Lights fly by in the night as I sit passenger-side in a car with my righthoof mare. Her name is Vinyl, and she’s a bit keener on the loose cannon mentality than I. But, she’s been my best mare since the beginning. We’ve robbed countless stores years back, sat at plenty gambling tables with guns, and we’ve started a nontraditional mafia. Instead of going by family, we go by trustworthy people who have similar mindsets. It’s a bit riskier, but it’s been getting better and stronger as years go by.
“Hey, Tavi. When we get home, I challenge you to some blackjack,” Vinyl cockily said, “I bet 500 bits that I’ll win. Best 2 out of 3 though.”
“Vinyl, not this time. I need to make sure that the new recruit knows how we run our business,” I answered.
“Ha, sure. Chickening out, I see,” Vinyl teased.
I ignored that final comment and continued admiring the city lights. I can’t help but to think how the recruit will benefit the business. Scotch, just a unicorn who tried proving that he can handle the mafia. One plus is that he has his own liquor business. Which is a great investment due to the new mayor Twilight who has now banned alcohol in Canterlot. No legal alcohol businesses mean that demand for it will skyrocket, and I’ll be the first to capitalize on this opportunity.
The room is barren and dim, only with I wielding a Ponyville Slugger bat, and an amber unicorn tied to a post by the name of Scotch. I swing at his torso with the bat. Scotch grits his teeth but shows no signs of strong emotion. I swing a couple more times and he still doesn’t show strong emotion. Even the pain doesn’t faze him.
I untie him and clock him across the face with my hoof. He swings at me, and I dodge by an inch. He tackles me and disarms the bat from me. Moments before he swings I kick him off me. I get back on her hooves and looks him straight in the eye.
“Scotch, welcome to the family,” I said with a smirk.
Scotch nods his head, “What shall I do now?”
“Recover. You’re bruised badly. Head home and get some rest. I’ll give you your first task tomorrow at noon.”
Scotch nods his head in acceptance and heads out.
“Well, it’s about time that I head home too. Hopefully Vinyl won’t bother me again with playing blackjack.”
I enter the door to my home. It’s a small house, but it’s sufficient. I head upstairs, go in my room, and crash on my bed. Hopefully Vinyl is asleep too.
“Hey, Tavi! How’d it go?” Vinyl exclaimed from her bed on the other side of the room.
“It went well. And Vinyl?” I replied in annoyance.
“Yes, Tavi?”
“Go the hell to sleep.”
“Fine,” Vinyl said with a faint chuckle.
The next day I woke up to Vinyl blasting music a meter away from my bed. She annoys me to no end sometimes.
“Damn it, Vinyl! Turn it down!” I yelled.
“What? I can’t hear you, the music is too loud,” Vinyl replied.
I got up out of bed, looked Vinyl straight in the eyes with a scowl.
“Fine, Fine. You win this time,” Vinyl giggled and turned down the music.
“Why do you insist on blaring music in the morning?” I asked.
“Because it’s my jam,” Vinyl explained with a smile.
I scoffed and headed downstairs to the kitchen. I pulled out the pancake batter and started cooking pancakes. Vinyl rushes downstairs and looks at me.
“Tavi, can you make me a special pancake?” she asked with a smile.
“Like what?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Surprise me,” Vinyl said and then lounged on the couch.
I searched the kitchen for anything that will ‘surprise’ her.
’Salt will work,’ I thought to myself.
I mixed salt into a couple of the pancakes and finished cooking. I made her plate and called her over to eat. She took a bite out one of the pancakes and she instantly recoiled I disgust. I couldn’t help but to smile at her facial expression. I slid over a spare unsalted pancake to her and she gave me a gaze of distrust. We then continued with our meal.
“So, what’s the plan today?” Vinyl asked.
“We visit the local pharmacy. They look a bit open to theft, so let’s protect them,” I answered.
We stop by the pharmacy. I check to see if my pistol is exposed through my coat and I head in. I look around the store while surveying what security measures they have. None so far. I head up to employee sitting at the front desk.
“Excuse me, I was wondering who works today.” I asked the employee.
“Just me and my parents,” He answered.
“So, this is a kind of ‘mom and pop’ business?” I questioned further.
“Basically,” He replied.
I scan the room and turn back to him.
“Not much security,” I point out, “I can help with that. Let’s make a deal: I provide security for your establishment for a price.”
He tilts his head in confusion.
“Security has never been a problem here,” he explains, “so, I’ll have to decline your offer.”
“Let me state it again,” I said while flashing my pistol, “I’ll protect your business, get my cut of your earnings, and nothing bad will happen. Understand?”
His eyes widen when he realizes the situation at hoof. He quickly nods him head in affirmation.
“Glad we can come to an understanding,” I say with a smirk, “It’ll be 200 bits as a down payment, and a 100 every month.”
“Uhh, I-I’ll get the 200 from the b-back. One moment, p-please” He stuttered.
He went into the back room and a few moments later he emerged. He was carrying 200 bits in a sack. He handed the sack over hesitantly and I went to place it into my coat pocket, but something seemed off. I heard a faint click-click from behind my skull, a shotgun was pointed at me. I do recall him saying that his parents were present too.
“Drop it!” said a stallion in a deep grizzly voice.
I set the sack on the floor. I then turn around facing the barrel of the shotgun which is now centimeters away from my face. I give the stallion a smile. Then I slam my hoof into the side of the shotgun which sends it flying across the room. I unholster my pistol and center it in between his eyes in one swift movement.
“Don’t try any tricky shit. I could care less about your life, and I’ll end it if I have to,” I said in an annoyed tone.
I pistol whipped the stallion, who I can assume is the father, across the temple. He’s knocked unconscious. Now, I turn to the son who is at the front desk with my aim targeted on him.
“Now let’s talk business,” I said with a hint of anger, “I go with the 200 bits, and now your monthly rate is now 150. Capisce?”
“Y-Yes!” he said with terror in his eyes.
I start to leave, and I get to the door and turn back to him.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” I say with a devious grin.
I then head to the car and hop in the passenger seat with Vinyl at the wheel.
“So, how’d it go?” Vinyl asked.
“A little resistance, but nothing I couldn’t handle.” I assured.
“So, what now?” she asked.
“I need to give the new guy his first assignment. Bring me to the warehouse.” I said.
As Vinyl and I approach the warehouse, I see a tragedy. The warehouse is now in flames. The warehouse was my base of operations. So many memories, smuggled goods, and work, now all burning to the ground.
The only thing that catches my eye other than the warehouse is a bottle of amber liquid that is placed right in the middle of the path to the front entrance. On closer inspection, I see what it is.
“You have to be kidding!’ I say in wrath.
“What is that?” Vinyl said with concern and confusion.
“Scotch.”