//------------------------------// // What's In A Name // Story: The Great Wubtub // by The Great Wub Tub //------------------------------// “So, who exactly is it that you were able to score this big deal with, Show Time?” Vinyl Scratch asked, the joint manager leading the pair of mares through the streets of Manehatten. Octavia still felt a little sore towards Show Time for interrupting her and Vinyl’s moment together, but this was something about the future of Vinyl’s career after all. So, for now, the cellist stayed silent… Naturally plotting her revenge for when the chance presented itself. Vinyl was wearing some clothes that Lyra and Bonbon had snagged for her. A small, silvery hoody jacket that did nothing to cover anything, even when zipped up, so Vinyl left it open. A black tank top with Vinyl’s party shades and some random rave like words embedded to the front, which also failed utterly in any attempt to hide her gut, all tied together by a pair of cargo pants that actually fit quite snugly on Vinyl’s frame. “You’ll never believe this, but...I got us a deal with somepony inside ATC. The heiress herself.” Show Time grinned, Octavia’s face filling with complete, total shock. “Y-You...You got us a deal...With Chocolate Spice, the heiress of All Things Chocolate? I’m… I’m sorry, Show Time, but I truly doubted your competence in such matters as getting us a deal with somepony, well, so prestigious. I am truly impressed.” Octavia smiled, Show Time giving a soft chuckle, which turned into a small sigh. Let the payback for interrupting Octavia and Vinyl begin. “Um. Who’s Chocolate Spice?” Vinyl questioned the pair, both of them stopping cold and turning to Vinyl. They exchanged glances, debating on which one would be the one to inform Vinyl of what exactly she was getting into. Eventually, Show Time stepped forth. “Chocolate Spice is the heiress to one of Equestria’s biggest chocolate empires ever. Her ancestors began the company, and her family has been in the business ever since. She’s the latest in a long line, and has a bit of a… reputation, despite only being around fourteen. The company has their fingers in a lot of pies, and after pulling a few strings to get us into a meeting with her, your whole new angle actually struck a chord with her. The good kind. Said that a famous pony like you, with a body type with what you’re rocking right now...Lots of potential, she said.” Show Time explained, Vinyl frowned a bit, shifting where she stood. “Uh...Aren’t I in this whole mess partially because of filly whose head is way too big for her shoulders?” Vinyl inquired, glancing nearby to a massive billboard stretching over a building. Bubblegum Pop’s face was staring down at them all, imploring them to go out and purchase not only her latest album, in stores now, but to buy all the merchandise that went with it for the chance at winning the big prize of the party with Pinkie Pie and Bubblegum Pop. Vinyl could only imagine how Bubblegum Pop got a pony like Pinkie Pie to party with her… of course, it wasn’t that hard of a feat to begin with. “Yes, but you’re also partially in this mess because you lacked the funds and confidence to really ignore Bubblegum Pop, unlike Octavia...So. Imagine this filly as an insurance method. A backer to keep the other filly from ruining all of your reputation. Again.” Show Time explained, Octavia clasping her hand rather firmly on the manager’s shoulder, giving a small squeeze. “Plus, this time, we won’t be blindsided or anything like that. Riiight?” Octavia asked, slowly squeezing that shoulder till Show Time eventually yelped, tugging away, Octavia simply offering an innocent smile. “Yes, yes, right...Just don’t crush my shoulder. I said I’m sorry, jeez mare.” Show Time huffed, rubbing at the shoulder Octavia had been squeezing. The cellist simply smiled, before walking over to Vinyl and wrapping an arm around her waist, the handful of love handle she gripped was less than subtle, giving it a little shake, bringing a blush onto Vinyl’s face. “But, don’t worry, Vivi. We’re going to be right with you the whole entire way. If I don’t like how this… Chocolate Spice is doing things, I’ve got your back. So does Show Time.” Octavia smiled, offering a thumbs up. Show Time mimicked the support, Vinyl glancing betwixt the pair, before a small smile grew on her own face. The three of them were a lot more consolidated now. Before, they’d been split up. Octavia was busy with concert season, while Show Time had the weight of trying to protect Octavia, Vinyl, and her own name from the influx of drama and rumors. Octavia had been fine on her own, and Show Time was a clever mare, but Vinyl had crumbled like a leaf...But not this time. Her small smile grew into a proper grin. Sure, it’d been rough at the start, but this honestly might be the first shot at regaining normalcy after Bubblegum Pop’s entire debut! Well, besides a certain waistline, but that was actually the least of Vinyl’s worries. “Well than, what are we waiting for? Let’s go meet this Chocolate Spice!” Vinyl beamed, looking between the pair. Both Octavia and Show Time seemed visibly relieved at Vinyl’s declaration, before nodding to affirm the new course of action, and the three began back on their quest, heading for the large ATC building right here in Manehatten, the chocolate colored building rising above it all into the air. It was just one filly after all, so, how hard could talking with her and striking a proper deal really be? The lobby of ATC was imposing. It was a large, chocolate colored lobby, various shades of soft, creamy brown and gold, from the floors to the high ceiling above. The doors were heavy, double doors with golden handles, going off this way or that. The receptionists desk was an entire other room, separated from the lobby with only a window between the two rooms. Vinyl sat patiently in one of the designated waiting chairs, taking note of how much more snug they felt then before. Not enough that Vinyl could get stuck, by Celestia that’d be embarrassing, but enough that she was aware of the arms rests on either side of her at all times. Octavia sat next to Vinyl, holding the DJ’s hand within her own, giving it the occasional squeeze of confidence whilst Show Time spoke with the receptionist. “That mare better not have been pulling our legs, or I will…” Octavia began, before Show Time turned and began to walk towards the pair, a wide grin on her face. “She’s waiting for us upstairs, eightieth floor!” Show Time grinned, before making her way for the far hallways filled with elevators. The pair of musicians exchanged a look, before rising to their hooves and following after Show Time. Too late to turn back now, after all. If Bubblegum Pop could spoil a reputation, none of them wanted to imagine what Chocolate Spice was capable of. What was with fillies with money being such a frightening prospect? The ride up the elevator was tense, each floor dinging past and carrying them closer to the grand confrontation. Did this Chocolate Spice even wish to take them seriously, or was this all some kind of sick joke because a pony like her was in a position to make it? It was probably the fact that it was a filly making the offer that made this such an unsettling experience. At last, the elevator stopped with a ding. The trio looked between one another, each one offering a reassuring smile to the other, before finally the door opened, and they strode forward. Now or never. The room they found was a shock to the senses. They might have been dealing with a filly, but this was an office proper. The walls were a soft red color, the same as the carpet, pictures of the previous CEOs and owners of the company lining the walls. At the far end, rested a massive desk, with a tinted window behind it. Behind the desk, lounged the filly herself. Her chair was a cloud with something solid enchanted onto the top, allowing her to just kick back and float. The filly herself might have been about the same age as Bubblegum Pop, but that was where the similarities ceased. Chocolate Spice was an earth pony, coat a soft, milk chocolatey brown, mane hued with a plethora of soft, copper tones, eyes a dark amber color. She was a portly filly, no doubt from a childhood of snacking on her family’s product, all wrapped up in a business dress, and yet… the expression on her face, she seemed utterly bored. That was the biggest difference between the two fillies. Bubblegum Pop’s face was always a carnival of the most exaggerated of emotions that she could manage. Chocolate Spice, the trio was having trouble deciding if she was feeling anything at all at the moment. “Miss Ch-” Show Time began, before the filly just raised a hand to silence her. “Move. You’re in the way of the deal maker, or breaker.” Chocolate Spice said simply. Show Time frowned, before clamping her mouth shut. Octavia fixed the filly was a rather annoyed look, before the pair of them stepped to the side, all attention locking onto Vinyl. The DJ sunk her head slightly into her scarf, but that did nothing to hide her from the piercing gaze of the billion bits filly, as much of an understatement as that title might be. Chocolate Spice got out of her chair, stepping right onto the desk before striding forward, dropping onto the floor without the slightest hint of ceremony. The filly marched directly up to Vinyl, thrusting her hands out to grip at Vinyl’s gut. The DJ released a shock yelp, while Chocolate Spice felt as much of her surplus sized body as she could. Nothing was sacred from her reach, Octavia having to more than slightly bite her tongue to the display of another mare having her hands on her special somepony. “Oh, quit whining. I’m just seeing if you’re the real thing. So many of you celebrities are fake. I wouldn’t be surprised if somepony tried to pull the wool over my eyes with a fat suit...But, you’re the real deal. From the tits to the gut, and even your fat ass. Good for you.” Chocolate Spice surmised, taking a few steps back away from Vinyl, till she hopped back and was sitting on the top of her desk. “So, there’s a few things we need to discuss first.” Chocolate Spice began, fixing the trio with her gaze. “First thing that needs to go, is the stage name.” “H-Hey, what’s wrong with DJ Pon-3?” Vinyl asked, poking her head fully out of her scarf, frowning at Chocolate Spice now. “It’s tainted. Ponies think of your name, and bad things come to mind. So, we’re going to need to brand you under something else altogether. Still a DJ, still music, but...more. That’s your whole new thing, right, more? So. DJ...something.” Chocolate Spice mused, tapping at her chin. “DJ Plumped Up?” Show Time suggested, giving a simple shrug of her shoulders. “No. Way too on the nose. Hm...what to pick, what to pick...” Chocolate Spice denied the name. Octavia stood there, slightly dumbfounded at how...in control this filly was acting. Sure, she was the fastest track they had to getting Vinyl back on the floor, as it were, but already she was pushing on Octavia’s limits of things she’d permit. Octavia glanced towards Vinyl, trying to figure out just exactly what the alabaster mare was thinking at the moment. Octavia found herself surprised by what she saw. Octavia had expected Vinyl to be sniveling, sinking into her scarf, just trying to avoid the start of a possible difficult situation. Yet, Vinyl seemed to be truly thinking on the matter at hand. Vinyl shifted slightly where she stood, gazing down, occupying her eyes with what was on her shirt while she mused, before inspiration struck. Show Time had been suggesting a string of names, but it was Vinyl’s suggestion that brought pause. “Well, what about DJ...Wubtub? I mean, I always say that I make wubs, and there is the phrase a ‘tub of lard’ sooo…” Vinyl said, giving her gut a small poke. Chocolate Spice stared at the mare for a few moments of silence, before just shrugging. “Fine. DJ Wubtub it is. Doesn’t have any of those dumb number letters or dashes, either. I won’t need to listen to your manager’s suggestions anymore either.” “Hey!” Show Time pouted “But with that out of the way, we can move onto things that are more important. DJ Wubtub, ever been behind a camera?” Chocolate Spice asked, cocking up an eyebrow. Vinyl swallowed down a lump that had formed in her throat, glancing around to the others, before looking back to Chocolate Spice. Vinyl had a feeling she wasn’t going to like where this was about to go. *** “Well, that was certainly an ordeal…” Octavia idly commented, sipping on the complimentary chocolate shake that All Things Chocolate had provided for them. The team was gathered in the dressing room which had been provided for Vinyl, a rather plush room with a vanity, a personal bathroom, and some other comforts such as a large bean bag chair and a bell for more chocolatey shakes. Vinyl was slumped over in the main chair of the vanity, Octavia standing to her side, while Show Time was lounging in the nearby bean bag chair. The commercial had already been shot, recorded, and sent off to be viewed by focus groups. Now, it was all a waiting process.         “I don’t think it went well. I really don’t think it went well. Ugh, I only do good at those huge parties is because I can sit behind my DJ booth, keep my shades on, and just not speak to anypony. Way easier than...that. Why did that have to be in the contract?” Vinyl groaned, leaning back in the vanity chair and rubbing her temples. The amount of time she’d spent in this chair, all dolled up just for two minutes in front of a camera for an advert in which Vinyl didn’t even have to speak. Just eat some chocolate at a DJ booth.         The deal which they’d struck up with All Things Chocolate had been simple enough. All they expected out of Vinyl was that she do no drugs, and keep a general positive public appearance. That was easy enough, considering that despite what precious scandals had said, Vinyl was as clean as a whistle. Beyond that, she simply had to help advertise All Things Chocolate when they asked, and in return, ATC would provide her funding, business support, and squelch any scandals that may try to come up that were baseless. Aka, make Show Time’s job quite a bit easier, especially if a certain filly decided to rear her head.         “Oh, come on Vinyl, it was actually pretty good! I mean, sure, Octavia got roped into it at the last minute, but you two are pretty prominent faces, and a celebrity power couple. Ponies love stuff like that.” Show Time suggested from the beanbag. The pair of musicians just let out a joint sigh, Octavia passing over the milkshake for Vinyl to suckle upon while they waited for the verdict. This was either going to make their quest a lot easier, or things were going to become a lot more difficult for the group. If there was one thing you didn’t do when dealing with All Things Chocolate, it was waste Chocolate Spice’s time.         The trio of them found that their time of worrying about the commercial was brought to a sudden and abrupt end. The door to the dressing room flung open, and Chocolate Spice stood behind it, holding up a stack of papers. The trio fell silent, all eyes on the heiress of ATC, her blank face. What was she thinking about? Had the commercial flopped, was this all a waste of time? Chocolate Spice looked up from the papers, her face blank. Not a one of them dared to speak. It was as if time itself was slowed down.         “The commercial resonated well with focus groups. We’ll start airing it tomorrow. You’ll get the cash magically transferred to your account of choice soon, and we have Show Time’s contact information should we need her. You know where the exit is. DJ Wubtub has our full support going forward.” Chocolate Spice said in her typical, careless voice, before turning and making her way out of the dressing room without another word. The trio was left in silence once again, before suddenly bursting into cheers. They’d done it. The commercial had succeeded, and that meant that the deal was going to go through without any issue. “Well, I can confidently say, that the world is going to have to watch out from now on. DJ Wubtub is going to be kicking that annoying little snot right to the bottom of the boards before this is finished!” Show Time grinned, jumping to her hooves and fist pumping, excitement plain on her face. Vinyl just let out a small chuckle, shrugging her shoulders and raising to her own hooves. “I don’t want to do anything quite like that… I just wanna be able to play music again without having to look over my shoulder every five seconds.” Vinyl said, letting out a small breath of relief. “And you will, Scratchie, the both of us will. For now, though, let’s just focus on the time being. A big hurdle is done with, and the road can only be easier from this going forward. How about we all head back to Lyra and Bonbon’s, and celebrate with them over some candy and cider, mmm? I’m sure we can find some cider in this whole city.” Octavia spoke, wrapping her arms around Vinyl Scratch, giving her a quick kiss upon the temple. The DJ beamed, leaning back into Octavia. “Just, one condition...No chocolate. I think that after an entire commercial dedicated to eating it, I could go without chocolate for a little while!” Vinyl snickered, the other two joining in the mare’s choice of less chocolate in their lives. With the deal that had just gone through, there was going to be a lot more of it from now on.