The rest of the week Spencer and his companions spent their time making rounds to every place in Ponyville that looked as if it needed help.
The local bank was put on notice to expect a request for a large amount of bits in cash in a few days. Spencer wrote to his father why he needed that much, and gave the letter to Porter to mail it. Porter did as he was told, and went to the post office. He then proceeded to remove the stamp and put it on a letter Spindle had given him, and mailed that instead. He kept Spencer’s letter hidden away.
It was decided by Spencer, with Spindle’s humble suggestion, that the Ponyville Orphanage was most in need, and therefore most suitable to involve Princess Twilight. Later on that week, Spencer met with the director alone, and while speaking with her he promised to make a large donation in Princess Twilight’s name.
The director, Ms. Heart Rose, had not heard about Spencer and his companion’s actions yet, but she was automatically uneasy. She didn’t know Twilight personally, so she didn’t know if this was something she would do.
“Aren’t you new to Ponyville, Mr. Fortune? Why would the Princess want or need you to do anything in her name?”
“I’ve only just met her, but she strikes me as somepony who deeply cares about Ponyville,” said Spencer smoothly. “She made quite an impression on me, and I must admit I have some making up to do of my own.”
“What do you mean?”
“My behavior was a little….subpar that first night, and I promised the Princess I would make up for it in any way I can.”
“But why here? Why the orphanage? I know of no wrong done to us.”
“We’ve been around to lots of places, Ms. Rose, and I must say this establishment needs my help the most. Surely you can use the bits?”
“H-How much are we talking about?”
Gotcha, thought Spencer.
“How much do you need?”
She paused, then said a number. Without hesitating, Spencer doubled it. If Ms. Rose had not already been sitting, she would have fallen down. As it was, she needed to put a hoof to her forehead.
“That’s…that’s VERY generous, Mr. Fortune!”
“Please, call me Spencer.”
“All…alright…Spencer. W-When can we expect this…donation?”
“As soon as the Ponyville bank can get that amount, which I expect to take three days. I’d write you a check, but I’d much rather give you the cash.”
“No, no! A check is fine! We’ve never had that much on hoof, I’m not sure it would be a good idea to start.”
“Indulge me. I’m sure it will be alright, and besides,” and here he dropped his voice, “I’d rather keep this amount between us. And the Princess, of course!”
She immediately became uneasy again. “Why is that?”
“Let’s just say I don’t want everypony to know I’m carrying that kind of cash. Even in a town as small as this, I’m sure there are some unsavory types. Besides, I don’t want to be known as being this generous. It can bring out the worst in ponies who might otherwise be decent.” Here he gave her a long look.
She reddened, but stood and stuck out her hoof. “Your secret is safe with me…Spencer.”
He rose and shook her hoof. “In three days, then.”
Sucker, he thought to himself as he left to meet up with Porter and Spindle, for the last destination. So preoccupied was he with his own cleverness he did not notice the real Ms. Heart Rose, who had been kept out in town for almost half an hour by a bumbling, pathetic and apologetic stranger, returning to her office.
-----
Finally, they went to Sugarcube Corner, where they were met with hostility by the Cakes. Pinkie remained silent, watching them.
“What are you three doing back in here?” asked Mr. Cake.
Porter did the talking this time. “We all just wanted to say how sorry we are, again, for the trouble we caused that night.” He and Spindle bowed their heads and folded their ears, followed a few seconds later by Spencer.
“If there’s anything we can do, just let us know,” continued Porter.
A rude retort was forming on Mr. Cake’s lips when his wife interrupted him.
“That’s quite alright; as long as you all are sorry and promise not to behave that way again, all is forgiven. Right, honey?” She nudged her husband.
“Er…right, sure,” he said.
“We promise,” all three replied.
Pinkie brightened like a light bulb. “Great!” she said, bouncing up and down. “We need to throw you a ‘We Messed Up But We’re Super-Duper Sorry!’ party!”
Porter looked back at his companions. “Umm…okay,” he said, turning back to Pinkie. “That would be alright. When would it be?”
“We could have it tomorrow night!”
“I don’t know…” he began, but was interrupted by Spencer.
“Tomorrow night it is. We’ll be there.”
-----
The party was quite informal and, for Pinkie, quite subdued. She and the Cakes were there of course, along with Fluttershy, Rarity and with great reluctance, Twilight. Spencer and his companions made up the rest of the roster, and after some initial awkwardness the groups started to mingle.
Twilight found herself talking to Porter, along with Rarity.
“So what have you three been up to? Adjusting to Ponyville?”
“Yes, Your Highness, we have,” said he. “Mostly we’ve been scouting out places that need help.”
Twilight and Rarity exchanged a look, then Twilight said, “What do you mean, ‘places that need help’?”
“You know: places that could use a few extra bits. You may not realize this about him, but Spencer is quite generous.”
“I did not realize that, as a matter of fact. I thought he was just snobbish.”
“I concur,” said Rarity. “Why he even called Pinkie Pie an earther, from what I’ve heard.”
“You heard correctly,” said Spencer as he walked up behind them. “I apologized then, and I still am sorry for that now.”
“You didn’t actually volunteer an apology, Spencer,” said Twilight.
He shrugged. “But I still did so. Everypony makes mistakes. Can’t we just forget it? Pinkie has, or she wouldn’t have thrown us this great party.”
Twilight considered, then said, “I suppose we can and should. That’s what friends do.”
Spencer smiled. “Are we now friends, Princess?”
“Not exactly yet, but I’m still willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just so long as you continue to give me reason to do so.”
“Then what I have to tell you should please you immensely: I’m making a huge donation to the Ponyville Orphanage in your name.”
Twilight stood there stunned for a moment, as her face became flush with anger. Spencer, Porter and even Rarity took a step back at the expression on her face, as Twilight finally found her voice and shouted,
“WHAT GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO DO ANYTHING IN MY NAME?!”
The entire party grew silent and all eyes were on Twilight and Spencer.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness!” he said. “I just wanted to do something nice for the orphans, and I already know how much you care about Ponyville so I thought it would be a good gesture if you approved of it,” said Spencer, almost word for word as he’d been suggested by Spindle.
Through clenched teeth she said, “You. Should have. Asked. Me. FIRST!”
“Again, I didn’t mean anything bad. I wanted to do something really nice while I’m out here, and I didn’t think you wanted to talk to me yet. I can tell the Orphanage it was a mistake.”
“No, it’s not the donation, it’s me being included without my permission. Next time, talk to me first, I’m not that hard to find.”
Turning to the others in the room, she said, “Sorry for that outburst. Please, everyone go on with the party.” Addressing Spencer she said, “Let’s talk alone. Excuse us you two.”
Rarity nodded and drifted back over to Pinkie and Spindle, with Porter following her. Twilight and Spencer found a relatively quiet corner.
“When are you making this donation?” she whispered.
“I’m just waiting for the cash to be delivered to the Ponyville Bank.”
She paused. “I don’t want to know how much it is right now, but why cash? Why not just cut them a check?”
Spencer sighed. “Because I know you don’t trust me, I wanted you to see for yourself the cash.”
“That at least was a good assumption, because I still don’t trust you.”
“I thought not. Hence my decision to make it cash.”
Twilight paused for a few moments, staring silently at him. Finally she said, “I do want to see it before you take it out there. When will that be?”
“In a few days, probably two or three.”
“I want to be informed the moment it’s ready for my inspection, Spencer. Now you can tell me how much it is.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.” He then mentioned half of what was coming in, without telling her the true amount. She’d find that out later.
Gotcha