Jake and the rest of the trumpets gave another short attack note as backgrounds. Noteworthy stood up and began the melody. The tune was upbeat and funky, and Jake thought the blue earth pony had practiced this a million times because he was playing it flawlessly.
The crowd was on their hooves clapping and stomping along. Noteworthy leaned back as he ripped a high note, cueing Jake and the trumpets to come in as well. They made a loud brassy sound that filled the background.
A different saxophonist stood up to continue the melody, playing just as well as Noteworthy. The lead trumpet looked over to Jake.
"You should go up there and solo. The key change isn't hard, and you seem like you know your stuff pretty well."
"I'm on it."
He gave a salute and stepped down off the risers in the back and made his way up to the front of the stage. The band stopped except for the rhythm section, and the soloist looked over to Jake.
"Alright buddy, lets see what you got."
The pilot counted down the measures until the beginning of the solo section again. He brought the horn up to his mouth and started on cue.
He played short and funky phrases, and swayed back and forth to the beat.
Mac and Twilight were up at the front of the stage in a small crowd that had gathered.
"Ah didn't know Jake would be this good!"
"I know! And Noteworthy is incredible!"
The tune was winding down after a couple more minutes, and Jake went back up into the trumpet line next to Sticcato, who patted him on the back.
"You sure know how to play that horn buddy!"
"Thanks. I started when I was only seven, and didn't stop until I graduated college. I guess being in this setting brought it all back to me."
They all came in together to hit the last few chords. The final one was short and loud. Ponies cheered and clapped for Jake and Noteworthy.
They were both making their way off the stage when Clef stopped them.
"Hang on guys. I've never had volunteers that were as good as you two. How about you stay on for a couple more songs after this intermission, hmm?"
They looked at each other and both thought the same thing. Jake turned back to the conductor.
"Thank you for your offer, but I've had my fun tonight. We both need to get back to our group."
"Ah well. I understand, but if we're ever in the area again, come on in and jam with us."
"You bet."
They shook hooves, then he and Noteworthy walked off the stage and back to their table. Mac saw them and slammed his drink down.
"That was the darnest thing you two! A'hve heard lots of jazz, but that's one o' mah favorites now!"
Jake took his seat, and took a sip of his topped off drink.
"Thanks Mac. It was good to get out there again."
Twilight and Noteworthy had gone to the bar to get new drinks, and Jake and Mac started talking about how he planned to get the ammo boxes out of the fields.
"So if we take the truck, and use the sled again, I can have those things out of ther-uh. Can I help you?"
Jake was now talking to a dark orange earth pony stallion with a red mane. He began to speak in an accent that Jake thought sounded Italian.
"Forgive the intrusion . My name is Festinatio Daimōn, but you can call me, Speed Demon. Word has spread to me that you have a carriage that is capable of traveling faster than mine, no?"
The pilot looked over to Mac, then back to the new guest, until he remembered what Twilight had told him earlier.
"Wait a minute. You're the land speed record holder aren't you?"
Speed Demon held his front hoof up and inspected it like someone would do to check for dirt.
"Sì. I have the record of one hundred and fifty two miles an hour."
He sat down across from the two and leaned back casually in his chair.
"I already know your name is Jake, but who might this be?"
He gestured over to the farmer.
"Mah name is Big Macintosh, but y'all can call me Mac."
The record holder slowly nodded.
"It is nice to meet you Mac. But forgive me, as I must get back on subject."
He looked back over to Jake.
"So as I was saying, I've heard rumors that you are capable of beating my record by fifty miles an hour. Am I correct?"
He gave the captain a look that made him think that this stallion may not be as nice as he appeared.
"Yep. I mean hell, I'm probably not even going to worry about breaking it. Right now I'm not even able to move the vehicle."
"And what is this, vehicle, Jake?"
"It's called a Ferrari 458 Italia. From my world, it's one of the most luxurious and fastest cars on the market."
"And you think this...Ferrari...is capable of erasing my title of record holder?"
"Well, if I wanted to, I could."
Speed Demon leaned forward, narrowed his eyes, and stared right at him. He spoke quietly as if telling a secret.
"You know Mr. Jake, I have something better now. Something that your little Ferrari will not be able to beat. And if you ever try to, I will crush you under my hoof, and make you look like a fool to all who is watching. So do you still want to try?"
Jake was ticked off that he'd been made a fool of from this hot shot. He leaned in as well, his face only a foot from the foreigner's.
"You know, at first I wasn't even going to bother. But you piss me off too much. So now, I'm going to do it."
He stood up from the table. Speed Demon followed suit. Jake spoke much louder now, attracting a small crowd.
"I, Captain Jake Weston, challenge you to a race for the title of Land Speed Record Holder."
Festinatio scoffed.
"Very well! Two days from now in the desert just south of Appleoosa. But prepare to be beaten! I will make sure of it!
Jake stuck out his hoof for him to shake, making the challenge official. The orange pony looked at it, back at Jake, then turned away to leave. He looked back one final time before ascending the staircase, shook his head, and turned away again.
Mac walked over to Jake with Twilight and Noteworthy, who were back from the bar.
"Ah don't like that fella. An' ah don't trust him as far as ah can throw him."
Noteworthy looked confused.
"Who was that, and what just happened?"
Twilight spoke up.
"That was Festinatio Daimōn! The holder of the land spee-"
Jake cut her off.
"Yes yes, I know. But not for long. You guys can stay, but I'm going home. I've got a race to prepare for."