*knock knock knock*
Apple Jack glanced to the door with a sideways look to the rasping at the Farm House's door. Moving her gaze to the clock reading 6:55. Ain't nopony s'posed to be knocking on doors at this hour, She thought to herself as she moved from the dinner table where she had been reading the paper over towards the door. Dragging her hooves along the wooden floor wishing that her coffee would kick in faster. Putting on a faux smile as she opened the door. Her vision was flooded by Celestia's warming sun. Blinking to clear her vision, She was greeted by a well dressed and groomed stallion in a White Stetson with a silver coat and white mane.
"Howdy, Is a Miss... Apple Jack present?" The Stallion asked, Glancing up towards her.
"That'd be me. What can I do ya for?" She answered curtly.
"Well, Miss Jack, " the stallion shook her hoof as Apple Jack blankly looked at the stallion. "My name is Silver Cinch. I believe you spoke to one of my Employers not too long ago... Or, She spoke to you. It's been a long trip, I apologize for the hour of this as well, but she ordered me to tell you as fast as I could. You won the Hale Bale stacking Competition at the Appaloosa Rodeo, Yes?"
"Uh... Yes?" Apple Jack examined him closely. He wore a Fine silver suit with a white dress shirt. What caught Apple Jacks eye the most besides the flashy suit, was the Golden clasp on his Bolo tie, blazoned with a silver C over top of an S. Her mind slowly lolled to put the two pieces together.
"Well, I'd like to Officially invite you to the Cloppington Stampede, On behalf of a Mister Gold spurs, The Executive at the Appaloosa Rodeo, and with the Approval of the Stampede's President Marington Weadick whom had many things to say about your performance. She's heard an Awful lot about you from the Cowpony's around the local watering hole Miss Jack. Even that fumble a couple years ago that wound you up in Appaloosa.
"She's seen you preform. She knows what you are capable of, and she'd like to invite you. Personally. She never had a name before hand, so she could never suggest you to the board. She'd like for you to compete in the "All-Around Cowpony" Award Apple Jack. All I need to know is if you are interested." Cinch produced a Silver pen and a contract on a clip board.
"Now wait just a Gosh Darn minute there Silver Cinch. Now, Ah respect your Stampede, Mah Daddy and Momma competed there, as did mah Grandpapa and Mama. Your Stampede has run in my families blood for years now. But your Stampede is nothin' but an exploitation of Bits and a poor excuse of the Wild west. Mah brother done got hurt real bad at your Stampede several years ago and came home with nothing to show for it except he had to cut off his career there. Your exploiting ponies and your hurting Cowponies in the process. " Apple Jack remarked, pushing away his clip board.
"Yes, we are quite unfortunate about your Brother, We do apologize for that. But there was nothing we could do, We paid for his Hospital bills and His ticket home. We can only allot so much money for each contestant. Now, Old Gold Spurs has been doing this for around 59 years now. He saw your Grandmother compete if I'm correct. He has the highest standards for any scout out there. Every Great and Ledgendary Cowpony ever was chosen by him. Your Brother was one of his choices until he took that fall. Apple Jack... This is your moment to have your name Written into the History books. This is your chance to take home a Gold Buckle... I've seen the tapes... You can take this easily Miss Jack, you just have to sign here!" Silver Cinch pressed. His experience in convincing ponies becoming evident in his voice.
"No, and that's final." Driving her horseshoe into the floor board.
"I guess some other Schmuck is going to take the Grand Prize... 2 Million Bits. " Apple Jack froze. "Every entry is guaranteed something you've got nothing to loose and everything to gain. Judging by the looks of this here farm... You've got a lot you can gain."
Before she could give him a piece of her mind, Applejack took in the farm. They kept it in as nice of condition as possible, Everything Ran fine, nothing was too broken, Everything that was broken had been fixed... Multiple times. Biting the bottom of her lip she thought deeply. They could buy more land and repair the farm with that Money. Apple Jack sighed. Ah guess I can put up with the City folk for a Week or so...
Silver cinch turned on his hooves. He had tried all he could, But he could just not get this pony to budge. Cursing the Stampede executives at the time who'd decided to let Poor Macintosh off with no reinburcement besides covering his medical fees, As they were supposed to with the signing of the contract. The blasted foals. I warned them they shouldn't have been so cheap. I warned them! And now we've lost the greatest asset this stampede could've banked on because of it.
"Wait."
Hope!
"Yes?"
"If you promise to cover any injuries I get, and provide compensation for my Brothers injuries... I'll sign on to your Stampede." Apple Jack said with a sigh.
"I can make sure he receives it. If you are willing to listen to a story I can give you some details about that whole scandal. But, I am willing to adjust your contract to your terms." He flipped to a blank page in the contract and added it in. "This pen seals the contract with magic. Once it's written the contract cannot be taken apart, Cannot be changed, and cannot be destroyed until the time lock ends."
Apple Jack paused as she pressed the pen to the page. Should I? ... --What if poor AppleBloom gets hurt? Or granny?... Eh, Buck it. Might as well... Nothing to lose... Signing her named, The pen glowed as she finished. The entire contract lit up. Blazing with fire before the fire faded away.
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you Miss Jack. I will see to it that your brother gets his compensation, as well as that you get your traveling information. The stampede is in exactly Two months. I will be in touch with you, The All-Around CowPony event has some things you'll need to consider. Such as assembling a Team for the Chuck wagons and Wagon Pull. If you wish to cancel your contract at any time all deals made here to day will be forfeited ." Silver cinch clicked his tongue before he passed Apple Jack a scroll. "Oh yes, If you wish to contact me with any information, or questions, just fire this away and I'll reply within the hour. Farewell Apple Jack, and Fair trails."
Tucking the clip board under his jacket, the stallion began walking away. Apple Jack shut the door and returned to the table. Glancing back to the clock taking in that it was now 8.
Nothing to lose.
"Who was that Apple Jack?" Applebloom asked hopping down the stairs.
"Someone with the Cloppington Stampede" As she took a large swig from her Coffee.
"The what?"
"... Oh wait, that's right! You were too young to remember when Ma and Pa took us up there... "
"Ta where?"
"A Place far away... North, If ah remember correctly."
"How far north? Like, Canterlot North? Ooo, Maybe like the Crystal Empire Far?!" Applebloom asked excitedly.
Not even Nine yet and I can tell this is going to be a long Morning.
