In Memory of Burt Bacharach

"I'm surprised," the soul said smiling (reaching out to shake the extended hand before its own returned to the keys) "in a good way." "The first gift of this place is the amazement you've been let in," said the admirer. The soul laughed and nodded. "The next is full permission to drop the facade; you can be who you always were and not play a part any more. You don't have to be brilliant or elegant or notorious or fun ... and you don't have to pretend your thing was more genuine or more worthy than anyone else's. Finally ... FINALLY ... you can keep your rubbish opinion to yourself and let your "guilty pleasures" just be really bloody enjoyable. I'd love to collaborate sometime." "I'm in," the soul said (excited). "I'm also stunned, self-conscious, and overwhelmed." "Newbies," the admirer responded warmly. "Relax a bit and then come find me." "I will," the soul said, watching Bowie go while starting to feel a tingle in its hands (one that signaled a new melody was on the hunt for its chords).