They didn’t make it far from the courtroom, just out into an adjoining hall before their escort of night-guards finally came to a stop. Rose was waiting in the only uncomfortable-looking chair, and her simple presence was enough to fill Tracy with relief. We can go back to normal after this.
His friends were totally silent, occasionally glancing back at Shane, but never saying anything.
But Rose was rarely quiet for long, even now. “How’d it go? Princess Luna didn’t banish you or throw you in the dungeon, did she? She’s supposed to be the more forgiving princess.”
“She was,” Tracy began. “It didn’t go quite the way I expected, but nobody’s going to prison. My friends get to go home where they belong, except…” His eyes finally settled on Shane. “I hope you were sure about all that, Shane. If you think this was a joke, or that this place isn’t real somehow, you’ll regret it. You’re committed now.”
“The volunteer has been given quarters in the lunar wing until he’s assigned,” said one of the guards. “If your case is like any of the others we’ve seen, you’ll have a chance to pick up anything you might need from Canterlot before you’re sent away.”
The bat took a step closer to him, though she had to look up to meet Shane’s impressive stature. “Take advantage of Luna’s generosity. Others elsewhere in Equestria may not embody that Element of Harmony as effectively. You’ll need an escort while you’re in Canterlot, but there are plenty of ponies on shift right now who could use some time away from the castle. You’ll just have to make do with the bat shops.”
“Alright, thank you,” Shane said, exhaustion dripping from his voice. But while he might be on the edge of consciousness, he still looked relieved. His shoulders were no longer slouched. If anything, he was smiling. “I’m sorry to get the rest of you tied up in all this. Though I still think you shouldn’t have followed me.”
“I think you should’ve told me,” Tracy interrupted. “What you guys did to Rose and I was unacceptable. I was willing to let you visit, even take you to Equestria to look around. But this is wrong. You owe me an apology, but you owe Rose twice as much.” He glowered at them both. Maybe it was his height, or the guards with similar-looking wings gathered around. But all three of his friends lowered their heads in shame.
“I’m sorry,” Anton said. “It wasn’t supposed to… We thought Tracy might be in trouble. Then we knew Shane was in trouble. Nothing about this happened the way we wanted. I’m sorry. And thanks for bailing us out.”
“Me too,” Marshall said. “All the same stuff. We screwed up. I dunno how to make it up to you.” He finally turned towards Shane, expression hardening a little. “Not sure what we do about you, Shane. Do we tell your family that you emigrated to a fictional country full of horses?”
“No.” He glared back. “Whatever you tell them, keep Tracy out of it. Just tell them I told you I was joining up with an oil crew or something. I’ll have to figure out how to… break the news. But Tracy has a local address.” He turned back to the guard. “Does Equestria have mail.”
“Yes?” She tilted her head to one side, confused.
“Good. Once I figure out what to say, I’ll write something. The jackals will be closing in to find me either way. But they’ll never get me in here.”
“You’re honestly going to say this is all for money?” Anton asked, staring at Shane. “Since we might not ever see you again, at least tell us straight. You know people can get through stuff like this. You’re not the only one to have money trouble.”
Shane walked past them, to the shuttered palace door. He pushed gently on it with a hoof, and it swung outward. The magical glow of crystal streetlamps lit the city below. The pony capital was mostly asleep now, but a few districts were still lit up. Tracy could just make out a faint music echoing from distant instruments. A bat-band, maybe?
“Money’s why I pulled the trigger. But look at this place. I can see why Tracy didn’t run screaming from his apartment. We stumbled into something incredible. I’ve had a lifetime to watch opportunities pass by. This time I’m seizing it.”
“Do your time and keep your word,” Tracy urged. “If you mail me anything, I’ll try to forward it on. I’ll… probably just mail it back from somewhere across town, so it doesn’t get traced back to this house. God help me if some detective comes banging on my door asking to know where you went. But when you’re done, feel free to stop by and say hello. Just knock, this time, please.”
There were a few more minutes of goodbyes. Tracy probably would’ve been considerably more upset not to talk to one of his best friends again—but the pain and frustration from the break-in didn’t just go away. In a way, Shane was the only one who would be doing something to pay back that debt to society.
While Shane was led away, the rest of their little group made their way out to the upper train station to wait for the morning express.
“Keep an eye on Shane for us, if you can,” Anton said. “We’ll… probably drive back home tomorrow. Maybe we can leave before most people realize we were gone. Things are gonna go nucking futs either way. If anyone comes asking questions, try not to implicate us or whatever. The last thing we need is to be suspects in a murder investigation for someone who is definitely still alive.”
“Sure,” Tracy answered, without enthusiasm. “Right now I’m just hoping this whole thing didn’t cost me my job.”
It didn’t, though the disappointment on Janet’s face that Tuesday almost felt like it was about to. Tracy apologized every way he knew how, volunteering for extra hours and every other unpleasant duty he didn’t already have as the newest member of the department.
It was her words at the end of their little work meeting that hit him the hardest. “If you really had an emergency at home that needed taking care of, Apex is understanding. But this isn’t just missing the one day.”
She leaned across the desk, steepling her fingers together. “Your work is slipping, Tracy. When your application came across my desk, I saw some real potential. I still see that potential in you, whenever you choose to apply yourself.
“But that isn’t what I’ve seen the last few weeks. I find you exhausted in your chair, barely scraping into work on time. I see you missing community-building with the rest of the department. And when you do show up, you’re watching the clock.”
She gestured, and he rose. It was probably stupid, but he felt the weight of guilt pressing down on him. This wasn’t just his escape, his lifetime ambition—Janet had taken a chance on him, and he was letting her down.
“We aren’t just a nine-to-five here at Apex. With work like yours, there are a dozen places you can go like that. Punch a clock, give them some decent assets, go home again. Not here. Your first employee review is coming in November. Decide now what you want me to tell corporate.”
Tracy slunk out to his car that day like a puppy that had pissed the carpet. Instead of a mark of pride, his lanyard itched at his neck. He barely even flashed it at security as he made his way out to the car.
What was I supposed to do, tell her I’m living in another universe and my friends almost got themselves life in prison for breaking in? Maybe he should come up with a more believable cover story. Something about an ailing parent could probably work—but he didn’t have the heart to lie about them now.
He grunted as he got into his car, shuffling around until he found the uncomfortable weight and pulled it out. It was the flying handbook, a little squished given how long it had lived in his pocket. I wonder if I should cancel the rest of those classes.
He didn’t cancel anything, except his previously regular trips to the Arby’s. The thought of all that roast beef made his stomach turn. I’ll just catch breakfast with Rose before she goes to work.
He slowed as he approached the front door, finding a figure already standing in front of the house. For a second he froze, preparing to flee if it were the police or something. But no, it was someone much more dangerous.
Discord spun as he approached, adjusting his patchwork suit with the flourish of one hand. Now that Tracy knew what he was looking for, he could faintly make out slight differences in skin tone where the creature underneath had the body parts of different species. It was definitely the same demon.
“I was hoping to see you, Tracy. Here.” He tossed something towards him, and Tracy nearly ducked—but it was just a set of keys.
He caught it, stumbling for a step, but managed not to trip. Just behind Discord, the door was entirely different. It was clearly metallic now, even with a layer of white paint on top. “I was planning on replacing the locks.”
“Nope, that won’t be necessary. I’ve taken steps to deter further break-ins. You don’t have anything to worry about, protecting my tenants is part of my responsibility. You had nothing to do with the last break-in. I will deal with them how I choose.”
Tracy fell silent, staring down at the keys. He might not know very much about Discord, but he’d heard enough. He was deeply feared in Equestria, even after apparently “reforming.” Considering what other Equestrians could do, he didn’t particularly want to think about what would happen to anyone else who tried to break in.
“Of course the terms of your lease haven’t changed. Who would I be to hold a grudge?”
He closed the distance between them in a flash, so rapid that Tracy barely even realized he had moved. He stumbled, almost falling over again. “I know you don’t think so, but I’m heavily invested in your success. If you fail here, that’s when you should be worried.”
He broke away suddenly, backing up towards the street. Tracy was positive his mismatched car hadn’t been there a few minutes before, but it was parked just beside his own, already waiting.
If Discord was an ordinary person, Tracy would’ve never tolerated threats. Under the circumstances, he just stood there and watched him go. If all he does is threaten me, this isn’t so bad. My friends did get to leave.
He waited for another minute more, until Discord had finally driven away. Only then did he venture back up the steps. He scanned over the door, inspecting it for any dangers. But there were no threats he could see—just a heavy metal front door, of a similar shape and heft to the ones used on some government buildings.
How did he get it here, anyway? How did Discord make it back to Equestria when he was done tormenting Tracy? Did he live on Earth, with his absurd real-estate business and car that didn’t work?
I’d feel a little better about all this if I knew what Discord wanted me to do. The new keys slid smoothly into place, as of course they would. When the door swung open, the house was exactly as he remembered. The inner door was shut—and if Rose knew who had been working out here, she was probably cowering in terror on the other side.
Tracy found himself smiling at the idea of seeing her again. Maybe now that his friends were gone, things would finally return to normal.
How long can Tracy manage living in two worlds? And what is Discord's agenda?
Bold assumption there, Tracy.
It really says something about this world's Celestia that Luna is considered the softer touch. I'm used to timelines where Sunbutt has to keep Moonhorse from going literally medieval on fools.
Well, this feels obligatory:
Yeah, all those adventures in Equestria do have certain implications for Tracy's work-life balance. Especially when his boss expects his work to be his life.
Oh, you poor, poor fool. Let's see just how bad it is.
A new chapter for my birthday, you shouldn't have! :D
Okay, that was quite an ominous message.
'Normal' is relative.
He better put his ass into gear. Sure, you're living in another world, but making friends at work, being a true part of the team, is important too.
At least take rose out with the guys, they'll understand if you're not as present in after job hours if you have someone waiting at home.
I think Discord cut Terry off from Equestria. I don't know why I feel this way, but I do.
10417760
no, his time off clock is his own
Actually the one he could invite to an evening in equestria as a guest would be his boss. Sometimes the truth is the best policy even in cases like this one and that would be the only way.
Your discord probably has a reason for being a dick like this, but I don't think you've given us enough information on ponyland's issues, probably.
10417789
Yeah, except his boss apparently expects him to participate in the weekly night out at the bar...
10417760
Well, then the question would be, would Rose be willing to go? She was already fidgety when Tracy brought a TV and a laptop into Equestria; I can imagine how freaked out she'd be by everything else on the other side...
Well, we know it won't be the end of Tracy's misfortune but we can be sure he can rough it out.
It's only been a few hours. We'll see how much regret he'll have at the end.
Definitely.
It's one thing to run from debtors. It's a whole different matter if you willing to just straight up abandon family. Considering the portal might not be open forever and it doesn't appear Shane is estranged from them, it's one heck of an impulse to instantly decide that you've chosen to potentially cut them off in the future. His time doing community service should have him seriously contemplating this opportunity. Hopefully.
With all the grief, stress and misfortune he's suffered, you'd think the thousand years of slavery would be an inevitability. Tracy might be mentally preparing for that.
Well they won't, but I'm pretty sure you knew that already.
10417789
That'll get him fired, not being a part of the team AND having a lackluster performance. A career is more than a job, it's not something you just spend eight hours a day clocking in and then tell everyone else you're working "screw you guys, I don't give a damn". Excellent way to get yourself excluded and being considered a prick.
10417810
Oh, absolutely. It's less taking his roommate every single time and more taking his girlfriend (IF they do become romantically entangled) to meet with his co-workers a couple times. Someone saying constantly they have other things to do comes across as someone who doesn't like you and don't want your company, horrible feelings to foster in a team. A guy that lives with his girl and wants to spend time with her too? That's much more understandable and relatable, specially if he alternates weeks with them and Equestria. It stops being "that snob who's too good to spend time with us mortals" and "that friend who shares his time between his lover and us". Since he's too young to be married and have children in a responsible manner he can't use the "sorry, I have children to play with" excuse... and even that one is a rather unhealthy behavior, it's important to have good relations with your work team if you actually give a damn about what you do.
10417772
Sounds like the logical outcome as a retaliation to Tracy but it doesn't feel like Discord. He'd end up becoming a normal landlord and given Celestia's involvement, I'm pretty Tracy's continued access and participation in Equestria is necessary to Discord's little project.
10417802
Normally, the truth might be good policy but considering Tracy needs to keep himself on his boss's good side to avoid Discord's slavery and there is a wide and unpredictable spectrum of possible emotions and thoughts a person can have when confronted with a world-altering truth, it might be a very, very bad idea to let the boss know about this.
10417825
There’s an 8/8/8 balance. Eight hours for your job, eight for leisure, eight for sleep. The labor movement has been broken again and again, until wild opinions like yours are the norm. Don’t believe the corporate propaganda. Your obligation extends only for the time they pay you. Anything else is coercion.
10417789
Its not unusual for Silicon Valley to throw that idea out the window. Their game is to use young people without attachments and the prime of their life for passion to extract as much value from their young selves as possible until they burn out, move on, or start underperforming. It's a terrible racket, and typical of the anti-worker stance of the region. What's really funny is how loudly the same region's politics decries worker abusing practices, while benefiting immensely from the tax base they generate until people get sick of it and move out.
10417718
I think this says a lot about the character development when you consider how his definition of "normal" has changed.
10417807
which he is under no legal obligation to do.
10417825
performance only not the team meet. again off the clock, his own time. the ONLY exception is that he does something really dumb that would reflect badly on the company.
10417848
except this is not a gaming company just a software one.
I really hope that Tracy isn't going to get in trouble more at his work. Given that Dsicord is his landlord no definition of normal will ever apply to his situation chaos doesn't do normal after all. Tracy's calling out of his friends behaviour was somewhat nice to read since they deserved that. It's also good that they at least realize that they need something to explain Shane's disappearance.
10417825
Well yeah, having that happen will help Tracy with his work life— your aspects of the whole situation are sound. It's a matter of whether or not Rose has the courage to do all that for Tracy by going into the 'real' world. I mean, given everything Tracy's done for her and her sisters, she probably would, but she may still have her reservations about it. Or her sisters may convince her not to. There are other factors, too, I'm sure.
10417858
Gaming and software companies are far from the only offenders. For an example that I know off-hand, Elon Musk utilizes the practice for making cars and rockets.
Well, I haven't really left a comment, but I figured that now would be a good time to. First, I'm loving the story, and I do like how you've got Discord fitting the role of the deal making demon. His reformation certainly shows, after all he's not turning Tracy's blood into Chocolate Milk, or turning his friends' brains into butterscotch pudding. I think that most folks forget that among the powerful beings that exist in all of Fiction Discord is a pretty heavy hitter. In truth Bill Cipher, Q (which I know Discord is based off of, and more to the point I'm fairly convinced that Discord is Q, but he's split between the two universes), Jamie Braddock (Marvel Comics - Reality warping Mutant - he was able to basically turn people inside out and then back again, make the air into water, and a collection of other things), and Discord all fit the reality warping beings. To them they're able to basically turn reality into whatever they want to. (Pinkie Pie has some limited ability in this indicating that she likely has some Dragonequis in her lineage)
In fiction that's a big deal. To clarify, if you read The Dresden Files then you know that Mab, Queen of Winter, is considered to be one of the heaviest hitters in Dresden's universe. In truth Mab literally controls winter. She can bring about a second ice age if given the chance. Her power is likely as close to Luna's or Celestia's in just raw power. Discord has the ability to trump their power. So, why is this important?
He's not going out of his way to hurt Tracy. He's not going out of his way to erase him from history, or destroy his friends. Yes, he's threatening him a little, but then again that seems to be this verison of Discord sort of go to. It's obvious that like the main timeline Discord he's learned the value of friendship, and I'm betting that much like the main timeline's Discord he values those he considers his truest friends. That's Fluttershy, Spike and Big Mac. (After all he did become friends with them, and they bonded, over Equestria's version of Dungeons and Dragons).
Which, that could potentially be the answer. If Tracy ever played D&D maybe he could set up a campaign for Discord to play. Anyway, I'm rambling. I love what you've done, and I love the characterization that's happening here. I personally think this take on Discord is fairly true to his nature, I think that it's going to be interesting to see where this goes.
Let us not forget that he has been slipping in work too, and taking part of the team building exercises is a net positive and you should make an attempt to socialize at the least in the beginning. Do not forget what this looks like from the outside.
He did due diligence until he was hired officially and then boom, his work ethics go down the toilet and he fails to engage with the group. Was it all just a bait and switch they might wonder.
Tracy should maybe set up some sort of rotation of what he does in which world, he is drifting off and failing his duties, burning them midnight oil WORKING FOR OTHER COMPANY. Even if it is just a Flower stand this is far from what one could call ethical employment standards from his part.
10417838
It's more social than that. It's not about working more, it's about not being an ass to those you work with, because they are the ones you'll spend most of your day with. It's about belonging to that group, something intrinsically human. About not snubbing people, not treating your time with your companions as a chore. Giving it an honest try
That vision's quite outdated and bound to become even more, the tendency of developed countries is to lessen the work time more. You'll never see any inclusive company that respects their employees telling them to avoid making stronger ties with their coworkers though, that's not healthy.
10417857
Well if he's not integrating well with the team he doesn't have a place in it, does he? If your workplace demands teamwork and you decide to go against it, well, why keep you? If he had a reason to do so, for example family, it'd be perfectly understandable. "I don't want to meet with the team" is on the other hand toxic to cohesive teams. He's new on the job, and trying to fit in is his obligation, not of the others. There's quite the diference between not taking your job home and being an ass to the team. He's currently leaning more on the latter than the former, and the supervisor sounds more worried he's not being what he showed himself to be to get the job than trying to demand more than she should.
10417871
Absolutely! To have her do it before they are actually a thing and she's comfortable with the idea of trying would be horrible for their relationship.
10417834
You don't exactly let her know about it -- you invite her over for tea. She'll see when she gets there.
10417877
The song "I owe my soul to the company store" has been adopted into a more gilded cage version. Yes a lot of companies want you to live breath and sleep work. Not 40 hours per week. 60 hours of actual work and 20 hours of mandated social out of work, and be willing to get out of the bed or bathroom to come in at a moments notice. Heaven forbid you decide to travel a bit, and aren't within distance of work. You shouldn't want to be in their eyes and if you do you are suspect and worth less than those who don't indulge in private time.
Oof
10417897
again doesn't have to outside of work. if it's SO important to the the boos, then do it. ON THE CLOCK. Off the clock is HIS TIME. They legally can't do anything to him off the clock unless it reflects on the company. they only area they can get him on is performance.
Silly Tracy, thinking his life will ever be anything even remotely resembling normal while Discord is involved.
Tracy isn’t the brightest cog in the machine, is he? His boss tells him his work has been slipping and he only thinks about what happened the day before as being the issue.
Nope. Tracy is physically exhausted. Maybe he hasn’t adjusted his diet to add more proteins? It’s debatable if his pony digestive system has enough time to extract proteins from his pony food.
So let’s give her the pluses and minuses.
Barely making it into work on time, keeping an eye on the clock, exhausted in the chair while working. These are all excellent signs of a corporation wondering if the worker is right for the job or not.
Missing community building, in other words, the so-called “time off“ is time that the company expects you to be doing what they want you to do without paying you -- that’s horrible.
If the company expects you to be doing something at a certain time, if the company expects you to be spending time doing community building, then that needs to be part of your 40 hours paid work week.
I’m not saying that forced team building is bad. Actually, an environment where you are expected to be part of teambuilding, where you are expected to treat the people that you work with as more than just generic employees, is a good environment. But the time that they expect you to be doing teambuilding becomes paid worktime, not unpaid off work attendance mandatory or lose your job time.
This is actually the point when Tracy should consider getting a good employment lawyer, and seeing what his options are. I bet Discord could recommend one.
10417929
Legally? Yeah, that won't change a thing. Now, when it comes to the chopping block and he's lagging behind? That's when the guy that has good relations with the team gets spared and the one that doesn't even consider them worth of his time outside of the 40/week gets cut. Good work relations are IMPORTANT, and there's a diference between "you do it or it'll count against on on review" and "you do it so that the people that do your review can see you're trying as a person, passing through a difficult time but making the effort". No one likes a guy who doesn't want to belong, and that's what his behavior shows, even if it's not the truth.
10417959
The only issue is on job performance. In which yes Tracy needs to balance that out more. But again if his boss wants team building excerises. Then do it on the clock.
10417971
I get the feeling that the boss lady doesn't care much for what the law has to say. If she really wants to I imgagine she'd just fire him anyways.
10417971
It's about culture. Once you're working somewhere, not as some effective slave like an amazon employee, but a more decent place, one where teamwork matters and you're not just an expendable cog, you start to belong. You become a part of the tribe, because humans work like that. Those extra-work rituals are important, they confirm to others you want to belong in said tribe. If your workplace has those and you don't go, ever, you're sending the message that you're not a true part of that tribe. It won't screw you up on it's own, but it'll send the loud and clear message that you don't want to be there, you don't want to belong. It'll stifle your chances of growing in the company, because you're not a team player and people know it. You'll be passed on important projects, because you're not a team player. When it comes to the point you're lagging behind and people have to chip in if you should be cut or not, you will, because you're not a team player.
It's not a boss trying to force him to do stuff out of his clock time, it's work culture 101, the unwritten rules. Tracy is young and might not know that, so warning him is, if anything, really kind of her.
10418027
I dont want to work where you work. I dont want a job that expects me to bend over backwards for it and it alone. If they tried that shit with me I'd take them to court. You either pay me for my work or you do it yourself. I see now we need a MUCH stronger workers unions in this country if people think its ok to let a simple job dictate your life to you.
That new door he installed...I just have this lurking feeling something's gonna go wrong with it. Discord is well known to carry a grudge, not to mention the threat at his job. Something's going to break.
10418027
It is *also* unpaid overtime.
One of the myths of (especially American) capitalism is that all these of the clock efforts will pay off in the long run. And for some it will, for many others it does not. It ends up being another form of labor -emotional labor- that an employee is press-ganged into.
Your company gets what it pays for, and if they aren't paying for that time then they can't dictate what you do in it.
Here is the translation of what she was really saying to him:
"Hey, we expect a lot of your personal of time to still be dedicated to this corporation. We want you to eat, breathe, talk about, and sleep this corporation. We want this so you'll feel bad if you can't perform to our level of expectations, and we're crafting a social atmosphere to have your peers enforce our views on what is acceptable expectations for your entry level pay.
"Also, your on the clock work has been sucking lately" (the only real issue here)
10418056
Dude, I'm not even American. That's not an "American company behavior", that's universal. Including in countries that actually have worker movements worth shit. Or any country that commemorates labour day as a conquest of the workers rights instead of a day to glorify work itself. There's a reason why the world commemorates it on the first of may and the US doesn't, the massacres happened there.
It's not about the company dictating how you work, it's about human relations and not being an ass to your coworkers. It's about union between the labourers, about "belonging to the tribe". Where do you think workers movements begin? Where will they talk about the bad and the good, create the bonds to support each other? The people that don't give a fuck about the guys they work with are the last to join any worker movement.
10418075
As said above, this is not just "American stuff", it's everywhere. If you're not willing to pay by the unwritten rules, not willing to be part of the team, you're certain to be the part that'll get cut out when push gets to shove. Without any friends to support you, companions to defend you - people that you work with that you create bounds with as a team - you don't belong. That's the basis of any worker movement, banding together to be stronger as a whole.
If anything the mentally that encouraging a happy hour is "unpaid overtime" does more harm to workers getting together than otherwise.
By the same rationale commuting should count towards paid hours, since it's your time being dedicated to your job instead of anything else you want to.
There's a difference between forcing you to work more and social obligations towards your coworkers, obligations in a way as old as the hunting parties of the neolithic.
10418102
Im not sure about the rest of the world but there are labor laws in Europe, Europeans can back me up on this, that protect workers from having to work off the clock. In fact, Europeans have BETTER workers unions and laws to protect them from EXACTLY the kind of exploitation that you are describing. And it IS exploitation. If you're working a job like that, you NEED to check the laws in your country, you are very likely being exploited and it may be an actionable offense.
10418056
Think of Tracy at his interview vs Tracy now. The Tracy at the interview was far more enthusiastic, driven, and passionate when it comes to work than the Tracy she sees now. Equating the two, something has seriously gone wrong somewhere.
10418111
Actually another point. At a lot of companies in the USA, they will check your social network history with a fine tooth comb, and if they can find the kinds of things you have said here and connect it to you, they won't hire you in the first place. Right or wrong, one has to be really careful or one can severely impact one's career prospects.
10418141
Well dude IS living in another universe with Discord as his landlord. I wonder how well anyone would handle that?
10418159
The boss doesn't KNOW that. Actually in her case with the severe change in how Tracy has acted, I wouldn't be surprised if a drug test weren't scheduled -- probably across the department so it didn't look targeted.
10417910
There certainly is a non-zero chance she'll follow suit with the "You drugged me!?" routine like the other three or she run out panicking. Even a good response might end with her thinking Tracy might not be the stellar candidate (because of his stressful life) she thought he was. There aren't many good options. If Tracy wants to get back on her good graces, he'll have to sacrifice some of his time in Equestria to socialize with his co-worker or simply just rest.
10418015
She will when sued. If this is SO important then do it on the clock
10418027
Doesn't matter. Off clock is HIS TIME. WE CAN DO WHATEVER THE FUCK HE WANTS. If this team building is so important then assign time. ON THE CLOCK
10418176
We all know what your principle opinion is on the subject matter. What people choose to do willingly, if unwittingly, is another matter.