Bates woke up from his rest feeling energized once more. He'd forgotten what it was like to sleep in until nine in the morning. By this time he'd be looking over new issues making corrections on basic spelling and grammar, along with saying that the plot has become convoluted. As he stretched out of his bed, he was greeted to gentle music.
"That sounds pretty nice," he commented. Bates looked to see where it was coming from and looked out of his room to see somepony practicing their harp playing in the hallway. "You're pretty good," he commented.
"Thanks. Just getting it ready for the lobby," she said as she was waiting for her elevator. "So you're the lucky winner of that pool, huh?"
"Yeah. Definitely didn't expect that to happen to me when I got here." Bates stood next to her, waiting as well. "I'm Bates by the way."
"Lyra," she replied. She sighed deeply, as if something was bothering her. "Really wish that could've been me."
"Huh?"
"The pool. Put down some money when I heard about it. It's actually the whole reason I'm here in the first place. For multiple reasons actually." She seemed nervous as she said that.
"Money issues can be a real pain," he replied.
"Now I'm working here to work it off. Hope it works."
"Work what-" the beep of the approaching elevator cut off Bate's question, Lyra rushing in with her instrument the moment the doors opened.
"I'm almost late. You mind taking the next one? This harp's pretty big."
"Sure." Bates saw her disappear as the doors closed. He wondered what it could have been that'd gotten her so nervous. As the next elevator came, he entered and went to the lobby. When he reached there he saw the pony he just met setting up in the dining hall to entertain the guests.
"Hello, Mr. Bates. How are you this morning?" the concierge asked him as he approached.
"Pretty good. I was going to check out the town today and was wondering what places might be interesting."
"Well, there's the boardwalk with several interesting shops. There's also an arcade next door with lots of interesting games to play. We have restaurants, shops, and even an amusement park here as well. Obviously there's the beach, but I suggest not going in yet."
"Really?" Bates said, disappointed. "Why not?"
"It's most likely too cold this time of year. You'll feel like you're freezing when you get in there. Trust me when I say it's not pleasant." She said this and shivered.
"Okay. Thanks for the info." Bates left the hotel, determined to have one of the most awesome vacations ever.
The crew at Trot Comics was busy coming up with their stories, feeling better after brainstorming their plans. Queso was still researching the politics of the time, so he hadn't been able to create anything yet. Heyfield was still working with Malarson in trying to create a story that didn't result in somepony punching another and kept on failing. Web and Finch were now trying to figure out how to incorporate giant robots in their story as well. Buronson however was waiting for Sound, who was late this morning.
"Hey, Cloverbud, you know if Sound's coming in today?" he asked, hoping that she'd called in or something.
"I hope so. We only have two weeks to get this thing done, so we need her here on the double."
"Yeah. I'm still trying to figure out this one scene where-" Buronson was interrupted when Sound came barging in, a very angry expression on her face. "Um, hello Sou-"
"I just found out my dad's in jail!" she yelled out. "Apparently our Editor forgot about his dog and called my dad to help take care of it. Not only that, but A.C. and Pawpads are there with him!"
"Who?" Red asked, not aware of Sound's friends.
"Paws is the vet and A.C.'s an artist," she explained quickly. "Anyway, those three had to break in because Bates didn't have any keys for them and apparently had pills or other things on the ground. Oh, and you know what's even better? They're also being charged on suspicion of murder."
"What?!" the entire staff yelled out.
"Yeah! Turns out that nopony's seen Bates since he left here yesterday and when they were in his house there was dried blood on his floor. Dad's not worrying since he knows that Bates is alive and'll bail him when he gets out. That, or when he eventually calls. They don't know where Bates is right now."
"Geez. Sorry to hear that," Buronson said.
"Thanks. If you don't mind, I'd like to take a break from this right now and do something like help out Heyfield. Seems like he's really having trouble with his comedy." Sound left her writer all alone and went over to her associate's desk, who was currently brainstorming several other ideas for something funny.
"Maybe I could have a story that focused on a sad clown," Heyfield told them.
"Alright. What would happen with the clown?" Malarson watched as Heyfield tried to come up with something.
"The joke is that a clown is sad?" He looked to see their reactions, disappointed to see nothing happen. "Yeah. I'm not so good at this. Wish I could make a comedy about punching."
"Hey, just be glad that your manly comics always put a smile on my face. They're so dumb I can't help but laugh," Sound told him.
"Thanks. I wish I could punch in them. That'd relieve me so much." Heyfield thought that idea over and came up with an idea. "Wait, what if he just doesn't punch?"
"What're you getting at?" Red asked.
"The comedy could be about a super-muscular pony living in a non-muscular world like ours and his inability to punch things."
"We could actually work with that," Malarson said. "Make one of your characters with your art style and have somepony else work with the other surroundings."
"Wait, you're saying not to have my normal art style for the book?" Heyfield and Red looked confused at this suggestion.
"Yeah. After all, if your art is same for everything else and not just the main character then it won't stand out." Malarson noticed that Heyfield looked like he was cringing at this suggestion.
"You know, I could actually help you with the art. After all, my art's a bit of the opposite style you use," Sound suggested. "Just let Red do the artwork with Burry."
"What?" Buronson asked.
"Okay. That'll work." Red went over to Buronson and the two looked awkward as they sat down together.
"Now," Sound said, "let's start on this."
Pepperoni, A.C., and Pawpads sat down in their holding cell, waiting out there time.
"So, what now?" A.C. asked.
"We wait," Pawpads said without energy. "Hopefully Bates'll call soon. I don't want this on my record."
"Don't worry guys! I'm sure that he'll call to check on his dog as soon as possible. Bates is responsible like that." Pepperoni was confident that things would work out for them. A guard came out and approached the cell they were in.
"Excuse me, but are you three the ones who were in the Bates residence?" he asked.
"Yes. Did you get a call from Bates yet?" Pawpads asked.
"No. He's still missing, and you're still possible suspects. However, we did receive a testimony from several witnesses who say that they did see him at their workplace. Some we couldn't use, but others were valid. Right now you three are only charged with Breaking and Entering."
"Oh, well, that's something of a relief," A.C. said, a weight coming off of his chest. "Wait, we're still gonna be in here though, aren't we?"
"Yes. Unless the three of you pay bail. You'll be able to meet with a judge tomorrow on that if you please, but if you really do think that Mr. Bates will vouch for you then you could save yourself money and not go, but spend who knows how long in here." The three contemplated this situation.
"I think we'll-"
"We'll pay," Pawpads said, interrupting Pepperoni.
"Very well. You'll see the judge tomorrow afternoon. Good night." The guard left, leaving a baffled Pepperoni.
"Pawpads, why?"
"Look, I've got a job helping sick animals. I can't be out for two weeks waiting for somepony to come and save me and my fiance. It can't be too much, and I can't stay in a cell for that long." Pepperoni looked surprised by this, but knew she was right. The business would also not have anypony to run it if he was here. After all, Bloomheart would be the only one there and she still had her shifts at the hospital. A.C., being a independent music artist....it wouldn't be nice.
"Alright. Hopefully it goes well for us. After all, how much could bail be?"