//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Eleven o’clock Reading // Story: The Horror of Happiness // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// Over the phonograph, a violin held a long note before it descended into a sleepy melody in the warm noonday sun with the sounds of the string orchestra. Right on the steps of his new home, Dr. Lovejoy rocked softly back and forth in the rocking chair that he brought with him. On his lap was an open book that he was reading, every so often his horn would glow in order to turn to the next page. Although he was tired from last night about dragging Lilly’s body into the desert, digging a shallow grave and carving her name onto a bolder, he was still awake enough to read from the books he brought with him. “Lovejoy?” The elderly stallion looked up to find Starlight Glimmer before him along with two smiling stallions, “Hm?” “I’m sorry to bother you, but can I ask you a few things?” “I don’t see why not,” he said closing the book, “I think I need to rest from reading for a while.” “Very well, I just want to ask if you’ve seen Lilly as of late. Nopony in the village has seen her this morning. So, do you know where she happens to be?” Lovejoy shrugged, “I’m afraid not. I’ve seen her from last night when I had my nightly tea, but that was about it. She was quite polite too.” “But do you know where she went?” “All I know is that we sat down for some tea, had a pleasant conversation, she said goodbye, and left before I went to bed.” “So you really don’t know where she’s gone to?” He shook his head, “That was the last time I’ve seen her. I don’t keep track of ponies that I had tea with Ms. Glimmer.” “Thank you, we just wanted to know.” “What was the other thing you wanted to ask of me?” She pointed at the phonograph, “Why are you playing music out here?” “Well, from what Lilly has told me from last night, this village doesn’t have any records for pleasure, do they?” “If we wanted music,” Starlight told him, “We would sing about it.” “But no instrumental music?” She smiled and shook her head, “It wouldn’t be fair for everypony that if one could play an instrument and the other couldn’t. Here, when it comes to music, nopony is any better or any worst than the other.” The two stallions besides her agreed with her. “Yet, what’s wrong with me sharing what I have for those who have an ear to listen? After all, I’ve only brought the phonograph with me and a collection of the best recorded music I could find, in Classical music terms. Not only that, but I’m sharing it to everypony in the open air as I read. So really ma’am, what’s wrong with sharing the greatest art in history to your fellow townspony? In spreading a little culture if you will.” “The only problem I have is that we’re trying to be careful about what kind of… culture comes in. We don’t want our impressionable ponies getting any dangerous and false ideas.” “I’d be careful with that if I were you,” Lovejoy wagged a hoof at her, “The more strict you are with keeping your village ignorant about what goes on with the outside world, the more they’ll be willing to find out. After all, most of my collection contains lyrical songs, even in a foreign language; contain immortal elements such as the subject of brotherhood, love, hope, the essentially Classical themes basically. I hope that this village doesn’t house anything against something like brotherhood, love, and hope?” Starlight tried to say something, but for a moment, she was speechless. “Well… not exactly, we’re just trying to be careful is all.” “Very well,” Lovejoy’s eyes returned to his book, “Any other complaints?” “No, but I do have one last inquiry though.” “Oh?” “I’m starting to wonder, what are you planning to do with your possessions when the time comes that you would have no need of them?” “Ah,” he nodded, “I’ve already thought about that, and may I ask for some paper along with something to write on?” One of the stallions next to the mare was told to fetch the items and returned shortly. Now in his aura, the doctor said aloud as he wrote down, “‘I, Doctor Reverie Lovejoy, give full permission to the citizens of…’ I’m sorry; I don’t think I’ve got the name of this village.” “Our Town,” Starlight answered. “Yes, of course, it’s your town, but what’s the name of it?” “Our Town,” said the stallion on the left. “I know, but what’s the name?” “Our town,” the other stallion on the right told him. “Wait… wait-a-minute; let me try to wrap my mind around this.” He said, putting both hooves to his wrinkly forehead, “Are you three just telling me the words ‘Our Town’ to play a joke on me, or that really is the name of your town?” “Lovejoy,” Starlight spoke up, “the name of this village, really is called, ‘Our Town.’ ” He blinked, “And why is that?” “Our community is based on the idea of true equality. Together we named this place ‘Our Town,’ because everypony here lends a hoof in keeping it running. This place belongs to everypony, including you.” “…. Okay then,” he returns his gaze to the paper, “'full permission to the citizens of… ‘Our Town’… that in the event that I happen to die within the boundaries of this village, that all the earthly possessions that I owe, will go to the citizens and they may do with them as they see fit.’” He signed his name on the paper before handing it over to the other ponies, “Can all three of you sign this to show that there were witnesses?” The three of them looked at one another before signing their names on the paper, “I must say,” Starlight said, “This is quite generous of you.” “I might as well make sure that my things have someplace to go after I die and you guys happen to be here.” “Before we leave, I want to tell you that I’ve invited Party Favor over to your home this evening.” “Very well, I’ll keep that in mind,” he said as he opened his book, “Tell him I’ll be expecting him for dinner.” “Will do,” she said as she and the other two stallions walked off. Now at peace once more, Dr. Lovejoy returned to his book, ‘Ancient Coltypt: Everyday Life and Death on the Nile.’ He flipped through the pages until he returned to the chapter he was reading. ‘Chapter 28: The Art of Mummification.’