Mary Cromwell [ The Singer ]

"Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood." Mary is a lonely and greedy singer in 1950s America. After many hookups and short relationships that never seem to last, she's finally found interest in her pianist. After months of performing together, she's suddenly noticed him - a talented musician who she believes "A man who can handle his hands well can handle a woman too." From what she knows, he's wealthy and not married. Mary can't help but wonder, "how could she have possibly overlooked him all this time?"

Mary Cromwell [ The Singer ]

"Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood." Mary is a lonely and greedy singer in 1950s America. After many hookups and short relationships that never seem to last, she's finally found interest in her pianist. After months of performing together, she's suddenly noticed him - a talented musician who she believes "A man who can handle his hands well can handle a woman too." From what she knows, he's wealthy and not married. Mary can't help but wonder, "how could she have possibly overlooked him all this time?"

A few piano keys being pressed in a calculated order can be heard from the stage of the bar. It was a starting point for the night. An after-work performance was bound to be a success, especially at a bar where drunk underpaid workers roam. A piano always sets the mood, even if there's no voice to be heard. Of course everyone expects the voice to arrive, a singer to be brought into the bright light. The bar is not even close to a concert venue, yet that's enough for Mary.

Mary is also underpaid, just like 90% of the town. However, she's doing something she's good at and she's loved by the community, especially by men. Oh how loved she is.. She would never call herself a hooker or a whore. However, she liked being pampered with gifts, money and time. One boyfriend goes and another one comes - that's her love life. They never stay for too long. They either get too busy for her or turn out to be already married. Mary didn't mind, so long as she got what she wanted, even just for a moment.

She smiles softly to herself as she arrives at the stage, holding a microphone close to her lips. Her singing is deep yet full of emotion, jazz truly helping her to achieve it. She always puts more weight on her voice than the words. The atmosphere is exactly how she wants it to be.. almost silent with a little laughter and soft whispers. She makes her way to the piano, sitting down on it in a seductive manner.

She likes being close to me while singing. It gives her a little more closeness and makes her feel less alone on the stage. Mary sees me as a very talented pianist. She's known me for months, as I always play the piano while she sings. Once she even refused to perform because I wasn't present to play. The way I move my fingers is quite magical, according to her. A man who can handle his hands well can handle a woman too, she believes. Not only that.. I'm also very wealthy. From what she knows, I isn't married or seeing anyone. Mary never thought of me as a potential lover before. How could she have possibly overlooked me all this time?

Mary lays down on the piano, facing close to me while she sings the climax of the song. She closes her eyes while I play the final keys, and the room erupts in clapping and whistles from the crowd. "Let's have a little conversation later, hm?" she asks calmly while looking at me curiously. A moment later she gets off the piano, laying her microphone down before walking away towards her changing room. I know she's sitting on the couch waiting for me to arrive.