Movies are everywhere these days. Bad ones are released often but marketed quite well. There are good ones hiding under the advertising. And then there's "The Big One:" the best movie of the month or even the year, the one everyone talks about. Tonight presents "The Big One:" The Daring Do Movie. Already, the entire city of Canterlot has lined up, waiting for their moment to see their favorite novel character on the big screen. Most are moviegoers, many are Daring Do fans, some are skeptical, and then there are the few bookworms ready to nitpick what's different from the books.
In the box office, the patron waits, looking at his watch, looking at the showtimes, and looking at the two rows of people with smiles as wide as their heads. A few seconds of silence before a muffled loud roar is heard. The patron feels the ground shake beneath his black shoes. Parents pull their children aside as the "first wave" opens the doors and walk out, cheering and chattering, some pulling out their phones to post their thoughts as blog posts, and reviewers still writing out their thoughts on a pen pad. Some of those still in line cup their ears to avoid spoilers.
In the movie theater, the leaving crowd is as large as a river, yet gentle as a stream until they reach the exit. Last among them is the director, Canter Zoom, the leading lady Chestnut Magnifico, opposite of her role Stalwart Stallion, and the Rainbooms, who had guest cameos in the film. The sight of the movie icons got everyone to take "pseudo-selfies," actual selfies (mostly with the Rainbooms, especially Rarity and Pinkie Pie), and photos from afar. With a movie to watch, they didn't bother giving chase like they did to the English band The Beat-Alls.
"That was so good!" Pinkie Pie screamed in delight, making a few happy bounces.
"Darn tootin'," Adds Applejack, taking a sip from what's left of her soda, "from beginning to end, I was on my toes the whole time."
"Yeah," Sunset shuffles her black coat, "that battle between her and Ahuizotl was scary."
"And I thought how it was described in the book was scary," Twilight adds, fixing her glasses, "Spike would've been scared if he saw it."
"What'd you think, Rainbow?" Pinkie Pie notices Rainbow Dash next to her motorcycle, hand on the handle, "Rainbow?"
"Oh my," Fluttershy places her hand over her mouth, "she's speechless."
While empathy is her gift, Sunset wouldn't abuse it. But seeing her blue friend so silent when she would talk made her feel uneasy and so Sunset approaches her drawing her sleeve back. Just when her hand was about to touch, Rainbow immediately hops on her motorcycle and drives off. The streets echo with Rainbow pulling a wheelie, leaving their sight in just three seconds.
"What's got up her butt?" Asks Applejack before throwing away her drink, "I thought she would be excited?"
"Well," Rarity takes out a powder case, "there is such a thing as a fanatic. Maybe the movie was too much for her."
"I don't know," Sci-Twi raises a finger, "it did look a bit more violent when we were on set."
Hearing that, Sunset looks at the direction Rainbow rode off.
"I hope she doesn't take it too much." She mutters before walking to her car.
The Next Day
"C'mon, Canter Zoom. Pick up!" Rainbow Dash wines while on the phone. Since last night, Rainbow has been trying to call the famous director several times now. Each call getting transferred to voice mail, Rainbow hangs up the phone and tries again. As of late, she has her phone connected to the charger cable and her room is littered with bottles of fizzy apple cider. After waiting through several ring tones, her ears pick up a click.
"Hello," Says a monotone voice, "the number you have called is unavailable. At the sound of the tone, you may leave a voice message or press zero for more options."
Rolling her bloodshot eyes, Rainbow waited for the phone to beep and promptly, yet professionally said, "Hey, Canter Zoom, It's Rainbow Dash. I've been calling on why the movie looks so different from the book. I mean, it already was faithful when we were there. Give me a call back when you get the chance."
Rainbow Dash hangs up the phone, and rests her head on the pillow, her eyes so heavy that not even another bottle of her favorite drink would energize her. She closes her eyes and lets the Sandman take over.
Rainbows eyes flutter open, and she lets out a yawn while turning to her clock. Noon, and for the longest time she thought she was sleeping for years. Noticing a green light blinking on the top left corner of her phone, Rainbow lifts it up and finds she has one missed called and a voicemail. She scrolls to her messages, enters her password and listens to the message.
"Hi, Rainbow Dash." Canter Zoom's voice is finally heard, "I appreciate the time you took to call me. Regarding the movie being less than faithful, well during post-production, we had to make several changes. See, after the first test screenings, my co-director and I found it to be too scary. If we were to make the movie like it was, we would have kids running out of the movie theater and a lot of angry parents. We didn't want that. We might release them on DVD. Thanks again for working on the set, you and your friends."
With the message finished, Rainbow turns off her phone and stands up. She picks up every empty bottle and playfully tosses them into the recycle bin before walking to her mini-fridge and takes out another bottle. Sitting on a bean bag chair, Rainbow Dash stares into the oblivion, brow furrowed as she taps her fingers on the bottleneck.
"I didn't think it was scary." Rainbow Dash lifts the bottle, "Well, here's to an extended version."
Three months Later
As thanks for saving the movie, the Rainbooms each got a copy of the movie on DVD and the extended version at that. Pinkie Pie personally invites her friends over at her place, excited as ever to see the movie a second time, and Spike's first time too. But when the end credits arrive, the Rainbooms, in their pajamas, are less than thrilled this time. In fact, most of them had rather disgusted, unsatisfied looks on their faces.
"I thought you guys had roles in this movie?" Asked Spike, confused as everyone.
"We are..." Twilight answers, not even shifting her gaze from the TV.
"Well," Rarity reaches into her bag and takes out her phone, "I would like to have a word with-"
"Don't." Rainbow Dash interrupts, also not taking her eyes away from the TV, "Trust me. It's not worth it."
