And indeed he does. Though he at first has the same doubts about letting Vincent strike out on his own, he also recognizes his talent and certainly believes he can do it. Though Vincent prefers the higher stature of Shakespeare and the other great poets, he agrees that starting small and close to home may be a smart move.
So the doctor makes an appointment with the friendly director of the smaller theatre that started this whole thing. Vincent recites poems, plays a scene the director has given him to memorise and dramatise. The audition is a succes, and as there is a minor role open in the newest play, he can start straight away.
'Rehearsal starts Monday morning at ten, be on time, know your lines, you're a villain so wear black until you've a costume, and be scary. Oh, and seeing as you've ambitions, try to get some fencing lessons. Gives a certain stance to a guy, looks good on an audition. If you're as good on stage as in my office, you might qualify for a lead role before long.
And watch your back, we've a greedy bunch out here with more ambition than talent mostly. They may try to test your mettle, be ready for it. Be sure to let me know if anyone gives you trouble.'
Memorising lines is no big deal for Vincent, and the character he plays is no holds barred evil, no shades of grey, just pure black. An easy task to play for someone with his looks. Monday seems ages away.
Especially with Adison starting out to assist the doctor, and being away from home for half the day. The other half they spend together, the doctor having decided he can give Vincent his first fencing lessons himself. As a noble born, he has spent at least part of his youth learning to ride, hunt, fence and wrestle, and he is no mean teacher, though he lacks the bloodlust to be competitive.
They find a suitable space in the basement, and there the doctor teaches the rudiments of fencing to Vincent and to Adison as well. For as he says, why should a girl have to rely on men for her defence? Her father being of the same opinion, Adison has learned to ride well and to shoot with both a rifle and a hand held gun. But fencing never had his interest, so this is all new to her.
Though she handles herself well in these lessons, Vincent is a natural and soon outclasses her in more than a man's greater strength. His reflexes are lightning, he can judge an adversary in a moment, he relishes remembering the exercises exactly how they should be performed.
And then there is his frightening strength. There is no way that that is natural, even for a man of his size and build.
After one week of fanatic practice, sparring with Adison is no longer useful to him, except for exercising self-control. After two weeks, the doctor has to admit it is too dangerous for him to let Vincent go all-out in practice. He cannot trust his own ability to parry those powerful lunges, and getting himself injured or killed is of no use to anyone. So the doctor concentrates his efforts on Adison, and he hires a skilled swordsmaster to further teach Vincent.
Adison now accompanies the doctor to his work. She helps him dissect his objects carefully, then to describe and draw everything and catalogue the results. With her documenting skills honed by years of practice, guided by the most enlightened minds of her father's time, she helps him progress much faster in his research. They also decide to take on some living clients in their practice, the combination of her nursing skills, her way with people and her Chinese medical background, and his great knowledge of the human body soon making them sought after by the ailing rich.
