White and black keys are pressed in patterns by the self-assured fingertips of a professional pianist. "When I was five years old my mom taught me. I kind of despised it but then I started playing rock and roll. My mom says, "What the bloody hell is this?" and I say, "It's a new generation right here."
In the '80s he played to audiences with Eddie Money. He experienced fame playing piano in the music video "Shaken." Now Vendor of the Week Francois Elias sells Real Change, biding his time 'til Christmas, when he will flex his piano playing skills. "I'll be working at Nordstrom's and 88 Keys. When the ships come in I'll get back in pocket and then I won't have to sell Real Change."
Experiences of harassment and underpayment at his previous job caused him to quit. "Now I'm hurting. I'm not happy where I'm at, but I will be happy where I'm gonna be."
Francois plays the piano to inspire happiness, in the children who dance to "Here Comes Santa Claus" and the audiences who applaud his effort. "I like to shine a light." He would like to go on tour again, "to make a crowd happy."
In the summer he will return home to Perth, Australia. "I go home whenever I get a chance. It will be winter then, so it won't be so hot."
When he returns to Seattle in the fall you may find Francois playing a piano around town. On the instrument's top you'll see a copy of Real Change