Michael stretched his hooves when he and Night Shade disembarked from the Friendship Express.
“So, where are we headed?” he asked.
Night Shade gave Michael a perplexed look. “How should I know? I just got here…We could…go visit Twilight.”
“I thought you said you wanted to start a hotel.”
“I do.”
“Well, then, shouldn’t we be doing something which builds on that?”
Night Shade did not reply.
Michael sighed and approached Night Shade as the loud train blew a whistle and started off for Fillydelphia.
“I don’t know what to do,” Night Shade said, drowned out by the tumult of the train.
“What?!”
“I SAID I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!”
“OH!”
The deafening train passed them by.
“Well, I don’t exactly know either, since I don’t manage hotels or even real estate for a living. I’m just an entrepreneur. But, I do have marketing experience. And, in my experience, you have to spend money to make money.”
Night Shade stared down at his hooves.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I’m not in this to make money.”
Michael put his hoof on Night Shade’s shoulder. “I understand. But, regardless of your interests, our spending of money is inevitable. If we find something on which to spend money, it means we are making progress in accomplishing your dream, as well as mine.”
Night Shade looked up and at Michael.
“What do you mean accomplishing your dream?”
Michael gave Night Shade a blank expression. “I mean exactly that: accomplishing my dream, as well as yours. My dream is to make money, and make a financial difference in the world. I know Equestria isn’t exactly known for its economics, but this isn’t a poverty-stricken ghetto. It’s Ponyville. Flourishing in diverse flora, fauna, and ponies. It may not have the classiness of Canterlot, but it’s home to the lovely Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and was the location of last year’s Summer Sun Festival, let’s not forget. I know there is huge marketing potential here. And I know you’re gonna be the stallion to help me, as I help you, you see?”
Night Shade blinked. “Yeah…I see…”
Michael frowned. “You don’t sound very confident in me.”
“It’s not you, it’s just…”
“Yes?”
Night Shade sighed. “What if we don’t make it?”
Michael did not immediately reply. Finally, he uttered the words, “We won’t know unless we try.”
Night Shade sighed again. “Okay…let’s give it a try, then.”
Michael grinned. “C’mon. Let’s go see what there is to find in Ponyville where we can build a hotel.”
Michael started on his way, without Night Shade’s consent. Night Shade lingered behind him.
They soon arrived at the Town Hall, where they decided to rest their hooves.
“Well, we’re here in Ponyville. Greatest place in Equestria. Land of opportunity. So…what is there to be done about our dreams?” Michael inquired.
“I don’t know,” Night Shade replied timidly. He almost sounded as if he were about to cry.
“Well, your dream is to run a hotel. What is the first thing you would do to obtain a hotel?”
“Make money,” said Night Shade softly.
“Besides that.”
“…Find one?”
Michael nodded slowly. “Fine one…yes…but no previous hotel exists in all of Equestria – at least as far as I’m concerned – so, what are we to find if not a preexisting hotel?” He inquired with poise and confidence.
“Um…someone looking to sell?” Night Shade guessed.
“Precisely!” Michael exclaimed. He pointed to a large, run-down building at the other side of town, its towering rooftops visible from anywhere in Ponyville. The two unicorns set out to the establishment. A wealthy-looking earth pony decked out in a suit and tie with a monocle greeted them and showed them inside.
“This used to be an entertainment center,” he said, guiding the characters through the entryway. “Part apartment complex. Part recreational warehouse.”
“Could it function as a hotel?” Night Shade asked.
“A hotel…?” pondered the owner. “Hmm…well, it has rooms: of all varying sizes, too. You got your bigger suites near the top floors – your balconies – and then you got your smaller ones closer to the earth. It’s got a theater, a restaurant, a bar, a recreation center – all the comforts of home…I think with some TLC it could work as a hotel, yeah.”
“Do the rooms have kitchens?”
“The bigger ones…the smaller ones are just a bathroom, a bedroom, and living room.”
“We’d have to hire a chef,” Michael whispered to Night Shade. “But other than that and a little TLC on this place – which I can cover, I think we’ve got it made here…What do you think?”
“Up to you,” Night Shade replied earnestly. “It’s your money.”
“We’ll take it, then,” Michael said aloud.
“For real?” asked the owner.
“For real,” Michael replied.
The owner smiled. “I’ll get the paperwork.”