//------------------------------// // Act 4: Surprise of a lifetime! // Story: Friendship is Failure #7: All Work and No Play // by DakariKingMykan //------------------------------// ACT FOUR By sunset, many employees checked out for the day. Applejack, Pinkie and Rainbow were positively bushed after a long hard day of work; even with their abilities, they had their limitations. They met up with the others, and Goldie at the same restaurant. Pinkie tried to lift up her hoof, but it felt all rubbery and numb from all that heavy lifted she helped to do, and all the bouncing from the stamping. “I don’t think I’ll ever get up again.” She groaned, but suddenly the waiter came along with a big slice of cake she ordered. “Ooh, cake!” and she practically jumped at it. Still, the friends told everything of what they had learned, and Goldie could hardly believe this. “I can’t believe he actually lives like this.” “Well, it is pretty much understandable.” said Twilight “…And fifteen years is a long time to be alone with a crushed spirit like his. But the way he’s living like this just isn’t healthy for him.” “It most certainly isn’t.” agreed Rarity, “I should know, I’ve had my share of obsessive work, and it nearly lead me to… well, I’d rather not talk of it.” “What can we do then?” asked Fluttershy “We can’t just let him stay the way he is.” Goldie felt really horrible, knowing it was she and her parents that drove her brother into what he had become. “He has to realize that being a success doesn’t have to mean being miserable. If only I could make him see how much me and our folks have changed.” “I still say, just throw a party.” said Pinkie. All the others thought it a great idea this time. “Better yet… a family reunion.” said Applejack “Whenever some members of the Apple family had a disagreement, once there was a family reunion, everyone all got together and just plain forgot all their troubles.” Every-pony seemed to jump at the idea, “Oh, but… how do we get Bill Dollar to attend?” asked Fluttershy “He doesn’t do anything except work.” Rainbow agreed, “And even if he does go, he probably will still be a bit of a grump.” Now they all had their doubts, but Twilight already had an idea how to get Bill to come to the reunion, “…Just leave it all to me.” Over the next few days, the ponies set up the perfect reunions. Goldie made sure to invite her parents, tat was all she needed as it was just a small reunion, and thanks to Pinkie Pie’s specialties, a whole party was set up, complete with food, party games, music… the works. The party was held in a quiet park in the suburban area, just right for an occasion. Now all that was needed was for the guest of honor. Bill Dollar was hard at work again, one night, finishing up contracts and tax documents, as well as work-plans, when his secretary buzzed him. “Mr. Dollar… a letter has just come in from… a Ms. Daylight Twinkle.” “Ah, yes… one of the new clients I spoke with at the restaurant. She must be responding in regards to her shipment that came in. Send it in.” The letter appeared through the mail tube, landing right on his desk. The letter read… Have the business deal of a lifetime for you; one that can bring your company to a whole new level and bring you much more work than ever before.   If you wish to discuss it further with me, I’ll be waiting in the L.P Park down by the stream. Come alone…   Bill honestly didn’t know what to make of this. He smelled a trick. From his many years in the business and working hard, he knew how to be cautious, but that still never told him what to expect from offers like these, and he was rather skeptical about this Daylight Twinkle, and the way she butted into his personal life and decisions. “I think I should accept.” he said to himself. “Ack!” he groaned as he held his chest in pain. For the past few days his chest had been cramping with aches and pains, and he thought of seeing a doctor about this, but first… he had to make this meeting. Later that night, after it got dark, he arrived in the park and stepped out of his cab coach. He looked around but could see no one about. Suddenly, he heard a faint voice, “Pssst… Bill Dollar!” “Who’s there?” called Bill, and suddenly he could see someone in the shadows. “Follow me…” she called to him and disappeared through the brush. “Wait!” called Bill as he rushed after her, and the second he ran through the brush. “SURPRISE!!!” Bill screamed in fright! He had run right into the nighttime family reunion that was setup. Twilight and her friends were there, so was Goldie, and her folks, Peggy Bank and Nickle Plate… both of which were looking elderly. Both of them ran up to their son and hugged him warmly. “Oh, Bill…!” cried his father. “Honey, we’re so happy you’re here.” cried his mother. Strangely, however, Bill didn’t move or make a sound. He just remained in the exact same state of shock as he was when he screamed. His mouth was hanging wide open, and he didn’t even blink his eyes. “Bill…!” cried Goldie “Are you alright?” There was a sudden hush of silence as every-pony gathered round. “What’s wrong with him?” asked Fluttershy. Suddenly, Goldie’s face froze with extreme shock and sadness, “…He’s not breathing!” Everyone gasped extremely hard. “He needs a doctor, quick!” cried Twilight, and she teleported into town to get help leaving the others to tend to the fallen pony. “Come on, you’ve got to snap out of it!” cried Goldie. Twilight’s friends were all very worried, and feared the worst. Soon, Twilight had returned with a team of paramedics and they concluded that Bill Dollar had just suffered a fatal heart-attack, most-likely combined from overly working himself too hard, not getting much rest, eating improperly… and naturally, being frightened by the surprise party. “Is he going to be alright?” cried Peggy Bank. “Please say he will!” added Nickle plate, but the paramedics just gazed at them with extremely regretful expressions, which told everyone enough. Tears began to appear on ponies’ faces, and the “Happy Family Reunion” banner snapped off and floated softly the ground.