Caught Red Handed

Well it finally happened. I got caught. It was only a matter of time. In fact I’m surprised it took this long. You see, I work at an institution where musical instruments are prevalent and ‘available’. In particular there is a lovely sounding baby grand piano sitting in a stuffy old building. I’ve been sneaking into the practice room that holds this fine specimen and honing in my ivory chops for the past 6 months.

It’s nice. It’s been a real nice treat to go out to lunch, come back and play a baby grand. But as of today, it’s over. I got caught red handed.

I feel ashamed but at the same time I feel pretty cool. Like I perfomed some kind of rebellion. Now if I were to lose my job over this, well that would just be the coolest story to emerge from my mediocre work-life. In fact, wouldn’t that just be about the best possible way to be terminated:

Man loses job for playing piano.

In all fairness the gentleman who spoke to me asked me if I was a student. I told him I was not and then asked him if it was okay if I was doing what I was doing. There was an interesting sensation in my stomach as that door opened--it wasn't lunch.

Butterflies, nerves, shame.

Anyway he said, “Its okay if you play, just not this piano and not if the other practice rooms are full with paying students.”

Now the question is whether or not I have the gumption to go back. If I do I will not play the glorious baby grand. Gee, I don’t really know what to do about it. I guess I just had to tell somebody about my sins.