Consultations and Meetings
Berry Pony

"What's in the letter?" Bottlecap asked. "We've never gotten a letter from Earth before." The blue earth pony had a concerned look on her face.

I pushed my way inside past her. A long days travel from Fillydelphia had left me tired and hungry. "Bottlecap, could you please put a kettle on?" I asked. "It's been a long day but with a good cup of tea in front of me, I will explain why I travelled all the way to Fillydelphia and how this letter from Earth came here."

"And then we can hear more about this Coal Fire too, I hope," said Baritone.

"Yes, I'll explain who Coal Fire is as well," I said to him.

Sitting around the long kitchen table, the two earth ponies drinking tea, I began my story. How I became a yellow-maned pink unicorn mare in Phoenix, how I came to Ponyville and their hayfarm, how I found the present state of railroads in Equestria and how I decided that the ponies needed a modern railway system. I explained that initially, I had hoped to build an electrified system but gave it up when I discovered that the hydro-electric works near Ponyville was one of Discord's little jokes.

Then, I told them of my plan to raise capital by talking to some of the dragons that lived around Equestria - and how that resulted in me losing most of my tail to a female dragon living in Froggy Bottom Bog, burnt off as I was running for my life. I told them how that encounter led to another meeting with a black dragon named Nerius who took my economic information about Earth, promised that he'd be back and flew off.

I pointed at the letter from Switzerland. "And that's the letter that Nerius said that he would send."

Baritone grunted. "You still haven't told us who Coal Fire is."

I took a long sip at my hot tea and launched into another explanation. I told the two earth ponies how I had travelled to Fillydelphia to see their locomotive works - and discovered that Equestria had no real source of heavy locomotives. The only thing that made the trip worthwhile was meeting Coal Fire, a former British live steam modeler that wanted to build real steam locomotives.

"Live steam?" Bottlecap asked. "I don't understand."

"On Earth, we have railroad modellers that create actual working steam locomotives. Other than their scale, they work the same way as the real thing. In fact, building models of steam locomotives is the way that actual locomotive builders got their start. On Earth in 1831, the Baldwin Locomotive Works got started by building a miniature locomotive for an exhibition at the request of the Philadelphia Museum."

"That's interesting," Baritone said.

"If Coal Fire can build a model, working steam locomotive, he understands how to build a real locomotive," I snapped. "So, anyway, let's look at this letter."

It was a thick white envelope with 'Par Avion' printed across the front. The address was from a Banque Draco S.A. in Geneva, Switzerland. It was addressed to Cherry Shine, c/o Ponyville, Equestria. I wondered what the mail clerks in Switzerland thought of the address.

Using my telekinesis, I slid a tea spoon handle underneath the envelope's flap and removed the folded letter.

"Well? What does it say?" Bottlecap said.

"Dear Cherry Shine," I began.

"If you receive this letter, you will present yourself at my headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in two weeks time. You will bring your financial plan with a breakdown of costs and profits so that I may judge if your idea is worthy of being funded.

A ticket from Equestria to Frankfort, Germany is enclosed. An employee of the bank, Marcel Bonna, will meet you at the airport and assist you in traveling to Geneva. He will be responsible for your hotel reservations and any other arrangements that are deemed necessary."

"It is signed by a Nero Draco," I added. "I guess that's what Nerius is calling himself on Earth."

I let the letter flutter down to the table. "I'm a bit torn as what to do - on the one side, this is a great opportunity. On the other side, I've become accustomed to living here in Ponyville. If I go to Switzerland, everything will change..."

"You've got to look into your heart," Bottlecap said, reaching out and giving me a hug. "And decide how you want to go forward."

"There'll always be a place for you on the farm," Baritone added. "We might have to clean out a corner of the pig sty but we'll find some place for you."

"Thanks," I said between gritted teeth.

"Don't mention it," he grinned. "But two weeks? That's not much time to create a plan."

I looked at the two earth ponies as they drank their tea. The kitchen clock ticked away the minutes. And I thought about my choices.

"I'm going," I finally said. "I've invested too much of my time and energy to give up now. I'll go see Colophon in the morning I'm sure she knows how to come up with a business plan."

After a restless and sleepless night, I got up the next morning, grabbed my cheap saddlebags and trotted down into Ponyville to see my teacher of unicorn magic. Entering the bookstore, I found the orange unicorn at her counter.

"Good morn- Cherry Shine? What are you doing here this early?" Colophon asked.

I reached into my linen saddlebags and drew out the letter from Earth. "This," I replied, levitating the letter onto her counter top.

Colophon's eyes narrowed as she read the letter. "I guess this has to do with that... being... that you met before the Nightmare Night festival. Who is this Nero Draco anyway?"

I sighed and began to tell Colophon the full story of meeting Nerius that cold evening.

"Oh, child," she said, "do you not know the old saying, do not meddle in the affairs of dragons?"

"For you are crunchy and good with ketchup," I finished. "I know, I know. But at least, he's far away and in Switzerland."

"Where you will be going," pointed out my teacher. "So do you have a financial plan to show Nerius?"

"Um, I thought you could help me draft one."

"Celestia's beard!" Colophon swore. "I am a seller of books and a former teacher of magic in Canterlot. This requires the knowledge of somepony expert in understanding how a business works." She tapped her chin with her hoof in thought. "I suggest that we bring somepony with real business knowledge into our group. Somepony like Filthy Rich."

"But, but, he's my boss..."

"Go!" Colophon poked me in the ribs with her horn. "Talk to Filthy Rich and see if he can help. I'll try and arrange for everypony else to come to the bookstore tonight for a planning session." She pushed me out the door and slammed it shut behind me. "Seven o'clock," she shouted through the door.

"Good day," I started. "Is Filthy Rich at home?"

The earth pony that answered the door looked down at me. He bore a white starched collar and a black tie. Since I did not appear to have a card, he sneered, "Who shall I say is calling?"

"Cherry Shine. I'm one of his employees at Barnyard Bargains."

"I... see."

"Please? I just need a moment of his time."

"Wait here. I will see if the master is receiving." The grand oak door slammed shut in my face.

After a few moments, the earth pony opened the door again. "If you please, follow me. The master will see you." He waited until I had crossed the threshold before closing the door again. Then he escorted me down a large, richly appointed hall into a home office at the end.

"That will be all, Randolph," Filthy Rich called out. "I will see Cherry Shine out again."

Filthy Rich's office was a large, well-lit room with French doors overlooking a snow covered terrace. From his windows, I could see a view of the fields stretching out to the mountains and Canterlot. He had equipped the room with book shelves, books and maps as well as a large oak desk.

"Never mind Randolph," Filthy Rich said as the butler pony left. "My wife hired him in Canterlot to keep the house running. I think he feels his efforts are wasted in a small town like Ponyville. Now, what brings you to me this morning?"

"Filthy Rich, I have a... financial problem," I began. I levitated Nerius' letter onto the top of his desk. "And I was hoping that you might be able to advise me."

While Filthy Rich perused the letter, I explained how I had come to receive the letter. I told my boss about my dreams and how I hoped to build a modern railroad for Equestria.

"I... see." Filthy Rich mused. He pushed the letter aside with a hoof and looked at me. "How far have you gotten with your railroad?"

"I filed the papers for the charter with the town hall."

"Who have you on your Board of Directors?"

"Well, there's me. And Colophon at the local bookstore. Windstorm from the Ponyville weather team. I don't know if Written Dreams wants to be on the board - she's a student with me at Colophon's magic studies..."

Filthy Rich shook his head slowly. "At the moment, Cherry, you have an amateur group, filled with enthusiasm but no real knowledge. Nerius' offer is quite generous but I can't see any way that he would seriously invest in such a slap-dash operation."

He walked from behind the desk to look out over the lightly snowed in fields and snow-capped mountains. "I think you have the right idea though. Equestria has long been hobbled by the lack of a real transport net." Filthy Rich turned back to look at me. "The time has come for a new way of doing things. When are you going to meet with Colophon and the others to discuss that letter?"

"Seven o'clock at the back of Colophon's book store."

"I need to talk to some other ponies and judge their interest. But I will be coming to that meeting at seven o'clock," Filthy Rich said. Then he walked to the door. "Of course, I may have some conditions. I think that they're not to harsh." He motioned for me to follow. "I hope you don't mind cutting this discussion short but I have ponies to see and proposals to make."

"But... of course," I stammered. I followed Filthy Rich to the front door.

"Seven o'clock," he repeated. "I will see you there." The front door swung shut. It was only then that I realized that Filthy Rich still had my letter from Nerius.

I sat for a moment on Filthy Rich's doorstep, trying to decide how to spend the time until seven tonight when Filthy Rich and his friends... I suddenly realized that Colophon didn't know that our small herd would double or triple in size. I had to warn her. Taking off at a canter, I ran back to Colophon's book store.

"Miss Colophon!" I shouted as I crashed through her front door. "We've got to get ready!"

The orange unicorn stopped me. "Slow down. Take a deep breath. Remember, you are a unicorn and unicorns never get hurried or stressed."

I closed my eyes and did as she asked me to.

"Now, what is the problem, child?"

"Filthy Rich. Friends. Want to come tonight. Want to hear us out."

"Hmm. I wondered when he would get that interested. Very well, it will give you a chance to practice selling your ideas to other ponies. You might consider it practice for your meeting in Switzerland. Now, let me think... I will need to clear some space in the store. It would be nice to have some refreshments from Sugar Cube Corner. A couple of pots of tea might be nice as well. As for you, you should try to in contact with Windstorm and Written Dreams and let them know about the meeting." She looked around at her display stands and bookshelves before turning back to me. "Well, off with you, Cherry!"

I found myself sitting outside Colophon's bookstore. Written Dreams - I really didn't know how to contact her but Windstorm might. As for the light brown pegasus, I looked up in the sky. It was a cold day with a milky white sky. There were no pegasi that I could see but in the distance was a single white cloud with a dark gray tail hanging over the edge.

I trotted down streets until I was directly below the cloud. "Hey!" I called up. "I need your help."

There was no answer. The dark gray tail twitched.

I stretched out with my levitation magic, wrapped it around the end of the tail and gave it a yank.

The tail disappeared. A young pegasus colt appeared at the edge of the cloud and glared down at me.

"Hi, Rumble," I said innocently. "I was wondering if you could help me?"

"Yeah, what'd ya want?"

"I need to find a pegasus. Windstorm. He's with the local weather team. I need you to tell him that there's a planning meeting tonight at the bookstore."

Rumble thought for a moment. "Sure, I can do that."

"And he should let his filly friend know as well."

"Windstorm. Planning meeting at the bookstore. Bring his filly friend," Rumble repeated. "Okay, got it." He stood up, stretched his wings, hopped off the cloud and kicked it to vapors before flying off.

I watched him disappear before walking back to the Ponyville bookstore.

To my surprise, Windstorm was already at the bookstore when I arrived. All the display stands had been pushed up against the walls and the free standing bookshelves had been put in the back room.

"Windstorm, that was quick," I said as I was levitating my cheap saddlebag onto a chair. "I'd thought Rumble would take longer to find you."

"I was at the weather station when Rumble found me," the tan pegasus replied. "There was not much going on so I took the day off and decided to help you ponies." He looked around. "So, where are the maps?"

Colophon and I looked at him. "Maps?"

"Maps. We're planning a railroad from here to Canterlot and you haven't looked at a topographic map? How else are we going to know how to run our railroad from here to there? How steep the grades are? How much tunneling would be
required?"

Colophon swished her tail in thought. "I don't sell maps. Perhaps they have them at the town hall? Or at the library? Cherry, why don't you go find out while Windstorm and I finish setting up the place."

"I'll see what I can find, Miss Colophon." I levitated my linen saddlebags from the chair onto my back and trotted out.

The pony at the Ponyville town hall did not have what I was looking for. They didn't have maps for the land between here and Canterlot. The only maps they did have were plat maps for the town and they certainly did not lend those out to any random pony. I thanked him, closed the door and trotted on towards the library.

Stopping at the library's sign of the opened book, I knocked on the red door. "Hello, is anypony at home?" I asked.

"Hold your ponies, I'm coming." The door was opened by a young green dragon. "Hi, Cherry Shine. Did you ever finish those books on Equestria? You know other ponies might want to read them."

"Ah, oh yes." I had borrowed books on Equestria geography and history way back in the early fall and never got to read them. "I'm sorry, Spike. I'll bring them back tomorrow morning. But right now, I need to find out if you have topographical maps of Ponyville and the surrounding countryside."

"Topographical maps? Yes, we have them. But I thought you were told not to go exploring on your own any more." He scratched his chin. "Is this in search of more dragon caves?" Spike leaned forward, his eyes glittering with interest.

"No, Spike. I've done with exploring for dragon caves." I waved my shortened tail. "I was lucky that it only cost me most of my tail. At least, it'll grow back."

Spike looked a little disappointed. "I don't know. Twilight will have my head if more stuff goes missing," he said.

"Spike, it is only for one night. I'll bring the maps back tomorrow, I promise. I really need them for the meeting tonight. Besides, I only need the maps of the countryside between here and Canterlot." I gave him my most pleading, most endearing look.

"Okay, but if I don't get them back tomorrow, I'll have to tell Twilight and you know how she is about missing books." Spike turned and waddled upstairs.

"I can never resist a pleading unicorn," Spike said as he returned downstairs, his stubby little arms filled with rolled up maps. "Here they are and I'd better see you early the next morning with them."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I gushed as I reached over and kissed Spike on the cheek. "I'll take good care of them, you'll see." Then I levitated the stack of map rolls up and put them in my saddlebags.

"Aw, gee, it was nothing", Spike replied, blushing slightly. "But bring them back tomorrow morning." He raised his little hand to his cheek.

I trotted out of the library, leaving behind a bewildered Spike behind.

Back at the bookstore, Windstorm and Colophon had dragged the kitchen table out into the middle of the cleared space. A line of pencils, paper and erasers lay next to a book of tables and an abacus. As soon as I closed the bookstore door, Colophon told me to roll out the Canterlot map on the table.

"As you can see, the original railroad builders took a circuitous route from Canterlot down to the valley floor. From early accounts of Ponyville's history, we know that there was a dirt road from the valley to Canterlot," Windstorm said. "You read that part in your history books, right, Cherry?"

"Um, err. I never read that part. I was busy with my Unicorn Script," I stammered.

Windstorm gave me a disapproving look which was echoed by Colophon. He turned back to the table and spread out the topological map. His hooves ran over the map, looking for the old road. "I think it was along this line," he finally said. "It's a bit steeper with sharper curves than the existing railroad which explains why the original railroad builders didn't use it."

Colophon, looking over the light brown pegasus' shoulder, nodded. "I think it's about the same distance, though. We still use the road to walk or drive wagons up to Canterlot."

"On Earth, we had the same situation on Earth. At Raton Pass... or was it at Marshall Pass? Anyway, the existing wagon road was steeper and had tighter curves than a railroad could use." I looked at the map again. "And remember what we've learned about the current locomotives in Equestria. The original railroad builders needed a very gentle grade up to Canterlot."

"Right," Windstorm added. "We probably won't have that problem with more horsepower... more horse power. It sounds funny, considering we're horses. Anyway, I've flown over the route that the original railroad builders chose and it's unsuitable for anything else than a single track hanging off of a cliff face."

"A new route up to Canterlot?" I studied the map.

"Yes. Consider, our locomotives will be stronger and faster than the existing locomotives. We can bring in technology to build higher and longer bridges. We will be double-tracking our railroad to provide for future growth and more flexibility. I mean, we are designing for double-track, aren't we?"

"Double-track? Yeah, we'd better."

"So, where are we going to put the railroad," Colophon finally asked.

We all studied the map again. Canterlot stood on a high ridge overlooking the valley and Ponyville, Looking north from Ponyville, the main valley continued left while a higher valley lay to the right. Canterlot's ridge rode over the valleys like a ship's bow rode over the sea. The existing railroad had climbed up to the right valley before tunneling and climbing the ridge to the spire.

My hoof traced out a route on the left side, climbing the hills before being stopped by the need for massive, miles-long bridge to arrive at Canterlot's ridge.

Colophon's puzzled look showed that she was not doing any better.

"Suppose we...," Windstorm began. "Here." His hoof rested on a spot near Ponyville. "Then we follow along here, climbing into these foothills." His hoof slid along a route leading off to the right. "This will allow us to enter this valley and begin to climb."

I nodded.

"We continue on the eastern side of this valley," he continued. "Until we come to here." His hoof stabbed at a spot on the map. "We cross the valley on a high viaduct and enter Canterlot from the back."

"Your route... it resembles a giant horseshoe," Colophon exclaimed.

"Hmmm... your route goes miles out of the way. How much longer than the existing railroad?" I wondered.

Windstorm looked at the map and did some quick mental calculations. "Roughly estimating, I'd say it adds 30 miles (50 km) to the route. But, Cherry, there would be little tunneling and the biggest expense would be the high viaduct!"

"I like it," Colophon said. "From the high viaduct, you'd be able to see the whole route."

"Windstorm, I think we should mark your planned route as a first trial and see what everypony else thinks. It looks doable from the map but we have to get some ponies up there to actually look at the ground."

By late afternoon, we had completed all the preparations. A new map had been drawn, showing our proposed route - and hung from the back wall. Windstorm had swept out the meeting place and I placed cups and teapots on the counter for later refreshments. Colophon finally sent me home, saying that there was nothing more to do before seven o'clock.

At shortly before seven, I arrived at Colophon's bookstore, escorted by Baritone who was also invited. Colophon was boiling water for the tea. On the counter, next to the teapots and cups, I found a array of cupcakes and pastries from Sugar Cube Corner.

"Child, those are for our guests," Colophon called out from the kitchen.

I returned the cupcake to its stack and asked, "Is there anything that I could do?"

"No, I think I have everything. Make sure our guests are comfortable and I will be out shortly."

The door chime rang and Written Dreams and Windstorm came in. Then it ran again as Mayor Mare entered. More ponies arrived as the clock ticked down to seven. Finally, Filthy Rich walked through the door followed by his daughter, Diamond Tiara. Ponies talked among themselves as Colophon and I served tea and pastries.

The wall clock struck seven times. Colophon walked up to the counter and cleared her throat. "Good evening, fillies and gentlecolts. If I could have your attention," she said. "We will get started. I will turn over the floor to Cherry Shine."

"Me?" I whispered to the orange unicorn. "What do I say? How do I start?"

"It is your show," Colophon whispered back. "Just tell them what you told Filthy Rich. Or told to Nerius. Just be yourself, a unicorn."

I turned to my audience of ponies. "Hi," I started. "I'm Cherry Shine. I want to build and run a modern railroad in Equestria." As I continued telling my story, I watched the herd of ponies listening to me. Some of the ponies had heard my story before - others were hearing it for the first time. As I told them of my meeting with Nerius on the night before the Nightmare Night festival, I glanced at the set of their ears. Most of my audience had their ears up and glued to my speaking. It was a sign that they were paying close attention. One of Filthy Rich's ears was aimed at me - the other was listening to comments around him. Diamond Tiara's ears were back and her tail was rapidly swishing - signs of annoyance and impatience.

"And so, Nerius - or Nero Draco, as he calling himself while on Earth - wants me to come to Switzerland and present our financial plans for the railroad before funding it," I concluded. "Unfortunately, none of us know how to create this financial plan that Nerius is asking for. So I'm asking for your help."

Filthy Rich raised a hoof. "After talking it over with various other ponies in Ponyville, we decided to step in and help you. Ponyville - and Equestria - needs this railroad."

I grinned.

"But," Filthy Rich said, coming up to the front of the room. "We are very concerned about letting someone like Nerius control something as important as our railroad. He could wait a few years and then set freight rates that would squeeze us out of business. Or give certain friends of his better rates than the rest of us."

"I see," I said. "You're worried about a situation similar to the one described in Sinclair Lewis's novel The Octopus. A big railroad - Southern Pacific - comes into a valley of farmers and ends up controlling the entire valley through rates, rents and intimidation."

Filthy Rich nodded. "We need control over the railroad here in Ponyville - not in some far away place like Switzerland. And the one thing that we don't want to do is give control to a dragon. How does the old saying go? 'Never cut a deal with a dragon.' Or something like that?"

"But how do we build the railroad? I don't think that Ponyville can raise enough bits for even the first leg of the railroad," I wondered. "We need part of Nerius' vast hoard to fund construction and operations."

"Cherry Shine," the brown business pony said. "You're going to go to Nerius with a business plan that we will create. In this plan, Nerius is only be allowed to own 49% of the stock. We will undertake raising the balance of the funds here in Equestria."

"Really? You'd do that for me."

"But this offer comes with two conditions. First, I will turn over running of Barnyard Bargains to my wife and Pine Shavings. I will become the new president of the railroad. And second, you will offer Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon positions as employees working for you."

Silver Spoon's father nodded.

"Diamond Tiara?" I can't say who was more shocked. Me or Diamond Tiara.

"But Daaaadd..." she whined.

"Diamond, dear," Filthy Rich said. "Your mother has been spoiling you, trying to fit you into one of those rich and idle lifestyles. I've had enough. You are smart enough to stand on your own. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be more than some rich unicorn's arm candy."

Filthy Rich turned to Colophon and me. "She's really good at doing the purchasing for Barnyard Bargains. But my wife insisted on sending up to Canterlot for finishing school. I'd rather that she know how to bargain for an extra discount on bulk items than know the proper way to dress for a garden party. This is my other condition."

"But of all the ponies," Diamond Tiara insisted, "why this particular blank flank?" Her ears were pinned against her head.

"Because she has been a good employee for the last six months and has a bright idea worth funding," Filthy Rich answered.

I looked away from the brown business pony at Colophon and Windstorm. Colophon merely nodded while Windstorm said, "Cherry, do it. It won't be your show any more but it's becoming something that might actually happen."

I turned back to Filthy Rich. "Alright, I agree to both your conditions."

He looked at Mayor Mare. "Did you bring the forms?"

She walked up to the front of the room and reached into her pouch. "Of course," she said, laying out a set of business forms, a quill and ink. "If you would be so kind to sign here," she said. "And initial here. And sign in this place here. That will finish the paperwork."

"Well," I said as I picked up Mayor Mare's quill. "It's not like shopkeepers haven't ever started a railroad before. On Earth, the Central Pacific - the railroad that with the Union Pacific was the first U.S. transcontinental railroad - was started by four shopkeepers from California. The 'Big Four', as they were later known, were merchants and general storekeepers when they started. All of them, C.P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins and Charles Crocker became famously wealthy and powerful."

"Let's hope we can do the same," Filthy Rich added.

I signed. The rest of the paperwork had already been filled out - the list of the board of directors of the new railroad included the names of the most prominent ponies of Ponyville. At the top of the list was Filthy Rich's name.

Mayor Mare collected the paperwork and put it into her pouch. With a few strokes of my quill, had I signed away my dreams? Filthy Rich and his friends were running my railroad now. My ears fell, my eyes filled with tears, and my tail drooped.

Windstorm was talking about the planned route with Filthy Rich, pointing out the costs and benefits of the longer route. Fighting back my tears, I turned away to start walking into the back room.

Colophon came up to me and put her hoof over my withers. "Child," she said, "Are you feeling sad - like it is the end of everything?"

I looked at her. "Yup."

"Whenever you are creating something, be it a book, a painting, a song or even an idea, there will come a time where you will have to send it into the world to fend for itself. Your idea of a Equestrian railroad is no different. Do you understand me?"

I nodded.

From somewhere, a monogrammed handkerchief appeared. "Now, wipe your tears, child, buck up and go and tell Filthy Rich what happens next. He may be running the show - but he is as much a beginner at running a railroad as you are. We have two weeks to prepare a financial plan and two weeks to convince a greedy dragon to lend us bits out of his hoard, Don't waste them feeling sorry for yourself!"

I looked at my teacher. "Yes, Miss Colophon."

Author's Note

Now that we have the name of Filthy Rich's butler - I changed the story to put in the correct name.