So... Is this just what we do now? Shift through old papers and tapes?
Sorry! Sorry. I thought I was here alone.
Nobody should be here at all. It's our time off. Why stick around?
I uh... I don't know. I guess I was just feeling nostalgic.
Nostalgic? At your age?
Right? But... Y'know?
I know, I know... You've been here a long time.
Feels like an eternity. Cap'n would heckle the guest, Queeny would rip them, then I'd put a silly little salve on it.
It had it's charm, I'll admit.
...Ya think we did good?
Well...
We went on for a long, long time, Shim... Real long. Maybe -like- the longest running show by this studio. But... Were they laughing with us?
The funny thing about this show I've noticed is that there isn't an audience. At least, not in this room. Every time we have a show going, we leave the seats empty and dub over a laugh track or a gasp or something when we need it. Do you know why that is?
Because studio audiences want to be paid and Queeny thinks they should be paid in the honor of doing it but the studio won't let her do that because it's illegal?
No--Well, yes. But, no. It's empty because someone we record it and send it out for dozens to see; maybe hundreds. And those people out there are the audience. They don't laugh when they're supposed to, and they never laugh together; but you know why that is? It's because they're seeing it at their own time or at their own pace. Some of these tapes are ancient. I mean -looking at some of them?- they are so stupid in hindsight. Fluttershy is Discord's BFF now.
Heh, yeah.
But, even looking back... Somebody's gotta laugh. Even if it's just at the absurdity of it or whatever. I see a lot of old tapes, but not so many new ones... And you know what? I think that's great too.
Whatcha mean?
The longer you have something, the more beaten and tattered it gets. Or rusted... Or dusty... Or... I don't know, other things like that? So, you have to use it less and less. But when you do use it again, you feel that same sort of magic you did back then. I don't know when we'll stop running skits or guests, maybe forever. What I do know is that I'll always enjoy my time with you, Discord, and even Chrysy. Even if we don't meet up as much.
Meet up as much? We live together, you ding-dong!
Right. Heh. Well, you know what I mean.
Yeah... Think I do.
You coming?
In a minute. Just gotta... Well, it can wait.
Side by side, brother and sister departed the old set decorated with box after box of film reels. The only reel left out on the floor was a freshly labeled one reading "KYMLER". But that was a story for another day.