Chapter 89 - 89: Prelude To The Ball
After the recording session was over, Edward explained that their recording will be handed to the wax masters for electroplating. This will produce a negative metal copy which will be used to stamp a test pressing. If the musical results and sound quality were considered satisfactory, they will create further negatives and start mass producing the discs.
He estimated that the process will be finished by tomorrow, and if everything works out, he will be able to send them a player and a copy of the discs each on Wednesday. Then, they will also start marketing the product and they can expect that when their school break begins on the 23rd, the product would have already circulated the market. That would make it possible for the nobility who are fetching their children from school, or even the students themselves, to purchase the product before returning to their homes.
Serena liked the idea so she can only nod enthusiastically and say that she would look forward to it.
Before they left, Edward requested to take photos of her and Charlton. And if they allow, they will use these photos for marketing purposes.
Not seeing any problem with that, Serena agreed. While Charlton, more interested to have his image beside Serena's for everyone to see, agreed against his better judgement.
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The coming week in school was filled with eagerness and anticipation. All the girls in Serena's class talked about nothing that was not remotely related to the ball.
"Wahhhh I'm so excited, the ball is coming in 4 dayssssss!!!!! I can't wait to wear the dress you helped alter for me." Gizel told Serena, the excitement getting to her system.
"yes, me too Serena!!! thank you so much for helping me with the dress!" Milly said.
Serena couldn't help but giggle, Gizel and Milly's excitement were contagious. "I too am looking forward to the ball."
Last time, Serena helped the girls alter their gowns. Gizel with the coral gown she bought from Marchesa, Via with the emerald gown prepared before coming to school, and Milly with the pink gown she also purchased, because she was afraid her pre-prepared midnight blue gown will be the same color as the table cloths.
The three girls also already have their respective dates. Via reluctantly accepted Kylo's invite after much of his pestering. Serena thought that Kylo was crushing on her friend but wondered how that will work. Via has a serious personality, she was also quite the feminist that was very much against Kylo's patriarchal thinking. Funnily enough, Kylo seemed to be aware of that and never voiced his sexist opinions whenever Via was around.
Gizel was to be escorted by her brother George. Serena was introduced to George by Gizel before, but other than that, they only met once or twice in the passing, but never had the chance to have a conversation with him.
Milly, on the other hand, will be going with a boy introduced by Gizel's brother. Serena believed his name was Paul. He was a handsome guy, a son of a Marquis, and seemed quite nice. Serena observed that her friend was beginning to feel the first vestiges of love.
--
Come Wednesday, like Edward estimated and said, Serena and Charlton received the Phonograph with two discs containing the copy of their song each.
The disc came with a cover wherein an image of Serena and Charlton was printed. Serena didn't expect that Charlton and her face will be at the cover. Anyway, it looked good despite its black and white color.
The first image was used for the cover of 'can't help falling in love'. It was them sitting in front of a grand piano with their hands on the piano keys. She recalled that Edward took them to a private room of his in the company to have this photo taken there. On top of their image was the title of the song and below, were the words, sung by Charlton Daniel and Serena Maxwell, below that, composed by Serena Maxwell, and at the bottom was produced by Columbia Recording Company.
The second image was the two of them standing side by side while Felix was sitting in front of the piano, they were all looking at the camera smiling. The print was the same except that the title was 'Through the years'.
Serena excitedly took out the discs, and saw that in the middle, the same details without their image was printed. She placed one disc on the Phonograph which came with an instruction kit. Then it started playing. Thankfully, their voices sounded clear, and although not up to par with the music recording of the future, she would say that it still exceeded her expectations.
--
When Charlton received his copy, he traced his and Serena's images and names on the disc covers with his fingers. He smiled, happy that it featured them side by side. It felt that their bond was being immortalized through this.
He wanted to go to Serena and listen to their songs together but knew that it was already a little late. Also, she must have received her copy today and must be doing the same thing as him. So, he read through the instructions of the phonograph and started playing.
--
On Thursday, as the ball was tomorrow, the school frenzy was taken to a whole new level. Most of the teachers gave up on holding a lecture because the minds of the students were all taken by the ball. The excitement in the air became even more palpable. It was the first ball of the year, so it was understandable.
Serena and Charlton only saw each other on passing. They only managed to smile at each other, as Serena was quickly dragged by her friends back to her room after classes ended.
--
"Woah! What's this Serena? I have never seen such a thing before." Milly said seeing the phonograph.
"Wow, you and Charlton look really good on this photo. Won't crown prince Geoffrey, your intended, react negatively to this? Anyway, what is this all about? Your song title is printed here, does this contain the sheet music?" Gizel asked.
"I don't know about his reaction, but I can pass this off as some professional work. Anyway, this, is a phonograph. It is a record player, and this well it's a cover contains the disc where us singing has been recorded. We had it done last Sunday at Columbia recording Company. I believe that as we're talking right now, their company is working on circulating this product in the market." Serena explained.
"Let's hear it." Via suggested.
Serena went to operate the phonograph to let them listen to the songs. The three had their eyes wide open and lips gaping. The same reaction she saw Beatrice sport yesterday when she heard this playing.
After, the three could not stop from screaming and hugging Serena.
"Wahhhh!!!! I will buy this before going back home! You will have to promise to sign the discs I will be purchasing! Come to think of it, I will need to get your autograph now, its value would only increase more in the future! I can't believe it, I am friends with the upcoming star that will put all those opera singers and other musical personages to shame! You will become super popular. I'm so proud of you!!!!!" Gizel excitedly screamed.
"Gizel's right, and she just stole all the words I wanted to say, but I'm so proud of you, and so proud to be your friend! I can't wait to tell everyone about you when I get home! I will definitely buy these and boast about you at home!" Milly also exclaimed.
Via, not being able to compete with their two loud friends can only smile at Serena and say "I'm also so proud of you. I will spend all my savings if I have to just to buy these." She was from a military family and thus, more disciplined.
Serena happily smiled at her friends, she too was feeling that everything happening was surreal. It was amazing.
After the high they felt regarding the songs, they went back to discussing their preparations for the ball. They agreed that for tomorrow, they will come over Serena's room after lunch. The school announced that there will be no classes on that day to allow students more time to prepare for the ball.
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TBC