//------------------------------//
// 3 The Payback 
// Story: A Night at the Opera 
// by Bronyxy 
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After another half hour there was a crashing and banging of doors indicating that rehearsals were over. Rarity double checked her look in the mirror, as she had done every five minutes since having entered the foyer, and feigned interest in some of the forthcoming shows being advertised.

She pretended not to hear the muffled hoofsteps approaching behind, still focusing on the small print about the next few shows and felt herself start to tremble with anticipation.
“I must apologise for my manager’s bad manners earlier” he said through the richest tones she had ever heard, right next to her ear “I for one enjoyed your singing.”

Fluttershy gasped on hearing that Pavatrotti admired Rarity’s singing. Perhaps they really were friends after all?

Rarity turned and found herself staring up into his eyes; one-on-one individual attention from one of Equestria’s greatest ever singers. She was ready to swoon, but held herself up as she knew there wasn’t a fainting couch anywhere near.
“Why, Mr Pavatrotti, you’re too kind” she replied, “It was rather naughty of me to interrupt.”
“With a voice like yours, I would welcome an interruption at any time” he encouraged “It certainly brightened up the rehearsals!”

She introduced an open-mouthed Fluttershy and the happy trio decided to leave the theatre for a nearby café where Rarity finally broke from the delightful to and fro of social conversation to ask something that had been on her mind.
“Did I hear you right earlier that your manager was blackmailing you into performing this concert?”
“Yes” he sighed “I’m sorry you had to hear that. He announced the performance before asking me if I wanted to do it, and then told me if I didn’t agree, all my fans would desert me.”

“Well, that’s not very nice” said Fluttershy.
“I’m guessing he takes a large cut of the takings too” added Rarity with a distasteful look on her face.
“You guessed right. Trouble is, I had already retired because my voice isn’t what it used to be; I don’t know if I’m ready to do this now, or if I ever will be.”

“Seems to me your manager is totally unscrupulous. I remember a friend of ours having dealings with one Svengallop who had been manipulating a singer we knew.”
“Oh, him!Yes, he’s very well known in the business. My manager and him just happen to be friends, if you follow me.”
“Oh, I follow you alright!” said Rarity “It’s time we took back control of your life. But how?”

After a pause while the ponies either absent-mindedly stirred their drinks or took a nibble from one of the delightful pastries they had ordered, Fluttershy spoke up.
“I think I have an idea” she offered tentatively “Mr Pavatrotti, would you still like to sing tonight if for some reason the theatre couldn’t be used?”
“If fans have turned up, then I shouldn’t want to disappoint them” he replied honestly “But I don’t like the thought of my manager pocketing their money.”

“Well then” continued Fluttershy “I have a plan, but I'll have to have a talk with some friends of mine."

Following a conspiratorial chat during which there was a lot of laughter and bonhomie, the friends went in different directions to make arrangements for the evening.


***


Manehattan took on a different feel as the day drew to an end; the buildings now began to silhouette themselves against the purply ochre of the dusk sky and the whole ambience took on a more intimate air.
During the afternoon, some grand event had been set up in the park opposite the theatre, complete with raised stage and sound system; probably some book show or flower gala getting ready for the next day.

As the time for the first operagoers to arrive drew near, suddenly consternation broke loose. Screams were heard from inside the theatre and staff poured out onto the streets. Frantic arguments broke out, not least one between Pavatrotti’s manager and the theatre owner, and that especially looked to be getting particularly animated.

Soon the word started to be spread; the concert was having to be cancelled because of an infestation of critters. Whilst the building was adjacent to a park, the animals had never been known to come in before, except possibly when a few birds wanted to roost, but tonight it was accommodating a full scale exodus! Staff were mystified but Pavatrotti’s manager could see the first guests arriving and nowhere to put on the show!

Just at this point, Rarity happened to sidle up to the two arguing stallions and listen in for a moment before introducing herself.
“But you have to clear the animals out and let the show go on!” bawled Pavatrotti’s manager.
“Nothing I can do” said the theatre owner “Even if I was able to clear them out, which I can’t, then all the seats and carpets would have to be deep cleaned before I could re-open. I’m sorry, you will have to cancel.”
“But I’ll be ruined” shouted the manager.

“Ahem. AHEM. AHEM!” coughed Rarity “Gentlecolts, I believe I may be in a position to help out.”
“YOU AGAIN?” spat the manager “What can a Friday Night Karaoke Queen like you possibly offer?”
Ignoring the insult,she continued, “I just so happen to be hosting a fashion show in the park tomorrow. You may have seen it being set up this afternoon? Well, it seems to me that it has the same capacity as the theatre and it has a stage and a sound system, in fact by pure coincidence, everything you would need to put on an open-air opera.”
The theatre owner smiled, instantly warming to the glamorous mare much more than the irate stallion opposite him.
“What a fortunate coincidence” he commented, meeting her eyes and allowing the barest hint of a smile to start crossing his lips.

“Alright! You win!” screamed the manager “We’ll move in right away!”
“No you won’t” said Rarity calmly “You can only use my venue if you pay me the same amount as you would have paid for the theatre.”

“That’s blackmail!” he shrieked.
“Take it or leave it” said Rarity “I believe you said you were facing ruin if the show didn’t go ahead?”
“You have a hard heart young Lady!” he retorted angrily.
“Oh look, that’s more of your guests arriving” she observed dryly.

Begrudgingly, he reached into an inner pocket and produced the money which he passed bad-temperedly to the fashion designer.
“Thank you” she replied sweetly “You may direct the setting up, but it’s my performance and my rules.”
“Whatever!” he shouted as he stormed off to get everything transferred over with no time to lose, leaving the theatre owner and Rarity together on the sidewalk.

“Can’t stand the fellow” he said.
“He does have his bad side doesn’t he?” concurred Rarity sweetly.
“I’m kind of guessing you may know something about the animal infestation?” he asked.
“I couldn’t possibly comment, darling” she replied, “But I’m sure they will all be on their best behaviour and you won’t need to worry about being able to reopen tomorrow.”

“Lucky you just happened to be holding a fashion show in the park.”
“Yes” she replied, “Wasn’t it.”
The two parted amicably and watched as a stream of musicians and instruments crossed the road into the park.