//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Through the eyes of a doorman 
// by gaston 
//------------------------------//

	Wow, these hotels really do serve the high end of the spectrum. You wonder just how much is costs some of these ponies just to stay one night. From what you've seen of the ones going out, it must mostly be the house keeping that gets them. Maybe when you get enough money, you'll rent a room, just for a night. That makes you wonder, do you have an employee discount?

Not that any of that mattered to you, you liked your job as a doorman. It's not so challenging work, keeps you indoors, and as long there is one high class pony looking for a place to crash, you'll never go hungry. It's not that this is the best job you could have gotten in your two years in Equestria, but if you had a cutie mark in something, it would be manning doors. 

The ponies were used to you by now. It only took four months on the job for your charm to win them over. Some ponies even consider you a better doorman than most. You even suspect there being better business just for you being there.

Today had been a slow day, not slow in that there were many ponies checking in and out, just not any interesting ponies. No clearly drunk ponies, no disheveled manes, no fluid stained coats, not a single obvious hooker to be seen. Today was just not your day.

Your desk was comfortable enough; it was like sitting in a high school desk. Your legs could move, but just barely. It was better than when it first started, back when you had to sit Indian style just to do your work. The hotel owners figured you at least would have a claim if they denied you a proper desk. Not to mention a large desk by pony standards would give a sense of importance for you and the hotel to anypony walking in.

You chose to take your lunch early today, just leaving a small note on your desk telling others to ring the bell for assistance. You could easily hear it if somepony did, you were just downstairs. 

The hotel was nice enough to knock off a small bit of your salary to give you a room in the basement. Using your amateur skills of interior design, you were able to transform an oddly large janitor's closet into a very livable bedroom with dressers, a sink, space for food, and a nice queen sized bed. The janitor was even nice enough to teach you how to disable to alarm on the chemical shower. You didn't want another incident where the EMPs barged in on you, only to find out you attempting to bathe in the ice cold water.

You were in the middle of enjoying a nice salami sandvich when you heard the bell ding. You could tell who it was before you even reached the top of the steps. While most ponies styled their manes like humans did, the mane of your favorite DJ could only be described as poofy. 

While the hotel does get new visitors, you tend to see the same ponies fairly often, Vinyl was no exception. Every other Tuesday she would come in a half hour after her marefriend, Octavia. You didn't know their exact arrangement, but you hazard a guess that they come for some "stress release". It was fairly obvious after the night Octavia had to drag a very drunk Vinyl to the elevator after she nearly fell over trying to hit on you. Not that it would have worked, you couldn't understand half her gibberish anyways. She had mentioned something about three being company. You're pretty sure that night was a blur to her, since she never brought it up or acted different to you. You've chatted with her many times while she kept Octavia waiting.

As you neared the top of the steps, you notice she is not herself. For one thing, her shades were on her forehead. She was not crying, but she looked on the verge of it. Another thing was that it was nearly one o’clock; Vinyl normally did not show up until six.

You try to greet her as cheerfully as possible. She is very early.

She's avoiding your gaze. "I've just been worried all week, I thought I might get here early, try to clear my mind before tonight."

You ask her what was wrong, she looked like she was going to fall apart.

Her gaze traveled up to you, ready to release the floodgates. "It's Octy," she stammered "I think I'm losing her."

You don't know how she could possibly think that. From what you have seen of them, they were thick as thieves. You don't even think you've even seen one of them so much as grimace when the other is around. When did she notice this?

She started sniffing, holding back tears. You offer her a tissue which she gratefully accepts. "It was Octy's birthday; we went to the hotel's restaurant. After the main course, I don't remember a thing. I don't even know if Octy got her gift. Heck, I don't even remember what it was!" 

At this point, she was breaking down. Her tears fell to the lobby floor, the tissue now thoroughly soaked. In an attempt to comfort her, you go around your desk to give her a hug. The lobby is no place for this, so you take her to the basement. When she started to calm down, you handed her your salad. You told her to eat, she looked hungry.

"Thank you," she smiled, pushing the bowl away "but I'm not really in the mood for a salad at the moment."

It wasn't a question. Food helps the body function, and she said she needed to do some thinking. 

"Thanks, I didn't even eat breakfast."

You finish your sandvich and wait for her to finish her salad before asking her to go on with her story.

"Ever since that night, it just hasn't been the same. We still meet up every other week, as you know, but we barely see each other except for then." she paused, the tears starting to come back, "No lunch together, no movies, she won't even come to the gigs I get. I don't know what to do. She doesn't look at me the same."

You're not big on relationships, but you've had your fair share. Typically with this type of thing, it's not that Octavia is mad with her, it's the reason why. If you can find out the reason she is mad, chances are you will be able to fix it, as these situations tend to be misunderstandings.

"You really think it's just a mistake, that Octy is mad at something I didn't do?" She seemed to be understanding, but looked like she had her own ideas. "No no no, she doesn't make mistakes like that, she's calm, she's carefu-" Vinyl abruptly stopped mid thought, appearing to have had an epiphany. While tears started to well up again, her ruby eyes looked like they were ready to burn through a wall. She hissed through her flat teeth. “That two-timing whorse."

You jumped from your chair, hand reaching out and grabbing Vinyl's shoulder before she could get up and bolt for the stairs. Octavia is kind, gentle, and overall one of the sweetest and intellectual ponies you have ever met, she would never cheat. Not only that, but even the slightest hint of a scandal such as this would ruin her musical career. You knew this, Vinyl knows this, but in her state, she won't hear it. 

Although she could easily knock you down, she chooses not to, but she does struggle. If you let her go she'll do something rash, and most likely violent. You knew you couldn't keep her here all day, so you do the best thing you can for both of them. Vinyl needs to go to her room, the gym, the spa, wherever she wants to go, as long as it's in the hotel, you need to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't go and hurt Octavia. She needs to get her thoughts together for when she plans to confront Octavia, and then just wait for her to arrive. When she does arrive, you will question her, trying to disguise idle chatter. Octavia does not even think you notice her and Vinyl being together. You need to get the truth for both of them.

Vinyl stops struggling and lays back down, considering your proposition. "Fine," she responded, "but I don't want you to spare me, if she's cheating, I want to know. If I messed up, I want to know. If I'm just imagining things, I want to know."

She shakes your hand and you let her go up to her room, making sure she didn't sneak past you to the door.