//------------------------------// // Unmarked Graves are filled with Love // Story: Behind the Scenes // by Opium4TmassS //------------------------------// We stopped by the bank before heading to the strip club. If there was one hard and fast rule of my usual line of work it involved my pay plus whatever expenses that were accrued during the course of an investigation. Kelly’s face sagged as she watched the teller count out the eight hundreds and five twenties to me. She didn’t utter a word to me even after we’d pulled up in front of the club and pulled away as soon as I was clear of the car door. It was obvious I’d be taking a taxi or walking to a rental car place after this. She’d be billed for that as well. The Animatic was unique in one respect; the entertainment was comprised entirely of toons. Many of them had been popular at one point in time, however once their shows or movies faded from popularity and the roles stopped coming they had to make some difficult decisions. Sometimes that meant learning the art of exotic dance or worse. The Animatic, unlike human strip clubs was much more flexible with what they would allow you to do to the entertainment. As long as she could get back to work afterward and look none the worse for wear you could do it. Some folks, like the late Jason Schwartz, did. The black lights were in full effect when I walked into the club. Whatever imperfections the talent had were hidden, well as best as they could be, by them. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust but when they did there wasn’t much to see as far as décor. The seats were vinyl and easy to wipe down. What was once a carpet was now unnaturally firm, as if a layer of shellac had been applied to it over time. The smell of cigarette smoke and ‘excitement’ permeated the air. Meanwhile, the DJ spun whatever tune the dancer wanted to hear, in this case Sandstorm for some reason, while the animation on stage contorted herself to the audience’s delight. I made my way over to the bar and ordered a bottle of Steel Reserve and told the bartender to leave the cap on. While I waited on my drink I could hear the music stop and the DJ ramble on about how wonderful the previous dancer was, not that anyone was paying attention. Daytime was the slow time for strip clubs. Typically you’d get the folks on lunch or just on their way home from work. Because of this fact there were also fewer performers. Though they did tend to work harder for whatever money they could get. “Well hello there handsome,” said a voice over my shoulder. I turned to see a fair imitation of the ‘Frozen’ chick from a few years back. If it weren’t for the occasional twitch indicating that she was on something or the red eyes she would have been a dead ringer, especially if the movie version wore a G-string and fishnets. “I’m Ilsa and you look lonely.” “Not really,” I said popping the lid off of my beer, “And you don’t look like a she-wolf of the SS to me.” “No I mean,” responded the toon quickly, “I mean Elsa from Frozen. That’s me.” “Uh-huh,” I muttered sipping my beer. To Ilsa/Elsa’s credit she didn’t give up and proceeded to ask if maybe I’d like to go with her back to the Fantasy Lounge where for the right price I could ‘let it go.’ I shook my head and said, “Sorry I’m looking for someone specific.” “Who?” “A pony by the name of Trixie. I was told she worked here.” Ilsa/Elsa sighed with annoyance, “I should have known better. Bitch is too popular for the day shift.” “So, she does,” I ask already knowing the answer. “Just wait a few more minutes she’ll be on stage soon enough,” she said as excused herself and immediately wrapped her arms around the next guy who came up to the bar. It wasn’t long before she’d escorted him back into the lounge leaving me with my beer, a sense of relief and a little bit of pity for that toon. It couldn’t be easy looking like someone else and never actually having the opportunity to be you. I finished off my beer and ordered another one just as the DJ began to talk. “Hey guys I know there’s just a handful of you here but, most of these ladies have more than a handful to share. Remember that tipping isn’t a city in China and they will be very grateful for it.” I rolled my eyes and popped the top on my new beer and took a sip of it. The DJ continued, “Now guys we have a treat for those of you who like to play the ponies. Direct from Equestria with her cape full of tricks. Our little pony will bear all for you and if you’re nice she might show you a thing or two in the Fantasy Lounge. Give it up for Trixie Lulamoon!” An unusual amount of these middle aged, middle income men got as close to the stage as they could. I watched as they jockeyed for position along with a couple of toon males who tried in vain squeeze between them. I looked over at the bouncer and chugged the rest of my beer sizing him up as the first keys of Q Lazarus’ Goodbye Horses began. The crowd gasped and I turned my head toward the stage as the blue unicorn made her way to the pole. The rhythmic sway of her hips had her audience from the moment their eyes locked with them. She smiled confidently rocking in time with the song as she began her routine in earnest her white and light blue striped mane glistening in the stage light as she methodically began to work the pole and the audience began to show their appreciation in singles. Quietly I made my way to the stage and fished out one of the hundreds from my wallet watching her dance and sway before she made her way to the top of the pole and slid down it upside down with only her back legs keeping her from falling to the stage in a heap. When she reached the floor I gazed into those deep purple eyes and proffered the hundred to her in a way that she’d see both it and me. She took the bill from me with her mouth. What can only be described as a seductive smirk as she leaned back and slid it down her neck, across her chest and into the front of her sparkling G-string. The guy next to me fainted. I smiled. “It’s got friends,” I said to her as she continued to dance, “I’ll be at the bar.” With that, I slowly backed away from the stage making sure she saw exactly where I was headed. I continued to watch Trixie dance from a distance. Even when she connected with one of her other admirers she would still occasionally look my way to check if I was still present and unoccupied. Each time she looked my way her smoldering gaze would burn into mine. She was very good at what she did, but each time I saw her eyes the only thing I saw were dollar signs and she had me marked as a high roller. Just as I’d hoped she would. By the time her set ended she’d collected a number of singles and fives and made her way off of the stage in my general direction. “Gentlemen give it up for Trixie Lulamoon! Give up some of that Animatic love for her and our next dancer. You’ve heard of a bird on a wire? Well, here’s pussy on a pole! Here comes the ever talented Mikasa A.!” I only have time to note the next dancer, a dark haired anime looking chick when the Trixie hops into a stool next to mine. “Well now,” she began with a coy smile, “I haven’t seen you before. Where are you from stranger?” “Los Angeles.” “Ooh,” she cooed as she climbed onto the bar and then into my lap, “I hear it never rains or gets cold there.” “Oh, it can get plenty cold,” I said with a smile, “Especially if you’re alone.” “Well,” she said wrapping her forelegs around my neck while leaning into my ear too whisper, “I can keep you company and entertained if you want mister….” “Dawson. Leon Dawson. Yeah, that sounds like fun but,” I whispered back, “I have some questions about you and Twilight Sparkle in Mexico that need answering.” She didn’t say a word at first as her forelegs tightened around my neck before she released me and stood on the bar and glared at me. All of the goodwill was now long gone as she screamed, “Karl, I’ve got an asshole here!” In short order I felt the tap of the large bouncer I’d sized up before on my shoulder. “Really Trixie? Is this really necessary?” “Sir,” huffed Karl over my shoulder, “It’s time for you to leave.” “What is he about 6’ 8?” “Oh yes,” said Trixie confidently, “And twice as tough. Tell Twilight she can kiss my ass!” I nodded and leaned to one side. Without warning I reached back grabbed, squeezed and twisted Karl’s family jewels. The bouncer shrieked in pain, at an ear splitting decibel that startled everyone. Trixie’s eyes went wide, her mouth agape. From behind me I could hear the thud of the startled Mikasa falling off of the stage as Karl begged me to let him go. “Trixie this is important,” I began, “Jason Schwartz was murdered last night in Equestria and Twilight is suspect numero uno.” Trixie's mouth closed as her eyes darted back and forth as she debated internally what she should do. After what felt like a minute she laid a hoof on my free hand. “Let him go. We’ll talk back in the lounge.” I let Karl go and he promptly collapsed to the floor and clutched his groin in pain as he sobbed. Walking away from the bouncer I called out to him, “No hard feelings Karl. I’ll be good.” Trixie hopped to the floor and beckoned for me to follow her, “How did you know he was exactly where he was?” “Well, I spent some time in county. Suffice it to say if you don’t want to make friends in the showers you’d better know where everyone is and react accordingly.” “I’m assuming then that you were fairly lonely.” “The loneliest; which suited me fine.” We walked back to the Fantasy Lounge which was less of a lounge and more of a series of elaborate cubicles. The walls were tall, but thin. She pulled the curtain behind us shut as I looked around the ‘lounge.’ The cubicle she chose was a dark purple with silver metal furniture and a couch that she ushered me to but I was none too happy to sit on. “Just sit down,” she said, “No one has been in here yet. It’s been slow even for an afternoon.” I sat down and she sat on top of me. “This isn’t really necessary you know.” “Illusions Leon,” she said coyly, “If anyone came in here and we were just chitchatting the chatter would be over really quick.” “Okay.” “So,” she said as she adjusted her position on my lap, “Twilight is in trouble?” "Tons." She sighed and looked down, “I swore I’d never help her again after what she did to me.” “Which was?” “First thing’s first,” said Trixie as she ground her hips against mine, “This room isn’t cheap. That C note you passed me better not be the only one you had on you.” “I’ve got the money,” I snorted, “And stop grinding. I thought this was all an illusion.” “It’s a habit get over it.” “Break the habit and spill.” “Money first!” “Then get off of my lap!” She gets off of me and stands on the cushions next to me. I dropped another hundred in front of her as I muttered, “From children’s show actress to one step above an escort.” “Second thing is second and it’s not my life story,” said Trixie as she took the money and stuffed it down the front of her G-string, “So what happened that led you to me? How did Twilight land in so much trouble?” As I began to explain the details she crawled back into my lap stating that there was no way she was sitting on this couch. I shuddered and knew I’d have to burn these clothes later. Suffice it to say I let her know the particulars. I was hired to protect Twilight from Schwartz. That he was found murdered in Equestria and that it had to do with a picture she’d taken in Mexico while they were on vacation. "Jesus I don't even know what to say," said Trixie thankfully not grinding her hips against me as she spoke. "Just, just wow. I would be lying if I said a part of me wouldn't just love to go back to Equestria and rub it Twilight's face. I’d also be lying if I said part of me didn’t want to help her any way I could." “You should probably stick to your second inclination.” Trixie sighed sadly and looked away from me, “I wish someone would have helped me out after I got canned from the show. Not that anyone cared, or at least not that I saw anyway. Here they hire you to protect her and find out what’s going on.” I closed my eyes when I realized this was going to take a while. She had a lot she wanted to say and she would say it allowed. “How’d you end up here Trixie?” She leaned forward and rested her head on my shoulder. It wasn’t long before I felt my shoulder dampen with the occasional tear. "I met Dino Bresciano during season one. He said that if I ever needed work outside of the show to come see him. He introduced himself as a legitimate business owner who loved the theater and whose daughter loved my work on the show. Once I was fired I couldn’t pay for food, utilities and I was going to be homeless. So I called him. He took care of those issues but I had to work for him in exchange. It’s a racket is what it is," she said spitting out the last few words. "Acting gig my ass! They said I could show off my real talents. I should have known the kind of talents they were talking about. Now I'm stuck here while they take almost sixty percent of what I make in exchange for all the ass grabbing I can handle. Whoopee! Ain't life grand?" "I take it these aren't the people you can just walk away from." "Tried a few times but things always happen. The boss disappears, the boss’s kid disappears, the place burns down. It’s always something." “Well, at least you don’t have kids. Running is a lot more difficult when you do.” Trixie barked out a humorless laugh, "I have a son. That’s why I work the day shift." “I didn’t know,” I said sympathetically petting her back, “I’m sorry that you’re in a squeeze.” "It's not your fault. Just the way the world worked out for me," she said sitting up and shrugging, "But you didn't come here to listen to my sob story. What is it you want to hear?" "Tell me about Twilight and Mexico." Trixie told me about how she and Twilight had been like sisters prior to that trip to Mexico. She told the story about how she’d introduced Twilight to her first boyfriend followed by how Twilight had been lobbying for Trixie to get her own variety show separate from the main show. “It was supposed have all sorts of acts and sketches. It was going to be lots of fun,” she said with a smile as she sat up. She then talked about the tension that grew on set once Faust left the show. “On that day everything went from above board to a litany of secrets and rumors. One of them almost led to me stomping Fluttershy’s head in.” “Why?” “Why else? Discord’s wandering eye and penchant for ponies,” she cocked her head, “It’s simple really, if you tell enough truth then the part that’s a lie is easy to believe. He’d been with a few mares but not me. But, that was the rumor and she believed it.” "So you didn’t?” “Yuck! No.” Trixie’s face twisted in disgust before slowly shifting to one of mischief. With a smirk she began to squirm in my lap again. “Fluttershy might like mismatched dragon things but not me. I like ponies and if I go after anything else it would have to be really special. I might make an exception for cute.” “We’re off topic.” “Sorry,” she said as she continued to wriggle in my lap, “But you did lead us there.” “And please, just sit still,” I growled. “Well it’s not my fault your lap has become more uncomfortable over time. Now why might that be?” “We’re way off topic,” I said glaring at her, “But if you must know it’s been a really long time and frankly the friction is bugging me. If you’d just sit on the couch it would go away or I could drink it away or something.” “Hmm, no I’ll stay right here. It keeps you honest,” she said with a smirk, “But I won’t squirm. Now, where were we?” I sighed, “You were talking about tensions on the set once Lauren Faust was no longer on the show.” Trixie continued with her story. She noted that even after Faust left she stayed in contact with Twilight. The two sent one another e-mails, cards, and even called one another when time permitted. It wasn’t quite the same but, according to Trixie, it meant the world to Twilight. Every day she would check for messages. On the days Lauren responded Twilight was much happier. If she called that joy could last the purple, eventual alicorn, for the week. If however, they couldn’t talk or message for an extended period of time Twilight would become more somber, the smile would still be there if faint. The cloud of fear of being replaced or forgotten would start to creep into her and everything she did would have a hint of quiet desperation. One day the fear was realized. On that day Trixie had come by to share a late lunch and do some window shopping for swimsuits. She’d let herself in, which was customary at the time, and after a little search found Twilight curled up on the floor, a smudged letter and her phone by her. After calling her name a few times Trixie put a hoof on Twilight who began bawling harder than she’d ever seen before. “She was a mess. I’d never seen anyone like that before. But I guess when someone you really care for tells you to get lost and leave me alone you take it to heart.” I sat quietly and raised one of my hands a tad and asked, "How do you know it was Faust who sent the letter?" “What do you mean? I mean I read it so….” “Well,” I began, “Tensions were high and you guys were at each other’s throats. Didn’t it occur to you it could be a forgery?” “The number was blocked as well.” “I see.” Shortly after that day Trixie came up with the idea that Twilight needed a vacation. Some place warm and away from all of the negativity of the show and life in general. After some ‘horn twisting’ she convinced Twilight of the same thing. “We weren’t going to be shooting for a while, since they were doing the Equestria Girls movie and most of that had human types in it. So I figured why not Mexico? Besides maybe the time away would do us both some good. Booze, sun and plenty of fun.” “Where’d you go?” “The Pueblo Bonito Rose in Los Cabos, Mexico.” “Swanky.” “Well back then when you partied with Trixie you went all out,” said Trixie as her eyes began to mist over. She looked away from me, “It was the last time I ever saw her, happy or otherwise.” I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the part of the photo I had and showed it to her, “When did this happen?” “Oh,” said Trixie as she wiped her eyes, “Him.” “Him who?” “That’s Kevin. We met him after a day of shopping, sitting by the beach and working on getting a proper buzz,” Trixie sighed, “Tall, blonde and cute. From where I stood in some ways he could have put a Clydesdale to shame if you take my meaning.” “No. Please. You’re far too vague,” I said rolling my eyes. “Anyway, Twilight was smitten and he’d said he was a fan of the show. So we all chatted and he bought us a few drinks, signed some autographs, and took a couple of pictures by the pool and beach and that was it.” “So you didn’t try to….” “No,” said Trixie shaking her head, “I mean if I’d been alone sure but, Twilight needed the cheering up. But, as usual, she didn’t act. I did tell her I gave him her number though. She got so embarrassed. It was cute.” I was out two hundred bucks on something that was beginning to feel like a dead end. Yet, why would Schwartz be so adamant about getting a worthless photograph to Twilight? Even though it felt pointless I decided to ask, “So what happened afterward?” “We decided to check out the nightlife. Went to a restaurant, checked out a few clubs, danced and drank heavily. Needless to say our buzz morphed into us becoming totally sloshed by the time we wound up back at the hotel bar. It was then we got stupid and started arguing,” Trixie sighed, “I can’t remember about what exactly. Probably something stupid, like most drunk arguments.” "How bad did it get?" Trixie described the general argument. The shouting, the swearing and general lack of good manners the two of them showed one another. At one point the bartender told them to keep it down and they turned on him before resuming their original spat. According to Trixie it got so bad that she tried to punch Twilight. “So you took a swing at her and missed.” “I have a good right but, yeah I missed and landed face first on the floor. Then she starts crying and I start crying and we're making complete asses of ourselves. At that point hotel security came down and escorted us back to our rooms. I don’t remember much after that other than waking up to that wicked sun and the worst hangover I’d had in years.” “I know what that’s like,” I said sympathetically, “Then you swear that as God as your witness you’ll never do that again.” “Pretty much, but then you go and do it anyway. The next weekend right,” she said with a smirk. “Something like that.” "Anyway I woke up around one in the afternoon the next day, pretty hung over and I start to remember how stupid we both acted. I called Twilight up on my cellphone to apologize for what happened, figuring she would do the same. We'd laugh about it, make up and continue having fun." Trixie paused and sighed shaking her head. Things obviously didn’t go that way. "Well I tried calling her phone but I got no answer. I called and I called but still the only thing I was able to get was her answering service. I don’t know what I said. I just started getting this weird feeling like something was wrong so I went to her room and started pounding on the door. Still no answer and this feeling in me was getting worse. So finally I go to the front desk and ask the hotel staff for access, they tell me she checked out three hours ago and is heading back to Canada. I was in full freak out mode then." "Was it because of the fight? Did you finally get a hold of her?" "Eventually after my one millionth try, she finally did answer my call," said Trixie as she slowly adjusted herself on my lap in such a way that there was no friction. Her head hung low for a moment until she looked me in the eye and continued quietly, "It was awful. She was crying and yelling at me asking, ‘How could you do this to me? You’ve ruined my life’. She yells at me for a few minutes then hangs up. That was the last time I have talked to her. Friendship over." "What does she think you did?" I asked. "An article appeared in Equestria Daily and Horse News about Twilight's little escapade complete with a video of her making a fool of herself. The footage was uploaded from me apparently from my account." "Which you didn’t do but, she assumed you did.” "Like I said I don’t remember any of it. I got to the room the door was opened for me and the next thing I know it’s the afternoon. That’s the Mexico story, for the most part." I tried to sit up but she pushed me back gently and laid her head on my chest. I had to lean my head back to avoid getting poked with her horn. "So that’s what got you fired." “Not just that,” she said with another long sigh, “As I was headed to the airport I got a text from Twilight. I’ll never forget it. It said, ‘What goes around comes around bitch.’ Five minutes later I get a text from some studio execs about some photos of me and some others doing all sorts of things.” “Like what?” “The type of things that you,” she said tapping my chest gently, “Would have to pay me to do.” “I see.” “It sucked,” she said turning her head so her face looked at mine, “I got reamed by both Hasbro and DHX’s exec saying it was me and they could prove it.” "How could they say that?" I asked. "I have seen other toon look-a-likes do porn why were they so sure that it was you in those photos?" In response Trixie lifted up her hoof and pointed it at me. It took me a few moments in the poor lighting to see it but I finally did. It was a heart shaped mark on the bottom of her hoof and in the middle was the words HB/DHX and MLP underneath it. "Is that a stamp?" I asked. "Meet Hasbro's dirty little secret," said Trixie. “Actually they all do it. Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, all cartoons that have been created in a studio have been stamped somewhere on their bodies. No one likes to talk about it but we all have one. It's how they keep track of us. How they can tell the real ones from the fake. In a bunch of the pictures you can clearly see my stamp. That was enough for Hasbro. They managed to snag all of the pics before it got out. They paid a good amount of money to keep things contained. That was it for me. In the span of one day I lost my best friend, my respect, my job and my home." "So where does Jason fit into all of this?" "Jason was a regular here before I started. Most nights he was coming in when I was leaving. But up until eight months ago he usually came in at night to see that Jade Lavender pony." "The one who looks like Twilight right?” "Yes. He hung out with her, bought dances and tipped reasonably. One day he decided to check if us toons were anatomically accurate. Jade never did extras, just dances and he got rough. He got arrested. Somehow, he was able to get back into the good graces of my boss and come back but Jade wanted nothing to do with him after that. She's a nice girl but not the brightest. Still thinks one day she will be discovered by Hasbro and wind up on the show. After that he started coming in earlier and hung out with me." "Did he ever try anything with you?" I asked. "One time he did and almost got his hand broke because of that." Trixie said with some satisfaction in her voice. "After that he behaved himself.” “You’re pretty quick.” “Reasonably strong too. It’s why I was impressed with how you handled Karl back there. I didn’t think you were capable.” “I’m full of surprises.” "Anyway, when he found out I was the real Trixie from the show he started asking me all these questions about the show, specifically about Twilight. I didn’t mind telling him. I figured let him be someone else’s problem. He even asked me if I had anything from the show I was willing to part with for money." "I take it you sold him your pictures of the trip." "It was the only thing I had I was willing to let go," said Trixie. "I brought him the pictures we took in Mexico on our vacation along with a few others. He saw that one with Twilight posing with that guy and he went ape shit and offered me six hundred dollars for the picture along with an extra three hundred for the originals and I delete my copies. I couldn’t say no to that." I looked down at her and smirked. Slowly she sat up and smirked back at me. Returning to her original position so that she now looked at me on an even level. “You tricked him didn’t you,” I asked. "We’re kindred spirits aren’t we,” she said with a chuckle, “I figured what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him and just gave him a copy.” “That’s tricky Trixie.” “It’s in my name,” she said and kissed me on the nose, “One second.” She hopped off of me and left the room for a moment and came back with a napkin that had an address written on it. “Where’s this?” “It’s my place,” she said as she hopped back into my lap, “It’s safer there and I can print you out a fresh copy to take with you. Maybe if you’re a good boy we can do something about that uncomfortable lap you have there. No charge on the last part cause much to my surprise I think I actually might like you. Being kindred spirits and what not.” The idea of what she was proposing was uncomfortably similar to that which Applejack had proposed the previous day. Unlike Applejack however, I’d have to go there if I wanted to see whatever else might be in that picture. "The photo,” I asked trying to stay on topic. “Well,” she said quietly, “That’s open to negotiation later, preferably sometime tomorrow morning.” “Well, I guess that’s a date isn’t it?” “That it is,” said Trixie beaming, "Don't get me wrong, there was a time when I would have gladly held Twilight face first in a vat of chemicals bare hoofed until the bubbles stopped coming up. It still hurts to think about her and what’s happened to me, but three years is a long time to think about everything. After talking with you a lot of it doesn't make sense. The Twilight I know wouldn't do something like that no matter what happened. And if she did when? Did she just have those images lying around waiting for the day I piss her off? And further more if she did take them who was the pony that posed in them? It had to be someone from DHX and I can't think of anyone that would. If the bosses ever found out…." Someone cleared their throat from behind the curtains, "Trixie your regular from the EQD is asking for you," it said. “Well, I guess that’s that,” she said to me as she hopped off. She turned to the curtain and said to the voice behind the curtain, “Get my hat and cape. He likes me to wear those when I work my ‘magic.’” “So sometime in the morning then?” Trixie nodded, “I hope this helps you out. I really do. Oh, and tell Twilight I said hi and no hard feelings on my end?” With that she exited the room with a flourish leaving me with more than I’d had when I went in. The cool evening air caught me off guard as I walked toward what I hoped was the nearest rental car place. I tugged my jacket tight about me and doubled my pace glad to be out of the Animatic and with the help of a couple shots of bourbon rid of the why wood I’d grown while in the Fantasy Lounge. From my pocket I could hear the complaining of my cell phone and feel its vibration against my hip. I growled, pulled it out and saw that it was Twilight’s number. “Yes,” I asked as I put the phone to my ear. “Leon? Is-is that you,” she asked. “Yeah,” I said in an even tone. "Leon, I need your help. There’s trouble."