A Horse Walks Into a Bar...

An unmarked car parked onto the street just down the way from his mark. A thick green winter jacket, well-worn jeans, and work boots helped to give the illusion of just another average citizen. Underneath the clothes, however, was level II body armor, capable of stopping most common handgun ammunitions, as well as a concealed Glock 19. No matter how unassuming the job, these items went with him on each and every one.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Yes, hello? Who is this?”

The man adjusted his thick winter hat. “It’s me.”

“Oh! Oh, one moment please.” Over the line, the man heard muffled shuffling as well as a few angry shouts before a door slammed shut.

“I was wondering when you would call,” a woman said, impatiently. “You’re late, Cooper.”

“I got sidetracked on the interstate. Followed an old gut feeling,” Cooper said, but didn’t elaborate any further.

“Yes, well, unless that gut feeling of yours leads you to getting me some evidence I can actually use, then I suggest you keep your eyes focused solely on Canterlot High. It’s what I hired you for afterall.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Well,” she asked, “give me my preliminary report. Before my next meeting, if you will.”

He sighed, making the woman over the line grumble. “The same as always. Today I’m down the road from the school. I have visuals on the parking lot, part of the athletic field, and, as you said was most important, the front entrance area—”

“Yes, and?”

“And there’s not much I can say that was different the last few times. It’s still just a normal high school, as far as I can tell. Nothing out of the ordinary,” the woman over the line huffed, “and before you ask, no, I can’t get any closer this time. That girl you warned me to be careful around? She’s in the front.”

The woman sighed. Cooper imagined her rubbing her temples in frustration. “Well, what is she doing? Where exactly is she sitting? Tell me!”

“Mhm, calm down will you. The girl’s sitting down on the front steps. She appears to be reading some book or something. Hmph. No doubt she’s trying to keep an eye out for me, the sneaky little...”

“Damnit, Cooper. I hired you because of your guarantee you wouldn’t be caught... If you go down, they’ll trace it back to me somehow, and my reputation will certainly be in shambles if that happens.”

“How dangerous can one teenage girl be?”

“That girl was the whole reason we lost the Friendship Games not too long ago. She even stole away one of the best students I’ve ever had at this school in ages. Let’s just say she’s a bit...magical.”

Cooper snorted. “Okay, so she’s got spunk. So? Bit of a thorn in our sides, I’ll admit, but nothing I can’t handle. She get’s in the way, learns too much, and I’ll just make her disappear. Makes no difference to me.”

The line went silent for a moment. “Yes... well, I would rather it not come to that. If it does well... I’m afraid our deal is off. I will not condone injuring children, as capable as these are, they are still children. Interrogation is one thing, what you suggest is entirely barbaric. Do you understand?

“Hey, if you want evidence...”

“Am. I. Clear?”

“Yeah yeah. Whatever. I haven’t been caught just yet anyways, so calm down. Look, next time I’ll be more careful when my old principal asks me to shake down a few kids, okay.”

“Watch your tone with me, Cooper,” she said coolly. “I’m the one with your golden ticket, remember? Besides, if it wasn’t for me you would still be waiting on your next paycheck. How long did the money from those strings of adultery watching last, huh? Two weeks at best?”

Cooper clenched his jaw. “Yes, ma’am. As long as you pay off your end of the bargain, I’ll continue to keep my end.”

“Hmph... well, I’ll let you get back to it. Try not to disappoint me this time.”