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On the anniversary of the death of legendary trumpet player Wayne Shaw, our main character, Herold, mourns and listens to one of Wayne’s records in his dilapidated home. Herold’s younger brother, Magnus, is frustrated with Herold’s inaction around the house and confronts him, leading to a heated argument. Seeking solace, Herold resorts to his usual vice, which involves sneaking off to Wayne’s tombstone and unearthing a golden trumpet from the ground. He plays it, transporting himself to a colorful stylized “bliss” world. Unbeknownst to Herold, Magnus witnesses this from a distance and later sneaks to the gravesite himself. Magnus tries the trumpet for the first time and is transported to the same “bliss” world, but is almost caught by Herold. By the time Herold realizes that Magnus touched the trumpet, Magnus is long gone, but Herold is furious. Once Magnus leaves again the next morning, Herold becomes so frustrated that he tears their house apart, then falls to his knees in despair. A vision of an undead Wayne looms over him and judges him as Herold confesses his self hatred to the ghost. He is brought out of his despair by a distant trumpet melody, which lures him back to the tombstone. He finds Magnus beautifully playing Wayne’s trumpet. They are now both in the “bliss” world, as Magnus plays and Herold watches in awe, no longer alone.
Written by JT Rosen (USA)