"Come on, sit down" she says, guiding him to the stool. Simon follows Deborah. She pulls him along by the fingertips toward the piano. "Could you please play for us?" she says while placing her hands on his shoulders and easing him down into the seat. Simon groans: "Don't be ridiculous. . . I've no notion of this thing."

"Then imagine yourself as if you did; trust me." Deborah replies--she opens the piano cover, exposing the row of shiny black and white keys. Simon stares at them intently. He frowns back at Deborah with a furrowed brow. Patches of red color his cheeks.