A Late Quartet Page #3

Not at all, and the even better

part is, there is medication.

It replaces this dopamine.

It's not a cure,

but it can slow the progress.

That's encouraging.

However, playing for much longer

is not in the cards for me.

What if the drugs work?

I need to be real about this.

Deal with it. Name it.

The doctor says it might give me

a season, could be two.

But I've made up my mind

that it's best for the quartet

to plan ahead,

to think about what comes next.

I think Nina Lee should replace me.

She's a wonderful cellist,

we all like her.

She's the one.

Everybody OK with that? Daniel?

Nina... She's playing

with Gideon still, right?

No, I'm not OK with this. We shouldn't

be discussing this right now.

- It's not the time.

- ROBERT:
I agree.

One thing more:
If this drug works

and I am able to play

well enough by then,

I'd like the season's first concert

to be my farewell.

(SLOW, PENSIVE

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYING)

It's just...

You know, if we do end up

taking on a new cellist,

if that's what we decide...

...I think it'll feel like a beginning.

We'll have a new sound.

If that happens,

I don't want to play second violin

exclusively anymore.

OK. So what exactly do you

have in mind, may I ask?

That you and I

alternate between the two chairs.

It doesn't have to be

an even split at first,

but eventually on each piece,

I think we could decide

who plays first violin

and who plays second.

Oh, my God, I cannot

believe this is happening.

What a terrible idea, Robert.

It's a terrible idea.

- It's not a terrible idea.

- Yes, it is.

And you know what? The timing...

it just couldn't be worse.

(SLOW, TENDER

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS)

Peter says you're

ready for a new violin.

He did?

Start looking for one.

Your mom and I

will check it out for you.

Aw, man, Peter's so awesome.

You know he canceled

tomorrow's coaching class?

Do you know

how he's doing?

All in all, he's taking it

surprisingly well.

It's your mother

I'm worried about.

Oh, God. It's like she's the one

with the Parkinson's.

Don't be so hard on her.

She's upset.

Why don't you give her a break?

Whatever.

How's Mr. Perfection

coping with the situation?

He's helping Peter

look for a new cellist.

Ooh. He has no heart.

Oh, he's got plenty.

He just reserves it for the violin.

Well, I don't think I'm going to keep

taking these classes with him.

Why not?

Because he sent me

home after ten minutes

in order to read

Beethoven's biography,

so I could connect to his misery

before I dare attempt the Opus 131.

He might have a point, though.

Did Peter ever tell you about

Schubert's last musical request?

Yeah, how... he only wanted to hear

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