//------------------------------//
// Explanations and Due Blame 
// Story: Chocolate Syrup and Lemonade (great things that are horrible together) 
// by the-pieman 
//------------------------------//

"Did I really write that?" A beige stallion asked himself with a disgusted look on his face "Well, there's no way I'll ever get this garbage published." He sighed loudly before crumpling the papers into a ball and throwing it in the wastebasket. 

The Earth pony held his head in his hooves. "I feel like I should write something, but this is completely stupid, I just can't think of a good story. Maybe I can think of something if I go out for a walk."  He put on his jacket and headed out of his little studio apartment, racking his brain for ideas. Unfortunately, in his preoccupied state he walked right into a wall. "Dang, this is the fifth time this week in as many days, why can't I ever focus?" The stallion berates himself for his stupidity, turning and heading in the intended direction. "One of these days I'm going to have to put a 'Warning: inattentive idiot' sign on my forehead." he mumbles as he carries on, thinking of what he should write next, knowing that the first thing that comes to mind is the last thing he should write down.

"Maybe I should give up, I'm never going to write a book that's at least decent, all I can imagine up is loads of tripe, I guess saying I have an overactive imagination is the understatement of the century, but isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" He held his head up and adjusted his glasses, eying the scenery with as much interest as he does his apartment, that is to say, hardly any at all. "It's so boring here, so I guess I'm just trying to write exciting things, but they make no sense! Maybe if I do publish it, everypony will think I'm insane and throw me in an asylum, at least I won't have to pay rent anymore, maybe being a nutcase isn't so bad." The Stallion rushed home and pulled the pieces of paper out of the trash bin and flattened them back out. He then took some cardboard and tape and made a book-cover for his story, which he wrote the title on as well as his name. "Chocolate Syrup and Lemonade by Copy.Data" he said, holding his monstrosity up to the light. "Now to take this thing to the publishing office."

The pony behind the desk looked at the poorly made book she now held in her hooves, and gave an odd look at the stallion that handed it to her, who was smiling like an idiot. "Sir, are you sure about this? It's outward appearance is a bit... lacking."
CD grinned at the mare "Of course, did you read it yet?" The green mare opened the book slowly, as though it might bite her. As she read the look on her face got more and more confused and disturbed, her eye involuntarily twitching by the time she finished. She gladly put the book down, massaging her head trying to grow back the brain cells she had lost. "Mr. Copy.Data, are you serious about this... *gag*story?" CD happily grinned "Absolutely ma'am, I am one-hundred percent serious, I want this published and sold, I think it's very special!" The mare replied calmly "It certainly is special, in fact I think there are some nice people who would like to read this and give me their opinion." This was going far better than Copy.Data had expected. "Thank you ma'am, should I go now?" The answer came quickly "No, I think I'd like you to come with me so you can hear what my 'friends' think yourself." CD's plan was almost complete, it couldn't go wrong now. "That's a great idea! I'll just follow you then."

The mare took the book and CD to a hospital, surprised that CD didn't find it odd. After showing the book to three doctors, they all looked at CD who was beaming at this point and one said "Son, if you are serious about this, I believe we know what to do. Are you serious?" The reply they got didn't seem to surprise them "You bet I am, so what are you going to do?"





That evening, CD was taken to a mental ward and put into a room where he could 'relax' while the staff thought about what might help him. Many things were brought up: therapy, medication, solitary confinement, and many other things.

CD stared at the blank walls and locked door around him. "Well, this is certainly interesting, it's definitely different from REAL life, I get three meals a day, I have no debts, no responsibilities, and I can sleep all I want! This is the best idea I've ever had!" The stallion was even laughing to himself quietly, he was so happy. Suddenly a light appeared around him, it had no temperature, it made no sound, and it was bright "What the-" Copy.Data was quickly cut off and he blacked out for a fraction of a second.

To be continued here: On Nightmare Station (Specifically, Chapter 4, appropriately titled: Enter Madman.)