>Elenor extinguishes another cigarette and watches the last trail of smoke rise up out of the ashtray. She recrosses her slim legs and looks across the low table at Berry.
>The pony bobs her head in tune to the soft swing music playing over your gramophone. 
>You take a drag on your own cigarette and lean forward, clearing your throat in an attempt to alleviate the awkward silence that has grown between the three of you.
>The music ends. 
>”Well, I must say,” Elenor finally remarks, “that this is by far the most curious thing I have ever seen.”
>You open your mouth to respond, but she cuts you off.
>”Not to say that that is a bad thing.” She leans towards you. “Curious is certainly not a bad thing.”
“I'm glad you see it so openly.”
>”The way I see it,” she says, “Berry here is just as confused about everything as you and I are. She clearly doesn't mean us any harm...” She turns to the mare. “...do you, dear?”
>”O-of course not!” Berry replies.
>”Then it's alright, surely.” Elenor stands up, clapping her hands together. “Let's have a night out!”
>You look up, confused.
“What?”
>”Anon, you can't possibly think it's proper to keep her cooped up in here.”
>Berry perks up, looking to you.
>You sigh and put out your cigarette.
“No, I suppose not.” Berry hops off the couch.
>”You really mean it? We're going outside?”
>”Of course we are! It's absolutely criminal for a girl not to! Anon, get something for Berry to wear. It's chilly tonight. She'll catch her death of cold.”
“We should take the car.”
>”Splendid idea!”
>”Uh,” Berry butts in, “what's a car?”
>Elenor's smile widens.
>”You'll see,” she giggles.
1/

>While you look through your closet for a scarf, Elenor walks up behind you.
>”Berry's waiting in the parlor. Have you found anything for her?”
“You're sure this is a good idea? Just taking her out in the open?”
>She arches her fingers on your shoulders.
>”I hadn't taken you for a Mrs. Grundy, Mr. Mously. She deserves to live a little, especially if what she's said is true. Being so far from home, I can't imagine being holed up for so long in a strange place.”
“What about how people will react? She's a talking horse, Elenor. There's no getting around it.”
>”The worst people will do is scream, I'm sure. This is the age of liberation, Anon!” She spreads her arms dramatically. “What is this time we're living in about if not we aren't taking in all the new that we can?”
>You turn with a scarf in hand.
“I wouldn't want to be a wet blanket. Here, give this to her.”
>”Shall we go to Doyle's? It's not to far from here, if I recall.”
“Doyle's will be swell. Richie won't be expecting me, though.”
>”He won't be expecting her, either.”
“I doubt anyone will be.”
>Elenor catches the grumble in your tone.
>”Oh, where's your sense of adventure?” She bats her eyes at you and backs away towards the parlor. You sigh and follow after her.
“You'll be the death of me, Ms. Hayes.”
>Elenor looks back and rolls her eyes, laughing to herself.
>”What did you say to me the night we met? It's more interesting this way.”
2/

>A few minutes later, Berry is clutching the back of your seat as Elenor cruises down the road.
>The wind blows the mare's mane wildly around.
>”Fast...” she breathes, wavering.
>”Is she alright?” Elenor asks, taking her eyes off the road momentarily to look back at the pony.
>”I'm fine...” Berry replies softly. She's wrapped tightly in the scarf. It coils around her neck, torso, and one of her legs.
>Elenor takes a sharp turn, narrowly avoiding a trolley. Berry's grip tightens.
>You look at the route she's taking and frown.
“Where are we going? Doyle's isn't five blocks from my building and we've gone at least seven.”
>”I'm taking the scenic route,” Elenor replies coyly. “The night is young, after all.” She accelerates. Berry tentatively lets go of your seat and flops back.
>You smirk.
“Head east, we can loop up the lakeside and there shouldn't be many people there.”
>Elenor looks at you mischievously.
>”Splendid idea!” She turns the car around and heads in the opposite direction, towards the lake.
>You look in the back seat as you come to the lakeside street and motion to Berry.
“Hey, take a look at this. On the right.”
>The pony looks over the side of the car and you see her jaw drop.
>Out on the lake are hundreds of buoys and boats, and the bright reflection of the moon as it hangs over the water.
>Berry's expression changes from fear to excitement and wonder. She sticks her hoof up and lets the wind play off it as the three of you drive up the road.
>A few blocks later, she's hopped up between Elenor and you and is staring ahead eagerly.
>”I think she's taken to this,” Elenor says.
“I believe you're right.”
>”Shall we stop for drinks, now?”
“What do you think, Berry?”
>The pony nods rapidly. She unwraps the scarf somewhat and lets it flap in the wind.
3/

>Doyle's the bar sits neatly tucked away behind the worn storefront of Doyle's the barber shop. You hop out of the car with some energy and snake around to the other side.
>Taking Elenor's hand, you pop open her door and lead her to the sidewalk before going back for Berry.
>”A barber shop?” Berry asks, seeing the red and white pole spinning in front of the sign. “I thought we were going to a bar?”
>Elenor puts a finger to her lips with a giggle.
“Just wait,” you reply, opening the front door and ushering the two inside. “You'll love this.”
>At the back of the shop is a large mirror running from floor to ceiling. You tap on the glass.
“Is it too late for a trim?”
>Berry's eyes go wide again when the mirror slides to the side. A burly bearded man pokes his head out.
>”Anon! You're not on tonight. What're you doin' here?”
“Getting a drink with my gal. Let me in, will ya, Sal? It's cold out here.”
>”Yeah, yeah, gimme a--” He suddenly looks down. “Jesus! What in the hell is that!?”
>The pony takes a step back. Elenor blocks her retreat.
>“Sal, is it? This is Berry Punch,” she says.
>”I know what berry punch is, and it ain't no horse,” Sal shoots back, not taking his eyes off of Berry.
>”I'm Anon's friend. Can I come in?” Berry asks, attempting to strike up some confidence.
>”...It can talk?”
“She can. She can drink, too. Now let us in,” you order.
>”Does the big cheese know about this?”
“Doesn't matter. I'm paying, anyway.”
>Sal disappears from the opening before the mirror slides shut.
>Berry looks on, disappointed.
“Wait for it.”
>There's a click, and then the mirror slides all the way back, letting the noise of the speakeasy flow into the barbershop.
“After you.”
4/

>The band is blaring. Smoke wafts in the air, combining with the myriad smells of cookery and liquor. 
>Berry hesitates at the door.
>You stop and look down at her.
“What's wrong? Come on in.”
>”It's a little scary,” she replies.
“So was the car ride. How did you like that?”
>”It was exhilarating.”
“ Exactly.”
>”You mustn't let a little thing like like fear stop you from having yourself some fun,” Elenor says soothingly.
>Sal comes out from behind a curtain by the door.
>”So, you never answered me, Anon,” he says. “What's with the horse? Why can it talk?”
“I couldn't give you a good answer. All I know is she's from some other world.”
>Sal starts in shock.
>”Wh-- she's a Martian?”
“Have you been reading those weird stories again?”
>”Have you? Horses from Mars... it's baloney!”
“I didn't say she was from Mar-- She's right there. Hell, just ask her yourself. She won't bite you.”
>The music stops.
>”Um,” Elenor says, tapping your shoulder.
>The three of you look at the crowd, which has fallen silent. Every head in the house is turned towards you.
>Out of the corner of your eye, you see Berry raise her hoof meekly.
>”H-hi?” she says to the crowd of confused-looking bar patrons.
5/

>Hess, the saxophonist, drops his instrument. It clatters and clangs to the floor. Berry slowly lowers her hoof.
>The three of you tread lightly and make your way to an open table.
>You can practically feel the eyes of everyone in the joint locked onto you, Elenor, and Berry as you sit down.
>Berry's eyes flit around, stopping on the many dresses and tables. Her gaze shifts slowly to the bar, where bottle after bottle of every drink under the sun sits perched on the shelf behind Richie Doyle.
>The curiosity in Berry's expression is heavily tempered by the scrutiny and cautious stares she receives in return.
>Elenor looks around and frowns.
>”This doesn't seem like a very good time at all,” she says to you, over the now-rising murmur.
>A few tables rise and go to leave.
“What did you expect? I'm surprised we got in the door.”
>”Well, I'm going to do something about this,” she says, determined. 
>You lean over the table and light a cigarette.
>”Everyone!” Elenor announces, standing up by the table.
>The murmur subsides. You watch her, struck by the confidence in her voice.
>”Please, let me--”
>”What'd you bring in here, Anon?” someone in the crowd yells.
>”Yeah! What's with the horse?” another adds.
>”It was staring at me a second ago!” a woman cries.
>You rub your temples and gesture to Elenor.
>”There's no reason to raise a fuss!” she declares.
>”My foot there is!”
>The party closest to the door rises.
“I think you're losing them.”
>”I don't think she ever had them,” Berry sighs.
>”Come now, come now!” Elenor starts again. “Give her a chance!” She motions for Berry to get up. “Look, she's not so different from us, is she?”
>”Do you mean aside from the obvious?” someone replies sarcastically.
>Berry turns to the speaker, suddenly looking less sheepish.
6/

>She steps up onto the table and points her hoof at him.
>”Now look here,” she says.
>The bar gets even quieter.
>”I have been cooped up in a room for a week now, filing my hooves and staring at clouds all day to pass the time. Tonight is my first night out since I got here and it has been wonderful, up until right now. I know I'm different from all of you, but I don't think that means you should be so afraid. I just want to have fun tonight, same as all of you. So why don't we?”
>The bar is silent now.
>Berry flops back into her seat.
>Both you and Elenor stare in shock.
>You hear footsteps coming from the back.
>Doyle rushes around the bar in a panic.
>”Mr. Fioretta!” he yells, intercepting the man who has now appeared by the stage. “I'm sorry about the commotion. We had a little--”
>Two more men appear from the back and stare the bartender down.
>Fioretta stands a good five inches over Doyle. His graying hair is slicked back under his hat. With a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, he scans the room before replying.
>”I gathered that when my band stopped, Richard.” He steps out amongst the tables, slowly making his way over to you. “We were just finishing some of our business and I decided to come see what was happening to make my little joint so quiet.”
>Finally he stops at your table.
>”Mously, what have you got here?” he asks, laying a hand on your shoulder.
>Nobody makes a sound. All eyes are locked on you and Fioretta.
>Nobody, that is, except for Berry. The mare looks up and puts forward a hoof.
>”Berry Punch. Nice to meet you.”
>The man lets out a loud laugh and takes the hoof in his hand, shaking it heartily.
>”So that was you making speeches?” he asks, putting the cigarette out in your ashtray.
>”Er, yes. I just wanted--” He puts his hand up, interrupting her.
7/

>”I heard you,”  Fioretta says genially, turning to you with an authoritative look. “I just have to ask, Mously: is she going to cause trouble?”
“No, sir.”
>”Is she going to welsh on the tab?”
“No, sir, I'm paying.”
>”Then there's no problem!” He motions at the band. “Start playing again, will you? It's like a funeral in here!” He turns back to Berry. “And Ms. Punch?”
>”Yes?”
>”Welcome. Make yourself at home.”
>One of the other men taps him on the shoulder and whispers something in his ear.
>The three quickly retreat to the back again as the bands starts back up.
>You breathe a sigh of relief and lean back in your chair. The crowd returns to its previous activity and the dance floor starts to fill back up.
>”Who was that?” Berry asks.
>”That,” Elenor answers, ”Was Michael Fioretta.”
“He owns the place,” you finish. “Bunch of other joints all around the city, too.”
>”He seems very nice. I don't know why you were so tense just then,” Berry remarks.
“He's the big cheese. You don't get on Michael Fioretta's bad side.”
>Elenor claps her hands together. “Why don't you get us some drinks, Anon? I'm in the mood for a little giggle water, aren't you?”
“Yeah. Be right back.”
>You rise and head to the bar, where Doyle stands, glaring.
8/

>”Why'd you have to come around here, Mously?” the barman says. “You're not even on tonight and you bring in some abomination to my bar?”
>You pull a bill out of your wallet and slide it to Doyle.
“Don't call her that. And it isn't yours anymore, remember? It's his.” 
>You motion to the back rooms.
“So your opinion doesn't really matter. Now do your job and get me two gin and tonics and a whiskey, alright?”
>Doyle stalks off, grumbling.

>When you take the drinks back to your table, you're glad to see Elenor and Berry chatting brightly with one another.
>Elenor waves you over.
>”Look, look!” she says excitedly.
>You set the drinks down and come around to her.
“What is it?”
>”We were just discussing music and Berry just finished telling me all about a friend of hers who wrote a song with her!”
“Did she now? That sounds interesting.”
>”And how! I'm simply dying of curiosity, Berry. I have to hear this song of yours.” Elenor takes the glass you hand her.
>You slide another glass to Berry and pick up your own.
>Berry takes a sip and stares at the stage.
>”You said you play, didn't you, Anon?” she says.
“That's right.”
>”Could you be ready in, say, a minute or two?”
>You glance at Elenor.
“I'd say so.”
>”Great. I'll meet you up there.” The mare takes a large gulp of her drink before hopping down off her chair. She weaves through the tables, making her way towards the stage.
“Wait, Berry, what are you-- Dammit!”
>You rush to the back room to retrieve your bass.
9/

>The bar has once again gone quiet when you return.
>Berry is standing on the stage, flanked by Hess and a very confused drummer. 
>You climb up and prop your bass on the wall before going over to them.
>”Anon, what the hell is going on? Why is she up here?” Hess hisses.
“I don't know, I'm sorry. Just follow my lead, alright? Everything'll be just ducky.”
>You motion to the drummer.
“Lou, gimme a two-four standard, will ya?”
>Lou nods and starts a beat. Berry turns around, shaking her head.
>The drummer looks up and stops. After a moment, he switches to three-four.
>Again, she shakes her head. Lou starts playing in six-eight.
>Berry looks up and bobs her head for a few seconds before looking back and nodding silently.
>Lou shoots a glance at you, eliciting a shrug as you go to your bass.
>Hess sighs, resigned, and adjusts his instrument's mouthpiece.
>Berry moves up to the edge of the stage as you start laying a bass line over Lou's drums.
>”Start off lower than that? Half a step?”
>You change your scales and keep going.
>Hess watches you, waiting for his cue to come in.
>As Berry takes a deep breath, you nod to Hess, who starts playing softly.
>The mare gives a few more bars of silence before she begins to sing.
10/

>>”I never saw that you did painting need,
>>And therefore to your fair no painting set;
>>I found, or thought I found you did exceed,
>>The barren tender of a poet's debt”
>At first, she appears to have trouble with the swing style, but by the second half of the verse she's adapted to it.
>She sways from side to side in time with the beat. 
>You glance out at the tables and spot Elenor sitting rapt.
>The crowd looks entirely absorbed in the show now.
>Hess and Lou play more and more enthusiastically as Berry goes on to the chorus.
>She sings the chorus heartily and lets Lou add a drum fill before moving on.
>The mare's voice gets stronger with every line, it seems. You smile and play just a little bit louder.
>After the third verse, Berry steps back and motions for you to keep going. You nod to Hess, who fills the gap with improvisation.
>You watch Berry pace around the stage for a verse's worth of improv before she walks forward again.
>At the edge of the stage, she rears up and belts out the last chorus.
>>”There lives more life in one of your fair eyes
>>Than both your poets can in praise devise!
>>Oh, there lives more life in one of your fair eyes
>>Than both your poets can in praise devise...”
>She trails off and turns to the three of you, nodding.
>You play her off with a few more bars before everything goes quiet.
>For the first time in a long time, Doyle's bar erupts in applause.
>Berry walks back to the table, grinning bashfully.
>You follow after her, resting the bass on the wall.
11/

>Elenor sits in complete shock, staring at Berry when you sit down.
>The crowd is still murmuring and people are still staring at the mare.
>Over the noise, you hear a stomping coming from the back.
>”That,” Elenor breathes, “was really something.”
>”You liked it?” Berry asks.
“I think everyone liked it. Just look around.”
>Just as you motion to the crowd, you feel someone tap your shoulder.
>You look around to see one of Fioretta's men standing behind you.
>”Big cheese wants a word, Mously. Bring the uh,” he looks at Berry, trying to find the word.
>”Berry,” the mare pipes up.
>”Right. Follow me.”
>Elenor thumbs her glass as she watches the scene.
>”Is everything alright?” she asks. The man scowls.
“It's fine. Lead the way, Victor.”
>You and Berry get up and follow Victor to the back. You look at Elenor as you go and give her a smile.

>The back rooms are dimly lit and lined with photos hanging on the red papered walls.
>Victor leads you to the modest office down the hall where Fioretta sits waiting.
>He motions to two chairs without saying a word. Victor shuts the door behind you.
>When you're both seated, he leans forward and stares at the two of you.
>”I thought you said there wouldn't be trouble?” he says dryly.
“Well, I--” He puts a hand up and stops you.
>”Didn't expect such a commotion when I left you to your own devices. Victor noticed you running and I thought a fight had broken out at first.”
>Berry shifts in her seat uncomfortably.
>”So imagine my surprise when the next thing I hear is your singing?” Fioretta says, facing the mare.
“That was--”
>”A beautiful song and a beautiful voice. What was it?”
>”I-it was a song a friend and I wrote.”
>”It was fantastic. And the crowd loved it. Victor here was worried the clapping would draw too much attention.”
>Fioretta grins at you.
12/

“So what's this all about, sir?” you ask.
>”Simple,” Fioretta replies. “I'd like Berry here to lend her talent to us.”
>Berry says nothing. Fioretta arches his fingers and leans back in his big leather chair.
>”Your band could use something new, Mously, I think you'll agree. Everybody likes a little variety, especially the fine people who patronize this establishment.”
>He pulls a cigarette out of a case in his breast pocket. Victor lights it for him.
>”And besides, I couldn't let a voice like hers go to waste not being heard any more than I could keep an angel locked up in a cage.”
>Berry has turned red now.
>”So what do you say, Ms. Punch? How would you like to sing for us?”
>The mare looks at you questioningly. You shrug and nod.
“It's alright with me. I'll run it by Braso and Jules tomorrow.”
>”Okay, I'll do it,” Berry says.
>”Wonderful!” Fioretta exclaims. “Once Mously here has his bull session you'll be up on stage to a crowd like this three times a week. Doesn't that sound fantastic?”
“It sure does, sir.”
>”Now go on out there. I know you've got a lady waiting, Mously. I just wanted to make you my proposition.”
>”Thank you, sir. Good night.”
>”Good night, Mr. Fioretta,” Berry says. “And thank you.”
13/

>When you re-enter the main room, Berry is shaking.
>She sits back down at the table.
>Elenor watches the two of you with mounting curiosity.
>”What happened, Anon? What did Mr. Fioretta want with Berry?”
>The mare looks about to burst.
“Go on, you can tell her,” you laugh.
>”He wants me to sing!” Berry cries.
>”What!?” Elenor yelps, nearly overturning her drink.
>”Yeah! I'm going to sing for Anon's band!”
>”Is this true?”
“Ab-so-lute-ly.”
>Elenor leaps up onto her feet.
>”Well, then we have to celebrate! More drinks! Anon, come and dance with us!”
>She practically yanks you up and onto the dance floor.
>As the music starts to play, she lays her arms around your shoulders.
>”I'm truly thrilled for her,”  she coos. “And for you.” She lets out a giggle. “And for me, too. I'm so glad we took her out.” 
>The pony dances around your legs as your and Elenor sway.
>”Say,” Elenor remarks. “I've just remembered. Cynthia -you remember Cynthia- is throwing a party on her family's yacht this Saturday. You should bring Berry! Cynthia will be dying to meet her.”
>”A party? On a boat?” Berry asks. Her eyes are sparkling. “Anon, can we?”
“Of course.” You look at Elenor warmly. “That sounds great.”
>”I'll pick you up at eight. She's going to have fireworks and lights! It's going to be a real show, Anon!”
>You pull her in by the waist.
“You don't need to convince me. We'll be there.”
14/

>You arrive back at your apartment around two in the morning. Berry hurries up into the building, leaving you and Elenor on the street.
“Thank you for tonight. I'm glad we took her out, too.”
>”You've done a good thing for her,” Elenor smiles. “I'll see you Saturday.”
>She leans over the door towards you. In response, you lean in as well.
>Just when you get close enough, she pulls back, giggling.
>”I'll let you cash that check later, Mr. Mously.”
>You do your best not to look flustered.
>”Saturday.” She pulls away, throwing you glances every so often as she goes.
>You turn around to walk into your building.
>It's late, and you're going to have a lot to explain tomorrow.
End