//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Wake Up Call // Story: Upstaged // by LoganofBuals //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Wake up Call “Rise and shine, sweetheart.” Spotlight cracked an eye to see where this voice came from. His vision blurred, his head throbbing, and his front hoofs soaked with saliva and tears, Spotlight could barely rise and refused to shine. The unicorns head rose to properly see who was talking to him. Of course, it was the stewardess hag from last night. “Gah!” Spotlight exclaimed as he jumped from the seat under him. “What’s the matter with you, kid?” “Me? Oh, I- uh, I mean nothing, you just startled me.” The stewardess really wasn’t that ugly, and Spotlight wasn’t really startled. However, he was so used to over dramatizing other ponies flaws that it just became second nature to treat ugly people like they were hideous monsters. “Whatever. Anyway, we’re here. Get your things and get out.” Spotlight looked out his window and saw that the train had indeed stopped. The rest of the train’s passengers had left as well. In fact, the train was already beginning preparations to depart again. “You’re lucky I remembered ya, kid. Or else you’d be in Fillydelphia.” “Oh, right. Thank you, ma’am.” Spotlight gathered his things and proceeded off the train and onto the station platform. Spotlight gazed out into Ponyville as if it was some alien planet. The ponies here looked as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Back in Canterlot, everypony would act uptight and proper. However, these ponies seemed to have an extra bounce in their step. That’s not the only difference either. The mares out number the stallions at least ten to one. There still were more mares in Canterlot, but this was just insane. It was a shame that Spotlight had sworn to be respectful of mares, otherwise he’d be a foal in a candy shop right now. The most important thing he noticed is that everypony was nude. It’s not like that was a terrible thing, but it was certainly something worth noting. Spotlight began his path down the dirt road. He occasionally glanced up at the almost primitive buildings. Compared to Canterlot’s castle like homes and structures, it appeared as though he was in a town filled with old fashioned hics and disgustingly loving hippies. “Snap out of it.” Spotlight reminded himself. Though this wasn’t what he was on the inside, he must bear the facade of a nice person. Maybe it would turn out better for him in the long run. Spotlight continued trotting through downtown Ponyville, searching for a certain filly that he’d known back in his acting academy. Her name was Clockwork, and she was the head tech-mare. Meaning she was one of the ponies that handled the props, curtains, lighting cues, building sets, etc. And as he recalled, Clockwork was one of the few ponies that would tolerate Spotlight’s terrible attitude. Spotlight slowed his pace a little as he began to remember her during his days as a young colt. It slowly came back to him.... ************* It was opening night for The Canterlot Royal Academy of Performing Art’s production of “Hoofloose”. The Academy's royal auditorium was just beginning to have guests arrive. Spotlight had never been so excited in his life. This was going to be his last show before his graduation, and he wanted to really impress the audience. He mainly wanted to impress a certain demographic of the audience though. And the demographic he was seeking was the talent scouts. He knew the talent scouts would always come see each graduating production at the academy to see if they could find more clients to represent. Since they mainly pandered to the graduating classes, Spotlight finally felt like he could have his chance. The light gold colt peeked his head out of the grand curtain to see who had arrived already. He was so excited that he could feel tingles run down from his mane to his tail. Odd how the tingles in his tail wouldn’t let up. His tail then let out the sensation of being yanked as the rest of his body was pulled from the curtain and onto the stage behind. “Just what do you think you’re doing?” A voice asked from behind Spotlight. Spotlight swiveled his body over to see who was about to lecture him. His eyes greeted the frustrated look of his good friend, Clockwork. She was on tech duty for the musical, and was in charge of making sure that both the actors and the other techies were on time and focused. Meaning that the Red-Brown filly had to crack the whip extra hard for tonight's performance. “Oh hey, Clockwork! How’s it hangin’,” Spotlight greeted as he got up and straightened his costume. “It would be going better if you weren’t wreaking havoc backstage,” “Oh come on, I haven’t done anything,” “Really, because somepony has been messing with the four wagons for the wagon racing scene,” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” “We found your gold chain in one of the wagons,” “So Baritone and I were using the wagons,” “Baritone isn’t even involved with the show!” “At least we didn’t break anything,” “Two of the wagons have broken axles and missing wheels” “Well it’s a good thing that nothing happened to the other two wagons,” “Just forget it...” Clockwork said while returning to the prop table to check in with the other techies. While she was trotting from Spotlight, the light gold unicorn managed to take a good look at her flank. “Meh, I’ve seen better...” ************* “Knock it off!” Spotlight, once again, reminded himself. In hindsight, things may not have gone the same then what Spotlight interpreted at the time. But ponies can change with time. Clockwork would have to believe his story. Anyway, Spotlight needed to ask Clockwork for a favor. He needed work and somewhere to stay in this hic village. He at least wanted to be with somepony that he could trust. The problem now was actually finding this mare. The town had no way of identifying location besides the landmarks. It would be remarkably easy to get lost here if you were from out of town. Spotlight made sure to be extra cautious while he was on his search. Spotlight entered what appeared to be a marketplace or, more appropriately, a bazaar. There were ponies rushing around the entire area. There were kiosks that sold only one product, tables where ponies could sit down and relax, and at least forty other ponies that were in rushes to buy their things and leave this claustrophobic nightmare. The light gold unicorn didn’t mean to wander into this place, but it seemed escape was quite impossible. He lost the direction of the exit the moment he set hoof in this odd shopping area. He decided to face the storm and carry on through the marketplace. Spotlight’s poor attention span got the best of him along the way. He began spacing out and observing his surroundings. There were two colts, arguing over the price of a stack of silverware. A crying foal, attempting to climb out of his stroller while his mother was picking out her carrots. There was also a cream colored mare sitting by herself at one of tables near the asparagus vendor. These were the only ponies who weren’t either scrambling to get in and get out or frustrated beyond belief. This was proving to be quite the challenge for Spotlight had no idea where his old friend lived and now he found himself lost in the Ponyville marketplace. He’d have to do what every colt fears of doing. The light gold unicorn would have to ASK for directions. The thought of it made Spotlight cringe. But, he had to do what he had to do. Spotlight looked back to the cream colored pony with the red mane over by the asparagus vendor. She didn’t look too busy, and also didn’t look like she was frustrated to the point of snapping at Spotlight’s query. Perfect! This was also a perfect opportunity for him to try out being polite. He didn’t need to learn how to be polite, he just needed to remember everything his mother tried to teach him at the age of six. Not a difficult challenge, seeing how his mother had to constantly remind him for the next ten years. Spotlight trotted his way over to the red maned mare while avoiding the shopping ponies along the way. The mare was sitting by herself, buried in the book she was reading in front of her. The light gold unicorn looked over the mare’s shoulder to see what book it was. He couldn’t tell from the text, but he could see that it was very raunchy. Too saucy for even old immature Spotlight to handle. He proceeded to tap the mare on the shoulder with his forehoof. “Excuse me, Miss?” Spotlight said as politely as he could. The mare swiveled her head over her shoulder to respond. Her eyes met with Spotlight’s own. She started to blush as a mischievous smile invited itself onto her face. “Well hello there, handsome,” the mare responded with confidence. “I was wondering if y-...wait, what did you just call me?” Spotlight queried. “Oh, sorry. You just reminded me of a stallion in the book I’m reading.” “Err. Okay then. Anyways I was wondering if you knew-.” “Rose!” “Pardon?” “My name is Rose. Just puttin that out there.” “Alright, nice to meet you, Rose. My name is Spotlight.” This was not quite going as planned. He just wanted to get in and get out with the directions. Now he has to listen to this odd mare harass him. Spotlight needed to progress the conversation forward or he could be here for a long time. “You have some amazing eyes...” Rose sighed. “What?” “And your hair is gorgeous as well,” “Okay, can we please just-,” “And your little muzzle is just adorable,” “Please, I’m just asking for-,” “Let’s just face it, you look amazing!” Spotlight never knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of the compliments. He was only used to shouting it at mares that would happen to walk near him. He kind of liked it too. It wasn’t terrible being complemented. It was, however, a drain on Spotlight’s time. Plus, he was trying to quit treating mares like they’re just eye candy. “Listen! Rose, I need to find directions to somepony’s house. Do you know a filly named Clockwork?” Spotlight said as assertive and as clearly as possible. “Clockwork? Yeah she lives near city hall, just south of here. Once you get to city hall, you’ll see three houses east of it. Clockwork’s house is the one in the middle. Let me just say now this. You could do a whole lot better than her.” She hinted with a wink. “I’m not asking her out. I just need to talk to her.” “So you’re still single.” “Yes, I mean- that’s not the point. Thank you for the directions, Rose. I’ll be on my way now.” “If you ever feel lonely, I run the flower booth near Sugarcube Corner,” “See ya,” Goodness! Did that actually just happen? Was that mare for real? Spotlight did enjoy the compliments, but felt so...violated. He couldn’t believe he was feeling that way either. Spotlight always had a boyish charm to him, but he wouldn’t say that he was gorgeous. But, when he doesn’t put on his golden chains and his pungent cologne, he could be quite attractive. Spotlight has just learned yet another benefit to being nice. Ponies will start liking him again, or (in Rose’s case) even love him. He knew he probably wouldn’t find another mare to swoon over him like that though. Spotlight followed Rose’s directions and proceeded to travel south. There wasn’t much else to see along the way. Ponyville was a simple town with simple ponies living there. Nopony looked like they were stressed. In fact, everypony looked happy. And, most importantly, nopony was silently judging him. Spotlight didn’t know how to feel about this. He was an actor, so he naturally felt the desire to please people. Back in Canterlot, he’d make fun of other ponies for his other idiot friends. They’d always try to out do each other on creative insults. Spotlight would come up with some of the best insults. His friends would be cracking up every time some mare with a ridiculous sized hat or a colt with a funny looking mane passed them by. He made his friends laugh, and he liked that feeling. That’s one of the feelings he got by being an actor. It was that desire to entertain others. Spotlight had gained a reputation for being a punk, but this gave him that recognition he craved! He wanted to be famous, known by everypony! Being in a small town where nopony knew him Spotlight realized that if wanted to be famous, he’d have to actually do work outside Canterlot. Spotlight finally entered the circle of homes that surrounded city hall. It wasn’t exactly as majestic as the government building that was Canterlot Castle. Then again, it wasn’t even as majestic as the Canterlot Post Office. But, for a town like this, it worked. Spotlight’s gaze travelled east, and like Rose had said, there was Clockwork’s house. The light gold unicorn trotted over to his destination. “I wonder how surprised Clockwork will be when she’s me at her doorstep.” Spotlight muttered to himself as moved. “I wonder if she would be all hugs and warm welcomes or if what if she was so excited, she threw a welcoming party for me. Baritone always told me that Ponyville always had some amazing parties. What if she was expecting this to happen and already set me up with a job at the theatre. What if she had contacts with an agent that would represent me. I can’t wait to see what lies in store for me!” Spotlight arrived at Clockwork’s doorstep and eagerly knocked on her front door. He let a large smile creep on his face. The kind of smile he used with his school photos. The light gold unicorn heard hoof steps arriving on the other side of the door. The front door opened, revealing the front half of Clockwork’s body. She had a look in her blue-grey eyes when she saw Spotlight. Like she was having some sort of traumatic memory flashback. Clockwork’s face soon went from dumbstruck to a sort of frustrated look. She then proceeded to slam the door on Spotlight. “Go away, Spotlight!” She commanded from the other side of the door. “It’s nice to see you too, Clockwork,” the light gold unicorn replied back. “I don’t want to see you right now. In fact, I don’t want to see you again ever,” “Come on. I really need your help right now,” “Last time I helped you, I almost got expelled from the academy! “This is different, I have nowhere else to go. And you’re the only friend I actually can rely on.” “As I recall, the last time I saw you was on graduation day. Where you came up to me and told me that I was too weirdly shaped for you to date,” “But I’m a changed colt. You have to believe me!” “You have no idea how many times I’ve heard other stallions say those words.” “I’m not the immature jerk you once knew,” “Really? What made you change your mind? Did your mommy run out of bribe money?” That one hit Spotlight deeper than it should’ve. The persuasive smile on his face had faded into a depressed look of memories he wanted erased from his mind. “No...” “Then what made you change?” Spotlight began explaining the night before to Clockwork. Making sure he covered every agonizing moment from that night. He talked about the argument, the attempts of weaseling his way back into his mother’s affection, even the bottle to the face was covered in his explanation. By the end of it, Spotlight already felt tears welling in his eyes. Clockwork was starting to feel sympathy for the light gold unicorn. But she couldn’t be too certain if he really meant it or not. He was an actor, for crying out loud. He could just be making up stories to get into her home or, Celestia forbid, her bed. This was a tough decision for Clockwork. Either she believed him and let him stay for a while, or she let him stay out there for all the nonsense Spotlight put her through during their academy years. “Spotlight?” “Yeah?” “Why don’t you-...” Next Chapter: No Business Like Show-business