From Ester

Characters:

Billie Holiday - The autobiographer the blues", was also knows as Eleanora Fagan. She was a legendary jazz singer who found her calling at a desperate attempt or a job.

Piano Player - The piano player at "Pod's and Jerry's" who was the first person to notice her singing abilities

Terms:

Ermines - The fur of the old world white easel, with a black tip at the corner

In this excerpt of chapter three in "Lady Sings the Blues," Billie Holiday goes around desperately looking for a job. Finally she comes across a club to audition for a dancing position. With no dancing skill what so ever, Billie was turned down and was almost thrown out again. A decent piano player took pity upon Billie and asked if she could sing. With the sound of her voice, the whole audience became speechless. For the first time in Billie's life, she made enough money to support herself as well as her mother by receiving a job where she performs at often. She even found her mother a position at the club as well. All of this thanks to one piano player who asked one simple question.

If the piano player hadn't asked Billie if she could sing, would she have been discovered another way? Or would her talent die along with her?