His hands are shaking.
He can barely get the key into the mailbox slit.
Will the letter be in there?
He holds the letter firmly; runs his fingers across the calligraphy engraved return address.
Feeling unsteady, he sits on the dank urine-stench steps.
This letter could be my way out of this dump.
No one has faith in my musical talent. I’ll prove them wrong.
He’s tired of playing jazz at the smokey ‘Cafe Wha?’.
“Dear Randolph,”
“We regret that you do not qualify, at this time, to be in our Juilliard Music Program.”
Uncontrollably sobbing.
Perhaps, everyones right.
2016©Isadora De La Vega
Genre: Flash Fiction
Word Count: 100
Photo Prompt:©Bjorn Rudberg
To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge
click here
*****I used to go to the Cafe Wha? in my twenties with my, then, boyfriend, now, hubby.
Cafe Wha? is a club at the corner of MacDougal Street and Minetta Lane in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City that has presented numerous musicians and comedians. Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, The Velvet Underground, Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys, Kool and the Gang, Peter, Paul & Mary, Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor and many others all began their careers at the Wha? ©wikipedia
Inside the Mind of Isadora 
November 23, 2016 at 10:16 am
What a shame. It’s often difficult to find opportunities for advancement or work in the arts. Good writing, Isadora. —- Suzanne
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November 23, 2016 at 12:16 pm
The talent is abundant. The jobs few. I’d like to believe he was able to fulfill his passion
for music eventually in the arena he wants. Thank you, Suzanne, for your kind comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 23, 2016 at 7:37 am
Oh no! Whatever, don’t succumb to self doubt
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November 23, 2016 at 12:14 pm
Artists, writers, musicians and dancers all have self-doubt. But, their passion spurs them on.
I’m pleased you enjoyed my story. Thank you, Michael,for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 22, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Ah us creative types and our self doubt!
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November 22, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Perhaps, the reason why artists do what they do despite their disappointments. Thank you for commetning and visiting.
Isadora 😎
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November 21, 2016 at 10:10 pm
I feel so sad for him.
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November 21, 2016 at 10:21 pm
Musicians and artists live with a great deal of rejection.
Passion for what they love spurs them on.
Happy Thanksgiving …
Isadora 😎
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November 21, 2016 at 11:03 pm
Happy Thanksgiving!
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November 22, 2016 at 4:39 pm
🦃
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November 20, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Querida Isadora,
A high school guidance counselor that I saw one time to talk about the future (required by the school) told me (mind you I was 16) that I wasn’t college material. His advice was to go to trade school or get married. I came away believing I was stupid.
Heartfelt story. His despair was tangible. Muy bien.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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November 21, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Querida Rochelle,
What an ass !!! … excuse my language. I had a college English professor give me a “D” on a paper once. When I asked him why?
He said,”You’re better than this paper.” “I think a bad grade will get it in your head.” HA … I was sad for weeks until a friend told me he did that to woman he liked. It was his way to meet after class with them. YIKES … !!! But, I still always doubt my writing because of that statement.
You’ve come along way from those awful words, my dear friend. Teachers should be more aware of their words. Words can be weapon.
Thank you for feeling the pain of rejection coming through in my story. Thank YOU for being such a gracious hostess on FF.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Blessings for heartfelt love all day … 😍
La Khaim
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 10:16 pm
Oh, he can’t give up! Julliard isn’t the end all, be all. You captured his heartbreak very well. Kudos.
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November 19, 2016 at 12:17 pm
I’m touched that you enjoyed my story, Alicia. Rejection, when you’re trying to follow yournpassion, can be devastating.
I’m pleased his heartbreak could be felt.
Isadora 😎
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November 19, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Like submitting your story to agent after agent and getting that letter that says, “Although your book….”
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November 21, 2016 at 7:31 pm
I can certainly relate to that line, Alicia. When I used to submit my slides for jurying my jewelry for art shows, the rejection
letters were earth shattering sometimes. Why do we as artists keep forgetting that it’s all part of the process?
Some do have to be eliminated. This prompt has seemed to create the most dialog. I love that. Thank you …
Have a nice week.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Being rejected is part, and maybe he will find his way… I have a brother in law who tried, and gave up to become a chef at a restaurant.
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November 19, 2016 at 12:13 pm
Musicians and artists suffer a great deal of rejection. Some change direction and others forge on
with their passion. Bjorn, your photo was a great prompt this week. Thank you …
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Such loss of hope; it’s such a hard thing in life, and you’ve really captured it here, Isadora. Nice job!
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November 19, 2016 at 12:10 pm
Those rejection letters can be devastating. I’d like to believe he’ll follow his passion and one day prove his talent.
I’m very pleased his disappointment came through in these short 100 words. Thank you, Dawn.
Have a great weekend.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Poor Randolf! I feel so sorry for him because it is such a huge disappointment! I hope he doesn’t give up and keeps trying! Wonderful story, Isadora!
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November 18, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Yes, a sad letter. I’m not sure what will happen. I’ve decided to write more it because so many comments
gave the fictional character life. Thank you, PJ, for enjoying my story and adding your comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 11:19 am
I hope he doesn’t give up!
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November 18, 2016 at 1:36 pm
I hope he doesn’t give up either. I’m going to think positive and say he had a good cry and rose up more determined. 😊
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November 18, 2016 at 8:58 am
What a sad ending. I hope he doesn’t give up and tries again.
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November 18, 2016 at 1:57 pm
I was hoping to have a feel good story this week but nothing funny came to mind, Iain.
I’m going to think positive and say he eventually became a successful bass player in a famous orchestra.
Thank you for commenting and visiting. I appreciate it very much.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 4:48 am
Feel sorry for him. Trouble is we feel good only when others appreciate. This is the hallmark, when sales are up, you are good. Beautifully written story.
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November 18, 2016 at 4:01 pm
I appreciate your stopping by and visiting, Indira. Your comment is so true. At times, we base our value on what others think.
I’ll make it a positive ending and say that, perhaps, he can find comfort in the fact that he has a passion for what he loves to do – play music.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 3:09 am
Not good enough for Juliard does not mean not good enough.
He needs to prove them wrong..
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November 18, 2016 at 1:53 pm
I remember using those same words, Dale, when my daughter would get a university rejection.
She spurred on to become a psychologist from the University of Albany.
Always prove them wrong if its’ your passion.
Thank you for popping over and leaving your very nice comment.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Fabulous!
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November 18, 2016 at 2:48 am
This is heartbreaking. It seems he is very talented. I know Julliard is the top school for this. But I know when I applied for university, they said to always have a number two and three. Perhaps there are other schools he can apply to. Frankly, anywhere he can get in will be better than he is. And often number two are three can be better than where you originally wanted to go. Maybe they will help him pay his way more too? Great write Isadora. You can feel how hard the rejection hits him.
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November 18, 2016 at 1:49 pm
I’m smiling brightly because this story has stirred a lot of emotions in everyone. : )
Since this is fiction, I don’t know if he continued on his musical journey. (perhaps, a short story in this one for me to write)
I’m going to think positive and say he was spurred by their negativity to prove them wrong.
My daughter was rejected from a school she wanted to attend. Perhaps, that may have been where the thought of rejection came in.
Yes, Juilliard is a very difficult school to get into. You’re right that adding a 2nd & 3rd choice is important when applying to universities.
I’m tickled pink everyone was moved by the story. Thank you, Mandible, for your insightful comment and for visiting.
Lovely to see you.
Isadora 😎
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November 18, 2016 at 4:54 pm
You’re welcome Isadora 🙂
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November 17, 2016 at 11:15 pm
That’s every artist’s dilemma isn’t it? What if they’re rightt?
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November 17, 2016 at 11:40 pm
Yes, it is, Neil. Artists of every genre have grave insecurities to overcome. Passion is what drives them.
As a former jeweler, creating my works of art jewelry caused immense insecurity. At the end of the day, it was the sales that reassured me.
Thanks for reading my story and visiting today.
Isadora 😎
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November 17, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Of course, deciding not to listen to them is called delusion
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November 17, 2016 at 11:50 pm
HAHA … that’s me, a delusional artist told my jewelry would keep me starving.
It didn’t. Proved them wrong. YAY ..!!!
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