The Unexpected Star of Los Pegasus

Finalcus, now in full view, smiled and said, "yes, it has been a long time, hasn't it"?

Finalcus was Projector's old friend from way back in their early days as students at Vanhoover's Film and Video arts school. Perhaps the oddest part was merely the fact that Projector was a pony and Finalcus was a gryphon, which weren't too common in Equestria anyway, even in the far North.

"Yeah, yeah it is", Projector replied, shocked that his old friend was here.

Chuckling heartily, Finalcus replied, "come, let us have some coffee and waffles, just like old times, eh"?

Unlike the dark, cold streets outside, the local cafe was brightly lit and warm, with an aesthetic similar to that of diners from 50 years earlier. Taking a seat at one of the booths, Projector and Finalcus were approached by a smiling waitress, who automatically recognized the two.

"Projector, Finalcus, hadn't seen you two here since the morning of your graduation, how are you", the waitress asked, her slightly Southern accent still showing through.

"Oh I have been doing great, Caffina, I see you're still as joyful as ever", Finalcus replied, folding his talons on the table.

Caffina smiles and asked, "so, what can I get you boys, coffee"?

"That'd be wonderful, thanks", replied Projector.

After getting their cups of coffee and breakfast, the two began to converse.

"So, after two years, you finally stop by," Projector began, sipping his coffee.

"Well, yeah, life's been busy. It's not like you get too much free time in Los Pegasus," Finalcus replied.

"But what about you, Projector, have you gone to making movies just locally", Finalcus asked, his tone cordial.

"Well..." Projector looked down at his cup, ashamed.

"Well, what", Finalcus asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lowering his ears and looking back at Finalcus, Projector replied, " no, no I haven't".

Eyes widening from shock and disbelief, Finalcus replied, " well, what have you been doing all this time"?

Projector rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed, and answered, "you see, I've been delivering newly released movies for all the theaters in town. Nopony wanted to hire me to make movies after a really bad flop I made".

This caused Projector to flash back to two years ago, shortly after graduation. He had just finished writing the script to a big project, one which he hoped would allow him to finally move to Los Pegasus. But, the movie was deemed a failure and he was laughed and mocked at by the studio execs he had showed it to.

"Face it, you're never going to make it, Kid, not with this quality of work and really awful ideas", one of the execs had said to his face and Projector was forced out of the office, defeated and had thrown in the towel.

Remembering all of this brought tears to Projector's eyes and he felt nothing but sadness and shame. Suddenly, he felt a clawed hand on his shoulder and he saw that Finalcus had reached over to comfort him.

"Projector, it's alright, but can you please tell me why you've given up on filmmaking," Finalcus asked him, his tone caring but firm.

Returning his arm back the table, Projector told the story of what happened, and during this time the waffles arrived.

After finishing the story, Projector watched as Finalcus chewed thoughtfully on the waffle slice. Finally, after giving his words some thought, Finalcus says, "so, you gave up on your art because some goons in office suits thought your work and ideas too ridiculous".

"Yeah, that's what happened in a nutshell", Projector replied, his ears lowering.

Finalcus felt a twinge of pain in his chest. Seeing his friend like this, so downtrodden and clearly defeated and feeling hopeless, it made him feel awful for net being there for him.

Clearing his throat, Finalcus asked, "well, what if I told you that I know a way to get you a second chance, to finally do what you love"?

"Come on, Finalcus, you can't be serious. I gave up a long time ago and I most certainly can't make anymore movies", Projector replied.

"Who says you can't make anymore movies? Projector, you can't beat yourself up over what some studio execs say, they're just in it for the money," replied Finalcus.

"Yeah, but it's not as simple as that. That was a big project, the one you and I dreamed of, and it got turned down and spat at, and I felt more foolish than ever", said Projector.

"So what if some execs laughed at you, you shouldn't just give up on your dreams," retorted Finalcus.

Sighing, Projector replies, "I'm sorry, but there's no future for me in the industry".

This silences Finalcus and a uncomfortable silence forms between them, and after several minutes pass, Finalcus passes a card to Projector.

"Just in case you change your mind," Finalcus says quietly, getting up from his seat and, after paying the bill, he took one last look at Projector and left.