To Be A Star (WiP)

>Night We're Going to Have to Work At This Everyday on Earth

>Be Anonymous the Usher

>You sweep the isle in your usual diligent manner as the sound of hooves stomping about begins to fade

>The film projection disappears from the large screen before you and the lights slowly glow brighter

>By the time you clean the topmost row of seats, the theatre is empty

>You make your way through the seats as you pick up candy wrappers, discarded soft drink cups, and mop up questionable white stains

>It is a thankless job, but you do your damnedest to make sure it is accomplished

>Within the 30 minute window, you see the previews begin to roll on screen again

>The standard commercials roll by that you have seen a million times before

>You finish up as some awful ad featuring talking confectioneries begins playing

>"When your sweet-tooth starts to ache, fix it quick with a malted shake! If your tummy's getting rumbly, grab some crunchy popcorn munchies!"

>You sigh at the very sight of this terrible animation and begin to pack away your cleaning kit

>Stashing all your equipment in a corner, you check the time to see that there is only one more screening for a late night movie

>It is some kind of drama or perhaps a romance movie from the title, but neither one interests you

>The beauty of a late night movie is that no one, pony or person, in this sleepy town ever comes in

>You reserve yourself to sitting in the upper rows and relaxing your feet on the opposite chair

>Tilting your hat downward, you cover your face and attempt to get in a quick nap

>It is easy to filter out the surrounding noise these days as you snore lightly to yourself

>The theatre becomes silent for the moment as the commercials end and you hear the faintest sound of hoof beats in the air

>You quickly look up to see a grey mare trotting up the isle

>There are 109 seats in this movie theatre, but she decides to sit beside you

>For a moment, you just look to the mare with a pleasant smile

>The lights dim and the projector begins rolling again as the movie starts

>You turn your head casually towards the mare to get a better look at her features without attracting too much attention

>She is grey in coat with a sugarplum coloured mane and tail

>Her mane is long and wild as is her tail and her fetlocks are unshorn

>As you continue to study her, the mare shifts her gaze in your direction

>You pull back out of some part fear and another part respect, but you think she still saw you

>"Oh, um, hey? You need something?"

"Hmm, me? No, no, nothing, thanks."

>You take a deep breath and relax as you try to watch the movie

>As the opening credits roll, the name, "The Notebook" appears on screen and the pony beside you wiggles excited

>She whispers aloud to herself as her eyes focus

>"Damn it..."

"I'm sorry, what?"

>The mare looks to you with a little blush on her cheeks

>"Sorry, said that out loud again, sorry."

"No, no, you're fine. Something happen?"

>The mare snaps her attention to you again

>"Hmm? No, everything's fine. I just have to watch this movie -again- for class."

"You're a student?"

>"Yes, at the University of Manehattan. Film student."

>You nod as the pony speaks quickly to you

>Turning back to the movie, you watch what transpires

"So... You've seen this already, but why did you come all the way out here to watch it again?"

>"I like this movie theatre."

>Fair enough, you think, but the travelling alone is not worth the price of admission

>You return to your upright position as you begin to watch the movie

>Events play by of an old man telling a story of a young couple

>It is not too long before the mare beside you starts whispering again

>"This shot's framed weird..."

"What's that?"

>She looks to you as if you were the one to start the conversation

>"What's what?"

"You just said the shot is framed weird, right?"

>"Oh, did I? Sorry, thought bubble."

>She chuckles nervously and fidgets a bit to get comfortable

>The movie plays on as you try to study the mare again

>Her face smirks and frowns at the movie and she occasionally chuckles, but you hardly see her looking at the movie itself

>It is as if her focus is everywhere, but the movie!

>"The lighting's all wrong..."

>You try and see what she is looking at, but finally give up and ask

"Where?"

>She points with a hoof at a corner between a shot of some trees and a house

>"There... It's just too dark."

>You look carefully and finally catch the spot before the scene changes

>The couple begins talking again, or fighting as it were, and you look to the commotion

>"Dialogue's OK... Ryan Gosling at least knows how to act..."

>You stare at the movie for a second and think about it

>For a moment, you see the movie in a new light

>Instead of seeing what the movie presents, you think about how the movie presents it

"Film student, right? That's what you said earlier, yeah?"

>"Hmm? Oh, yes, why?"

"So, can you like watch movies or is it all just sets and lights and cameras for you?"

>"I suppose I might be thinking about the production a bit... I've seen this movie already too, so it's not like the stories gripping me."

"Makes sense. And, hey, I didn't get your name?"

>The pony is silent for a moment before she looks away from you

>"M-me? Heh, my name's Telecast."

>You chuckle at pony naming conventions

"Good name. I'm Anonymous, but everyone just calls me 'Anon'."

>"Oh, yeah, I know."

>You look about in confusion for the moment

"You know? How?"

>Telecast giggles at you for a second before pointing at your vest

>"You're wearing a nametag, silly."

>You are overcome with embarrassment for a brief moment before you let go your own laugh

"I forgot all about that. Nice to meet you still."

>The movie rolls on as Telecast pokes a million or so holes into the film

>Her interpretation of the film leaves you smiling for the first time in a while

>"It's not a bad film, it's just so obvious and predictable. They want the tear-jerker audience."

"Hah, whatever makes money, right?"

>"Eh, they had the star power for it. This movie got really good reviews and it was free for me anyways."

>You grade this for a moment

"Film students get to see movies for free?"

>"Pfft, I wish. My dad owns this movie theatre, so I usually come here when I have an assignment like this."

>She smiles with you as your face turns into panic

>"Hey, Anon, you OK?"

"Your father is Mr. Big Screen?!"

>"Oh, yeah, why?"

>You try to chuckle the fear away with little success

"No reason..."

>You thought this mare was too cute to be true

>"Don't worry, I won't tell him you were slacking off and watching a movie with me."

>A hoof slides over your hand as a pair of big blue eyes looks up at you in the dim light

>"Thanks for letting me complain. It was a fun... date?"

>With a swift motion, Telecast stands and pecks you on the cheek

>She quickly nods to herself and makes haste out of the theatre

>You hold a cool hand to your now warm face and watch the mare disappear into the hallway

>A smile creeps along your mouth until your face begins to hurt

"Yeah, good date."

>You stand in your stupor a while longer until the projector falls silent

>With a weak, barely audible voice, you whisper into the darkness

"S-same time next w-week?"

>Anon, you sly dog, you!