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Everybody was shocked at Lydia’s final act on the podium beating Eliot Kaplan in front of hundreds of people. The orchestra members were whispering in every corner of the concert hall. Whispering behind Sharon.
Sharon didn’t see Lydia after she was taken out of the scenario by the security guards and then arrested. Instead, she decided to remain in the middle of all the chaos.
Paramedics were looking after Eliot in his newly assigned office. Lydia’s former office.
“Sharon, let's get out of here now.” Heika tried to drag her sister out of the concert hall before the paparazzi arrived and started looking for her sister.
“Nein. I must do something first.”
Sharon waited for the paramedics to leave the office to immediately walk in.
Eliot’s face was fucked up. He had bruises all over. His nose was seriously injured. Both eyes were turning black. Sharon stayed speechless as she sees him.
“Oh, Sharon. Come in. I know it must be shocking for you more than anyone else. Tonight, she was unrecognizable. But no worries you don’t have to feel responsible for her actions. No apologies are needed.”
Eliot turned to his desk and continued. “However, I can’t promise there won't be consequences. I’ll make charges. She has simply crossed a border. I am not her clown.”
“Mr. Kaplan. I am not here to apologize or persuade you of further actions. I am here as the orchestra's first violinist. Tonight, from my privileged position in the first row, I heard of the accusations made against you.” Sharon approached Eliot’s desk and continued.
Eliot frowned in disbelief “Excuse me, Ms. Goodnow. What are you implying?”
“Mr. Kaplan, tonight you were accused of stealing the performing score. Contrary to what you have said to the board that it was been given to you in a friendly manner by the composer.”
Eliot’s face paled as he swallowed hard.
Sharon was firmly staring at him with a sharp German look without blinking .
Eliot sat down on once Lydia’s chair and smirked ironically.
“No. Ms. Goodnow. You are not here as the orchestra’s first violinist. You are here as her spouse.”
His words were bold. Sharon was caught off guard.
“It is unbelievable after all she has done to you. Here you are, shielding her.”
“Entschuldigung Sie, Herr Kaplan, aber ich bin nicht in der Lage, persönliche Probleme mit Ihnen zu besprechen.” / "Excuse me, Mr. Kaplan. I'm not here to discuss personal issues with you." Sharon was too nerve-wracking that she unconsciously went on in German.
“English please Ms. Goodnow. I am not too familiar with German yet.”
“Of course, you are not.” In a flash, she remembered how quickly Lydia learned German to communicate with the orchestra members effectively.
“Mr. Kaplan. It is in my best interest to know how you got the performing score if it wasn’t given as you have stated.”
“Your best interests must be on the orchestra’s needs rather than your personal.”
“And that is exactly the reason I am here. My orchestra won’t be led by a common thief.”
“Watch your language, Ms. Goodnow. It is you who is accusing me of robbing without any proof.”
“I and every other member heard the accusations. The problem is the score was stolen from my house. So, yes. I can and I will sue you for that.”
“You have no proof besides your crazy wife’s arguments. If you haven’t noticed, nobody gives a penny for her anymore.”
Sharon turned her back to him heading to the door.
“Mr. Kaplan, there is no glory for a robot, as there isn’t for a thief”. I am sure you have heard that.”
“Wait. What do you want?”
Sharon turned back to him ready to utter her demand.
“Leave your current position here. And. Any legal actions against her.”
“What do I get?”
“You leave Berlin with your reputation steady.”
Deal.
The next morning Lydia was released from jail with no charges after Eliot Kaplan sent a communication appreciating his short yet meaningful stay in Berlin. He also regretted former conductor Lydia Tár for being mentally unstable.
“You will never give up on her, right?”
Sharon pretended to ignore her sister busing herself in the kitchen.
“I thought that was the last straw between you two. I read Kaplan’s communication. I am sure you are behind this. Aren’t you?”
Sharon took a deep breath as she turned to face her sister.
“She wasn’t lying. He did steal her score. But nobody cared about it. I’d rather think of her somewhere else than behind bars.”
“Where is she?”
“She is gone.”
Sharon's voice broke
“Where?”
“I don’t know. To America, maybe.”
“It pisses me off she abandoned you and her child.”
Sharon shrugged her shoulder as tears rolled down her face.
“I don't have to say it, but you have us. Mama and I will take care of you two.”
Sharon nodded as she leaned forward in her sister’s embrace. They had each other to face up Petra’s future questioning of Lydia’s absence.