Chapter 6: Booking
Trixie and Thunderlane arrived at the theatre at 10:25. Ember, Medley and an unfamiliar green Pegasus mare were waiting for them outside.
Medley reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a key with a wooden tag attached. “For Bow Tie’s apartment - you can come round later, I'll show you the way.”
Thunderlane was surprised to see her. "I wasn't expecting you for another half hour."
The other Pegasus – Bow Tie, Trixie guessed – stepped forward. "That was my fault, I wanted to meet her first and my shift is in a few minutes. She turned to Trixie and held out her hoof, which Trixie took.
She then froze as she remembered something from yesterday afternoon. “Didn’t I see your name on Ember’s-“
Bow Tie shook her head and cut her off. “That Bowtie is an Earth Pony stallion. Yeah, I get that a lot when Medley introduces me to ponies.” Trixie smiled, a little sheepishly. Bow Tie returned it. “I have work to do, but I’ll see you at home this afternoon.” She walked off, Medley remaining behind.
Ember stepped in. “Trixie, do you feel ready for this?”
Trixie nodded. “I have everything I need for an audition.”
Thunderlane looked at Ember. “Em, I need to talk to you. Trixie, will you be able to handle this for a few minutes?”
Trixie turned to Thunderlane and nodded. “I’ll be fine.” She turned to the entrance and walked inside. Medley looked at the two quizzically, before deciding to follow Trixie.
Once they were both out of earshot, Thunderlane turned back to Ember. “You told her to read Platinum Crown first? Did you put any thought into that one?”
Ember blinked in confusion. “Well, the Platinum dynasty is going to be important to the project. Besides, compared to Griffon's Goblet, it’s a better introduction to Derring and her relationship with-“ Ember trailed off as she figured out what Thunderlane was getting at. “Oh, Tartarus," she muttered, rubbing her forehead. "Darrin's confrontation with Derring. Why didn't I make the connection?"
Thunderlane nodded, a slightly grim expression on his face. “Yeah. Don't worry, it hasn't turned her off the series, or even turned her off finishing the book. But I’d suggest you get Checker and their father out here as soon as you can. And maybe add Trials of Unity to that reading list."
Ember hesitated. "She said yesterday she wasn't sure if she was ready to go home yet. Are you sure forcing their reunion is the right play?"
Thunderlane considered it. "Maybe not... You're still sending that letter this afternoon?" Ember nodded. "Okay, we'll wait for their response, then try and figure out how they'd react to seeing her again."
"Agreed," answered Ember. "Now, are you coming in?" She turned to the theatre entrance and walked through the door. Thunderlane followed her.
The dining area was almost empty, save for the manager sitting in the corner with Medley, and a green unicorn stallion who Ember recognised as their waiter from last night on the stage with Trixie. She had had a small table set up and was demonstrating a card trick. Whatever it was, the waiter was visibly impressed. Ember approached the manager, who got up and shook their hooves. "Miss Roundup, Mr. Hurricane. Pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," replied Thunderlane, smiling. "How's she doing, Mr...?"
"Call me Emcee," he answered. "Her voice carries well enough, and I think she'd be able to impress a crowd. The question is when we could fit her in... Miss Lulamoon, could you come down here please?"
Trixie walked down the stairs at the side of the stage and over to Emcee's table.
"How long does your performance typically last?" asked Emcee.
"With my current set of of props, about half an hour," Trixie answered. "However, I do have experience with harder tricks, and once I'm making more of a profit I could probably get..." she trailed off as she saw that Emcee was smiling, somewhat triumphantly.
"Actually, half an hour would be ideal right now - as it happens, we have a group performing Everypony Comes to Brick's on Tuesdays and Thursdays this coming month, and the play doesn't quite fill the slot they've booked, so we could use somepony to warm up the crowd for half an hour before they go on stage."
Trixie nodded, intrigued. "So this group would be okay with that?"
Emcee nodded. "Yes, though they might ask you to reimburse them for that share of the timeslot. It wouldn't be much, and of course you'll get a share of the takings as well, as well as a place in our advertising leaflets."
Trixie wasn't seeing a downside to the offer, though there was something holding her back. "I'm not sure about scheduling so many performances at once, though - I've had problems with heckling during repeat performances before... It's a long story."
"I'm aware of your situation, Miss Trixie," replied Emcee. He grinned as Trixie and Ember's jaws dropped. "Very aware. And I can assure you that this establishment rarely has to deal with heckling, since it's a very fast way for patrons to get banned for a season, if not longer." He pointed to the bulletin board behind the bar, which had a couple of dozen poloroids pinned to it with a sign at the top reading "Equina Non Grata". He turned back to Trixie and continued, "So, if you do want to go back to 'The Great and Powerful Trixie'..."
Trixie shook her head. "No. Maybe one day, but I can't see it doing either of us any favours right now."
"Fair enough. So should I take it you're willing to take the slot?" asked Emcee.
Trixie smiled and held out her hoof. "I'll take it."
Emcee shook it and returned the smile. "I'll let the cast know and pass on your details. Speaking of-" He stopped as Ember got out her card and passed it to Medley, who wrote down Bow Tie's address on the back before passing it to him. "So, either of these addresses?" Medley and Ember nodded. "Thank you." He turned back to Trixie. "They'll contact you about your share of the booking fee and the takings, and I'll have the schedule for next month printed shortly, with your name in it." He stood up and gestured for them to. "Between now and then, I hope you enjoy Fillydelphia."
***
"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?" Thunderlane asked Trixie. The two of them were sitting in a cafe around the corner from the theatre. Ember had left them, saying she had work to do at the Tribune, but Medley had agreed to join them for a coffee.
"Well, if Medley's free..." Trixie turned to Medley, who smiled and nodded. "I want to get the rest of my stuff from the hotel, settle in at Bow Tie's apartment and explore that neighbourhood a bit. Then I'm going to relax and finish Platinum Crown.
Thunderlane nodded, approving. "I'll be working with Lyra for most of the day - or trying to at least - but I'll be over after dinner. I'll bring a few more books from the pile for you."
"Thank you, Lanie," replied Trixie with a grin, much to his annoyance.