For the Record Chapter 12

>Stucco Wall leans forward in the chair in front of your desk.

>You wonder why May let him in your office at all, but he's here now and there's nothing you can do about it.

“So what is it, Stucco? I assume it's real important, since you couldn't do this by phone.”

>The stallion clears his throat loudly.

>”I just wanted to extend my gratitude for your booking Octavia at my establishment. The first night was fantastic. We've never had so many ponies asking for a performer's information.”

“I hope you sent them in the right direction.”

>”But of course!”

“Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but is that really all you came up here for?”

>Stucco grins.

>”As it happens, Anon, it isn't.”

>You furrow your brow and arch your fingers over the desk.

>”My cousin was visiting just last night and saw Octavia play. You might know him. He runs Libretto Hall, in Fillydelphia.”

>Your eyes go wide.

“Your cousin is Liberty Bell?”

>”The same. He asked me to pass on his interest. And this.”

>Stucco holds out a card.

>As you reach for the card, he pulls it back.

>”Not so fast.” The stallion snaps the piece of paper down on the desk and covers it with his hoof. You raise an eyebrow. “I'm gonna want something in return.”

“What?”

>”Ten percent of whatever Bell pays you.”

“You're joking.”

>”Ten percent.”

>There's a knock on the door.

“Excuse me.” You look past Stucco “Yes, May?”

>”Minor Seventh on the line for you.”

“Put her through. Thanks.” You look up at the stallion as you pull a pad of paper out. “I've got to take this. Talk to May outside and she'll reschedule you, alright?” You lift the phone to your ear with a smile. “Yes, Minnie! Hi! How are you?”

>You maintain eye contact with Stucco. He looks exceedingly confused for a moment before wandering to the door.

1/

 

“Sorry about that.”

>”It's fine. I'm very well, thank you. And yourself?” Minor Seventh replies.

“Doing just fine.”

>”Wonderful.”

“Did our demo get to your office okay?”

>”It did. I've got it right here in front of me. I'll be playing it again for the partners in a couple of hours, but I wanted to let you know what I thought before that.”

“I appreciate it,” you smile.

>”It's very good. Not perfect, mind you, but it's very good. You used Fancypants' studio for this, right?”

“We did.”

>”I thought so. It's got Brown's style all over it,” she says brightly. “Anyway, I'm almost certain the partners will agree with my assessment. All goes well, you'll get a phone call from them in the next couple of days.”

“And if it doesn't?” You raise an eyebrow.

>”Then you'll get a phone call from me offering my condolences. Regardless, I'd like the two of you to come to Fillydelphia for a day or two so that I can meet Octavia face to face. Even if the partners don't want to sign her, there's plenty that I'd be inclined to let the two of you in on. And besides, I like to get to know the talented ponies Equestria has to offer.”

“That's very generous of you. Thanks.”

>”So when can I expect the two of you?”

“I'll have to talk to Octavia first, but early next week should be open.”

>”Alright. I look forward to meeting this cellist of yours. Ciao.”

“Wait a second?” you blurt out.

>”Yes?” comes the somewhat surprised reply.

“Are you in contact with Liberty Bell at all?”

>”Of course.”

“I had his cousin in a few minutes ago. Octavia's been playing the Bow Shack. Owner said Bell was asking about her. Guy actually tried to leverage a business card! Can you believe it?”

>She laughs. ”I'll ask about it when I see him next.”

“Thanks a lot, Minnie. G'bye.”

>”G'bye.”

>You hang up and walk to May's desk.

“Hey May, can you check train prices between here and Filly for the next week?”

2/

 

>The cellist stares at you across the table. “You've got something to say. I know you do,” she says flatly. You lean forward, looking grim.

“We... I heard back from Minor Seventh,” you begin.

>Octavia eyes you, guarded. You let out a sigh and put a hand on her hoof.

>She looks worried, now. Perfect.

>”W-what did she say?”

“She listened to the demo this morning.”

>”...and?”

“Let me just- I know how much this meant to you. I know how hard you worked to come this far and I want you to know that there are other studios out there. It's not the end of the line...”

>The cellist goes ashen. You grin widely.

“...but you don't have to worry about that. Minnie loved it! She's bringing it to the partners at the label this afternoon.. I'll hear from them in a couple days.”

>Octavia slaps you.

>”Bastard!” She gets up and circles around to you, catching you in a vise-like hug. “You had me going,” she says.

>You take a long drink.

“She wants us to come out to Fillydelphia so she can meet you. How's early next week looking for you?”

>Octavia lets out a loud squeal and tightens her grip on you.

“Glad... you're happy...” you gasp.

>After a second, she releases you.

“So... Tuesday sound good? We'll be there a couple days. Plenty of time to meet Minnie and do some tourist stuff, too.”

>”Gods, I can't believe this is actually happening!”

“You've been saying that a lot lately.”

>”It's fantastic! Everything is going so fast!”

“There's something else.”

>”What?”

“Liberty Bell was asking about you. I asked Minnie to look into it as a favor. All else fails and you could still end up playing the Libretto.”

>Octavia looks like she's about to faint.

3/

 

>”You're joking.”

“Stucco came in this morning and told me about it. Apparently Liberty Bell is his cousin.”

>”And he was asking about me?”

“At the Bow Shack, yeah.”

>”I don't believe it.”

“You'd better start,” you laugh. “Gotta own it. You're getting there.”

>”Did you know this would happen when you got me that gig?”

“Of course not. Just worked out. How could I possibly have planned that?”

>”You plan everything.”

“I prepare for anything. There's a difference.”

>You take a large bite of sandwich and motion for Octavia to sit back down.

“Anyway, I'll have May buy tickets for Tuesday morning.”

>”Should I bring my cello?”

“If you like. I don't think you'd be playing it anywhere officially, but it never hurts to be prepared.”

>”I'll bring it along.”

“Want to invite Vy?”

>”I'm almost certain she has work she should be doing.”

“Since when does that stop her?”

>”She's serious about her work. You should know that by now.”

“Didn't say otherwise. But she finds a way.”

>”That she does.” You catch a slight hint of worry in her voice, but ignore it.

>Octavia changes the subject. “Have you heard from Twilight at all?”

“Got a letter last night thanking me for the weekend.”

>”That's nice. Did it say anything else?”

“She's coming back at the end of next week.”

>Octavia says nothing.

>You raise an eyebrow.

“No comment?”

>”Twilight's free to make her own choices,” the cellist replies. “...and I'm happy to see you acting a little differently about her. I haven't seen you like this in a long time.”

“I'm glad you approve.”

>”Since when do you seek my approval?”

>You change the subject.

“When do you have to be at the Bow Shack tonight? It's your last show.”

>”Six.”

“Got it.”

>She narrows her eyes.

>”What are you planning?”

“Nothing at all.”

4/

 

>May Bell eyes you when you return.

>”I got those ticket prices, Anon. Something good happen?”

“Sure did. Can you buy two for Tuesday?”

>”Alright.”

“I'll be making some calls. Did you reschedule Stucco?”

>”He's coming in tomorrow at eleven.”

“Good, thanks.”

>You head into your office and dial out.

>”Hello?” comes the answer. You don't recognize the voice.

“It's Anon.”

>”One moment. I'll see if Ms. Seventh is in.”

>You raise an eyebrow at the “Ms.”

>As soon as you do, you push the thought from your head.

>”Anon! I wasn't expecting to hear back from you so soon. Did something come up?” Minnie asks.

“No, nothing to worry about, anyway. I talked to Tavi about coming out there. She was happy to. We'll arrive Tuesday.”

>”Brilliant! We'll get lunch all together. It'll be great.”

“Sounds good. We'll see you then.”

>You hang up and immediately pull the phone book to dial out again.

>After a few seconds of  ringing, someone answers.

>”Hello?”

“Afternoon. How've you been, Arpeggia?”

>”How did you know I'm at the studio?”

“You're booked at one of Fancy's places tomorrow night. Did you just get in? You sound tired.”

>”I-- as a matter of fact, yes. It was a long trip from Baltimare to here. Is there something you wanted?”

“Not really, but I'm not calling for myself. Octavia know you're here yet?”

>”I was going to get in contact later on.”

“Better idea: she's playing at the Bow Shack tonight at seven. It's her last show there and she's got a lot to celebrate. Know what would make her good day even better?”

>Silence on the other end, but knowing silence. You can practically hear her smile.

>”Alright, I'll play along. Should I ask what she's going to be celebrating?”

“It'd be better for her to gush about it. She'd kill me if I spilled the beans.”

>”Fair enough. Thank you for telling me.”

5/

 

>You hang up and face out your office window.

>Octavia should like what you've done for her. It's always fun to drop the unexpected on her head.

>The pile of letters from the morning sits on the desk.

>Sitting on top of the pile is a particularly fancy looking piece of parchment with a violet wax seal.

>You take it and turn back to the window.

>>”Dear Anon,” it begins.

>>”Thank you for all your help this past weekend. I know we didn't find anything major, but at the very least (and I don't mean that to diminish anything), I enjoyed spending the time with you.”

>The letter arrived a day or two before.

>>”I'll be looking through the Ponyville collection again this next week. Hopefully I'll be able to find something of use there.”

>You spent the last two nights reading the book that Professor Schist had recommended. By your own estimation, you'd say you still don't understand any of it.

>>”I also want to thank you for the wonderful time you showed me. It's been a long time since I've had that much fun. I'll be coming back to Canterlot in ten days. Saturday. I'll be working at the Archive again for a few days, but I'm really hoping to see you again. It feels strange to write that out, but I would like very much to keep seeing you. Feel free to write back. Best wishes, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Huh.”

>You place the letter on the stack and lean back.

>With not much else to do, you take out some paper and a pen.

“Dear Twilight...”

6/

 

>Vinyl rocks her stool back and nearly tips over.

>”You did what?” she exclaims.

“Sent Tavi a present.”

>The after-dinner crowd is starting to come into the bar.

“Thought she'd appreciate some company. I mean, she deserves it, don't you think?”

>”You're a good friend.” She downs another shot.

“I just wish I could see her face.”

>Vinyl plays with one of the shot glasses.

>”How much'd you bet she freezes up the second Peggi comes in?”

“Eyes like dinner plates,” you laugh.

>”Hey, 've you been seein' more of Booky?”

>The DJ smirks and leans towards you. Her muzzle is flushed.

>”Been a while since you've gone like this. You're really playin' the long game with this one.”

“Yeah.”

>You flag down the bartender.

>”So what's the angle now? She coming back soon? You gonna get it then?”

>Instead of giving her an answer, you just take long sip from a new glass.

>”Be careful, though. Keep this up and you're gonna end up roped together with this mare. Can't play the long game forever, y'know.”

“I know, but this is fun. It's a challenge.”

>Vinyl finishes another drink.

“What about you, though?”

>”What about me?”

“Any new flings?”

>The mare waves her hoof. “Eh. Nothin' interesting.”

“Too easy?”

>She groans. “Some of these stallions are so boring! I hooked up with one just the other night and all he talked about was what a big fan he was! I mean, what am I supposed to do with that? My ego's not that big, Anon! I can only get off on that so many times!”

>You stifle a laugh.

>She realizes she's yelling and clams up.

“Don't you have a tour coming up soon? Should get some variety, right?”

>”Heh. Yeah, another month or two. West Equestria, mostly. Should be fun.”

“We'll miss you here. It's never the same around town with you on the road.”

>Her smile falters for a split second before she raises her glass.

>“Hopefully I'll be sayin' the same to you and Tavi soon!”

7/

 

>The glass clinks loudly against yours.

“Cheers to that, Vy.”

>The DJ drains her drink and waves at the bartender.

“Oh! Nearly forgot. Minnie called. We're going out to Filly to meet her face to face.”

>”Nice!” she yells, punching your arm. “That's awesome! When're you going?”

“Tuesday. We come back Thursday.”

>She looks up at the ceiling.

>”Shit, I wish I could come. I gotta do work, man. Label's breathin' down my neck on this new record.”

“That sounds an awful lot like an excuse.”

>”I know. It sucks!”

“Heh. Well, it's your call.”

>”Another round?”

>You look at the glasses in front of you.

“Sure.”

>”Hey, you ever get that barrel from AJ?”

“The Applejack Daniels? Yeah, got it a little while ago. It's in my basement.”

>”Sweet. You made out like a bandit with Ponyville, huh?”

“How do you mean?”

>Vinyl grins and leans in towards you. “Y'got a big barrel of booze, you got Tavi in with Minnie...”

>Her smile widens. “You got in with a couple mares yourself.”

“What can I say?”

>”Bandit.”

8/

 

>Tuesday.

>The train billows steam out over the platform. A redcap hurriedly pushes a cart of luggage past you.

>Octavia stands off to the side, watching the cars slowly start pulling away.

>”You didn't bring a cooler this time did you?” she asks, glancing at your bag.

“Disappointed?”

>”Not in the slightest,” she retorts. “You've got the hotel?”

“18th street. Great Hoofton.”

>You lead the mare up into the station main lobby and motion to the room.

“Welcome to Fillydelphia!”

>”What's that smell?”

“Try not to think about it too much.”

>The two of you pass a pile of trash cans.

“Big citay!~”

>Octavia laughs.

“What? Too glamorous? C'mon. We'll get a cab, get checked in, grab dinner. Minnie told me about this nice place up near city hall. Wanna go there?”

>”Sure.”

“Cool. We're meeting Minnie at eleven tomorrow and then the label heads after that.”

>”So we've got to call it an early night tonight?”

>You balk.

“What? No. Just means a ten-drink maximum, be in bed by three.”

>She rolls her eyes.

>”Alright.”

“We're in, Octy. Might as well celebrate, right?”

End