Episode 21: The Seamstresses’ Apprentice
 
(Cold Open: Open on interior of Norman and Brad’s Apartment.  Norman sits on the couch reading a newspaper.  We see him from the front with his face obscured by the paper.  The Headline: “200 Girls Kidnapped in Nigeria: Expected to be Sold Into Marriage”  There is a noise from the kitchen, Norman lowers the paper, looks back, and sees nothing there.  He returns to reading.  Another Noise, looks back, nothing.  A third noise and Norman jumps up and runs into the kitchen finding multiple Nigerian girls going through his fridge and cupboards.)
Norman: (Surprised and Angry) God Damnit Brad! (Laughter into the theme song)
(Act 1: Still in the apartment, Norman storms to Brad’s room and bangs on the door)
Norman: Oy!  Brad, you in?
Brad: (Through the door) More like in and out. (Laughter)
Norman: We need to talk.
Brad: If its about bringing the rent to Harshwhinny, forget it.  That woman has gone utterly crazy for me.  Makes me wish I’d never used Scott’s time machine.
Norman: You still believe that happened?  You must have really hit your head bad.  Listen, I’m coming in.
(Norman opens the door greeted by the sight of Brad laying on his bed and being fanned and fed grapes by the multiple missing girls.)
Brad: (Waving) Hey Norm! (Laughter)
Norman: (Eye twitiching) Brad….
Brad: Yeah?
Norman: What in the name of Faust is going on here!?
Brad: Simple. I have offered these two hundred ladies the opportunity to come to America and serve one of Equestria’s most eligible bachelors.
Norman: So...you kidnapped them then.
Brad: Sounds to me like someone is having an issue with semantics.  (Laughter)
Norman: You can’t be doing this Brad.  The United States is about to enter a war thinking these girls have been taken by Boko Haram.
Brad: More like Boko HAREM, amirite. (Laughter)
(Norman is not amused)
Norman: Why would you do this?
Brad: Think about it, Norm.  I’ve pulled off the greatest waifu heist since the taking of Helen of Troy. (Laughter)
Norman: Your pride in this matter is most disturbing.  Listen, I’m going over to Rarity’s for a while since I promised to help her out today.  I expect you to have these girls back where they belong as soon as I return.
Brad: And if I don’t.
Norman: You get to take the rent to Harshwhinny.
Brad: (Turning pale) I’ll get the plane fueled up. (Laughter)
(Scene Change: Outside of Rarity’s Apartment.  We see Norman standing at the door ready to knock on it)
Norman: Damn that Brad!  All he ever does is use our apartment for dastardly deeds.  It seems like everytime I walk in…
(Flashbacks to multiple times Norman has interacted with Brad in Waifu Stealer Mode)
Brad: Bradical!!!
(Audience laughter and applause)
Norman: There you are!  And where, pray tell, have you been?
Brad:  Just out getting some air, I’ve had a busy day today.
Norman:(Looking at the girl on the couch) I can tell...
Brad: (Noticing the girl) Ah, about that, Norman allow me to introduce you to Sunset Shimmer.
Norman:(Takes her hand, which is rather limp due to being knocked out, and shakes it) Charmed, I’m sure...(lets it drop back to the couch with an audible “thud”). (Laughter)
(Another Flashback)
(Brad enters carrying a passed out Colgate)
Norman: What’s up?
Brad: Oh this....(Starts walking toward his room) Colgate was kind enough to let me test some of her anesthetics on her. (Laughter)
Rarity: Where are you going?
Brad: To make her rinse and spit!
(Laughter)
(Back to the Present)
Norman: And now he goes and kidnaps 200 girls and nearly brings the nation to the brink of war simply so he can satisfy his perverted desires.  Oh well, at least that explains who has been eating all of the food in our apartment. (Laughter)
(Norman knocks on Rarity’s door)
Norman: (Sighs) Well, at least I don’t have to worry about any surprises when I go to visit the Aryan Beauty.
(The door opens)
Norman: I’ve come to help you Rari...ty?
(We see a young girl, possibly a senior in High School has answered the door.  She wears a sailor style outfit: a cream top with purple trim, and a purple skirt with a purple hat with a red feather on it.  Her short blue hair and light skin in completed with a red flower, she looks at Norman in confusion)
Girl: I...I’m sorry but Rarity Senpai is very busy and can’t be bothered right now.  Please come back another time.
(She closes the door)
Norman: Why do I even bother to open my mouth. (Laughter to end the act)

(Act 2: Still outside Rarity’s door is a surprised Norman.  He takes a deep breath, composes himself, and knocks again.  The girl answers again)
Girl: Oh my...you’re very persistent.  B-but as I said, I fear Rarity Senpai is very busy.  You will have to come…
Rarity: (Interrupting) Coco, Darling, who is it?
Coco: N-no one Rarity Senpai, just a salesmen...I-I think.
(Rarity enters the frame)
Rarity: Norman!  How are you?  (To Coco) Let him in, Darling, thats my boyfriend.
Norman: Hello Rarararara(slaps himself)-ity. (Laughter)
(Norman Enters)
Coco: B-boyfriend?  Rarity Senpai, you never mentioned you had a boyfriend.
Rarity: You never asked, darling.  Stick with me and you’ll have to beat all the boys off.
Norman: (Realizing what she said) Hehe.
(The two girls look at him)
Norman: Hm...oh nothing. (Laughter)
Rarity: Norman, allow me to introduce you to Coco Pommel.  She’s in her last semester of High School and wants to become a fashion designer like me.  The school sent her to shadow me.
(Norman reaches out a hand to shake hers)
Norman: Well they couldn’t have put you with a better person to teach you.  Rarity is one of the most fashionable people I have ever met.
(Coco steps behind Rarity and regards Norman nervously)
Norman: (Lowering his hand, confused) Eh?  
Rarity: (Not noticing) Right, shall we get to work then, we need to get this shipment of dresses out of here by tomorrow afternoon.
Coco: B...but Rarity Senpai, do we really need Norman’s help.
Rarity: Whatever do you mean, darling?
Coco: C...Couldn’t you and I get it down this evening, t..together I mean?
Rarity: Nonsense, Coco!  With Norman here, we can be done by early this evening and be ready to go by morning.
Coco: (Still not very trusting) I guess you’re right Rarity Senpai.
(Norman has been watching this exchange with a bemused expression on his face the whole time)
Rarity: Absolutely. Now then, shall we get started? (She takes a seat at her sewing table)
Norman and Coco: Yes Rarity/Senpai!
(The two sit next to each other on the couch looking at the patterns spread before them. Coco is leary of Norman, which he notices much to his amusement)
Norman: (V/O) She’s like an incredibly fashionable version of the yellow quiet. (Laughter)
(Coco notices him staring)
Coco: (Aside, to Norman in a darker tone) I. Will. End. You.
Norman: (Slightly less amused) I...I beg your pardon? (Laughter)
(Rarity looks around her table noticing something missing)
Rarity: Oh dear, I seem to have misplaced my…
(Coco appears next to her immediately handing her a piece of …)
Coco: Here’s your chalk for alterations, Rarity Senpai!
Rarity: Thank you, Coco!  It’s exactly what I needed. Keep this up and you’ll be running your own shop in no time!
(Coco smiles at Rarity before turning to Norman and mouthing “beat that” at him)
Norman: (Realizes what’s happening) Oh, it is on! (Laughter)
(Rarity looks around her table)
Rarity: Coco, could you find my…
Norman: (at her side) Scissors? Right here!
Rarity: Thank you, darling.
(She kisses Norman on the cheek as he smirks back at Coco)
Coco: (Thinking Quickly) Here’s your pincushion, Rarity Senpai.
Rarity: Perfect!  Thats exactly what I was looking for. Thank you, Coco
Norman: (Not to be outdone) And here is the rainbow thread you plan to use on the dress.
Rarity: (Starting to notice everything stacking up on her table) Tha...thank you, darling.
(Norman returns to the couch and sits on the couch next to Coco, still smirking at her)
Coco: I gave her that thread.
Norman: Correction: You gave it to her earlier however, I just gave her the thread. (Laughter)
Coco: This isn’t over.
(Cut to an outside view of Rarity’s apartment seen through the windows.  We see Norman and Coco running back and forth. Throughout, we hear clips of dialogue between the three involved)
Norman: Rarity!
Rarity: Thanks, Norman.
Coco: Rarity senpai!
Rarity: Thank you, dear.
Norman: Here, Rarity!
Coco: Take this, senpai!
Rarity: Th..thanks.
(We cut back in and see that Rarity and the sewing table are buried under all of her helper’s gifts)
(Laughter)
Rarity: (Looking around) My...this is hard work...um, could one of you get some…
Norman: Coffee!  Of course my dear! (He jumps up to get it but Coco grabs him)
Coco: I insist I get it, I am the help after all.
Norman: Thank you, but she asked me.
Coco: Oh no!  You should stay with your girlfriend. (The last word has some venom to it.)
(The two fight all the way to the kitchen) (Laughter)
Rarity: (hearing the commotion in the kitchen) (Sigh) Now to get work done.
(There is more commotion from the kitchen, enter Norman, Coco hot on his tail)
Norman: Here’s the coffee!
Coco: You said I could give it to her.
Norman: Too Slow.
(Coco tackles him, the coffee goes flying, we see everything go into slow motion.  We see zoom ins on Norman, Coco, and Rarity as they watch the coffee fly through the air.  Their “No’s” are slowed down for humorous effect (Laughter).  The misses Rarity but lands all over her fabric, sewing machine, patterns and drawings.  Return to regular speed)
Norman: Thank Goodness, you’re okay!
Coco: Rarity senpai!
(There is an almost black aura around Rarity.  Norman and Coco notice it and go silent)
Norman: Rara….
Coco: Senpai?
Rarity: These dresses needed to be done by tomorrow. This contract was huge. And now...now you’ve both ruined it. Ruined me!
Norman: But…
Rarity: This is the Worst. Possible. Thing! (Laughter)
(Quick cut as we see Norman and Coco outside door to apartment and door slamming shut behind them.)
Norman: (To Coco) I think she’s angry with you. (Laughter)
Coco: (Glaring at him) We’re going to my place. (Grabbing him)
Norman: But she didn’t say she was breaking up with me! (Laughter to end scene)

(Act 3: We open on the interior of a small house in the city of Canterlot. We are looking at the closed front door.  It bangs open as Coco drags Norman in behind her)
Coco: Mom!  I’m Home!  I’m heading to my room and I’m bringing a boy with me!
Mom: (Offscreen V/O) About damn time! (Laughter)
(Scene change to the interior of Coco’s room, a bed, dresser and desk can be seen as well as a sewing table. In the center is a small Japanese style table. She drops Norman here)
Coco: Stay here, I’ll go get some snacks and drinks, we’re going to need them. (She exits)
Norman: Okay, Norman.  It’s fine...we’re only in another girls room that isn’t Rarity.  It’s fine...she probably just wants to kill me for getting her idol angry at her. (Laughter)
(Norman notices a notebook on the table and picks it up)
Norman: The hell is this? (he opens it and immediately his face changes to a huge grin)
(Scene change as Coco returns with a tray of cookies and juice. She sees Norman staring at her with the grin still on his face.)
Coco: Sorry I took so long.
Norman: No worries. So, why did you drag me to your house again?
Coco: I still have some of Rarity Senpai’s sketches and some leftover fabric.  They won’t be perfect but if we work through the night, we might be able to give her some dresses to present to her client tomorrow.
Norman: (Chuckling) That’s fantastic! Maybe you can use your magic needles.
Coco: (Face falling, surprised) What was that?
Norman: I was saying you could use your magic needles and thread of binding to put some of those dresses together.
Coco: (Sweating) I..I have no idea what you are talking about.
Norman: (Holding up her notebook) Is that so, Mahou Shoujo Coco-chan? (He flips the notebook open showing the audience a crudely drawn magical girl manga with Coco as the main character) (Laughter)
Coco: (Blushing furiously while snatching the book from him) YOU SAW NOTHING!
Norman: Well nothing aside from that very tasteful yuri scene with Miss Charity.
Coco: (Laughing maniacally and brandishing a pair of shears) That’s odd, I thought you saw nothing.
Norman: (Scared) Right...exactly...nothing. (Laughter)
Coco: Let’s get to work shall we?
(Time passes and we return to the room as Norman and Coco work on a dress together)
Coco: I must say, I’m impressed by your knowledge of dress making.
Norman: Well, I was a member of Rarity’s clique back in High School.  And I have been helping herfor quite awhile since we started going out.
Coco: So, You love her then?
Norman: I well and truly do. (Awww) What about you?
Coco: Me!  Oh nonoonono, thats forbidden love! (Laughter)
Norman: No, I mean, you care for her too, right.
Coco: Rarity is someone I’ve always secretly looked up to. I mean, she was running her own boutique even back in High School.  She just seemed so mature.  Knowledge of fashion and business at such a young age.  I knew she would only get better as time went on.  When I was given the opportunity to shadow her, I jumped on it immediately. Still, I can’t help but feel like she’s…
Norman: Miles away?
Coco: Yeah...will I ever reach that level.  I want her recognition.
Norman: Long ago, I felt the same way about asking her out. Eventually, you need to just take the chance and work with her.
Coco: So that’s how you asked her out.
Norman: Not quite, it was more an attempt to stop her from becoming a demon. (Laughter)
Coco: That could make a good plot for next issue. (Laughter).
Norman: Seriously, just keep up the work ethic you’ve shown me tonight, and you will get to Rarity’s level someday.
(He smiles at her and Coco begins blushing)
Coco: Y...yeah well, I’m going to get more cookies! (Laughter)
Norman: Of course…Coco-chan. (Gets hit by the tray)
Coco: Just hem that damn dress. (Laughter)
(Cut to the next morning, Rarity arrives nervously at an office building in the center of Canterlot.)
Rarity: Okay Rarity, you can do this.  Just go in, tell them what happened, beg for forgiveness, and hope that they give you an extension, just like with that American History exam back in High School. (Laughter)
(Interior of the office building, we see Hoity Toity sitting behind a desk on the phone.  Rarity enters in time to hear the end of his tirade)
Hoity: You’re sorry!? Thats all you have to say!? Well, I’m sorry too.  Sorry that I ever hired someone as incompetent as you and sorry that I wasted my time and sorry that I have to let you know that you will never be able to work in this town again! (He bangs the phone down on the receiver) Fools! (Noticing his guest) Ah!  Miss Rarity, do come in!
Rarity: (Nervously approaching) M..mr. Toity sir! Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Hoity: Of course, my dear.  Your reputation precedes you.  Now then, where are those dresses you promised to show me?
Rarity: Ah...yes, the dresses.  Well you see there’s a funny story behind that.
Hoity: You do have the dresses, do you not?
Rarity: Well see, they’re…
(The door slams open with Norman and Coco pushing a rack full of dresses)
Norman: Right here, sir!
Hoity: And who might you be.
Rarity: (Getting over the shock) They’re my assistants.
(Hoity gets up and starts examining the dresses)
Hoity: Hmm...not bad, not bad at all.  Not quite the color I was looking for, however.
Coco: Well sir, if you don’t mind me saying, teal is the new greenish-blue. (Laughter)
Hoity: (Looking at her over his glasses. Norman, Rarity and Coco audibly gulp) You are so right, my dear.  Miss Rarity, your assistants are quite good.  Only great designers can surround themselves with such great workers.  You should be proud.
Rarity: (sighing, wrapping her arms around Norman and Coco) I am. (Awww)
Hoity: Well I expect a full shipment by the end of the month.
Rarity: Of course!
(Cut to outside the office)
Rarity: I...I don’t know what to say.
Coco: I’m so sorry, Rarity Senpai.
Norman: So am I, we almost ruined your contract.
Rarity: You certainly did...but you also both saved me. Of course, I expect you to make it up to me with hard work….and perhaps a dinner date as well, Norman.
Norman: You’re twisting my arm pretty hard right there, Rarity. (Laughter)
Rarity: And as for you (turning to Coco) I think I may need a full-time assistant. Any chance you would know of someone?
Coco: Y...you mean it?
Rarity: Absolutely, now let’s go celebrate!
(The three walk off into the sunset)
Norman: The end of the month isn’t much time.  We may need help.  Why, Coco may have to Transform.
Rarity: Whatever do you mean, darling.
Coco: (Flashing a pair of scissors) Nothing at all, right Norman?
Norman: Eep! (Laughter to end scene)
 
(Credits Scene: Norman enters his apartment and sees a note from Brad)
Brad: (V/O as Norman reads) Girls are returned safely.  People glad to have them back.  A local prince offered me a million dollars as long as I give him my Bank Account Number! Bradical!
(Norman Cringes to audience laughter)
Norman: Well at least that’s over.
(Giggling and squealing is heard from Norman’s room capturing his attention.)
Norman: The hell is that?
(he opens the door revealing Rarity in a purple dressing gown and Coco in a matching light blue one.  They leave little to the imagination.  They are mid-pillowfight.)
Norman: What’s all this then!?
(The two turn to him smiling)
Coco: Well, Rarity Senpai and I were talking.
Rarity: And we decided that you deserved some Coco with Marshmallows. (Laughter)
(Norman walks in closing the door on the scene. We zoom out and see him smiling and drooling in his sleep dreaming the whole events of this scene.  Zoom out further and we see Norman’s sleeping form in a crystal ball viewed by Vice Principal Luna)
Celestia: (V/O from downstairs) Luna! Stop spying on our former student’s dreams!
Luna: You never let us have any fun, sister! (Laughter to end scene)