Friendship is Failure #7: All Work and No Play

by DakariKingMykan

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Drama, Original Character, Tragedy
Length: 6597

Twilight and friends try to convince a grouchy, downhearted, work-a-holic pony to reconcile with his family and give friendship a chance

Bill Dollar is a generous but very unpleasant practical pony who cares about work and has no wish to reconcile with his estranged family.

Sounds like another mission attempt at Friendship for Twilight and friends.

LESSON: Pushing someone into becoming something they don't want to be can result in serious consequences.

Published 2017-08-02 02:20:07 UTC
Last updated 2017-08-02 17:04:56 UTC

Intro: A Story of Hard Work

INTRO

His name was Bill Dollar. He was a light green Earth Pony with an orangey-yellow mane and tail. His Cutie-Mark was that of a dollar bill and coins, and he lived in Las Pegasus.

His older sister was Goldie Stocks, a golden yellow Earth Pony. She had a long orange mane with yellow streaks. Her cutie mark was that of a stock receipt.

They used to be so close; they always played and had such a great time. They even ran some lemonade stands, which was how they earned their Cutie marks, not for selling the lemonade, but making great negotiations, as well as giving some of their money to charity.

Then again, their parents were Peggy Bank, and Nickle Plate. Both were once simple working ponies that managed a single clothing store, but they managed to filter out their schedules and have time for both work and play.

They both were very nurturing to their children, and were proud of the way they got along so well. Sometimes, they would ask if they could join in their fun, and they even bought glasses of lemonade from their stands.

Then one day, they received big job offers at the First National Bank, due to their incredible marketing skills and work with numbers. They began to work much longer hours and much harder for many ponies in the city, and even all across Equestria.

Soon, they became owner of a chain of banks in Las Pegasus, but they had changed dramatically!

They were both very practical ponies; preferring to stick to their books and work, rather than have time for play or childish things. Hence why they were usually both in very strict and very bad moods after long and exhausting days at work, and even when they came home there was always more work to do. They brought papers, documents, and work plans with them everywhere they went.

Both of them neglected their children half the time and only seemed to take notice of them when they were working hard or making profits, like with their lemonade stands, but Bill ever wanted to really do was have fun and play, as such, his sister was pretty much the closest and only thing he had to a real relation and friend as she seemed to share his attitude.

Even during their play times, they would pretend many things. Like being pirates, or space-ponies on adventure.

When Bill made a cute drawing of his family in school and showed it to his parents, all they seemed to say was. “Very nice dear…”

“Just keep up the good work.”

Bill felt sad that his parents could appreciate anything outside of buckling down and hard work.

Even when he asked for simple help with his homework, his parents were much too tired and grumpy to help him, and sometimes shouted at him for supposedly getting in their faces.

“We just got home after a long day of work!”

“You need to start working hard and learning how to do things for yourself!”

Still, Goldie was there for him. She gave him lots of help, and she even liked the drawing he made. “You shouldn’t let mom and dad get to you like this.”

Her brother sighed, “All I want to do is have fun. What have they got against it?”

“I don’t know…” replied Goldie “But you’ll always have me. I love having fun, especially with you.”

Bill felt so appreciated and loved, and they shared a warm hug.

However, years later, things changed…!

When Goldie turned fifteen, her parents became very strict with her, telling her that she had to start growing up and leave all the fun and childish games behind. They told her to get a job, and put their hoofs down.

So, she did… she got a job in a simple clothing store helping to make sales. This meant she had less time for fun with her brother, and she came home exhausted from working so hard.

“Wanna play, Goldie?” Bill asked.

“Too tired… sorry.” was all she replied with and just left him.

When he made a picture of himself and her for her birthday to commemorate the pact they made to always have fun and look out for one another. She didn’t even look at it and just continued to go over work-plans she was given. All she said was, “I’m sure it’s nice.”

A couple of years later, when Goldie was Eighteen, she had become manager of a chain of clothing stores and a strong stock-market broker, but she like her parents had become a grumpy work-a-holic.

When Bill tried to speak with her, “You said we’d always look out for one another… and we’d always have fun.”

“There’s no time for fun.” she snapped at him “I have a lot of work to do and a lot of ponies to think about. I can’t spend all my time bickering with you!”

Bill felt shocked, as if he had come face-to-face with a hydra.

“Ponies change, Bill.” said his father, “And it’s time you learned how to take responsibility.”

That’s when his mother came down with a box loaded with all his toys, drawings, and anything remotely fun. “Hey, those are mine!” cried Bill, and he tried to take the box back, but his father held him back as his mother successfully took the box outside and loaded it onto a good-will wagon which carried everything away.

Bill then dashed up to his room only to find just a simple desk with blank papers quills and other work stuff needed. “What have you done?!” he shouted.

“You need to start living in the real world!” his mother said to him “Get a job like your sister did and make a life for yourself like we did!”

Bill finally lost his patience, “You call what you do a life? I call it BOR-ING!”

His parents and his sisters gasped and were livid at what he had just said, and they were further enraged when he said, “All you care about is work, and then you come home grumpy and miserable!”

All three of them were so outraged, that their parents punished him for mouthing off, by sending him to bed without dinner.

As time passed, things did not improve. Bill still found time to go to the playground and enjoy himself, and run lemonade stands, but it was no fun being alone.

When he returned home to talk about the profits he made from his stands, nobody seemed interested, unless to say something like…

“So you can run a lemonade stand, but you can’t get a job?” his sister sneered.

Bill wanted to protest, but his parents sided with his sister. “You need to do better than what you’re doing.” said Nickle. “Do you honestly think you can get through life on petty lemonade stands, and charity work?” added Peggy.

Bill couldn’t take any-more of this, “Fine… I’ll get a job! If it’ll make you all happy…!”

So he got a job, at a simple juice-bar since he was good at selling lemonade and other related drinks and sodas, but he was not enjoying himself at all; ponies breathing down his back and demanding more and more and forcing him to work harder than ever.

As time passed, he became just like his parents and his sister; a grumpy guy who scoffed at fun and games, but unlike his parents and his sister, he still retained his hatred for the way they had all treated him, and how his sister had betrayed him.

So, he left home vowing to never to return or want anything to do with his family or friendship, fun or games ever again!

For the first time ever, his family felt shocked beyond words of anything.

Xv=/�+

Act One: Sour Donation

ACT ONE

Fifteen years later…

Princess Twilight Sparkle and all of her friends had been called by the friendship map to attend a very big friendship mission in Las Pegasus while Spike stayed behind at the palace to have some quiet time by himself.

The friends exited the train, and they all gazed in awe at the amazing sights of Las Pegasus and all its glimmering lights and many hotels, casinos, boutiques and things.

“WHEE… We’re here!” squealed Pinkie Pie.

“Las Pegasus totally rules!” added Rainbow Dash as she flew around in happy circles.

Fluttershy could hardly believe how huge the city was and how bustling with business it was, which made it all very loud. “Oh, I… I think I’d rather stay behind.”

“Oh, darling don’t be silly!” said Rarity “Why there’s so much that can be done in a metropolis of this form. All the fashions that could be done for it, and all the glamour to praise…” she sighed heavenly.

Twilight and Applejack exchanged silly expressions at one another. “Keep in mind, every-pony, we’re supposed to be here on a friendship mission.”

Applejack nodded, “But um… exactly who or what are we supposed to be lookin’ for? That darn map still doesn’t give us exact locations.”

Fluttershy stammered, “Um… maybe we could just… you know… walk around and look for the problem?”

She was surprised when all the ponies agreed, and soon they were all off.

They decided to split up to cover more ground. While Rainbow soaring high above the city the others traveled on foot… Fluttershy didn’t wish to fly too high above such a city where so many obstacles were in the way, like billboards, flagpoles… and the fact her fear of heights was kicking in that day.

As the ponies trekked through the colossal city all they found were things that caught their interests and nearly distracted them from their mission…

Libraries for Twilight, Bakeries for Pinkie Pie, Rainbow was actually more showing off by flying round all the obstacles like in a flying course… she couldn’t help herself.

Rarity… well, naturally, she stopped to gaze in the window of nearly every single clothing store and boutique she could find. “Oh, yes… YES!! I LOVE IT!!” she screamed, which made very pony on the street gawk at her. Rarity felt very embarrassed and she giggled, “…It’s an obsession.”

“Oh, brother…!” groaned Applejack, but suddenly she couldn’t turn herself away from the hardware store that was selling new farming equipment, “Oh, Nellie!” she cried with joy.

Fluttershy found it hard to walk around. Everywhere she went there were ponies walking in front of her, “Oh, excuse me…” she peeped softly, “Um… beg your pardon.”

Suddenly she saw an animal shelter with lots of ponies gathered outside, all paying witness to a kind donation.

A light green Earth Pony with an orangey-yellow mane, wearing square glasses and a grey business suit with a red tie was donating a cheque of a-hundred-thousand pounds to the shelter.

Fluttershy could hear some of the ponies talking…

“That’s Bill Dollar.”

“Doesn’t he own a big juicing company?”

“I can’t believe he’s donating this much to the animals.”

Fluttershy thought it a lovely thought, especially for all the animals at the shelter, only… despite the kind donation, she noticed that Bill Dollar didn’t seem the list bit happy. His face was curled in a deep strict and sour expression as if he had bitten into a lemon.

The managers of the shelter accepted the cheque and thanked Bill graciously as the crowd cheered, and pony reporters came up to him asking him a few questions or if there was anything he had to say…

But Bill, looking grouchier than ever, deeply but calmly stated, “…Just leave me alone. I have work to do.” and he walked away leaving everyone confused and baffled by his behaviour.

Then, Fluttshy saw a lone mare emerge from the crowd; a golden yellow Earth Pony with a long orange mane that had yellow streaks. “Bill, wait…!” she called out to him as she galloped to catch up to him.

Bill stopped where he was and growled angrily, and then he climbed into a coach that was waiting for him, “Go!” he snapped to the driver, and off they went before the mare could catch up with them, “No, wait!!” she called, but the coach was already out of sight.

The pour mare hung her head low and looked as if she was going to cry.

Fluttershy felt she was on to something, that and she couldn’t stand to see a pony so downhearted. She approached the mare, “Um… excuse me?”

The mare looked up, “Yes…?”

“Um… I don’t mean to butt in like this, but what happened just there?”

“That was my brother.” the mare answered “We had a big argument years ago, and he hasn’t spoken to me or my folks since.”

There was no doubt, Fluttershy had found the friendship victims, and she already felt like crying over the situation, and she didn’t even have the full story yet.

Meanwhile, Bill had been taken straight to his building, a large forty story building that with a large billboard at the top that read “Dollars’ Delightful Drinks” It was a company where he made and sold fruit-drinks and sodas of many kinds that took him years to build.

The footmen at the doors greeted him, “Good morning sir.” and they opened the doors to let him in. “Thank you.” he simply said, but his face remained as emotionless as ever as he walked right in.

Many worker ponies saw him and bid him, “Mornin’ boss.” and he just gave them all a simple wave with his hoof as he kept on walking along to the elevator. He rode it all the way to the top floor where the main offices were.

A long row of mare ponies who worked there stood along the sides of the hall way. “Good Morning, sir.” They all greeted, bowing their heads as he passed.

“Good morning, ladies.” he simply replied.

Finally, he reached his office, and his secretary greeted him. “Another letter has come for you, Mr. Dollars.” She said as she handed him the parchment.

He took one look at the letter, and it read, “From your Family.” and he sneered deeply. “Thank you.” he grumbled before disappearing into his office and angrily tossing the letter, without even opening it, into a garbage chute where it landed outside in a huge dumpster which was piled with a mountain of other rejected letters, all with the same markings on each.

Act 2: Regret and Reject

ACT TWO

Fluttershy gathered up the rest of the gang, and introduced them to her new friend, Goldie Stocks, and explained to her the problem with Bill Dollar.

The gang all stopped off at a restaurant for brunch where Goldie explained everything from the beginning, of how her brother was estranged from her family.

“He hasn’t spoken to you in fifteen years?” Twilight asked in disbelief.

“It’s true…” replied Goldie, and she told the friends the story, how she and her brother used to be close, but all work and no play changed her and her parents for the worst, and they pressured Bill into getting a job and let go of childish things.

“Now he actually owns and manages his own company, but he’s become such a grump; worse than anything I or our parents ever were.”

The friends were nearly speechless, “That is completely absurd.” stated Rarity “I mean the very idea that one pony can let all his work take him over like this?”

Applejack couldn’t help but snigger at Rarity hypocrisy.

“What is so funny?” Rarity asked.

“Nothin’.”

Rarity was not amused when she suddenly felt she got the drift. “Well, what of you, Applejack? You let your own chore rule your life.”

Applejack’s features hardened, “Well excuse me for livin’ on a farm with tons to do each day.”

Twilight cleared her throat making them stop quarrelling so they could focus on the situation. “Sorry about that…” she said to Goldie “Did you ever try to apologize to your brother?”

Goldie nodded and she explained how a couple of years after Bill left, she and her parents, still practical and overbearing work-a-holics, were all donating money from their companies to a local elementary school as charity work. It was there that they saw loving families together—children and their parents being so loving and nurturing. Some of the children thanked their parents for helping with homework; some parents were proud of their kids and decided to take them someplace fun…

There was even one little pony who drew a picture of his family and his older sister… the same way that Bill did once!

All this and more struck the three of them of the way they all used to be, and they began to realize as if for the first time what miserable examples they were and how it was they’re fault that they drove Bill Dollar away.

Goldie was sobbing softly with her face buried in a napkin. “We tried to find him and apologize, but we couldn’t find where he lived or worked, until only a year ago when we found out about his business, and now… he won’t even look at us or answer our letters.”

“Oh, you poor, poor thing…” cried Fluttershy.

“That’s the most heartbreaking thing, I’ve… ever… heard!” Pinkie sobbed, and she blubbered almost uncontrollably.

Her cascading tears practically soaked the others, but they also felt equally as bad.

“Don’t worry, Goldie. We’ll try and help you.” said Twilight.

Goldie dabbed her eyes with her napkin, “You will…?”

“Sure thing sugar-cube.” replied Applejack “It’s not like he can stay mad at you forever.”

“You leave this to us, we can handle any friendship mission that comes our way.” added Rainbow.

Though Goldie still had doubts, she was very thankful to them for willing to help her.

Soon, Goldie went home to leave the friends to work.

“So what should we do first?” asked Rainbow.

“Ooh-Ooh-Ooh…!” Pinkie cried “We should arrange for a great big party, and invite every member in Bill’s family to it and have a big blowout!”

The others were a little freaked out by her overly enthusiastic antics. “Um, I think we should try something a little more subtle.” Rarity suggested.

“Maybe we should try talking with Bill Dollar.” said Twilight “I’m sure, deep down, he does miss his family a lot, and that could be why he’s so down.”

When the gang arrived at the main office building, they were denied at the front desk. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Dollar is out at the moment. He is a very busy pony. You’d have to schedule an appointment.”

“Okay, we will then…” Rainbow said impatiently, “When’s his next opening?”

“Sorry…” said the secretary “Only employees and clients can make appointments. Good day.”

Rainbow was really starting to lose her cool, but Applejack and Fluttershy calmed her down, and the gang decided to leave.

“Twilight, can’t you do anything about this?” Pinkie asked “You’re the princess of friendship.”

Twilight shook her head, “I don’t have that kind of authority, Pinkie. I can’t just barge in and make demands like that.”

Rarity agreed, “Twilight is right, it would be most uncouth and highly uncivilized. But what else can we do?”

Twilight and friends went back to Goldie and asked, “Do you know where your brother lives?”

Much as Goldie felt the pain of her guilt eating away at her, as a successful stock-broker, she did know where her all her clients lived as her office had a record of the buyers and sellers. “I know where he lives. My folks and I tried and tried to visit him but he just brushed us off each time.”

Nevertheless, they got his address, and waited until very late because a hard working pony like Bill Dollar always worked until late.

It was dark by the time they all decided to visit him home, which was located in a quiet, suburban area just outside the city. It was such a simple house with a thatched roofing and simple white paint.

“I didn’t think he’d live in a place like this.” said Fluttershy “I thought he’d live in a great big mansion or something like that.”

“I didn’t understand it either…” said Goldie “How could he be so successful and yet live in such a place like this?”

“Well, we’re about to find out.” said Twilight “Come on, every-pony.”

They all marched up to the door and Twilight gave it a knock. Bill Dollar, looking exhausted and frazzled after a long day of work. He glared at them all sourly and grumbled deeply, “…Yes?”

“Bill Dollar, I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends.”

“I know who you are! What do you want?” grunted Bill. The others felt a little mystified by his tone, but they maintained their calmness, “We came here because, we brought your sister to see you.”

Goldie smiled softly and waved at him, and the others all grinned with rainbow backgrounds behind them, but Bill Dollar blinked once, unamused, and said “I don’t have time for this, I am very busy! Goodnight!” and he slammed the door right at them, making their happy scenes fade and their expressions change to concern.

“How rude.” snapped Rarity.

“What’s up his tail.” snorted Rainbow.

Poor Goldie hung her head low, “I told you he didn’t want to talk to me. Thanks for trying.” and she walked sadly away.

Act 3: Being or Acting Nice

ACT THREE

The next day, Twilight and friends met at the same restaurant for breakfast, all six of them still feeling badly about last night, or rather more concerned. “I’ve never seen so beat before.” said Applejack “Sure, I get tired after workin’ in the field all day, but that ain’t no excuse to be a grump.”

Twilight agreed, “And the way he just brushed us all off to work. I don’t think he got much sleep either. It’s like he hasn’t had any fun or done anything relaxing or enjoyable in fifteen years!”

Pinkie gasped extremely hard.

“No fun…?! NO FUN…?!! THIS IS AN EXTREME CATASTROPHE!!” she screamed, which made every pony in the restaurant look her way and the others felt embarrassed. “Sorry, but… I can’t even go five minutes without doing something fun or funny.” She demonstrated by pulling out a cream buy and then burying her face in it, making herself look goofy. “I can’t bear the fact that some pony hasn’t had any fun for so long.”

The group began to feel that maybe there was more to Bill Dollar than just feeling hurt and betrayed by his family, as well as all that hard work and no play routine of his.

“Somehow we’ve got to talk to him again.” Twilight suggested.

“But how?” asked Rainbow “He wasn’t up for having visitors, and only employees and clients can make appointments with him.”

Twilight’s head perked up, “That’s it! Rainbow, you’re a genius!”

“I am?”

Soon, the plan was all fixes; Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash signed up to be employees to the company, and were put to work in the shipping department.

The foreman pony gave them the basic instructions, “You take them bottles, you box ‘em, and you ship ‘em. Simple as pie… piece of cake… any questions?”

The three ponies shook their heads.

“Great. Now get goin’!”

“Whoa! Somepony needs a vacation.” said Rainbow.

“Never mind, let’s get to work.” said Applejack and she set off to skillfully package and box all the loads of bottled drinks into the crates, and Pinkie stamped each one… with a pogo-stick. “Whee-hoo, this is fun.”

“Um, I thought we were supposed to be trying to get closer to Bill Dollar and learn more about him?” asked Rainbow.

“And we can by workin’ for him.” said Applejack “Now come on, shake a leg.”

Rainbow sighed, and but complied, and set off to work shipping the boxes.

Meanwhile, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy planned to pose as clients and actually booked a lunch meeting with Bill Dollar, in hopes of speaking to him directly to get to the root of his ways.

However, so he wouldn’t recognize them from the night before, they all wore fashionable outfits and did their manes up in well-groomed styles, and all three of them wore spectacles to appear more as business-ponies.

“I really don’t think I like this idea.” Fluttershy whimpered.

“Darling you look just fine, try to maintain your character for this.” Rarity said.

“Shh, here he comes.” Twilight said.

Bill Dollar came to the table and sat down at the head of the table in front of them all. He looked very much overworked for it only being around midday. “Ladies…” he complimented gruffly but calmly. “Please excuse my attitude; I was working late last night. Didn’t sleep well…”

Then he took at good strange look at the ladies, “You all look familiar to me.”

Twilight, disguising her voice, “Oh, um… I’m sure you’re just seeing things. You do work rather hard.”

Despite the weirdness, Bill brushed it off and commenced with the meeting.

Meanwhile, the other employees were astonished by the three newbies. Thanks to Applejack’s strength and skill, Rainbow’s speed, and Pinkie’s wacky but effective ways of stamping and loading, all the shipments for the day were finished and loaded much faster than usual.

“Whew! I didn’t think we’d ever get that done.” groaned Rainbow. “Well, at least the workday’s over.” panted Pinkie, but she spoke too soon as the foremen came in and instructed every-pony, “Okay every-pony… let’s get started on tonight’s shipment!”

That’s when a whole fresh load of packed drinks and shipping were loaded in and the employees were told to get right back to work, much to the three friends’ dismay.

Even Applejack, a pony who loved working hard, found this a bit much. “I don’t get it, why would Bill Dollar be so cruel to his employees like this?” she asked aloud.

One of the employees, a tan pony with a brown mustache heard her and said, “Actually, Bill Dollar’s the most generous pony you’d ever meet in Las Pegasus.”

The friends were astonished. “That grumpy grouch…?” Rainbow said. Pinkie and Applejack covered her mouth, not wanting her to badmouth their new boss, but the other pony chuckled, “It’s okay, every-pony on the force knows it. We all call him a grump or a grouch. It’s the truth.”

Now the friends were confused. “But you just said he was the most generous pony.” said Pinkie.

The other pony nodded and explained everything…

While at the same time, the business meeting went well at the restaurant, and still Bill didn’t suspect a thing. Only, he didn’t seem to order much food or eat much, as he seemed more distracted by the meeting and the business deals.

When it came time to pick up the cheque, Bill gracious handed the server a large wad of cash, “Keep the change.”

The friends were astonished, but not as much as the server that he gave that much money. “Sir, I don’t know what to say.”

“Just go!” grumbled Bill, and the server went off.

Rarity, in her disguised voice, said “I believe she was merely trying to thank you for that act of generosity.”

“It doesn’t matter to Me.” said Bill “She has work to do and so do I.”

Fluttershy asked, “Um… sorry to ask this, but… well… um…”

“Out with it!” snapped Bill, almost frightening her out of her disguise. “…Is this how you treat those who try to be nice to you?” Twilight asked in Fluttershy’s stead.

Bill confessed “I wasn’t being nice, I was just being generous. I’ve made many donations, and I don’t have to act kind or be smiling to give others what they need. That’s something I learned through years of hard work and no play. It doesn’t matter to me how I behave to others, as long as they get what they want… and that’s all that matters.”

The friends could hardly believe what they were hearing. Then again it was what they really came to find out.

“Is that all you ever do, is just work?” asked Twilight.

“Surely you must have other things that take your interest.” added Rarity.

“Don’t you have… any friends… or family?” Fluttershy stammered.

Bill was really starting to become annoyed by these clients and their peeping into his personal ways, especially for bringing up such a painful memory of his family. “I have no time or interest in such things, and I don’t need them.” he stated “Such things get in the way of success and valuable business. If others want to express themselves, let them do it through work! That’s all it ever comes down to.”

The friends were beyond speechless.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Bill said as he got up to leave “I’ll contact you when your shipment arrives.” then he was gone, leaving the friends concerned and somewhat horrified by what they had learned.

While back at the shipping plant, the other friends were told the exact same things from their fellow worker. “You see the boss is pretty generous. He may be a grouch, but hey… no one really complains. We all get what we want, and he’s not really hurting anyone. You don’t need to cuddle others to help them. Of course a lot of us think differently... but, hey... what works."

The friends stood aghast by what they had been told, and were only snapped out of it when the foremen shouted, “Hey, you… get to work already!”

So, they complied, but the three friends felt this was more serious than they thought.

Act 4: Surprise of a lifetime!

ACT FOUR

By sunset, many employees checked out for the day. Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow were positively bushed after a long hard day of work; even with their abilities, they had their limitations.

They met up with the others, and Goldie at the same restaurant.

Pinkie tried to lift up her hoof, but it felt all rubbery and numb from all that heavy lifted she helped to do, and all the bouncing from the stamping. “I don’t think I’ll ever get up again.” She groaned, but suddenly the waiter came along with a big slice of cake she ordered. “Ooh, cake!” and she practically jumped at it.

Still, the friends told everything of what they had learned, and Goldie could hardly believe this. “I can’t believe he actually lives like this.”

“Well, it is pretty much understandable.” said Twilight “…And fifteen years is a long time to be alone with a crushed spirit like his. But the way he’s living like this just isn’t healthy for him.”

“It most certainly isn’t.” agreed Rarity, “I should know, I’ve had my share of obsessive work, and it nearly lead me to… well, I’d rather not talk of it.”

“What can we do then?” asked Fluttershy “We can’t just let him stay the way he is.”

Goldie felt really horrible, knowing it was she and her parents that drove her brother into what he had become. “He has to realize that being a success doesn’t have to mean being miserable. If only I could make him see how much me and our folks have changed.”

“I still say, just throw a party.” said Pinkie. All the others thought it a great idea this time. “Better yet… a family reunion.” said Applejack “Whenever some members of the Apple family had a disagreement, once there was a family reunion, everyone all got together and just plain forgot all their troubles.”

Every-pony seemed to jump at the idea, “Oh, but… how do we get Bill Dollar to attend?” asked Fluttershy “He doesn’t do anything except work.”

Rainbow agreed, “And even if he does go, he probably will still be a bit of a grump.”

Now they all had their doubts, but Twilight already had an idea how to get Bill to come to the reunion, “…Just leave it all to me.”

Over the next few days, the ponies set up the perfect reunions. Goldie made sure to invite her parents, tat was all she needed as it was just a small reunion, and thanks to Pinkie Pie’s specialties, a whole party was set up, complete with food, party games, music… the works.

The party was held in a quiet park in the suburban area, just right for an occasion. Now all that was needed was for the guest of honor.

Bill Dollar was hard at work again, one night, finishing up contracts and tax documents, as well as work-plans, when his secretary buzzed him. “Mr. Dollar… a letter has just come in from… a Ms. Daylight Twinkle.”

“Ah, yes… one of the new clients I spoke with at the restaurant. She must be responding in regards to her shipment that came in. Send it in.”

The letter appeared through the mail tube, landing right on his desk.

The letter read…

Have the business deal of a lifetime for you; one that can bring your company to a whole new level and bring you much more work than ever before.

If you wish to discuss it further with me, I’ll be waiting in the L.P Park down by the stream. Come alone…

Bill honestly didn’t know what to make of this. He smelled a trick. From his many years in the business and working hard, he knew how to be cautious, but that still never told him what to expect from offers like these, and he was rather skeptical about this Daylight Twinkle, and the way she butted into his personal life and decisions.

“I think I should accept.” he said to himself. “Ack!” he groaned as he held his chest in pain. For the past few days his chest had been cramping with aches and pains, and he thought of seeing a doctor about this, but first… he had to make this meeting.

Later that night, after it got dark, he arrived in the park and stepped out of his cab coach. He looked around but could see no one about.

Suddenly, he heard a faint voice, “Pssst… Bill Dollar!”

“Who’s there?” called Bill, and suddenly he could see someone in the shadows. “Follow me…” she called to him and disappeared through the brush.

“Wait!” called Bill as he rushed after her, and the second he ran through the brush.

“SURPRISE!!!”

Bill screamed in fright!

He had run right into the nighttime family reunion that was setup. Twilight and her friends were there, so was Goldie, and her folks, Peggy Bank and Nickle Plate… both of which were looking elderly.

Both of them ran up to their son and hugged him warmly.

“Oh, Bill…!” cried his father.

“Honey, we’re so happy you’re here.” cried his mother.

Strangely, however, Bill didn’t move or make a sound. He just remained in the exact same state of shock as he was when he screamed. His mouth was hanging wide open, and he didn’t even blink his eyes.

“Bill…!” cried Goldie “Are you alright?”

There was a sudden hush of silence as every-pony gathered round. “What’s wrong with him?” asked Fluttershy.

Suddenly, Goldie’s face froze with extreme shock and sadness, “…He’s not breathing!”

Everyone gasped extremely hard.

“He needs a doctor, quick!” cried Twilight, and she teleported into town to get help leaving the others to tend to the fallen pony.

“Come on, you’ve got to snap out of it!” cried Goldie.

Twilight’s friends were all very worried, and feared the worst.

Soon, Twilight had returned with a team of paramedics and they concluded that Bill Dollar had just suffered a fatal heart-attack, most-likely combined from overly working himself too hard, not getting much rest, eating improperly… and naturally, being frightened by the surprise party.

“Is he going to be alright?” cried Peggy Bank.

“Please say he will!” added Nickle plate, but the paramedics just gazed at them with extremely regretful expressions, which told everyone enough.

Tears began to appear on ponies’ faces, and the “Happy Family Reunion” banner snapped off and floated softly the ground.

Closing Act: Hard but Gentle

CLOSING ACT

What a tragedy it was! When news that Bill Dollar was dead, more than half of Las Pegasus was totally devastated. Though it he was known for his gruff exterior, the donations, employment, and services he provided could not have been denied.

Was he truly a bad pony, or did he still retain a heart of gold? Either way, it didn’t matter now. Just as it also didn’t matter how he was killed anyway.

In many ways, he was responsible for his own death due to his poor health and harsh living choices, but then again it was his family that drove him too it, and though they tried to make it up to him by throwing him that party, it literally scared him to death!

It, too, didn’t matter. Blaming anyone wouldn’t make things any better.

His employees took his death hard, and feared the company would be sold off, but fortunately for them, Goldie Stocks agreed to take-over the company and carry on the work for her brother, feeling she owed him that much… but didn’t ease her sorrows.

Her parents felt equally, if not, more devastated than she did, knowing it was their old nasty work-a-holic ways that drove their son into the shadows.

As for Twilight and friends, really, though it wasn’t their fault at all, it really felt like it was, since it was the party that scared Bill and triggered his heart-attack.

“I can’t believe it!” Pinkie sobbed, “He died because of a party!” she broke down crying, almost as if she never wanted to have or go to another party ever again.

Applejack comforted her, “There-there, sugar-cube.” she cried “It just happened, okay? It couldn’t be helped.” Normally, she didn’t show too much tearful emotion, but she couldn’t help herself this time.

“He was young…!” Fluttershy sobbed “He was so young!”

Rarity collapsed to the ground, not caring if she got dirt on herself, “I can’t bear it! I can’t…!” she sobbed.

As for Twilight, she was the most devastated out of all her friends. Rainbow tearfully approached her, “Twilight…?”

Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes, but they reappeared in seconds and streaked down her face, “All I wanted was to help him, help him see that friendship wasn’t all that bad.”

“We all did, Twilight.” said Rainbow “But I think we need to focus on some-pony else right now.” And she gestured to Goldie and her folks in the cemetery, putting flowers by Bill’s grave and mourning their loss, and still blaming themselves a little.

Twilight and friends approached the family. “I’m really, very sorry.” Twilight said earnestly.

“It’s not your fault.” Peggy said.

“Goldie told us everything when she invited us to the party.” added Nickle “We know you tried your best to help our problem.”

Goldie remained silent. She just knelt where she was, gazing tearfully at her brother’s grave. All she ever wanted was to make amends with him for having hurt him all those years ago.

“Goldie…?” Twilight said as she approached her.

“It’s alright… I’ll be okay.” she said, and she turned and gave her a sad smile “Thanks for everything.”

Twilight smiled sadly at her, and then she placed a flower of her own by the stone, which read…

“Bill Dollar”

Hard Worker, Hard at Heart, but gentle in spirit.