Midnight Duel
The full moon casts eerie shadows through the leafless trees of the frost-bitten forest onto the small clearing. Faintly visible in the dark shadows, the curious assemble on opposite sides of the field.
The feud has been raging for generations. Father against father and fathers before them. And now their sons. Will this never end?
The river water fed by hot mineral springs creates clouds of steam which appear as dancing ghosts of prior duels. Above, the waterfall spews its froth in an iridescent glimmer, as droplets snatch from the lunar planet, patiently waiting to bare witness to the fray.
Five minutes before midnight the first group appears at the edge of the clearing. As light catches their faces it's obvious the first is very young. Will he be the one to extend this feud into the next generation? What is he carrying? The second man handling cases containing the weapons moves in lock-step with the duelist.
Silent and cautious, the second group emerges from the the opposite side. Except for their clothing they look very similar to the first. A small boy carrying a metal object, an older man with two cases, and the duelist.
The onlookers gasp in unison and awe, for what they are about to experience. When this night is over, only one duelist will go forth into the world.
One minute before midnight, the two smaller boys step into the center of the field facing each other. Pulling at the bottom, then the top, they move swiftly and precisely setting up the stands. In a blink, they whirl about and return to the side of the older men.
Now it's time. The two men carrying the cases move to the center. They nod and lower their cases to the ground, opening them in deliberate fashion. The moonlight grasps the sleek lines of steel causing shimmers of dancing light against the backdrop of mist and shadows. Onlookers lean forward to view the contents of the cases, but draw back sharply as the two duelists thrust themselves into the center.
"On the count of three," comes the command from the darkest edge of the forest. "One"---each duelist bends forwrd, reaching into his chosen case. "Two"---the glistening steel of the weapons now in full view of the silent crowd. Not a breath can be heard. "Three"---Both men stroke simultaneously. The duel is on.
First beethoven, then Bach and Mozart. From classical to popular, rock to country to bluegrass. On and on they play. The sound is the most fantastic guitar music anyone has ever heard. A cry rises from the throng of entranced onlookers, momentarily smothering the melodious sounds. "There is no loser," they shout. "Send them both."
Finally, after all these years of competition between the two most musical families in the valley, there will be no loser. Both young men are awarded the scholarship to Juliard School of Music.
From this day forward, the town will celebrate every October night of the full moon as the night of "Moonlight and Guitar Strings"---and the end of the feud.
©1993 Bill Effinger