Chapter 1: Time is of the Essence
Dear Princess Celestia,
I remember you used to tell us to write you a letter whenever we learned something significant. I know
I haven't done this much, which tells you that either I couldn't decide which of the hundreds of amazing things I learn every day is significant, or that all those things pale in comparison and significance to the lessons contained later on in this letter.
Actually, letter might be a bit extreme. Its more like a memoir, a work in progress, but it describes the lesson which is the cause for the encyclopedia of a story I sent you.
I hope to talk to you again soon. I would enjoy seeing Canterlot again having lived in other parts of Equestria for four years now.
Your Former (and Faithful) Student
Level Headed
Manechester University: Chemists develop a molecular machine that can precisely assemble medicine and polymers.
UniCorning Inc develops New Fiber-Optic Cable that can transmit a petabit of data per second
Stallion Recieves Michelangelo Hoof, is able to work at his farm again
Neightherlands Architect begins to build mobius-strip building using a 3D printer
New Cell Phone Prototype Can Utilize Light Waves for Energy
I guess it's just a weird hobby of mine, but I like to keep track of advancements of technology. I hope one day, I'll be up there as a developer of some life-changing inventio....
"Excuse me, Level?"
I jolt out of my daze. Page Turner, the Head Librarian at the Manehattan Public Library stands over me.
"I just wanted to let you know that its 7:55. You normally leave here by 7:50."
"Thanks!" I say, quickly using my magic to shove my papers in my briefcase. I stand still, trying to concentrate.
Let's see if I can teleport...
HONK HONK HONK!!!!!!
"Aaah!" I shout in surprise when my spell sends me into 5th Street outside the library
I like the city and everything, but I cannot stand the taxi horns.
"Hey 'cornhead, get the buck out of the road."
I quickly step onto the sidewalk. A disgruntled Taxi driver gives me the hoof.
I could also do without the grumpy taxi drivers.
I gallop down the sidewalk, carrying my briefcase, pushing past ponies of all ages on my way towards Grand Central Station.
I dash into my office building, which had a big flashing neon sign above it: T.E.C.H., aka Technology Education and Creation for Horses. I call the elevator and jab the button for the 7th floor. I sigh as I look at my watch...7:58.
Some may say that having an office higher up is a burden, but your rank in the company is shown by where you work in the building. My boss, a Mr. Blitzen Bytes,along with the other various chiefs of staff work on 8th floor, and my department is Floor 7: Innovation and Licencing.
I hop off the elevator and hurriedly scan the wall for my card to punch in.
"You've been really pushing it recently, Level!" File Folder, my floor's secretary, chastises.
"Mhm...."
I locate my card and insert it into the slot on the time clock.
"Card Flagged...Card Flagged...Please Report to your floor's secretary for further instructions"
"Is this some kind of joke?" I ask. "It's still 7:59..."
"Ohhhhh... ummm..I'm so sorry, Level...You were such a hard worker."
"What the hay are you talking about?"
"Umm...I just got an email that says for me to tell you to go to Mr. Bytes' office.
"So...?"
"This has happened before...and those ponies never came back to work after the meeting."
"You're saying they got fired?!?"
"Again, I'm so sorry...I'll be a character reference for you..."
"I'm gonna go up there and find out what he wants."
I go into the elevator and hit the button for the eighth floor.
"Why would he want to fire me? I've only done good things for T.E.C.H..."
I arrive at the eighth floor, and the secretary, Wax Seal, points me in the direction of my boss' office.
"Might as well get this over with..."
I knock on the door.
"Come in"
I open the oak door to find my boss sitting at his desk.
An assistant comes in with a tea tray.
"Thank you, Mr. Grey..Um, Level...I don't mean to impose...but could you pour it?"
"Sure thing, sir."
I use my powers to pour two cups of tea.
"Close the door, if you would, Level."
I do as he says.
"Please, sit down."
"I'd rather stand, sir...Don't try to sugarcoat the situation...When do you want me to pack up my office?"
"HAhahaha!!!," My boss snorts,"Level, I'm not firing you...where'd you get that idea?"
"Office Gossip..."
"Well, rest assured. I only do this for one reason, and that is not to fire you...Did you hear about Hunt Peck leaving?"
"Yes sir, he was my supervisor."
"Indeed, and Level... drop the formalities...I handpicked you out of hundreds of applicants for your skill. We know each other. Call me Blitzen."
"Yes, Mr. Bytes."
"Anyway, as you know, Hunt Peck left to start his own tech company. Mighty foolish if you ask me; I see that company going bankrupt in six months. And I don't hire back people..."
"Sir..I mean.. Mr. Bytes?...You're kinda going off on a tangent."
"My apologies...anyway, Mr. Peck's...absence... leaves an empty seat for the position of Chief Innovations Officer, which I want you to fill."
"ME!?!"
"Yes, Level, you. You've contributed so much to T.E.C.H, and you've worked here for four years. I think it is time to get some younger people in positions of power."
"Wow...Thanks...so was that all you had to tell me?"
"Actually no..."
Blitzen roots through the papers on his desk and finds a folder.
"Take a look..."
I open the folder to find pages of research, graphs, maps, charts, etc.
"T.E.C.H did a study this that tracked the use of technology across Equestria. The findings were normal, except for one small town who uses 60% less than the charted prediction...Ponyville."
"Ponyville...I've heard of it before but never really looked into it...can you fill me in?"
"Of course...It's a very antiquated society with not much change. Not many people move in, but many move out to other cities every year."
"So what specifically do you want me to do?"
"Our last board meeting was yesterday, and I already told them of my plan to give you the promotion. But they want a say in this; they don't like for me to make decisions involving adding someone to the board. They want to give this assignment to you as a test. Go for a week and find out information on their tech usage and how we can change it."
"Yes sir!"
"That's a good boy, Level."
"When should I leave, sir?"
"There's a train leaving from Canterlot to Ponyville at 10:00. You should be able to pack up whatever you're taking to Ponyville and will still be able to catch the 9:50 Light Rail to Canterlot.
"Uh, sir...where am I staying in Ponyville?"
"Oh... there's an address on a sticky note in the folder. You'll be staying with a family that has an extra room."
"Anything else, sir?"
"No...I don't think so. I hope you are able to gather the research you need to.
I walk out of Mr Bytes' office, ready to take on the world.
Chapter 2: Pushing My Buttons
"All aboard!" Time Flanks calls.
I really wish I could stay longer in Canterlot, having it been four years since I lived here. After I finished at the Academy for Gifted Unicorns, I moved to Manehattan and haven't really traveled much since due to my job.
It's amazing that the train companies still use the coal guzzlers like the one I'm riding on. The individual compartments, the church-pew-like seats, and conductors that still collect tickets; everything about this snail of a machine screams old fashioned. I don't know why the companies don't transition to the Light Rails or even the experimental Magnetic Bullet Trains which T.E.C.H. is trying to develop.
"Knock Knock Knock"
I turn to see a tan mare standing in the hallway in front of my compartment. I open the door.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes...I was wondering if me and my son could sit in here. The rest of the compartments are full, and I can't let him out of my sight for a minute...Button...BUTTON!!! COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, THIS IS NOT A GAME!"
I consider my options. One one hand, I doubt a single mom and child would appreciate sitting in a room for two hours watching me listen to the Complete Nocturnes of Shoepin and working on concept sketches. I probably would have to listen to the mom tell me her life story and make small talk while the kid whines or runs around the compartment or asks a million questions. On the other hand, I'd look like a big jerk if I said no.
"Sure...but do you mind if I get some work done on the trip? I have a deadline."
"That's fine for me! I'm Love Tap by the way..."
She grabs a hold of a cocoa colt with an auburn mane and pulls him into the compartment
"And this rascal is my Button."
"MOoooooM! I SAaaaaiD for you not to call me 'my Button'. My name is Button Mash!"
The train whistle squeaks and the dinosaur lurches forward towards Ponyville.
"Level Headed...that's my name, by the way."
"WAIT A MINUTE!!! Do you make video games?" Button asks
I look down to see him starring at my cutie mark, a grey gaming controller that stands out from my sky blue coat.
"Now Button... Mr. Headed has a lot of work..."
"It's no trouble...to answer your question, no, I don't make video games, but I do some game licencing and design for T.E.C.H."
"Hey! My dad and brother work for T.E.C.H! Do you know High Score and Commodore?"
"Not personally, but they're legendary around the office as the developers of the JoyBoy"
"Wait..." Mrs. Tap interrupts. "Are you staying in Ponyville for the week?"
"Yeah. I'm supposed to be staying at 816 Bridle Lane"
"THAT'S MY HOUSE!!!!!!!" Button yells.
Yay......
"BUTTON! Stop jumping on the seat! This is not a playground!"
"Sworry mom..."
"So what are you working on?" Mrs. Tap asks
"Right now, I'm working on designing tracks for the new Magnetic Bullet Trains. With some work, we will have replaced these old locomotives with state-of-the-art trains that are powered on electromagnetism and would travel from Canterlot to Ponyville in ten minutes."
"But these old trains are cool..." Button says. "They kinda have a...old charm to them"
"So do petticoats and corsets, but that doesn't mean we still need them."
"Yeah, but what about the scenery?"
"What about it?"
"You can see the really cool mountains and animals on this train."
"People who have time for that can...hike... or something. People nowadays have to conserve time when they can, and if people have to commute from Ponyville to Canterlot, that's like three and a half hours they could be spending getting themselves ahead in the world."
"I guess you two will just have to disagree." Mrs. Tap intervenes.
"I agree... do you mind if we change the subject?" I add
Lucky you Button...I could debate you all day...
"Yeah...Oh yeah! I can't get past this part in Calvary Clashes...can you help?"
I smirk, "Button, I was person who allowed for that game to be licensed. I know everything about Calvary Clashes...it's one of the best RPGs T.E.C.H. licensed."
Long story short, I spent the next hour and a half being Button's mage, gently guiding him in the right direction. Mrs. Tap listened to her TECHord, an mp3 player licensed by T.E.C.H while reading a book.
Before I knew it, we were at our destination: Ponyville.
