I wake up to the sound of a voice and the brightness of light pulling me from my slumber. I groan, as I always do, the noise and light causing my head to hurt. I’m always sensitive first thing in the morning, and I’ve never gotten used to it. I open my eyes to see my mom, Sunshine Hooves, Celestia bless her, right in my face, as she always is. She seems to think it’s funny to wake me up with lots of noise and commotion.
“Come on, my little Hearty, time to get up. It’s another beautiful day, and it can’t start without you!” she says with a big grin whilst shaking my bed.
I try in vain to pull the covers over my head. “Five more minutes...” My voice comes out half mumbled. Mom pulls the covers off me, shouting in a sing song voice,
“That is what you asked you asked for fifteen minutes ago! Come on, up!” I look at up at her. Her mane is a frizzy mass of brown, as usual.
“Fine, just stop shouting.” I roll over, stretching and yawning simultaneously, scratching a wing.
“If you are not out of bed by the time I come back, you are going to have a wet surprise waiting for you!” How she manages to say such horrifying things while sounding so cheerful is beyond me. I groan some more as I put my head under the covers in a vain attempt to go back to sleep.
I get out of bed moments before my mom comes back, holding a water bottle. “Aw, here I was, getting all excited.” She smiles that horrifically cheery smile, the one that she only gets when she is going to really mess with somepony. I give her a deadpan look.
“I know not to test you. Remember the last time I did? I woke up drenched in water.” I smile at her. “What’s for breakfast this morning?” I ask with a hopeful look.
She smiles. “Your favorite, french toast.” A goofy smile covers my face.
“Thanks mom. You always make the best french toast.” I yawn again. Mom takes this chance to douse me with water.
“I bet you’re awake now! See ya downstairs!” she says as she zips away.
I sigh, water dripping down my muzzle. I shake my head, sending water everywhere. I love my mom, I really do, but she can be so foal-like sometimes. Probably the reason we get along so well. I wipe the water off me, and go downstairs, the smell of french toast and eggs drifting up to meet me.
I come to the end of the stairs and walk into the kitchen. Mom is at the stove, just finishing making breakfast. “You start at your job today, right?” she asks while setting up the table for breakfast.
I sit down at the table and start eating. After I take the first couple of bites, my taste buds loving every second of the warm french toast, I look at mom, and say, “Yeah, I finally start at the theatre.”
Mom looks up in recognition. “Oh, you mean the theatre where that unicorn mare works? She gives me a sly look. “This job wouldn't happen to have anything to do with her, would it?”
I almost choke, french toast spewing everywhere as I cough. After the most ridiculous coughing fit ever, I take a drink of milk, and look at my mom with what is probably the worst poker face in history. “What makes you think she has anything to do with this?”
My mom continues to grin. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because she is all you talk about these days, and the fact that you get all flustered when she is brought up.” Her grin grows even wider as my already horrible poker face gets even worse. “Or it could be the fact that you are desperately trying, and failing, by the way, to act nonchalant about all this?”
I let out a sigh. “Fine, you win. Yes, it has something to do with her, but not exactly what you think it means.”
Mom continues to grin that awful grin, that grin that says, Sure, I know that is what you say, but I know different. I hate that grin. “Oh really now?”
I look away from her, not able to look her in the eyes. “Yes, it has something to do with Moonsung, and yes, it might, just a little bit, have something to do with the fact that I find her just the tiniest bit attractive. But no, I did not pursue the job just for that reason.”
My moms sly grin turns to one of smug victory. “So, you admit that not only she has something to do with this, but also that you like her? I knew it.” She smiles even wider. “So, continue telling me how she is not the only reason that you wanted this job.” She waves a hoof, as if giving me permission to continue.
I look even farther away as my cheeks start to turn a deep shade of red. “Fine, it has everything to do with her. Happy now?”
Mom just laughs and says, “Yes, I am. Now, finish your breakfast. You don’t want to be late for your first day at your new job. After all, you want to make a good impression on Moonsung, don’t you?” She bursts out laughing again.
I look her in the face for the first time since I sat down. “Are you quite done teasing me? I think my blushing quota has been met for at least the next three years.”
She just laughs again. “Yes, for now. Go on, get outta here.”
I get up from the table, and start for the door. Mom calls after me, right as I open the door.
“Have a good day, Big Heart. Love you!”
I shout back over my shoulder, “I love you too!”
As I make my way into town, and towards my new job, all I can think of is Moonsung, and how much I can’t wait to actually meet her. I have been looking forward to this job for weeks, and when I got the interview last week, I was over the moon with excitement. At the end of the interview, when I was told that I had the job, it was all I could do to not hug tackle the interviewer. To say that this was something that I had been looking forward to for a long time would be the biggest understatement since saying that Princess Celestia is a not-so-secret fan of cake. This is going to be the greatest day of my life.
______________________________________________________________________________
I am almost done. For the fifth time this week, somepony has disconnected the sound board from the speaker systems and it’s my job to reconnect everything. I sigh. The sounds of the other workers are drifting up to the tech loft.
The Manehattan School of Theatre was a little theatre well known for it’s elaborate sets and captivating performances. I’d worked here for four years after being a student for six, making me a veteran of the theatre.
My magic lights the darkness under the table. In the pale blue light, I plug the last cord into the wall socket.
“Yes!” I smile proudly. “Finally done!”
“Moonsung!” A voice sounds behind me.
I yelp and jump, hitting my horn and head on the bottom of the tabletop. My hooves clamp onto my now sore head and I back out from under the table.
“Ow.. Ow.. Ow...”
The pony behind me is laughing. I turn to see a black earth stallion with a green mane nearly in tears. My horn and head begin to throb.
“Blackout! That’s not funny!” I scold.
Blackout wipes tears from his green eyes and snickers. “No, it was hilarious!!”
A tan pegasus with a brown and red mane pokes his head up from behind the light switchboard. “I wouldn’t say hilarious...” He winks. “...but the view was daaaaaamn sexy.”
I roll my eyes and sigh. “Script... Blackout... I hope you two don’t act like this when that new guy gets here...”
Script’s eyes grow wide. “BUCK! That guy starts today!?” The pegasus flies out the loft window, over the empty audience seats, and down into the stage area.
I flip my black and red mane out of my eyes and stare in confusion after him. “What’s his hurry?”
Blackout eyes the stage over the edge of the window. “Eh.. Grand Staff told him to give the new guy the rundown of the place... Fat Heart... uh... Low Heart...”
I glance at a notice on the wall. “Big Heart. His name’s Big Heart.”
nice stallion who actually does his work.” I glare at the dirty floor.
Blackout sighs and picks up the broom. “I’m working, I’m working. Keep your horn on.”
He begins sweeping and I slip by him to the staircase. I really hoped the new guy would be different than the stallions I already worked with. If I was lucky, he would even be kind of attractive. I giggle to myself. I would probably be lucky if he got the assigned work done.
I walk down the stairs into the lobby. The owner, Grand Staff, is sitting at a table folding programs. He’s a charming elder pale yellow unicorn with a silver mane.
“Good afternoon, Grand Staff!” I shout. He’s rather deaf.
He turns and smiles at me. “Why, hello Moonsung! You got that sound system connected already?”
I nod. It’s easier than yelling to him.
“Well,” Grand Staff looks around the theatre then at the five programs he has left to fold. “I guess that’s all I have for you today. Encore and Half Note are finishing with costumes downstairs...” He thinks for another moment. “Yes... that was all I had for you today. You can go if you want, or hang around here. I’ll be leaving soon.”
I nod again and head into the theatre. Blackout is making faces from the tech loft at Script who is dancing stupidly in the middle of the stage.
“BLACKOUT!” I grab the broom with my magic and smack him in the head. “SWEEP!”
The black stallion laughs and takes the broom from my magic. “Yes, Mom!”
I roll my eyes and turn to the main doors of the theatre. Somepony is coming in. The lobby isn’t lit, as usual, so I have to squint to catch a glimpse of who it is. The pegasus is purplish gray, with a two tone blue mane. He trots into the lobby and looks around. Script shouts out to him, “Hey! Are you the new worker?”
I’m standing between Script and the new pegasus. The pegasus turns toward the stage and spots me. Even in the dim light I can see a faint blush appear on his cheeks before he switches his gaze to the tan pegasus behind me.
“Yeah. Hello!”
Script flies by me and lands with a loud thud in front of him. “Then you’re Big Heart.” Upstairs, Blackout snickers. “I’m Script. I’ll be showing you ‘round the place.”
Big Heart looks a little disappointed. “Alright.”
I have a feeling Script is going to mess this up, like everything else he does... I hop off the stage and walk toward the two pegasi.
“Hi, Big Heart. I’m Moonsung.” I glance at Script. “Script doesn’t always know what’s going on. I’ll be joining you two on the tour to fill you in where he gets lost.”
Big Heart smiles widely. “Hello, Moonsung.”
Script goes close to Big Heart’s ear. “She’s like the mother of the theatre. Nothing happens without her knowing.”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s go.”
Script mimics my eye rolling, then begins talking in an almost helpful way. “Well this is the lobby, whoever is the host or hostess that night gets to hang out in here to greet people and take tickets.” He nods to a set of black stairs on the left. “Those lead to the tech loft. Although, you’re a pegasus so you can just fly through the opening in the auditorium area.”
“Although that’s really against the rules.” I mutter.
Big Heart glances at me for a moment, then smiles again at Script. “I think I’ll just stick to the stairs.”
Script shrugs in his uncaring way and nods to a set of stairs under the tech stairs. “Those lead down into the basement where the costumes and set paints and props are kept.”
“Are you just going to be a worker or are you aiming to be an actor too?” I ask curiously. I kind of hope he’ll say actor too. We could always use more stallions.
Big Heart looks at me, with what could only be described as a restrained smile. “Well, I have always wanted to get into acting. I played in a couple of school plays as a little colt, and I have heard a lot of good things about this place. I figured if there was any place that could help teach me, it would be here.”
Mentally I did a little cartwheel. “It’ll be great to have another stallion on the team.”
Script fake yawns. “Did you want to take over my tour or what?”
“Not a chance.” I snicker. “You need more hours. I’m over by eight.”
He fake yawns again and trots boredly into the auditorium. “Seats. Lots of them. As you can see. Most every night we’re packed. Some nights we even have to set up extra chairs in the aisles.”
“Or up here!” A shout comes from the tech loft. Big Heart turns and looks up at the loft window. Blackout is grinning down at us.
“That would be the tech loft.” I say. “And that... colt... there would be Blackout.”
Blackout grins wider. “Oh look! Fresh meat!”
Big Heart looks at me startled. “Fresh.. meat..?”
I groan and grab Blackout’s broom with my magic again. “Is it swept up there? Or do I have to come check?”
The black stallion flinches and laughs. “No, Mom, it’s swept! I swear!” He takes the broom from my magic and disappears down the staircase.”
Script is rolling on the floor laughing. “Haha! His... reaction! To.. fresh meat! Haha!”
I turn to Big Heart. “Don’t mind him. You’ll soon learn everyone here has their bizarre phrases.”
Script stops laughing and hiccups a few times. “Haha... that was .. great...” He clears his throat and stands. “Whew... okay.. Behind that big black curtain there’s the backstage. Not really much there right now except a few black lights and empty boxes.”
He flies up and sweeps his hooves around. “And that’s the Manehattan School of Theatre!”
Big Heart blinks. “That’s the tour?”
I facehoof and whisper in his ear. “I’ll give you more details later. Script is... so very lazy...”
Blackout appears in the entranceway. “Script! Encore found puppets!”
The effect was ridiculous. Script apparently forgot how to fly and fell to the ground but was back up and running downstairs faster than the Wonderbolt Soarin chasing pie. Blackout runs after him, leaving Big Heart and I alone up in the auditorium.
“I’m so sorry about that.” I apologize. “Those two aren’t really known for getting a lot done...”
Big Heart gives me a soft smile. “‘Tis okay. I’m used to ponies like that. My main concern is how they will react to me, when I really start working here.”
I think a moment. “Well, I’m usually the one working all the time so you’ll actually see me pretty often. The others kind of... just turn up and mess around a lot.” I eye him. “And as long as you get your share of work done, we’ll get along well.”
I stop, realizing I rambled a little. And hadn’t actually answered him. “They’ll probably like you. I know Grand Staff likes you at least. He hired you.” I laugh.
Big Heart chuckles. “Yeah, I get the feeling that he doesn’t like many ponies.”
I laugh lightly again. “Well. He might give that impression. He’s really a sweet stallion though.” I could feel a dark look pass across my face. “If a little naive sometimes...” I shook the look from my face. “However, my work hours for today are complete. If you want, I can give you a more thorough tour or you can just wait ‘til tomorrow. You don’t actually start today. Today is meant to be almost like an orientation day.”
Big Heart gives me an excited grin. “If you wouldn’t mind, I would love an extended tour. If you aren’t too terribly busy, that is.”
I grin with a slight blush. “No, I’d be happy to.” At least this way I could stay here without those two bothering me. “Let’s go up to the tech loft first. Grand Staff will probably assign you a lot of work there.”
I turn and lead the pegasus into the lobby and up the black staircase. The tech loft is small and I sort of cram myself into the light area so he can see the different booths.
“Where I’m standing is the light controls. There’s a lot of switches but most of them are labeled so it isn’t too hard to figure out which light goes to which switch.” I point with my horn toward the soundboard. “That’s the soundboard. The computer and speakers are both hooked up to that. The volume on the computer is always on high otherwise the speakers won’t work as well...”
I continue to give him information on how the sound and light systems work, pointing to various important switches as I speak. Eventually I realize that he hasn’t said a word or asked a single question.
“Big Heart? Is this too much information at once? Do you have any questions?” I ask as I turn and look at him.
The pegasus is staring at me smiling. “No, I think I’ve got it.” He says kindly.
I stare a moment at his blue eyes then smile. “Awesome! Shall we continue downstairs?”
As we head down to the basement I decide to learn a little more about Big Heart. “So, tell me about yourself. As you can see, this job includes a lot of close spaces so it’s best to know ponies. What made you want to work here?”
Big Heart gulps, looking away. “Well, like I said, I have always enjoyed acting. I wanted to get involved more in it, and I thought that here would be a good place to learn.” He shuffles his hooves.
I sense a change in his attitude. I figure I’m just misreading him. “Well. This is the best theatre school in Manehattan, so you picked a great place.” We reached the bottom of the stairs. “Just be careful of drama. That happens a lot around here...”
Big Heart looks at me curiously. “What do you mean? Wouldn't that be normal, considering that this is a theatre?”
It was my turn to shift uncomfortably. There were some things about the theatre that he probably shouldn’t know yet. “Well, the drama between actors and actresses is normal, but there’s drama between workers that .. really shouldn’t exist. But it happens. So...”
I hate how I start to stammer a little when I get nervous. Big Heart seemed like a gentle stallion. I didn’t want to scare him out of his job on his first day. He looked at me with concern, but didn’t press the issue.
I clear my throat. “For a different topic, this is the basement. The costumes and dressing rooms are down that corridor to the left and the props and paints are down that corridor to the right. All the doors are labeled so it’s difficult to get lost down here.” I glance around. The downstairs is empty of ponies. “There were four other workers here... where did they go...?”
Script comes trotting out from the right corridor.
“Script, where is everypony?”
He shrugs. “Encore and Half Note left when Blackout and I came down here. Blackout disappeared on me. Probably hiding in the mares dressing room again.”
I growl. “Blackout.....” I turn to Big Heart. “Well, you know your way around now. As I said, you don’t have to start work today considering Grand Staff isn’t here to tell you what needs to be done. I have to go find Blackout....”
I mutter as I stalk angrily into the left corridor. “...probably painting faces on the lightbulbs again...”
Then I realize leaving Big Heart alone with Script was probably the worst thing I could have done.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Script smirks at Moonsung as she stomps into the dressing rooms. “She’s so pushy sometimes. Hard to believe she’s the top actress ‘round here.”
I have to control myself. If I tell him what I want to, I’m more than likely to be fired before I even officially start. So, instead of telling him off, I paste a smile on my face. “What do you mean, ‘pushy’?”
Script laughs. “She acts like she runs the place. Bossing everypony around.” He nods toward where Moonsung disappeared. “Mare’s got a nice flank though.”
I swallow, hard. I put on the best neutral expression I can. In all reality, I want to go off on this guy. “Don’t you think that’s kinda rude?”
Script laughs again and knocks me in the shoulder with his hoof. “Careful, you reek of new guy. Everypony here knows Moonsung has the best flank, despite her attitude. Seriously. She’s like a sexy mother that followed you to work.” He walks past me and out the exit door on the side. “Good luck with her!”
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding in. I think I know what Moonsung was referring to when she mentioned the drama that goes on here. I look over at the hallway that Moonsung went down. I want to go talk to her, but with how worked up I am over Script, and his attitude, it would be best if I went home for the day. I look down the hallway for just a second longer, then turn and head up the stairs. This is going to be a harder job than I thought...
I open the door and walk into the house, slamming it behind me.
“Mom!” I shout. No answer comes. I grumble to myself about lightbulbs and stalk into the kitchen. A note is sitting on the counter.
Went out with your dad to the store. Be back soon. -- Mom
I snort and turn to the fridge. “No really, take your time...” I open the fridge and take out an apple. Nomming it, I head towards my room. My parents probably wouldn’t be back for an hour or so. I throw the apple core into the trash and flop onto my bed.
Never had I felt so tired. Most days, Script and Blackout caused enough problems to bring down the theatre. The new worker, Big Heart, I hope will find a way to survive. With the performance coming up soon, it’s too late for him to get a role, but I’m sure Grand Staff will busy him with all sorts of tasks.
I close my eyes and think of the new worker. Big Heart seems to have a nice personality. I just hope he doesn’t end up like Script or Blackout. The last thing I need at work is another perverted stallion.
My mind travels back to my first day as a student at the theatre. My grandparents had taken me to see many of the performances already, but I had never met any of the ponies there. Script had already been there a month, and Blackout joined the same day I did.
At first they seemed nice, playful, as all colts were. But the next year came around and things went downhill. It was just teasing and flirting which I thought harmless. Then it moved into touching and feeling.
I squirm uncomfortably in my bed. I hate the touching and feeling.
A specific encounter comes to mind. It was the first main role I had gotten. The entire cast was backstage. The cast was huge, the backstage... not so much. I somehow ended up getting squished between Script and the wall. Script is not exactly a small stallion. I remember him whispering into my ear.
“Don’t move...” then his hoof brushed against my flank. At first I thought it was an accident, but when he did it again and this time started rubbing my cutie mark I realized otherwise.
“What are you doing?” I had hissed. Script hadn’t answered and simply started rubbing me more.
I was stuck between that wall and Script for a good ten minutes. When the backstage cleared out, I had almost fallen I had become so aroused. Script knew this, and since then he and Blackout had taken to targeting me more than any of the other mares.
I had complained once or twice to Grand Staff. He is a wonderful elder, but he didn’t understand that just talking to stallions didn’t help. Other mares of the theatre, I soon learned, recieved the same treatment from all the stallions. It was just a normal part of the theatre. The first two years I rebelled against it, but soon fell into the pattern of it being a normality.
I squirm again in my bed. I really do hope that Big Heart doesn’t become like the rest of the stallions there.
______________________________________________________________________________
On my way home, all I can think about is my conversation, such as it were, with Script. The smug look on his face still makes me want to sock him in the face. How dare he treat a lady that way, let alone Moonsung. Blood boiling, I lash out at a light post, bucking it hard. The sound of ringing metal, and the feel of my hooves hitting it, calms me down, albeit, minutely. From what I can tell, if Moonsung’s hints about drama are anything to go by, much more than what I saw goes on there.
I make my way around the corner, approaching my house in a huff. I don’t even bother trying to hide my frustration as I open the door and head inside. Mom isn’t home. I go into the living room, to see the table set up with dinner for me, a note beside it.
The note reads, Sorry I wasn’t home to be here when you got back, but a friend of mine invited me to dinner while you were gone. I made you your favorite though, mac and cheese! Hope you had a great first day! See you when I get back! Love you! -- Mom
Even when she isn’t here, my Mom always manages to make me smile. It is probably a good thing she isn’t here though; the way I am feeling, she would pick up on it immediately. Much better that I have the chance to calm down than to talk to her about what went on.
I look down at the meal in front of me. I take a deep breath, letting the aroma of the food play in my nostrils. I sit down at the table, and start to eat. I let the flavor of the food distract my mind. Even if it will only last for a little, I need something to get my mind off the events of today. I chew each bite slowly, letting the taste wash over me. I love food.
I finish the remainder of my meal, put the dishes and silverware in the sink, washing them, and putting them away. I head to my room, thinking about what I can, or should, do. I flop into my bed, face first. I love the feeling of pillow in my face, so soft. As I calm down, my thoughts drift to Moonsung.
I first saw her at the very very theatre that I now work at. Mom had taken me to see a play. I don’t remember what the play was about, but I never forgot seeing Moonsung. She had played a small role, but the effect she had on me I will never forget. After the play ended, I looked in the program that we had been given at the start to find out what her name was. Moonsung, the small print had said. To me, it was the name of an angel.
After that day, I went to that theatre all the time, just hoping to see Moonsung. I watched her from afar, as I was too shy to actually go up to her. Just watching her was enough for me, at least, back then.
Then came the day when I could no longer just watch. I wanted to meet her. I wanted to get to know her, rather than just imagine talking to her. So, I started going to the theatre, hoping to get a job there. At first the owner, Grand Staff, didn’t think much of me. As I continuously went back, he warmed up to me, seeing that I was serious about the job. Eventually, I got the interview, and later, the job.
Now though, I didn’t know what to do. This job is not all I imagined it to be, with ponies like Script there. I pursued this job in the hopes of getting close to Moonsung. I just don’t know. I yawn, as sleep threatens to overtake me. My last thoughts are of Moonsung, and my new job.
______________________________________________________________________________
My dreams, as always, were of no sense whatsoever. Something about Big Heart and Script. I yawn and snuggle under my blankets further. Somepony comes into my room and reaches under my blanket.
My first thought is, oh buck. My hooves start to be tickled. “Wake up Moonsung!”
Mornings. I hate them. I pull my legs up to my chest. “Go away Dad,” I grumble.
“You’re going to be late. Get up,” comes a female voice, my mother.
I can’t say no to her without getting punished somehow, so I groan and sit up sleepily. “Since when do I need both of you to get me up in the morning?”
My dad laughs and leaves the room. My mother simply throws a brush at me and points at the clock.
It’s 9:50 AM. I have ten minutes to get to work. I yelp and jump out of bed. My mom disappears into the hallway as I frantically brush my mane. I run down the stairs and out the door, grabbing a piece of toast with my magic.
“Bye Mom! Bye Dad!”
The theatre is only a few blocks from my house but it still takes fifteen minutes to get there. I walk in the doors at 10:05 exactly. Script, Blackout and a few other workers are sitting in the auditorium waiting for Grand Staff. Luckily, he’s always late.
I tiptoe into the auditorium, hoping the others don’t notice me yet. I take a seat in the back as the door opens again. I glance around the corner to see Big Heart walking in. He’s looking a little lost, so I motion for him to come sit by me.
“Hey, Big Heart!” I greet as the stallion takes the seat next to me.
“Hi, Moonsung. How are you today?” He asks with a smile.
His smile seems kind and genuine, but I decide to play it safe until I know what he’s really like. I smile back. “Fine now, but today’s going to be busy. How are you?”
“Honestly? A little concerned.” His smile wavers.
I wonder for a moment. “About your first day? Don’t worry. You’ll make a great theatre stallion!”
He half smiles. “Well, I’m not worried about that. After all, I have a great teacher to show me the ropes.” He smiles fully at me, then loses it again. “No, what I am concerned about, is... well... Script. He made some comments about you. Comments that I didn’t really like. At all.” He looks down and away.
For a moment I just stare at him blankly. Then rage at Script fills me for saying anything at all. I turn away from him and put my mane in a curtain between us. “Oh, Script. I wouldn’t worry about him either. He’s really a nice stallion once you get to know him...”
I sense him look back up at me, anger filling his voice. “Nice stallion!? A nice stallion doesn’t talk about mares they way he did yesterday! Where does he get off, talking like that? Talking about you like that? Making crude comments about you? That is not what a ‘nice stallion’ does.”
His voice was raising slightly. “Big Heart, please don’t let him hear you.” I continued to avoid looking at him. “Look. I don’t know exactly what he said to you, but it’s just what things are like around here. And he really is a nice stallion. Just a jerk sometimes.”
His voice gets really quiet. “Apparently, you have never met somepony that knows what it means to be a gentlestallion.”
At that moment the doors slam open again and Grand Staff comes into the auditorium. The chatter stops and the elderly stallion stands on the stage.
“Okay everypony. You all know we have a new worker. Please welcome Big Heart, and make yourselves known.” Everypony turns to see Big Heart then turns back to the front. “We have a performance coming up this weekend. There is still a ton to be done. The set isn’t finished, all stage workers please see Moonsung. The tech crew needs to replace eighteen lightbulbs and get light and sound cues figured out, please see Blackout...”
Grand Staff continues to name off things that need to be done: musicians see Encore, actors and actresses who need help with lines go see Script, costumes go see Seam...
Finally he pauses. “I think that’s it. Go on then!”
The ponies in the seats get up and head to their parts of the theatre. Big Heart shifts beside me.
“Where am I supposed to be?”
I look at him again. “You might want to ask Grand Staff. I’m only stage manager.”
Big Heart eyes me for a moment, then walks up to the stage. I overhear Grand Staff tell him he’s on stage crew.
Half of me is excited that he’s on my crew, half is distraught. I really don’t want him prying into the drama between the mares and stallions, but I have a feeling it’s going to come up sooner or later. Especially if Script keeps running his mouth.
I shake my head clear of thoughts, and switch to my work mode. What Big Heart chooses to do doesn’t concern me as long as he does his work. I get up from my seat and head backstage.
Most of my crew is present, which pleases me. I stand on a box in the back and go through our own to-do list.
“The stage floor needs a new coat of black paint. Be sure to put the painter’s tape down this time, please... I need two stallions to go downstairs and start bringing up the props. Those will need new coats of paint as well, I’m guessing.” I think for a moment. “Let’s start with that. Two of you can stay with me and start doing detailing on the wall paint.”
One of the black lights goes out. “And somepony go find Blackout. I’m sick of replacing these black lights once a week.”
Big Heart steps forward. “Moonsung, what should I be doing? Considering I’m new here and all.”
I glance at his build. He’d be great for bringing up props, but I kind of want to keep an eye on him for the first week.
“How are you with a paintbrush?”
He smiles eagerly. “I once helped my granny paint the inside of her house.”
I laugh. “Alright then. You can stay up here and help with the detailing.”
He smiles at me, eyes shining and bright. “You got it! Show me where to start, and it will be the best paint job you have ever had!”
The other ponies laugh at his over-enthusiasm and head off to different jobs. I smile and point over to the back wall. “The paint is in the little nook here. All you need to do is go around the side edges and paint it gold.” I step off the box. “I’ll be on the side wall if you need me.”
______________________________________________________________________________
I start on the paint job, taking my time with long, easy brush strokes. I really want to impress Grand Staff, and more importantly, Moonsung, with my work. I remember my granny teaching me how to use a brush. Start from one end, go slowly, and finish at the other end as far as the paint will allow you to.
I hum a little tune, as I work my way around. Painting is a simple job, one that gives me a chance to think. I can tell that Moonsung doesn’t really know what to make of me. Given that all she is used to being around, somepony like me must be very new to her. I hope she sees that I am different from those other stallions. I hate stallions like that, thinking that they can just treat mares however they want.
I am shaken out of my thoughts by the sound of singing. I look up from what I am doing, to see a pony near me singing softly.
“...The storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... hallelujah...”
He starts singing those words again, slightly louder. I hear a female voice join in and turn to see Moonsung singing along with him. Together they sing the same phrase then start again, louder. Three more voices joined in. This continues for a few minutes until I realize everypony in the theatre is singing the same lines.
“...The storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... the storm is passing over... hallelujah!”
I look on, not sure if I should join in. I just watch in amazement as the song gets louder and louder. I start singing, the swell of music drawing me in. As the song continues, voices start dropping out one by one, until it’s only me and Moonsung singing. We both end on the same note. I look at her. She’s watching me with a face full of pure joy and happiness. She is so beautiful, the look on her face making her seem to glow.
“What was that, exactly?” I ask softly.
Her face is slightly dazed and out of the corner of my eye I see the same dazed expression on the ponies nearby. “That,” she says softly, “That was the spirit of the theatre.”
I smile. “That is one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of. How long has that been going on?”
Moonsung shrugs, still glowing. “Generations of actors and actresses here have kept that up. Even Grand Staff doesn’t know who started that.”
“Wow.” I really don’t know what to say.
She just smiles at me again and points to my wall. “You’re dripping there...”
I blush, and hurry back to the wall. “Sorry...”
I hear Moonsung giggle as I quickly brush the drips away. I love her giggle. It’s so cute. I look back at her. “How is that, Moonsung? Is that good?”
She nods and blushes, quickly turning back to her own painting. I go back to my work, Moonsung filling my thoughts. I am so glad I have this job. Regardless of any other pony, or what they do, I am glad to be here, if it means getting to know Moonsung.
I go back and forth with my brush, finishing up the last little details of the job. I put down the brush, and walk over to Moonsung. I tap her on the shoulder, saying, “I got the painting done. Now what?”
Moonsung finishes her brush stroke and looks over at my section. "Pretty good!" She adds two more strokes to her wall, thinking. Then she calls out to somepony backstage. "Song! Has anypony gotten Blackout back there to fix that light?"
Somepony, whoever Song is I guess, shouts a reply. "Not yet! I sent Dancer to go find him and she hasn't come back yet."
This appears to annoy Moonsung. "Big Heart, I hate to send you running all over the theatre your first day, but could you go find Blackout please? Without that black light, the entire stair area is too dark."
“Sure!” I say, hesitating. “Where should I go to look for him?”
“Tech loft or props in the basement. That’s where the light bulbs and stuff are.”
I smile encouragingly at her. “Don’t worry ‘bout a thing. I’ll find him in no time!” I turn and head to the stairs leading to the basement. I take my time going the stairs; it is darker than it was last time I was here. I come to the end of the steps, a single light lighting the basement.
Blackout is nowhere to be seen. “Blackout? Are you down here?” My voice echos slightly in the halls. I walk down the halls, looking for any trace of the elusive stallion. A faint moan like whimper emanates from the girls dressing room.
“...no...Blackout...what if somepony...”
Concerned, I run towards the source of the sound. Bursting through the door, I see Blackout, kissing Dancer full on the lips. “What the heck are you doing!?”
Startled, the two ponies disconnect and turn to me. Blackout looks terrified, then sly. “What, Big Heart? Haven’t you ever seen two ponies kiss before?”
I struggle to control my temper. This is not the time or place to lose it. Anger still seeping through my tone, I say, “Yes, actually I have. Believe it or not, I have actually kissed somepony else before, and this does not look like anything that she is enjoying.” I point towards the other pony, who looks slightly angry but is trying to pull off a worse poker face than I have.
Blackout grins almost wickedly and puts an arm around the still Dancer’s shoulder.“Oh, you can ask her. She likes it. Right, Dancer?”
Dancer’s eyes fly over my face and she nods quickly.
I narrow my eyes, glaring death at Blackout. I know his type, the type that think they can get away with anything, without being caught. I take a deep breath, letting the anger and adrenaline go. I put on the best neutral expression I can. I want to push the issue here, but I know I can’t, at least not without more to go on. “Well, either way, Moonsung wants you upstairs. The lights are on the fritz again.”
Blackout’s eyes glint. “Well. I don’t want to disappoint her.” He gives Dancer a light smack on the flank sending her running past me into the hall. “Lights she says?” The black stallion goes out into the hall and picks up a box of light bulbs with his mouth. “Ah gotfs thifs.” He says through the box.
I follow him as he goes upstairs; I want to keep an eye on him. I go back over the event I just witnessed. He almost seemed... afraid at first. What is going on at this theatre? And why, if the hints I keep getting mean anything close to what I think, why has this kept happening?
I shake the thoughts out of my head, and come back upstairs, right behind Blackout.
______________________________________________________________________________
As soon as Blackout comes to the stage, I nearly paint an angry face on him.
“One light, Blackout! Is that too much to ask!? What were you doing?!” I scold. Everypony except Big Heart is not responsive to Blackout’s scolding. It’s too normal.
Blackout sets the box down and smiles. “Was just disciplining somepony. Can’t have troublemakers running loose. Right, Mom?”
I growl at him and then sigh. “You’re ridiculous. Let’s go. That dark spot already caused two ponies to fall.”
He picks up the box again and walks past me into the back stage. I go to follow, but not before I see Big Heart’s face. He looks as though he’s trying to conceal anger. For a moment I consider questioning him, but he meets my eyes and forces a smile forward. I smile back and go backstage.
Blackout’s standing on a box, unscrewing the burnt out lightbulb. Nopony else is backstage. “You know, that Big Heart guy... I don’t think Grand Staff made a good choice in hiring him.”
I start. “Why’s that?” He was very fast and thorough with his work.
Blackout steps off the box and drops the burnt lightbulb into the box. His voice lowers. “I found him downstairs. Did you send Dancer out to look for me?”
I’m now confused. “Yes, but what does Dancer have to do with Big Heart?”
Blackout picks up the new lightbulb and screws it into the blacklight. “I went to get a new lightbulb and found Big Heart forcing a kiss on Dancer.”
My jaw dropped. “No...” I remember who I’m talking to. “Don’t spread such lies, Blackout.”
Blackout shrugs and jumps off the box again. He comes close to me. “I’m just warning you, Moonsung.” His voice is soft and sounds concerned. “I see how you look at him. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I simply stand on the backstage stairs and gape. Blackout doesn’t say anything else. He just turns and leaves. I stand there for a few minutes alone then go back to the stage. Most of my crew has finished their tasks and left for the day. A few are lingering.
“Just finish up whatever you are working on and consider your hours met,” I announce to them. I get a few nods in answer. Big Heart is helping Song lift a table onto the stage.
“Big Heart, it’s your first day. When you’re done with Song, you may go.”
He looks at me in the middle of lifting the table. “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying and helping some more, if you need any extra help.”
I avoid his gaze. “I’m sure. Take it easy your first day.”
He gets done with the table, and turns to me. “Okay, if you’re sure. See you tomorrow?”
I nod and quietly leave him and Song to finish up. The theatre doors close behind me and I start the lonely walk home.
I am so confused. On one hoof, Blackout is often a liar and a jerk, but I know him better than Big Heart. On the other hoof, Big Heart seems to not be the sort of stallion to do that sort of thing. But I hardly know him. Maybe he’s a brilliant liar.
I sigh and look up at the sky. It’s late afternoon with a colorful, slightly cloudy sky. I smile to myself. No matter who’s playing the game here I can play too. The rest of the walk home I plan up a scheme to learn who’s the liar and who’s not. Tomorrow, things will start to be different. It’s time to test how big Big Heart’s heart really is.
