Chapter Two: It's Just the Start

A new house, and new name, a few new clothes...Cooper was well on his way to beginning the life he dreamed of.

The house wasn't much, but it had the basics: A kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom, and a spare room. He was excited to have snagged a decent first time home for such a low cost, no matter what the inside looked like. The green and beige wasn't exactly his style, but it worked for now.

Again, humble and basic, but he didn't mind. It was better than boarding school, and he wasn't planning on being home much anyways... he needed a job, and needed one fast. He spent a night in his new home thinking of what he should do... he had no skills, had a basic schooling experience, and had no experience with a musical instrument outside of the xylophone he'd once loved at the daycare. How was he going to get a career  in music if he'd never even played an instrument? His dream was to compose, to work in theater... and that's when it hit him.

First thing in the morning, Cooper literally ran to the town's local theater and concert hall. He had no experience, never had a job, and didn't even have a resume or dress clothes, but he begged them for a job. Cooper's charming personality saved him, and he was able to sweet talk his way into a minimum wage job... as a fan of whoever plays at the theater. His duties were to watch who was playing and jazz the audience up a bit at the right times... and clean up after they're gone. It was something, at least, and he got to be around the music he had yearned for so much in his early life. 

He left the theater with a grin of satisfaction... a grin that said, "I know I can do this."

Upon leaving the theater, Cooper saw a few townspeople loitering outside. He decided to start introducing himself as the new guy in town. They'd know his name soon enough when he began to make it big in music, anyway... but he wasn't THAT cocky. He knew it'd be better to make his introductions friendly and outgoing, partially to get to know the people, and partially to increase his fan-base. The first person he decided to talk to was an older man that appeared to be in his 60's. He had just left a movie showing and seemed easy to talk to, and he was.

 Though it might have been considered bragging, Cooper instantly brought up his new job with the theater, and explained his intentions of making it big in the music industry. The man, who had introduced himself as Arlo Bunch, was very warm and welcoming. He seemed excited for Cooper, and told him that Sunset Valley's theater was a fine establishment to start his career.

 The two chatted for a bit before parting ways. Arlo was excited to see a fresh face in town and loved Cooper's outgoing and charming personality, and almost instantly deemed him a friend.

"If you need anything, chap, here's my number. Just give me a call. You'll make it well in this town, don't worry."

Cooper was more than happy to hear that.

As he turned around to head toward the music supply store to spend the last of his money on a new guitar, he bumped into a lady walking in to the theater.

Always a major fan of the ladies (he's a big hopeless romantic, you know), he absolutely had to stop and introduce himself. 

After going over the same schpeil about his new job, and attempting to drop a line here and there... she seemed rather uninterested, and explained she needed to head off to the grocery store. ...Wait, weren't you just going to the movies?

Better luck next time, Coop.

After spending an hour in the music store, Cooper left with a guitar and music book in hand. Not exactly ready to head home, he chose to visit the local park he had seen across from his new place of work.

He sat down and decided to thumb through his new book he had obtained from the music shop. Real music! Sheet music! Things he could actually look at and attempt to play! He couldn't wait to start attempting music on the guitar... so before he could even finish the first chapter, he got up and began to walk toward a picnic area full of locals.

He introduced himself to a few people... some were welcoming, and some were not. 

It doesn't help that you tend to flirt with any woman you meet, Cooper.

Stop flirting with them in front of their husbands, too, will ya?

Cooper got his head back on track and pulled out his guitar. He plucked a few strings, listened closely to the sounds of each string, and started playing.

And he was good! A natural musician! He had memorized so much music literature in the boarding school library, he was instantly a natural with the guitar. And people noticed! Slowly, a crowd began to form.

 Pretty soon, everyone in the park came to listen to his tunes. Though they were basic and it was his first time playing the guitar, no one seemed to mind. They all agreed he was outstanding, and nodded their heads happily along to the strumming.

He played well into the night, getting better and better with every minute that passed. People began to go home as the sun went down, but Cooper was lost in the music coming from his fingertips. Happiness consumed him from head to toe, and he stayed in the park until midnight playing his music.

If he could do this for the rest of his life, he was sure he'd be happy. And this was only the beginning!