Rudy Van Gelder: Jazz Music’s Recording Angel” – by Joel Lewis...For over 60 years, the legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder devoted himself to the language of sound. And although he recorded everything from glee clubs to classical music, he was best known for recording jazz – specifically the musicians associated with Blue Note and Prestige records. Joel Lewis writes about his impact on the sound of jazz, and what has become of his Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey studio.

Poetry

photo of Charlie Parker by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress; Design by Rhonda R. Dorsett
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 2025 Jazz Poetry Calendar...Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Charlie Parker.

Interview

Interview with Jonathon Grasse: author of Jazz Revolutionary: The Life and Music of Eric Dolphy....The multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy was a pioneer of avant-garde technique. His life cut short in 1964 at the age of 36, his brilliant career touched fellow musical artists, critics, and fans through his innovative work as a composer, sideman and bandleader. Jonathon Grasse’s Jazz Revolutionary is a significant exploration of Dolphy’s historic recorded works, and reminds readers of the complexity of his biography along the way. Grasse discusses his book in a December, 2024 interview.

Feature

Excerpts from David Rife’s Jazz Fiction: Take Two – Vol. 9: “Heroic Quests”...A substantial number of novels and stories with jazz music as a component of the story have been published over the years, and the scholar David J. Rife has written short essay/reviews of them. In this ninth edition of excerpts from his book, Rife writes about the “quest” theme in contemporary jazz fiction, where long-lost instruments and rumored recordings take the place of more dramatic artifacts like the Holy Grail.

Feature

On the Turntable — The “Best Of the ‘Best Of’” in 2024 jazz recordings...Our annual year-end compilation of jazz albums oft mentioned by a wide range of critics as being the best of 2024

In Memoriam

photo via Pexels.com
“Departures to the Final Arms Hotel in 2024” – poetic tributes, by Terrance Underwood...2024 produced its share of losses of legendary jazz musicians. Terrance Underwood pays poetic homage to a handful who have touched his life, imagining their admittance to the Final Arms Hotel, a destination he introduces in his prelude.

Short Fiction

Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons/blur effect added
Short Fiction Contest-winning story #67 — “Bluesette,” by Salvatore Difalco...The author’s award-winning story is a semi-satirical mood piece about a heartbroken man in Europe listening to a recording by the harmonica player Toots Thielemans while under the influence of a mind-altering substance.

Interview

Interview with James Kaplan, author of 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the Lost Empire of Cool...The esteemed writer tells a vibrant story about the jazz world before, during, and after the 1959 recording of Kind of Blue, and how the album’s three genius musicians came together, played together, and grew together (and often apart) throughout the experience.

Community

Nominations for the Pushcart Prize XLIX...Announcing the six writers nominated for the Pushcart Prize v. XLIX, whose work was published in Jerry Jazz Musician during 2024.

Publisher’s Notes

photo by Rhonda Dorsett
On turning 70, and contemplating the future of Jerry Jazz Musician...

Feature

“Gone Guy: Jazz’s Unsung Dodo Marmarosa,” by Michael Zimecki...The writer remembers the late jazz musician Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa, awarded Esquire Magazine’s New Star Award in 1947, and who critics predicted would dominate the jazz scene for the next 30 years.

Community

Notes on Bob Hecht’s book, Stolen Moments: A Photographer’s Personal Journey...Some thoughts on a new book of photography by frequent Jerry Jazz Musician contributing writer Bob Hecht

Art

“The Jazz Dive” – the art of Allen Mezquida...The artist's work is inspired by the counterculture music from the 1950s and 60s, resulting in art “that resonates with both eyes and ears.” It is unique and creative and worth a look…

True Jazz Stories

Columbia Records; via Wikimedia Commons
“An Evening with Michael Bloomfield” – a true blues story by David Eugene Everard...The author recounts his experience meeting and interviewing the great blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield in 1974…

Playlist

“Quintets – Gimme Five!” – a playlist by Bob Hecht...The Cannonball Adderley Quintet, on the cover of their 1960 Riverside Records album Live at the Lighthouse. The ensemble – including Cannonball’s brother Nat on cornet, Victor Feldman on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums – is a classic hard bop band, and their performance of “Blue Daniel” is part of the 22-song playlist consisting of memorable quintet performances assembled by jazz scholar Bob Hecht.

Interview

Interview with Larry Tye, author of The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America...The author talks about his book, an intensely researched, spirited, and beautifully told story – and an important reminder that Armstrong, Ellington, and Basie all defied and overcame racial boundaries “by opening America’s eyes and souls to the magnificence of their music.”

Feature

photo of Art Tatum by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress
Trading Fours, with Douglas Cole, No. 22: “Energy Man, or, God is in the House”...In this edition of an occasional series of the writer’s poetic interpretations of jazz recordings and film, Douglas Cole writes about the genius of Art Tatum. His reading is accompanied by the guitarist Chris Broberg.

Short Fiction

photo by Jes Mugley/CC BY-SA 2.0
“The Dancer’s Walk” – a short story by Franklyn Ajaye...The world-renowned saxophonist Deja Blue grew up a sad, melancholy person who could only express his feelings through his music. When he meets a beautiful woman who sweeps him off his feet, will his reluctance to share his feelings and emotion cost him the love of his life?

Feature

photo of Zoot Sims by Brian McMillen
Jazz History Quiz #178...In addition to co-leading a quintet with Zoot Sims (pictured), this tenor saxophonist may be best known as the man who replaced Herbie Steward as one of the “Four Brothers” in Woody Herman’s Second Herd. Who is he?

Art

photo of Johnny Griffin by Giovanni Piesco
The Photographs of Giovanni Piesco: Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman...Beginning in 1990, the noted photographer Giovanni Piesco began taking backstage photographs of many of the great musicians who played in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, that city’s main jazz venue which is considered one of the finest in the world. Jerry Jazz Musician will occasionally publish portraits of jazz musicians that Giovanni has taken over the years. This edition is of saxophonists Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman, who appeared together at the at Bimhuis on June 25/26, 1999.

Essay

“Like a Girl Saying Yes: The Sound of Bix” – an essay by Malcolm McCollum...The first time Benny Goodman heard Bix Beiderbecke play cornet, he wondered, “My God, what planet, what galaxy, did this guy come from?” What was it about this musician that captivated and astonished so many for so long – and still does?

Community

photo via Picryl.com
“Community Bookshelf” is a twice-yearly space where writers who have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician can share news about their recently authored books and/or recordings. This edition includes information about books published within the last six months or so (March – September, 2024)

Contributing Writers

Click the image to view the writers, poets and artists whose work has been published on Jerry Jazz Musician, and find links to their work

Coming Soon

An interview with Phil Freeman, author of In the Brewing Luminous: The Life & Music of Cecil Taylor...An interview with Ricky Riccardi, author of Stomp Off, Let's Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong. Also, a new Jazz History Quiz, and lots of short fiction; poetry; photography; interviews; playlists; and much more in the works...

Interview Archive

Ella Fitzgerald/IISG, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Click to view the complete 25-year archive of Jerry Jazz Musician interviews, including those recently published with Judith Tick on Ella Fitzgerald (pictured),; Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz on the Girl Groups of the 60's; Tad Richards on Small Group Swing; Stephanie Stein Crease on Chick Webb; Brent Hayes Edwards on Henry Threadgill; Richard Koloda on Albert Ayler; Glenn Mott on Stanley Crouch; Richard Carlin and Ken Bloom on Eubie Blake; Richard Brent Turner on jazz and Islam; Alyn Shipton on the art of jazz; Shawn Levy on the original queens of standup comedy; Travis Atria on the expatriate trumpeter Arthur Briggs; Kitt Shapiro on her life with her mother, Eartha Kitt; Will Friedwald on Nat King Cole; Wayne Enstice on the drummer Dottie Dodgion; the drummer Joe La Barbera on Bill Evans; Philip Clark on Dave Brubeck; Nicholas Buccola on James Baldwin and William F. Buckley; Ricky Riccardi on Louis Armstrong; Dan Morgenstern and Christian Sands on Erroll Garner; Maria Golia on Ornette Coleman.