For the Record: Chapter 2

>The phone wakes you up just as your alarm clock goes off

>Through the cacophony that results, you flop your hand on the end table and grope around for the snooze button

>Eventually you're able to turn off the alarm and can answer the phone

...Hullo?

>”I know it's early, Anon, but we need to talk about the setlist”

>It's Fancypants

How did you get my home phone?

>There's a pause

>”You've got your connections, I've got mine”

>Dammit. Must have been May...

Alright, alright. What's the issue?

>”Why don't you come down to my office?”

>You're not in the mood to play games

Don't screw with me, Fancy. It's too early for that

>”It's 11 in the morning. And regardless, you're under contract now. I'll expect you at noon”

>He hangs up the phone and you pinch the bridge of your nose

>”You work for Fancypants?”

>You look over at the light blue mare as she shifts around under the covers

>She stares at you intently, her purple eyes reflecting a new interest in you

>Damn gold-digging showp0ny...

>Her hoof creeps to your thigh and you sigh, annoyed by both her and Fancypants' phone call

Don't you have a cart to get back to?

>She retracts her hoof and replies defensively

>”It's a wagon; a stage for The G-”

Sure

>You get up and walk to the bathroom

Need cab fare or are you all set?

>”Wh- well- I-”

>She blusters furiously for a few seconds

>”Fine. Cab fare would be nice”

Great

>You walk out of the bathroom a couple minutes later and toss the mare a few bits for the cab

See you 'round

>She huffs at you and walks out without another word

>The clock reads 11:30

>Still time for breakfast at the cafe

1/x

 

>You put on a suit and head out the door, frustrated that you have to go over the set list again

>The show is in 5 days and you're heading to Ponyville with Octavia tomorrow

>What could he possibly think there's time to change now?

>You find a table on the street at the cafe and order a coffee

>Cosmopolitan ponies walk by as you take in the hustle-bustle of the Canterlot streets

>You had a hell of a time getting Octavia anything close to decent recognition here when you first started out

>Taking her act to Ponyville and getting a foothold with the locals won't be easy

>The coffee comes out and you take a sip, thinking of how best to promote your client

>Ponyville is a small-ish town. Mostly earth ponies; a lot of agriculture

>They're probably not so big on 'high-culture' there. Maybe try to keep the classy connotations to a minimum. You don't want Octavia or her music to come off as snooty

>Vinyl's parties could help with that. Get Octy to show up there and she'll seem more down-to-earth

>The Mayor and her Town Council run the day-to-day business in town. Might be a good idea to talk to them about any promotion you want to do...

>You're so lost in thought and planning that you don't hear somep0ny calling your name until they're practically shouting

>”Anon...ANON”

>You look up suddenly to see Vinyl standing across the table from you

Oh! Hey, Vy! What's up?

>”What're you doing in that suit, man? Don't you have today off?”

Something came up

>A glance at a nearby clock lets you know that you've got ten minutes to get to Fancypants' office

And I should get to it

>She puts a hoof out

>”Hold up”

2/x

 

>You stop, confused

Something up, Vy?

>She looks troubled

>”I'll say...”

>You furrow your brow

What's the matter?

>The DJ looks at the ground for a few seconds

>”It's just...”

>You see her shoulders heave and shake

>Is she crying?

>You lean over to her to see what's wrong

Vy? Ar- SON OF A BITCH

>You see Vinyl's devious smile too late. Your chair flies up into the air, toppling you over

>She's laughing. Hard

>”Why does EVERYP0NY fall for that??”

-ooph- Laugh while you can, Vy. I'm getting you back

>Between heaves of laughter she replies

>”Sure, Anon. Whatever you say”

>Her horn glows again and the dust on your suit is blown off

>”Good luck with whatever, man. And try to stay in your chair”

See you later, Vy

>You walk briskly towards the office

 

>”THERE you are, Anon! Fancypants has been waiting!”

>The secretary looks at you from across her desk

>”Your hair's a mess. Did you fall down a flight of stairs or something?”

Something like that

>You pat your hair down quickly

Better?

>”Good enough. Head on in”

>She follows you with her eyes as you walk by and into Fancypants' office

>”Afternoon, Anon. Nice of you to show up”

>His tone is condescending

It's only 12:05. Lighten up. You wanted to talk about the set list?

>”Right down to business, eh? Alright. I need to change some of the selections for Octavia's performance”

>Just what you were afraid of...

What do you need to change it for? The opening is in what, 5 days? We're heading down there TOMORROW, for p0nies' sake

>”We found out that some VERY important ponies will be attending and we want to cater to them”

>Well that's an interesting development...

How important are we talking?

3/x

 

>Fancypants leans forward

>”Big players from Manehattan AND Fillydelphia. We need to make sure THEY'RE blown away or this venture of mine is done before it starts”

>You place your hands on the table

>These 'big players' could be Octavia's big break

Okay, so what do we need to change?

>”We want a more classical approach to this, now. We don't think mood music will cut it with these ponies”

Sounds fair, what did you have in mind?

>”Something more along these lines”

>He pushes a folder of sheet music over to you

>You pull out one of the sheets and look it over before knotting your brow

You're sure this will go over well with the Ponyville crowd?

>”We've decided on it. The ponies from Manehattan and Fillydelphia will eat it up. Their good review is what's going to have the most pull”

The ponies in town will be buying most of the tickets

>Fancypants looks at you, annoyed

..But I know where you're coming from. Anyway, Octavia will be thrilled about this, even if it IS on such short notice. Anything else I should know?

>”No. That's all. Have a safe trip tomorrow”

Okay. I'll let Octavia know about the change

>You walk out of the office, giving a smile and wink to the secretary as you pass by

>Octavia's practice space is uptown

>You get there after fifteen minutes of walking and find her in one of the sound booths, playing

>She seems lost in the music. Her eyes are closed, there's a serene smile on her face, and she sways gently with the melody as she draws the bow across the strings

>It's exactly what makes it so satisfying to see her jump out of her skin when you knock on the door suddenly

4/x

 

>Octavia recovers from the shock and glares at you as you come into the room

>”What. What do you want? I'm very busy, Anon!”

>You laugh and lean against the wall

Just came by to see how my favorite client is doing

>She gives a deadpan stare

>”I'm your only client”

My statement stands

>You take out the folder

Fancy made some changes to the set list. I know you weren't a fan of the mood music selections, so this should be a happy surprise for you

>She takes the folder and looks at the music

>Her eyes light up as she sees what she's to play

>”This is great! How did this happen??”

Turns out a few big-wigs from Manehattan are going to be there. Fancy's people wanted to cater to them for the opening

>Her jaw hits the floor

>”Wh- seriously? I thought this was a small-time gig...”

>You stifle a laugh

You're not nervous, are you? You played the Gala! You can handle a couple big-timers

>”Celestia didn't have the power to make or break my career!”

She could send you to the moon

>”Be serious! I have to work twice as hard now to make sure I'm perfect!”

>The gray mare picks up her instrument and re-tunes with shaking hooves

>You sigh and walk to the door

Just don't work yourself up too much, alright? I need you level-headed in Ponyville, not freaking out about this

>She doesn't look up from the music, which she has now placed on the stand and is looking over

>”Right, fine, just let me practice, alright?”

Okay, see you later

>You walk out with the faint sound of Octavia's cello in the background as you head home to change

5/x

 

>The next day

>You go into the office in the morning to take care of final details

>With three hours until your train leaves, and your work in Canterlot done for now, you get ready to head home

>...Then the phone rings

>Reluctantly, you pick up the receiver

>As a result, you spend the next ten minutes explaining to the stallion on the other end that Octavia is booked

...No, I'm telling you she's going to be out of town for the next week

>...

Yeah, that DOES mean she can't play at your venue

>...

I know that, but she's got another commitment. I don't know what else to tell you

>...

>You pinch the bridge of your nose, exasperated

Look, I'm sorry if there was some miscommunication here, but she's not available until next week. I can set up a meeting then and we can talk about booking her for your venue

>...

Uh-huh

>...

I know it's short-notice. It was a last minute booking

>...

Alright, I'll put you through to my secretary. She'll set you up with an appointment

>You transfer the call to May Bell and mutter under your breath as you walk out of the office

...Putz

 

>You get home with 90 minutes until the train

>Octavia will be waiting at the station, as will Vinyl

>Thinking back, it might have been a good idea to tell the gray mare that the DJ was tagging along, but it's a little late for that now

>You're having Octavia's gear shipped down on the same train. It's not a whole lot, given that she's only one mare, but it's good for the image

>Ticket in-hand, you walk out the door towards the station

6/x

 

>The train whistle blows loudly as you and Octavia settle into your cabin

>A redcap loads your bags into the rack and the train lurches forward

>You turn to Octavia, who looks out the window nervously

Don't tell me you're nervous, Octy

>She looks around at you

>”I'm not allowed to be a little nervous? It's my first out-of-town performance...”

That's why you should be excited. You're going to be great and we're going to have a blast down there

>She looks a little less nervous, but her apprehensive expression soon changes to surprise and realization as she sees what's behind you

What?

>You turn to see a pair of purple goggles inches from your face and a massive grin plastered on Vinyl's face

AAUGH!

>Vinyl mockingly returns your yelp

>”AAUGH!”

>Octavia puts her face in her hoof and groans

>”aaugh...”

>Vinyl pouts at Octavia's reaction and sits next to her

>”Come on, Octy, aren't you happy I'm coming too?”

>She takes off the goggles and bats her eyes innocently

>Octavia sighs

>”I suppose”

>”Great!”

>Vinyl's horn glows and you see a cooler fly into the room

>”Let's get this party started, then!”

>She opens it as Octavia looks on in horror

>”It's NOON. You can't even HAVE drinks in here anyway!”

>Vinyl pops open a bottle of beer and floats it over to you before answering

>”It's 5 somewhere!”

>Octavia looks at you, lips pursed in frustration

>”Anon, you're not seriously going along with this, are you?”

Oh, lighten up, Octy. Have a drink and relax

>Vinyl scoots closer to Octavia and waves a bottle in front of her

>”C'mon. It's your faaavoorriiitteeee~”

>”Fine, but don't blame me when you get kicked off the train”

>She takes the bottle and Vinyl slides the cabin door closed

7/x

 

>”So, you excited, Octy?”

>Vinyl leans into the gray mare, who takes a dainty sip of her drink

>”...Maybe a little”

>The DJ turns to you, giggling

>”'A little' she says! Can you believe this mare?”

>She pokes Octavia in the rib

>”Show a little more enthusiasm! My little Octy's playing her first out-of-town gig! We're gonna party SO hard to celebrate!”

>She flings her hooves around to punctuate her statements

>The three of you spend the rest of the two-hour train ride making plans for what to do during your down time

>”You ever been to Ponyville, Octy? It's great! The ponies here know how to have a good time”

>Vinyl is on her fifth or sixth drink by the time the train comes up to Ponyville station

>”I haven't. I usually stay in Canterlot for work”

>Octavia is on her second. She looks down at it distantly as she speaks

Well, we're about to change that, aren't we?

>The announcement comes over the intercom as you put away your fourth bottle

>”Ponyville Station. Now arriving at Ponyville Station. Next station stop Manehattan. Now arriving at Ponyville Station, Ponyville Station”

This is us. Let's go

>You get up from your seat as the train lurches to a stop

>Vinyl wobbles to her feet and both of you steady yourselves on the wall

>She looks at you and you both break out laughing

>Octavia looks on disdainfully and pushes past you on her way out

>”I'll meet you at the room”

>She slings her cello case over her back and walks to the door

>As she opens it, she's met with a horde of paparazzi, cameras at the ready like a firing line

8/x

 

>The flashbulbs start going off and you see the gray pony stagger back, surprised by the crowd

>The photographers quickly stop when you walk into view to see what's happening, but start up again the moment they see Vinyl in tow

>An avalanche of questions follows. The gathered ponies yell over one another, vying for the DJ's comment as the three of you push through the crowd

>Vinyl yells to you over the noise

>”Anon! I'm gonna go down Mane Street and see if I can lose these chumps! I'll meet you guys later!”

Alright, you know where we're staying!

>Better not tell THEM that, though

>You guide Octavia through the mass as Vinyl takes a turn to draw them off

>She looks dazed. She definitely wasn't expecting the paparazzi out here

>Honestly, she doesn't even get the paparazzi in Canterlot. They don't like to follow classical musicians very much

>Vinyl's another story though

>She thrives on the attention. She'll probably lead the crowd somewhere and then strike some poses; give them something to write about

Bunch of vultures. You alright, Octy?

>Octavia seems fine, if a bit shaken up

>”Yeah, can we just get to the room? I want to unpack and actually relax a little before I start practicing”

Sure thing. You head over there. I'm gonna scout the location a little and make sure they haven't screwed anything up

>”Alright”

Meet up at the cafe on Mane Street at seven for dinner?

>”Sounds good”

Great, because Vinyl's got us an invite to something called a “Pinkie Party” after that. I'm not sure what that means, but she's pretty excited about it. Should be interesting

>Octavia looks apprehensive

9/x

 

>”Are you sure it's a good idea to party before a gig like this?”

It's fine, Octy. It'll be a good chance to network with the ponies here. Get your name in the social circles

>She looks to where Vinyl led the crowd of photographers

Anyway, from what Vinyl told me yesterday, you can't really turn an invite like this down. It'll be fun, regardless. So I'll see you at seven

>”...Right”

>You walk down the road to the venue somewhat lazily

>It's been a while since you've been out of Canterlot and the streets here are relatively quiet

>You decide to take a look at the market before you go to the venue

>There's more activity in Ponyville's market. You feel a little more at-home with more ponies milling about

>It looks to be mostly produce stalls. You walk around looking at the different fruits and vegetables on sale

>”Well ain't you a tall drink o' water?”

>The thick drawl catches your attention and you look up at the pony behind the apple stall

>”Kin Ah help ya'?”

>She's young, probably close to Vinyl's age. Her yellow mane is tied back and covered by a large Stetson. Definitely working-class, most likely proud of it, from her tone of voice and air from the apple stall

>The mare cocks her head to the side as you take out a piece of paper with the address of the venue written on in

Actually, yes. I'm from out of town, you see, and I'm looking for this address. Could you give me directions?

>”A course! 'N let me be the first to welcome ya ta Ponyville, stranger. Mah name's Applejack”

>She extends a hoof, which you shake

Anonymous. Nice to meet you, Appleja-

10/x

 

>You pause

>That name...

>”Sumthin' wrong, par'ner?”

You...you wouldn't be the Applejack who invented Applejack Daniels...would you?

>A look of pride comes over her face

>”Ah most cert'nly am”

>A smile crawls over your face

Now, why aren't I surprised that something as good as Applejack Daniels came from somep0ny as business-minded as you?

>She gives a bashful smile

>”Aw, shucks, Ah ain't one ta brag...but how in the hay'd you guess me fer somep0ny with business-sense? Nop0ny ever says that about me at first”

Oh, it wasn't hard. You hold yourself like a businessp0ny behind that stall. I'm guessing from your legs that you buck these apples yourself, too?

>You lean to the side as you speak, taking a look at her legs

>She narrows her eyes, looking at you with a hint of suspicion

>”...So how 'bout them d'rections?”

Right, here you go

>She reads the address and looks down the road

>”Ah know this place. It's the new music stage 'r some such business. Just follow the road and you'll see the place. It's openin' soon, ain't it?”

Sure is

>”Why're you goin' there 'fore it opens? You work there 'r somethin'?”

Something like that. I've got a client who's playing the opening in a few days

>”So ya work in music?”

Sure do. I'm a promoter, manager, whatever you want to call it. I'm on contract with Fancypants here in Ponyville

>”That's mighty fancy-sounding, Anon”

>It seems from her tone that she doesn't think highly of the idea of making a profit off of someone else's talent

Ah, it's not that glamorous. And I'm in it for my client, anyway. She's a friend of mine

>The orange pony seems to soften at the mention of your friend

>She values loyalty. That's noble

>A bit naïve, but noble

11/x

 

 

Anyway, I'm sure you don't want to hear my whole life story. I'll be off...

>You take a couple steps before turning back to the stall

...But I WOULD love to see where you make the Applejack Daniels sometime. It's one of my favorite drinks and it's a little hard to find up in Canterlot

>The blonde mare perks up a little bit

>”Uh, sure. When would you lahk ta see it?”

How's tomorrow sound? Around...noon?

>”Well alright. Ah'll have Big Macintosh take over tha stand while Ah give y'all a tour”

Great. Looking forward to it, Applejack

>With that you set off towards the venue

12/x

 

>An hour or so later

>You're walking to Sugar Cube Corner

>The venue is coming along nicely. You should be able to get some real work done there tomorrow morning

>Today was just going in to see what you had to work with

>It's not much, being a small town, but it's an opportunity nonetheless

>You get to the bakery and hear your stomach growl the moment the smell of pastry hits you

>”Hey, Anon! Get over here!”

>Vinyl yells to you from the table where she sits next to a pink pony with an impossibly poofy mane

>You walk over to the mares and see the pink one beaming at you, rapidly bouncing up and down in her seat

>She looks like she's trying desperately to contain her excitement for some reason

You must be Pinkie Pie. Vinyl told me about you on the train

>Pinkie lets out a loud gasp and then leaps out of her seat, darting around you as she talks

>”Ohmigoshyou'rereallytalltallerthananyp0nyI'veeverseenareyouevenaponybecauseI'veneverseenaponythatlookslikeyoubeforeandI'veseenjustabouteverykindofponythereisa-OOMPH”

>Vinyl picks the pink pony up with her magic and floats her back to her seat

>”So this is Pinkie, Anon. Pinkie, this is Anon, my buddy from Canterlot”

>She turns back to you

>”You gave Octy the invitation to Pinkie's shindig, right?”

Of course

>Pinkie looks like she's about to burst again

>You motion to her with your head

She always this...animated?

>”Only when she meets new friends, and you WILL be friends. Mark my words”

>Pinkie's smile looks like it's about to crack her head in half

>”I'm gonna go get us some cupcakes! Wait here, 'Nony!”

>You turn to Vinyl as Pinkie dashes into the kitchen like a blur

...'Nony?

>Vinyl grins at you

>”I can't believe I didn't think of that one sooner. I like it”

Dammit, Vy...

13/x

 

>”'Anon' is boring, man. 'Nony' suits you WAY better”

This must be what Octy feels like every day...

>Vinyl leans back in her seat

>”Yeah, but she loves it”

>”Loves what?”

>Vinyl opens one eye as Octavia descends the stairs from the guest rooms

>”Pinkie! Come meet Octy!”

>The gray mare's eyes go wide

>”Wh-”

>She's cut off when a pink streak flies across the room and topples her over

>”Hi!I'mPinkiePieWhat'syourname?Areyounew?Youmustbenewbeca...”

>You slip upstairs while Pinkie is occupied and start unpacking your things

>The flyer for the library falls out of one of your jacket pockets

>An idea strikes you

>You fold the flyer up and put it in your pocket before going to the stairs

Hey, Octavia, you still need a practice space, right?

>Octavia looks up from a huge tray of pastries and cookies, half a cupcake hanging from her mouth

>You stifle a laugh as she puts the cake down and swallows

>”Er, no, the rooms here have too much reverberation. I still need a place. Why? Have you found one?”

Why don't we head to the library? I bet it'll be nice and quiet there and I'm sure they'll have a place for you to practice

>”The library? Are you su-”

>Pinkie interjects

>”OOH! The library would be PERFECT! Twilight's SURE to know a spell or two or three to help you, too!”

>Part of you wonders if Pinkie is this excitable in other contexts, but you push the thought to the back of your mind. This is business

>You remember the picture of the unicorn on the flyer

>Purely business...

>That curvy figure...

>...Okay, mostly business...

>Her toned flank...

>...50/50?

>Yeah, you'll go with that

Want to go?

14/x

 

>The Library isn't far from Sugar Cube Corner

>As you and Octavia come up to the hollowed out tree, you see the violet unicorn out on a balcony

>Octavia sees you staring and jabs you in the side

What?

>She's glaring at you

>”No. I know what you're thinking right now. Just...don't”

Come on, Octy, you really think I'd do something like that?

>She looks at you with silent resignation

>”You bucked Fancypants' secretary the same day you told me that would be dumb”

...And it WAS dumb. But it was also fun

>”Can't pick smart over fun once in a while?”

>You smirk

Who says I have to?

>You knock loudly on the door

>From inside you hear the unicorn stumble over some books

>”Coming! Coming! Just a second!”

>The door opens and the violet unicorn looks up at you in surprise

>”I- uh...”

Hi

End