//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A Fresh Start // Story: The Manehatten Chronicles: Book 1 of 3: The Manehatten Typewriter // by Shadow rift //------------------------------// The entire scene plays itself like a broken disc over and over in my mind, each time taking a small piece of me with it and smashing it into the ground. That singular event in my life has completely decimated me, worse than anything else in my entire life. Everything I have ever worked for and everything I have ever done while working at the place I had once called home now add up to nothing. My career, my friends, my bits, all gone. Being fired from the Science Center and being registered as mad stallion has made it almost impossible for me to find any other line of work, leaving a nasty stain on my record as a citizen of Equestria and my career, setting me back at least by 6 years. Most of my friends from the center look upon me with anger. As it had turned out, the police commissioner had decided to take control of the center, keeping a complete 24 hour watch group in and on the premise. I've been told this by Minuette, the only pony who still even bothers to speak to me anymore, who also stated that it also affected her as a scientist as well, setting her own career back at least 2 years. I genuinely tell her I feel awful for her, but refuse to tell her I have almost no room in my body to feel terrible for anypony other than myself. The bits I once had in my account dwindled quickly after that event. I found that I had been spending most of it on the rent for my large apartment close to the center. An large apartment near your line of work and the bay meant that rent cost almost twice the normal amount, and soon I found myself no longer being able to afford the rent, especially without a new line of work. I had to move out of my home of almost two years and move into a much smaller studio apartment that was deeper in the city of Manehatten with the bare bone necessities of my daily life. Today was the day I had moved into this pathetic studio apartment. I had already informed Minuette that I had to move, and even she was concerned about it, especially with the escalation of crime in the city ever since the SADDAL V ordinance. "It's not like I have much of a choice anymore, Minuette." I would tell her, but for every other time I did, she would give me the same, "Yes, you do", Argument. Upon helping me move into the studio, I could see the disgust on her face when walking in. The outside was disgusting enough, with its tan stucco walls, however the smell of freshly lit cigarette smoke and the once white but now tanning walls was the nail that sealed the coffin shut. I didn't bring very many boxes with me considering how I had brought furniture and my television set in the days before, so it was easier today than any of the others. All there were in these boxes were simple clothes, utensils, and other such daily items, and considering how I had to sell some of it to cover the cost for this studio, the unloading process was over quick. "I believe that's the last of it." I say to Minuette as she brings in the last box labeled in black marker as 'Clothes'. She sets it down on the sofa in her blue aura, to which I catch her doing so with a look of sadness and a sigh. "Astra..." "I know what you're going to say, and I've already told you that I don't have any other choice." "I gave the choice to come live with me though! I really wouldn't mind it!" "And I've already told you I won't." I say in a stern voice. "This is my fault and I fully intend on fixing it soon. This is just... Temporary... Until I can get back on my hooves." I conclude, looking around at the studio. I know I'm lying and she does as well. We both know that I am going to be here for quite the amount of time, and that I don't have to, but deep in my subconscious, I need to prove to myself that I can do this. Without anypony's help. "I still don't trust it." She says, her back turned towards me as the sound of street cars running near by plays in the background. "Neither do I. But I need to do this." "I know..." She says as the sound of her aura lighting up comes from the front of her. "That's why I got you this..." As Minuette says that, she slowly turns herself around to face me once again, revealing a small brown and finely polished wooden box being enveloped in her aura. When she offers it to me, I open my wings in front of me, watching her place the box in my wings and the aura around it disappear from it. "What is it?" I ask as I float over to the black couch in front of my television and sit down on it, to which she replies, "Just open it." I comply and begin to very slowly open the small box. Once I get a full view of it, I immediately feel the need to vomit and hand her back the box. Inside lies a small pistol encased within a styrofoam seal, with a single cartridge inside the box laying opposite of the pistol at hoof. "The dealer told me that it's something called a Jaguar M-71. He also told me that it takes .22 bullets and the cartridge holds about 8 bullets. I just decided to get the cartridge pre loaded for you. It doesn't weigh much and the recoil isn't too bad. It'll do you really well in terms of defense." "Minuette..." I say, closing the case and looking at the wood grain of the box. "I can't take this. I don't know the first thing about firing one of these." I say, attempting to offer Minuette the box back, but finding that her only response is a frustrated expression. "Yes you can. Astra, as long as your living in the city, you're opening yourself up to all these criminals! The last thing I'm gonna let is these criminals thinking they can take whatever the hell they want from you!" She says, in both an angered and concerned way, "You need it. I need you to need it..." She concludes, now on the verge of tears. Quickly, I make my way over to her and envelope her in my arms and wings, where she begins to spill her tears. As she continues to let her tears fall onto my shoulders, I begin to stroke her mane in a caring way in an effort to calm her down. Though my emotions are now focused on her, my mind keeps telling me over and over again that I need to give her the pistol back. I can't take it, and I have never fired a gun before in my entire life, much less found a reason to own one. But my heart decides to let Minuette have her way and keep the pistol. For her sake anyway... "I... I just... I just don't want to see you get hurt..." She says through her teary voice, which I respond with a simple, "I know." We sit on the floor for another few minutes, with Minuette continuing to cry into my shoulder and I allowing her to do so. Eventually, she lets up and looks at me with her big tear filled eyes and I give her a small peck on her forehead, a giggle from her as her response. "Okay..." I say, looking back at the box with an unsure look and looking back at her with a fake smile, "I'll keep it. For your sake." With that, she smiles and leans into me for a second hug. "For both our sakes..." *************************************** I have almost absolutely no idea when Minuette left, but it is all the more clear to me that she does when I wake up the next morning. The studio no longer smells of burned out cigarette smoke, but instead smells like a new apartment should. Well... Almost, anyways, I think to myself as I notice a giant crevasse in the wall to the kitchen, a clear sign that something is wrong... Regardless, I proceed with my daily routine. Shower with whatever warm water I can get, brush my teeth with the remainder of my toothpaste I have left, eat a pathetic breakfast consisting mostly of eggs, and turn on the television for the news, or to be more precise, the weather report. While listening to the weather report, I proceed into my bedroom to place on my attire for the day, where I can clearly hear the reports coming in, most of which consist of small robberies and celebrity gossip. Upon entering my bedroom, however, I find a black long coat and a simple black and white vest, a black tie to accompany the vest, and the box sprawled open with the pistol and cartridge being covered by a note written in black ink: Thank you for letting me stay with you. I forgot to give you this new suit, it has a perfect place for to keep the pistol! Heart, Minuette. I smile at the note, but cringe at the thought that she would buy me an accessory to accompany the weapon. I'm not planning on using it in the foreseeable future. However, Manehatten is in a state of escalating violence. Without too much thought, I take the note off of its makeshift stand of the case and remove the pistol from it's styrofoam casing. Holding it in my hoof, I examine the deep black of the weapon, each one of it's unique features, from the barrel to grip. I extend the arm holding the pistol out to get a good look down its iron sight, which consist of no more than the simple 3 points a pistol like this has. Grabbing the cartridge, I quickly slide it into the weapon, choosing not to cock back the hammer, less it go off in my new coat. Minuette was right, I think to myself, even with magazine it doesn't weight too much. As I place the pistol down on the bed, I continue to dress myself in the vest and shirt, quickly place on both the tie and coat, and proceed to exit the studio, shutting down the television and quickly grabbing the pistol given to me, placing it in a holster on the inside of my coat. I'm finding a job today... *************************************** "Thank You... Heh heh..." I say back to the mare at the front office, a résumé in my hoofs as I leave the building. Making sure I am out of the sights of building, I throw the paper on the ground as hard as can in defeat. "Damn!!" I exclaim. Now counting this application, that was four denied applications to ANY job. Coffee maker, Fast Food Salespony, Garbage Pony, and now Mail Pony, and not ONE accepted me. The most common statement was "we have a lot already" or "You're too intelligent". The more and more denied jobs, the less and less hope I had, and the more and more my anger grew. I couldn't get a new job because of some high and mighty stallion labeling me insane! Before I know it, the night quickly approaches, bringing with it small sprinkles of water with it. I don't know where I'm going, but before I know it, I find myself at the only lit building down a long stretch of road. A bar. What choice do I have... I think to myself as I begin to make my way inside of the darkened bar, trotting in carefully and cautiously, every hoof forward terrifying me and causing me to rethink my decision. Reach the door, I carefully open it, surprised to see what I do next. The bar itself is rather empty, with only maybe two or three stallions on the inside of the mostly red bar. To the left lies many booths and tables of a simple brown wood grain. To the front of the entire bar is a simple stage and microphone stand, the microphone itself rest on the stand and shinning in the head lights reflecting off of it. To the right lies the actual bar itself, with a large selection of various alcoholic beverages on the rack behind it, and just in front lays the typical countertop and chairs. "Can I help you?" Says the bar tender, a lightning blue maned unicorn mare with a pair of black sunglasses upon her face, as she continues to dry various cups that have seen their share of use. "Uh, yes you can actually..." "Woah... Nice accent there bud, wouldn't expect your type here." The bar tender says, removing her glasses to reveal her magenta eyes which gleamed in the light. "Actually..." I begin, drawing my attention away from the mare at hoof and to my actual thoughts. Think carefully about this mate, you're treading very dangerous waters. Explosion are one thing, but working at an establishment selling the most illegal substance in Manehatten right now is another. Do you really want to do this? My better judgement's arguments with me completely take over my thought process and the outside world as I hardly even notice that the mare now has her fullest attention turned to me, expecting an answer. I need the money, or sales of this substance is going to be the least of my worries. With a large sigh, I begin. "I'm in need of a job, horribly. Everywhere I go it's always the same response. No or 'You're too smart to work here'. And it was all because of the Police Commissioner labeling me as a mad scientist." I say the last sentence angrily before going on, taking a deep breath as I do. "Most of money went towards whatever morsels I could get and moving into a new studio apartment. I need the money now if I'm going to get back on my hoofs and get somewhere else to continue my career." As I tell my little sob story, the mare looks me over intently, sizing me up head to hoof and wingspan. It had me a little concerned, and the look she gave me looked far more sarcastic than thoughtful brainstorming. "Uh huh..." She finally says before looking at my coat, noticing an odd imprint on my coat's surface. "What's in the coat?" "E-Excuse me?" "Did I stammer?" She asks. I shake my head. "Good, now what's in the coat." "It's... It's nothing." I stammer. "Wrong answer. Try again." She says, to which she reaches down beneath the table for either a blunt weapon or a firearm of her own. Fear begins to well inside of me now. What do I do? Do I show her the weapon or stand my ground? What am I thinking?! Of course not stand your ground! Chances are that she has a weapon bigger than your own! "I'm gonna ask one more time..." She says sternly, a clicking sound being clearly heard as she finishes. Even the stallions drinking away are worried. "What's. In. The. Coat?" "Okay! You win. I'll show you, but you need to promise not tell anypony..." I say, reaching into the coat and gripping the handle of my weapon in a death hold. "I'm listening..." She says, lowering her arm only slightly as the mare continues to watch me. Nodding in agreement, I gently remove the pistol from its holster, displaying it to her in my hooves. "This is a pistol a... Very good friend of mine... Gave to me when she learned I'm going to be living deeper into this city. She said she wanted me to keep it as a form of protection from any crazies." I say as the mates eyes light up as she looks at the pistol Minuette had given me. "Hey..." She says after a while of silence, he eyes growing like the smile on her face, ever so quickly. "Yeah... Yeah... Sure!" She says, taking the pistol in her magic aura and studying it ever so carefully. "You know what?" She says, her focus still on the weapon at hoof, "I like you. Tell you what? We're low on workers here anyways. I'll hire ya, just make sure you do as your mare says and keep this" she says, shaking the pistol, "on you at all times. Do that, and welcome aboard!" She concludes, placing the weapon back into my hooves as I stare at her in a completely dumbfounded expression. "R-Really?!" "Yup! Name's Vinyl Scratch, Ausi body. But you can call me 'boss' or 'Vinyl'." She says, taking my hoof in her own and giving it a firm shake. "Well... Thank you!" I say, shaking her own hoof as well and having a small smile plant its way onto my face. Thank you Minuette! I think to myself as Vinyl gives me my schedule and shows me the exit. Finally, a turning point for me! My luck is finally going where I need it to! Tomorrow is a new day, and while I may not be extremely overwhelmed with joy, I'm still happy that I managed to get a job in the first place. Yes sir. Tomorrow is a new day...