One Week Later
Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Twilight Sparkle were sitting behind a table in what would normally be the audience hall of the castle. Twilight had a clipboard with a number of papers attached, and a pen in her telekinetic grip. Luna was smiling serenely, while Celestia frowned ever so slightly.
“Are you certain that this is a good idea, sister?” Celestia asked Luna for the umpteenth time since she and Twilight had decided on the current course of action.
“Most certain, dear sister!” Luna assured her, “It t’would be most useful for Us to know of the most qualified ponies in the realm, and it allowth our subjects to approach us not as their monarchs, but their potential employers.”
“There’s a difference?” Celestia questioned under her breath.
“Now, now, Princess” Twilight spoke reassuringly, “I’ve got a list of questions here which will easily let us determine who is the most qualified pony to assume the throne during your sabbatical.” She pulls out a list which folds out, and out, and out, dropping to the floor and still going on for a couple of feet.
Celestia winces a bit, “Are you sure that that many questions are necessary, Twilight?”
“It’s only three hundred questions,” Twilight replied, not noticing her wince, “I’m sure that anypony qualified for the throne will have no problem with answering any of them.”
Luna picks up the list and peers at it crosseyed, “Pray tell me, Twilight, what does the color of Starswirl the Bearded’s robes have to do with being a just and fair ruler?”
“What?” Twilight asked, genuinely confused, “Knowing history is very important to forming current policies, you must know where you’ve been to know where you’re going after all.”
“And knowing the particular color of a long dead pony will show that they know history?” Celestia asked sarcastically.
Twilight completely missed the sarcasm. “Of course!” She replied enthusiastically, “It’s not like I’m asking hard questions, just something which anypony who’s seriously studied history would know.”
Before Celestia could respond by calling the whole thing off, the three of them are interrupted by the arrival of Twilight’s brother, Shining Armor. “Your Highesses,” He bowed, “Twily. The applicants are here and ready to be shown in whenever you wish.”
“Thanks Shiny!” Twilight looked at the two princesses. Luna looked happy and ready to begin, but Celestia had a mildly worried (or was that constipated) look on her face.
Luna smiled at the captain of the guard, “I do believe that We are ready. Show the first pony in.”
“As you wish,” Shining Armor stepped out of the room.
---
Shining Armor returned, ushering in a brown mare, with graying hair and glasses. She bowed before the panel of ponies. “Your Highesses, Twilight Sparkle, thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
Twilight referred to her list, the spoke first, “Mayor Mare, I’m glad you came.”
Luna nodded, “Indeed, ‘tis our greatest pleasure to meet the Mayor of Ponyville.”
Celestia stayed silent.
“If you give me a moment, I’ll begin with our pre-arranged questions.” Twilight referred to her long list. “First off, why don’t you tell us why you believe that you are qualified for the position of ruling Equestria, even if it’s only for a month?”
Mayor Mare laughed, “It simply cannot be more difficult than being Mayor of Ponyville.”
Celestia looked interested, “Would you care to expand on that?”
“Well the way I see it,” the mayor explained, “If I can handle the aftermath of a Parasprite infestation, Ursa attack, rabbit stampede or mind-control dolls, while still keeping Ponyville’s place as the friendliest town in Equestria, I can handle the country for a month.”
“I see…” Celestia spoke in a way that made it quite clear she didn’t see at all. “Do you believe that you can handle the paperwork in addition to your normal workload?”
“Paperwork?” Mayor Mare asked confused, “What paperwork?”
“The paperwork required to rule a country the size of Equestria, of course,” Celestia replied easily, “I easily go through thousands of forms before lunch, and easily double that before dinner. Do you believe you can handle it?”
“Ah…” Mayor Mare looked at the panel in disbelief, “Excuse me a moment.” She walks out of the room into the hallway. She does not return.
Instead five minutes later Shining Armor steps in. “Ms. Mare would like me to inform you that she is current indisposed, and would like to rescind her job application.”
Twilight blinked, “Did she give a reason?”
“Yes,” Shining answered, “She was gibbering something about chaos gods of paperwork.”
“Ah.”
“Would you like me to send in the next applicant?” Shining Armor asked helpfully.