Roadmaster

Chapter Two:

The next few days, Derpy worked harder than ever before to finish her mail routes, so hard, that when her Jeep finally broke down, she finished her routes on foot, all the while thinking about her first expirience at Camp Wanahoova.

The year was 1982, and Derpy, was in high school. She was known to the school as Darcy Hooves, and was the most beautiful mare in the school. That is, until her father, Landau, took her to work that fateful day. Landau had worked on he railroad, in the mail car. The express that they were riding rear-ended a chemicals train, killing many, and injuring her for life. No, it was not the chemicals that hurt her, it was a simple blow to the back of her head, crossing her eyes, and destroying her popularity. She fell from grace quickly, bullies being the crooners of the name "Derpy", and she thought about killing herself. That is, until she met her sweetheart, a young colt named Fleetwood Brougham. One of the first places they had gone to together was the beautiful Camp Wanahoova, just off Celestian Highway 23. She remembered one of the nights there as clear as day.

Darcy and Fleet were lying on the hood of a Cadillac Eldorado, gazing through the trees, and into the stars. The radio was softly playing "Only You" by The Platters, setting the mood for the lovestruck young ponies.

****

"Wow," whispered Fleetwood, "How many do you think there are, Darce?"

"Really, Fleet?" Darcy giggled, "You're really gonna pull that cliche movie line on me?"

"Oh, sorry."

"No need to be sorry, I was actually kinda enjoying it."

"Well," he continued, staring into her goldenrod eyes, "How many do you think there are?"

"Too many to count, that's for sure!"

"Nonsence!" he laughed, "Nothing's impossible! Here, let me help you!" He snuggled up next to her, and the two began. They stayed up late into the night, counting stars. It was the best moment of Darcy's life, why couldn't it have worked out?

"Hooves? Hooves, what did you want to talk to me about?" Derpy awoke from her memories to find herself in the mayor's office, standing in front of Mayor Mare.

"Oh, um," she stuttered, trying to remember why she had come," I wanted to talk to you about taking some time off work. Me and Dinky wanted to go on this camping trip-"

"Sorry, Derpster," the Mayor shrugged, "My hooves are tied! You know you're this town's only mailmare, and the mail always needs to be delivered on time...."

"PLEASE, MAYOR MARE!" Derpy pleaded, sounding like Dinky, "I really need this time to connect with Dinky! You remember the first time YOU went camping, don't you?"

"Dang it, Hooves!" she sighed, "This fic doesn't have enough TIME to go into another camping montage!"

"Oh, please, please PLEASE!" Derpy cried,

"Alright, Hooves," the Mayor sighed, "I suppose I could rehire Checker to handle your route...."

"Oh, THANK YOU!" Derpy screamed with joy. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Derpy bounced out of the mayors office with glee. Now for SURE she was going to spend some time with Dinky. Now, all she had to do was find a car to rent.

She got into her Jeep, but to her surprise, it didn't start. "This is impossible," she thought, "it ALWAYS starts!"

Derpy then continued her journey to find a car to rent on foot.

Finally, she came to a small car lot on Allen Avenue, called Ponyville Cadillac-Buick-Chevrolet. She knew this was her ex's lot, but after his dissapearance, she knew it was safe to enter it.

When she walked through it's large glass doors, she was greeted by a small dragon racing up to her. He was wearing a small pinstripe suit, and seemed very eager to please.

"Welcome to Ponyville C-B-C!" he said proudly, "what can I do to get you behind the wheel of a brand new car today?"

"And you would be?"

"Spike, Spike the dragon."

"Oh, no, no, no!" Derpy laughed, "I'm not here for a new car, I just want a rental."

Spike's enthusiasm deflated like a beach ball. "So, you're not seriously looking for a car?"

"Well, no...."

"HEY," called a voice cracked with age from the shadows, "AREN'T YOU THAT MARE FLEETWOOD MARRIED A FEW YEARS BACK?!"

"Yes, Eldorado," Derpy sighed, "it's me, Darcy!"

Eldorado stumbled out of the shadows, using a cane. "Well," he continued, his tone softening up, "nice to see you again! Sorry 'bout Fleet ripping you off, and all. So, why're ya here, if ya ain't looking for a car?"

"I was actually looking for a rental." she explained, "you see, I have this camping trip-"

"WHY DIDN'T YA SAY SO, GIRL?" Eldorado laughed, "I've got this Buick in the back with your name on it!"

He led her through a garage to a fenced-off lot, where he pointed to ten identical Buick Roadmaster Station Wagons parked in a row.

"Take your pick."

Derpy loved the number eight, so she picked number eight.

"This is really kind of you, Eldorado," she said nervously, "but what about gas mileage?"

"Screw gas mileage!" Eldorado fired back, "Dinky deserves a fun trip, and a nice car to get there in. Here," he then pulled out his wallet, "I'll pay for the gas."

Derpy was stunned. Eldorado had never been this nice to her, in fact, he was never nice to her AT ALL! When Fleetwood and her were married, he would always call her on her crossed eyes, and drop things on her from the roof, which made her hate his guts, but now, now that the marriage was over with, he was actually sympathetic!

"Why is he acting so.... nice?" she whispered to Spike.

"I told the poor guy he had a brain tumor!" Spike chuckled, "he actually fell for it! Now, he's trying to give his way into heaven!"

Derpy giggled at the idea, but deep down felt an urge to tell him what was going on. But that wasn't her priority anymore. She was all set, now all she had to do was pack. She felt her excitement building as she Eldorado handed her the keys to the Buick. This weekend would be amazing, she just knew it. Derpy pulled smoothly out of the lot, everypony staring at the shining car. She set off to pick up Dinky from school, and surprise her with the new transport.