Sitting there, I impatiently twiddled with my hooves as I awaited the results from the exam. “Bulk Biceps, please come to the front desk.” This was it. The results that would sculpt my future. Standing upright, I walked heavily, my muscles weighing down my every step full of anticipation, to the front desk. “Bulk Biceps?” asked the mare at the front desk.
“YEAH!” I answered, a bit too intensely I guess because the mare’s mane had become disheveled by the shout and her wide eyes stared at me. I felt a bit of a blush grow to my cheeks at seeing the repercussions of my booming voice. The mare regained her focus and grabbed the top paper from a large pile.
“Here are your results.” She said monotone as she slid them across the desk toward me.
“THANK YOU VERY MUCH.” I said as I grabbed the paper and made my way back to my seat. After I wedged myself into my seat between two other ponies, I finally turned over the paper. 98%. I had passed! Excitement and relief filled my lungs as I let out a great sigh and then took in a sharp breath before yelling, “YEAH!!!” Everypony in the building peered toward me but I didn’t care because I just passed my masseuse exam and now qualified for a masseuse license.
Ever since I was young, I was always a bit louder, a bit bigger, and a bit clumsier than others. At first, I used exercise as a way to fit in because all the other bodybuilders were just like me. After a while though, I realized that my muscles can only grow so large and that they were at their peak of awesomeness, so I needed a new outlet. I always loved giving massages. When I was little, I would give my father a massage after working in construction sites all day and I loved how I was able to take his stress away and make him feel awesome. I decided I wanted to make everypony feel awesome so I went to masseuse school and started training there. My family all said I would never pass or make a living from it. My gym buddies all said I was growing soft and girly. Everypony at the school snickered because they thought I didn’t have the right touch of a masseuse. Well, I ignored them all and instead pursued my crazy dream. Studying hard night after night and practicing each new skill we learned in class, I kept wishing I had never gotten my muscles so large because it made it so hard to delicate but I persevered. It eventually came time for me to take the final exam, that would determine if I passed or failed, determine whether everypony was right or I was, and determine that I could reach for the stars and grasp them or that I would always fall short. That exam was now taken, competed, and passed. A smile grew on my face as I realized my dream was coming true, I WOULD be a masseuse and nopony could stop me now.
The next day, I went to get my official licences. I’m so PUMPED! I walked in straight for the desk. Looking up from her work, the mare jumped at tiny bit before recomposing herself and saying, “What I can I do for you, sir?”
“I’M HERE TO GET MY MASSEUSE LICENCES.”
Wide-eyed, the mare continued, “Did you bring your test and some sort of official ID?”
Reaching into the small bag on my back, I pulled out my exam and ID and placed them on the desk. “HERE.”
“Thank you.” The mare said as she took them. Looking them quickly over, she slid them back to me and responded, “Go down to the hallway and it’s the first door on the left. And give them this note so they know I let you back there.” She handed me a scribbled note and returned to her laptop. Picking up my stuff, I headed down the hall and got to the first door on the left. Taking a deep breathe, I walked in. A large white sheet hung on one wall with a camera and many lights facing it. A stallion, wearing a scarf and director’s hat, came from behind the camera over to me.
“Ready for your picture?” He asked.
“YEAH!” A bit taken back at first, the stallion quickly bounced back into his charismatic self.
“Oh, I almost forgot, I need to see you got a note from Saundra, did you?”
“YEAH,” I said as I gave him the note.
“Perfection, then let’s make some magic.” He trotted over to his camera. “Now just stand in front of the white backdrop, look at me, and SMILE.” I quickly walked over and positioned myself directly in front of the camera. “Now a BIG smile.” He urged. I smiled my largest smile possible, showing all my teeth. *Click* *Click* *Click* *Click* “Okay, all done.” He announced. Moving from his camera, the stallion then turned to the computer behind him and began uploading the recent pictures. Dropping the smile, I felt my mouth start to uncramp.
“HOW DID THEY COME OUT?” I asked as I walked over to the computer.
“Fabulous, but which do you want to use for your actual license?” He asked as he scooted away from the computer for me to get a better look.
“I LIKE THAT ONE.” I pointed to one where my smile looked glowing rather than painful.
“Great choice. I’ll have them print it out in no time. You can go back out to the waiting room and sit down for a second though.”
“I THINK I WILL, THANKS.” I walked out the door with a smile on my face. this was really happening. I was going to be a masseuse! I got to the waiting room and sat patiently. After only a few minutes passed, another stallion came out of the hallway and put a parcel on the front desk. My heart leaped.
Saundra looked at the name and called, “Bulk Biceps?” I got up and swiftly marched over. “Here you go.” She said as she slid it to me.
“THANK YOU.” I picked up the parcel, opened it, and took out my new official masseuse license.
The next day. It was now time to start looking for a job now that I was certified. I went to the PonyVille Spa to see if they were hiring. Walking in, I was met by Lotus Blossom. “How may I help you today?” She asked with a soothing voice and light smile.
“I WAS WONDERING IF YOU ARE HIRING.”
Her eyes lit up. “We actually could use some more help, well depending the department you were looking into.”
“I’M A MASSEUSE.” I explained as I showed her my license.
“Oh...ok” she answered a bit surprised. “Well we do need some more masseuses since we only have Gretta, Aloe and I right now; well I will talk to my co-owner and get back to you, but I think you seem very promising.” Wow, that went rather well and she actually thought he could do it, that was a first. Walking out, a new confidence filled me. I couldn’t wait to hear back.
After a few excruciating days of waiting, I got a letter in the mail. It read:
Dear Bulk Biceps, after looking over your credentials and experiences, we believe you will be a fine addition to our team. Come in on Tuesday to discuss work hours, our companies policies, and any questions you may have. See you Tuesday. Sincerely, Aloe and Lotus Blossom
Monday came and went with not much eventfulness, but then it was Tuesday, the day I had waited for. I walked into the spa. Immediately, Lotus Blossom spotted me from the front desk and motioned me over. “Go into the third door and Aloe will be there. I’ll be joining you two shortly.” I nodded and walked over to the third door. It was a light blue with a white lily painted across it. Opening the door, I walked into a room that must be their office. Aloe looked up from her papers and motioned toward the chair. Taking the invitation, I squeezed myself into the seat.
“So, in the PonyVille Spa we take pride in our peaceful and serene environment. While working here, you will have to try to preserve that aspect as you work and are in the spa.” A bit of fear took hold of me at this, I’ve always been known to be quite loud so I would really have to work on that. Lotus Blossom entered the room and took a seat by Aloe. She handed me some papers she had brought in.
“These are your work hours. You do receive some vacation days as well also written on the pages I just gave you. Also, we don’t give you a limit of sick days because we want to keep our customers as healthy as possible so if you’re sick don’t work through it, just stay home, ok?”
“YEAH.” Both ponies flinched slightly.
“Do you have any questions?”
“YES, WHY DID YOU CHOSE ME FOR THIS JOB?” This question had been filling my mind and I really wondered the reason.
“Well,” Aloe explained. “We have decided to give a new kind of massage for ponies who are very tense and stressed. We call it, Extra Strength Hot Stone Deep Tissue Massage, and you would be the perfect masseuse to do it since all of our other masseuses aren’t strong enough.” His own special massage! This was amazing! And he could thank it all to his muscles for getting this amazing opportunity.
The next day was my first official day. I got up early and raced over to the spa. Lotus Blossom met me at the door. “Are you ready for your first day?”
“YEAH!”
“You may want to take it down a notch when the customers get here, but for now, great enthusiasm.” She said as she began to lead me through a blue door. Picking up some clothes, she turned to me, “Here is your uniform.” I took it gladly and went to the restroom to change. Coming out, I was dressed in light blue shirt and cap both dressed with a cherry red button. I walked back to Lotus Blossom who began to explain the spa’s different processes. “So when a pony asks for a massage, I will walk out and ask: Did somepony order a massage? then they will come in tell us which massage and we give them the one they of their choice. I, Aloe, or Gretta will take most of the massages and you will do your special one, sounds good?”
“YEAH!”
“Ok then, well the spa is about to open so I will be off to the front desk.” She hurried away toward the front. I could hear the small bell give a quick tring. Somepony came really early today. I could faintly hear some voices as they moved toward the hair salon area.
“Don’t worry about it Twilight, I bet they’ll do a great job so just relax.” It was Princess Twilight! and her one friend uh… what was his name… Spike! I wonder if one of them may choose the Extra Strength Hot Stone Deep Tissue Massage.
The bell rang a few more times as ponies filed in, some for pedicures, others mane care, and some just to go into the hot tub, but no massage orders. sigh. I guess ponies really don’t want to get a massage from a clumsy muscle pony. I felt a bit of moisture come to my eyes. What was I doing here? Did I ever really think I could be a true masseuse and ponies would really accept me as that? Well apparently not. I started heading to Aloe and Lotus Blossom’s office to tell them I quit. As I walked there, Spike came running in. “Where’s Twilight?” I pointed my hoof toward the hair salon. “Okay thanks.” He said as he dashed off. I wonder why he was frantic to find Twilight. I could hear some talking coming from the salon. Curiosity drove me, as I inched a bit closer to hear the words more distinctly. “Uh.. I mean I’m not ready to go yet.” It sounded like Spike’s voice. “Why don’t we have a massage?” I inched a bit closer with a sliver of hope left. “I was really hoping to get ..uh.. this thingy.” I drew even closer. Which ‘thingy’?
“The Extra Strength Hot Stone Deep Tissue Massage?” The voice sounded like the Princess.
“Yup.” The dragon answered. Shock and happiness flew into me all at once. Somepony actually wanted my massage. I ran as quick as I could to the massage room from the back door just as Lotus Blossom stepped out and asked her question.
“Did somepony order massages.”
My excitement was too much and instead of waiting I burst through the wall into the hair salon and yelled, “YEAH!”. I ran over to Spike and enthusiastically said, “LETS DO THIS LITTLE DRAGON.” I picked him up in my triceps and strutted through the wall, creating a second hole, into the massage room. I couldn’t believe it. My very first customer as an official masseuse and giving him a massage only I could do. I realized that Aloe and Lotus Blossom were right, I was the right stallion for the job and would not let them down.
