Sunday mornings were usually pretty quiet in Ponyville. That’s not to say that they didn’t see their fare share of mayhem, with a monster attack or magical mishap or changeling invasion happening from time to time. Though, if folks were to be honest, those incidents paled in comparison with the destructive power unleashed by the three little fillies known as the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Tensions, and insurance premiums, tended to rise anytime they were out crusading. But on this Sunday morning those three were thankfully no where to be seen and the town was peaceful and mostly deserted. Some ponies had gotten an early start to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather while many would have been just as happy sleeping until late afternoon.
Golden Harvest fell in with the former. She had come to the town market to sell her produce. Sunday wasn’t a busy market day, with most stands closed, but there were typically a few vendors who would always come. Burnt Oak never missed a day. He said folks needed firewood no matter what day of the week it was. The Flower sisters had the same view; they were always ready to sell a bouquet to a stallion for an important date or an unlucky husband who had forgotten his anniversary. On the other end of the scale, there were those who couldn’t afford not to be open, willing to work long and hard for every bit they could earn. Then there were others who just couldn’t stay away. Perhaps they didn’t have anything else to do, or maybe they enjoyed the company too much, or possibly they found that the market was the perfect place to give and get gossip.
Golden Harvest came because she fortunately had too much produce and needed to sell it before it started to rot. Her farm, just on the other side of Sweet Apple Acres, yielded bumper crops every year. Onions, beets, and potatoes grew in abundance. Then there were the carrots. Not only did she cultivate a vast field of them, they grew to enormous size. She was so well known for her carrots that folks had taken to calling her “Carrot Top.” Golden Harvest really didn’t care for it, but once you acquired a nickname, it was hard to get folks to stop using it. Just ask “Big Mac.” She, at least, still called him by the name he used when they were classmates at Ponyville Elementary: “MacIntosh.”
But before she could officially open and sell her produce, she had to get her stand ready for customers. At the moment, she was fiddling with her canopy. Though it was a cool fall morning, the afternoon promised to be quite warm. She wanted to have her canopy set up to shield herself and perusing customers from Celestia’s burning sun. It was the same canopy she used every day. Just a simple canvas awning supported by four wood poles. But no matter how many times she had set it up, she always struggled with it. Thus far she had managed to stretch the canvas over three of the vertical poles. Now she attempted to get the final corner secured. She pulled, the canvas awning going taught. She pulled harder, the canvas fighting her every inch of the way. Just a little farther. With one final yank, she got the canvas over the final pole. Success! Smiling with triumph, she wiped her brow. Then she turned, only to let out an exasperated groan. The canvas had popped off the opposite pole!
“Need a hoof, sugarcube?”
Glancing over, Golden Harvest’s smile instantly returned. “Applejack!”
The farm pony ambled over to the opposite pole. “Now just hold yer side, and Ah’ll get this end on.”
Nodding, Golden grabbed her corner with her mouth. As Applejack worked to get the awning over the far pole, Golden could feel the pull of the canvas and she dug her hooves into the ground. A moment later she was happy to see her canopy all set up. Somehow, it was always easier with two ponies. And usually, that second pony was Applejack.
“Thanks,” she said earnestly.
Applejack chuckled, “Anytime.” She returned to her chosen spot. Awaiting her was a simple wooden cart with a large painted apple for a sign to denote its goods. She pulled out baskets of ripe red apples and... that was it. She was ready and open for business.
Golden shook her head. It was so easy. Maybe she should invest in getting a fancy cart? Well, not today. She hauled her produce to her stand and busied herself with adjusting the displays. Twenty minutes later, she was ready. Bushels of potatoes, beets and onions ringed the inside of the stand. And in the middle, the main attraction, stood a table with a veritable cornucopia of large mouthwatering carrots.
Golden took her position outside her booth and awaited customers. Currently they were the only two vendors in the market, so they shared a monopoly. But unfortunately business appeared rather slow today, even by Sunday morning standards. Oh well, she could strike up a conversation with her friend to pass the time. “So, how are you today?”
“Just fine,” replied Applejack.
“How’s MacIntosh doing?”
“Oh, he’s out of town at the moment. Took Granny and Bloom to see Sugar Belle.”
“That’s his marefriend who lives quite a distance away?”
“Yeah. Takes most of the morning just to walk there.”
“He does seem happier lately.”
“Eeyup.”
“Still, it can’t be easy. I’ve heard long distance relationships are really difficult.”
“Ah reckon they can be. But if’n yah really love somepony, y’all will find a way to make it work. Still, it would be nice fer her tah live a little closer.”
The conversation took a momentary break. Golden watched enviously as Applejack made a sale of a dozen apples. As the mare walked off, Golden began, “You haven’t been around here much lately.”
Applejack shook her head. “Not nearly as much as Ah used to. Ever since Twilight opened her School of Friendship, Ah’ve been busier than a termite in a lumber yard.”
Concerned, Golden asked, “That bad?”
“Well, no pony’s ever done what we’re doin’ at the School. At first, we tried tah follow the EEA – that’s Equestrian Education Association – rules. But things were terrible. Finally, Twilight had the sense to throw them out and run the school right proper. But with the semester started, we had to scramble and create our own syllabuses on the fly. And all that on top of my chores at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“It can’t be all bad.”
“No. It’s plenty of fun at times. ’Cept this past Friday.”
“What happened?”
“Well, it was time to lead a field trip. And Rainbow Dash and Ah were in charge.”
“Uh-oh.” Golden could tell where this going.
Applejack nodded. “Well, we butted heads as usual, and we got right lost in the woods.”
“Oh no!”
“We got every creatures back safe and sound. And the funny thing was – ” She had a hard time controlling her laughter. “ – they all thought Rainbow and Ah were trying to teach them a lesson in being bad friends! They said it was the best field trip they ever went on!”
“Well, it all worked out in the end.”
“Eeyup.”
“After all that excitement, Ah’m ready for a nice, quiet day at the market.”
Golden shook her head. “Not me. I’ve got all this produce to sell.”
“Well, if ya weren’t so good at growin’ it....”
“It’s a nice problem to have,” she admitted. She turned to address a trio of official-looking ponies walking through the market. “Good morning gentlestallions. May I interest you in some carrots?”
They ignored her and marched directly to the neighboring stand. Of course, everypony wanted apples this morning. When would they want her carrots!?
“Howdy,” greeted Applejack.
“Are you Applejack?” asked the tall blue pegasus in a no-nonsense tone.
“Yes sir. Would you like to buy some apples?” She swept a foreleg out over her awaiting produce.
Intantly a hoofcuff was latched around her leg.
“Hey! What’s the meaning of this!” she protested.
“You’re going to have to come with us,” said the imposing black earth pony.
“What for!?”
“You’ve got a trial starting tomorrow in Manehattan.”
“A trial! Manehattan! What are the charges?”
“You know what you did,” said the third pony, a grey pegasus.
“Help!” cried Applejack.
Golden Harvest protested. “You can’t just drag somepony off like this!”
The black pony pulled out a badge. “We have every right. We’re with the Royal Bureau of Investigation. She is wanted for a string of crimes in Manehattan. She skipped town and we tracked her here.”
Golden stood there shocked for a moment before quickly snapping out of it.
Applejack loudly protested as she was being hauled off.
“If you’re taking her, then I’m coming too!”
The black stallion eyed her suspiciously.
“She’s my friend and I’m not going to stand idly by while she’s dragged off to jail.” A hoofstomp let it be known that there was no room for argument.
“Lady – ” he began.
The blue earth pony cut him off. “If she wants to come, she can just buy a ticket. There’s no law against her riding the train with us.”
The train ride was pleasant. The first-class coach was in a new car of a fashionable model. The inside was lined with finely crafted wood paneling of dark mahogany. Large, picturesque windows afforded stunning panoramic views of the passing countryside. The purple curtains framing the windows were made of a rich fabric accented with golden tassels. Spacious benches incorporated plush cushions that pleased even the most discerning of rumps. The ventilation system provided fresh, cool air that kept the entire compartment at a comfortable temperature. The tracks to Manehattan ran straight over relatively flat land, creating a gentle ride and the occasional bump was smoothed by the car’s state-of-the-art suspension system.
Yes, it truly was a pleasant ride. Unless, of course, you were hoofcuffed for an entire day to a blue pegasus who had even less personality than Maud Pie. At first, Applejack loudly protested only for her declarations of innocence to fall on deaf ears. The agents advised her of her right to remain silent, which similarly fell on deaf ears. When she continued objecting to her arrest, they very strongly encouraged her to exercise her right to remain silent. Finally, after an hour, Applejack had given up pleading her case, with her voice growing raspy and hoarse. And Golden Harvest fared no better. Every question posed to the government agents was met with a refusal to answer. Any attempts to engage in small talk went nowhere. And amazingly the three stallions didn’t even talk amongst themselves. Thus an eerie, tense silence followed between Applejack and her jailors with Golden Harvest nervously in the middle. It was like a heavily armed armistice, with each side readying for a renewed outbreak of hostilities. Now, the only sounds came from the clickety-clack of the wheels on the track or the wind outside the carriage.
Golden Harvest glanced to her left, eyeing the commanding black earth pony who sat next to her. He towered over her, being larger than even Big Mac. Over his business suit he wore a heavy trench coat that only added to his authoritarian aura. The whole time he merely stared forward, cold and emotionless.
She returned her gaze forward. On the opposite bench sat Applejack, unhappily sandwiched between two stoic pegasus guards. The agents grimly scowled and hardly moved a muscle. They sat ramrod straight, poised and ready to resist an unlikely assault to free their detainee or the more likely scenario of having to bodily restrain an unruly and violent prisoner. Their imposing demeanor deterred anypony on the carriage from approaching. Even the train’s conductor had been visibly apprehensive about checking their tickets. But on careful observation, they were not oblivious to their surroundings; their ears twitched and their eyes darted about ensuring complete situational awareness.
Outside the morning sun had crossed the sky before slipping behind the westerly horizon. In the east the thinnest of crescent moons rose. It should have been a great night for stargazing. But it was far from dark. An artificial glow rested on the horizon. A glow that only grew with time until it saturated the night sky. A glow that slowly resolved itself into a million points of lights emanating from high-rise buildings, streetlamps, billboards, navigation aids, docked ships and the glistening bay. Golden Harvest couldn’t help but gasp at her first sight of the shimmering beauty that was nighttime Manehattan.
The train passed over a suspension bridge connecting the island metropolis to the mainland and suddenly the passengers found themselves in a deep canyon, with tall buildings lining the tracks on either side. Quickly the train decelerated and descended, until finally pulling up to a platform underneath the city’s main train station.
“Welcome to Manehattan! Last Stop! Everypony off!” announced the conductor as he opened the doors. Passengers quickly grabbed their bags and disembarked the carriage.
Applejack started to stand when the blue pegasus yanked her by the hoofcuff back into the seat. “Not yet!” he barked as Applejack shot him the stink eye.
Finally, after all the other passengers had departed the train and the platform appeared deserted, did the agents get up. The five ponies departed the coach and climbed the stairs to the grand lobby of the station. By this hour there were only a few individuals milling about, apparently waiting for the overnight to Canterlot. The five exited the front doors and found themselves on one of the main avenues of the upper west side. Without pause the black stallion led the group down the street.
“Where are we going?” wondered Golden Harvest, not really expecting an answer.
“The local police station,” he said. “They’ll be booking and processing her. We’re only involved because she skipped town and was outside their jurisdiction. R.B.I. is tasked with not only national crimes but also hunting down fugitives.”
“Ah keep tellin’ y’all,” began Applejack in an extremely husky voice, “Ah didn’t do nuthin’!”
The stallions continued to ignore her oft repeated claims while Golden advised “Save your breath, Applejack.”
The walk to the police station was pleasant. Manhattan sparkled like a diamond at night in all its glory. Tall skyscrapers were lit up and created a dazzling skyline that was far different from the quaint rural hamlet of Ponyville. The usually crowded streets and sidewalks were deserted at this late hour. The air was cool but not cold, and the faint scent of the ocean wafted through the air.
Yes, it truly was a pleasant walk. Unless, of course, you were hoofcuffed to a blue pegasus and closely guarded by two other brutes. Fortunately, the walk was a brief one of only two blocks. Shortly the five found themselves in the lobby of the police station. The black stallion led the group to the counter where an overweight police sergeant with a slightly graying mustache was seated. He put his coffee cup down next to his half-eaten jelly donut. Looking over the rather odd group of ponies before him, he asked, “How may I help you folks this evening?”
The black stallion flashed a badge. “We’re with the RBI, here to deliver a fugitive. She needs to be booked and held overnight for her trial tomorrow.”
The sergeant sighed. He pulled forth a large ledger and began taking down all the relevant information the agents relayed to him. He glanced over to the other mare. “You bringing her in too?”
“No. She’s a friend of the fugitive and insisted on coming.”
The sergeant turned around and yelled, “McColt! Callaharness! Out front!” Two police stallions arrived out front. “I need you to take Miss Apple back for processing. When you’re done, put her in a cell to await her trial tomorrow.”
The blue pegasus unlocked the hoofcuff. The officers led Applejack into the back. “Where do you think you’re going?” asked one of them.
“I’m going with her,” responded Golden Harvest.
“We don’t allow the public back here.”
Golden Harvest gritted her teeth. “I just spent all day riding a train, with my friend under arrest for crimes nopony will tell her about, coming to a city I’ve never been to. I haven’t eaten since breakfast and am dead tired. I’m going to stay with my friend until you lock her up,” she said with no room for argument.
“Miss –”
“Just go with it,” advised the black RBI stallion. “She’s a stubborn one.”
“Fine,” groused the police officer. He stood aside and allowed Golden to accompany Applejack to the back.
The four walked down a large room filled with desks. Only a few still had staff working at them but all were piled high with bulging files. Finally, they entered a private office in the back. The two motioned for the mares to sit as they pulled out forms to feed into the typewriter.
The taller pony, a white earth pony with a brown mane, sat behind the typewriter. “Name.”
Applejack sighed, “Ah already told that fella out front.”
“We need to fill out this paperwork to properly process you,” said the other. He was a muscular pegasus with a balding head.
“Fine,” grumbled Applejack, as the two officers typed up their report. When they had finished, she asked, “Are you gonna tell me what Ah’m charged with?”
“You’d better talk to your lawyer about that, Miss Apple,” said the earth pony.
“Mah lawyer?” she asked.
“Yeah,” said the pegasus. “The one who’ll be defending you tomorrow.”
She sighed, “Ah don’t have a lawyer.”
“Doesn’t somepony in your family practice law?” asked Golden Harvest.
“Yeah. Cousin Marshall’s a judge in Appleloosa. But he’s busy an’ Appleloosa’s a ways away.”
The two officers shared a frustrated look between themselves. The pegasus returned to the file cabinet. Upon seeing the large stack of forms he grabbed, Applejack let out another annoyed groan.
“We’ll get you set up with a government-appointed lawyer,” said the earth pony. “It’s late and a Sunday, so we’ll contact them tomorrow.” He began typing and asked Applejack for any missing information. She responded normally at first, but became listless as time wore on, seemingly going through the motions. Finally, after a solid hour, they had finished all the paperwork.
“Are you going to lock her up now?” asked Golden Harvest.
“No. First we’ve got to get her pictures and hoofprints for the records.”
They led the two mares to another room, with a plain white wall and camera set up to one side. Applejack stood in front of the wall while the earth pony adjusted the camera. “Miss, you’re going to need to remove your hat.”
Golden Harvest let out a half-hearted laugh.
“What’s so funny?” demanded the pegasus.
She sighed, “Sorry. But you’d be better off letting her keep her hat. I’ve lived in Ponyville all my life. I can’t think of anytime in the last five years when I haven’t seen Applejack without her hat.”
He considered her words before saying, “Nevertheless regulations require she remove her hat.”
Applejack sighed and took off her trusted stetson, revealing her beautiful golden mane. Still, given her exhausting trip and frustrating arrest, she looked far from her best in her mug shots.
The stallions led her over to a small table, where they proceeded to take her hoofprints for the official registry.
“Now what?” asked Golden Harvest.
“Now, we put her in a cell for the night,” said the earth pony.
The pegasus guided the group down a set of stairs to the basement. Truth be told, it felt more like a dungeon than a city jail. It was a long, dimly lit hallway with ten cells on either side. The walls were built of thick, rough-hewn granite blocks. Somewhere a slow drip, drip, drip came from a leaking pipe. The cold, musty air was dank and smelled foul, almost as if a toilet had recently overflowed. Given that the floor was slightly wet, Golden Harvest sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case.
As the mares walked down the cell block, the locked-up stallions took notice. They began ogling the two and giving wolf whistles. “Hey there baby.” “Come over here and give me a kiss.” “I’d like to be hoofcuffed with you.” “You wanna warm up my cell filly?” “You are a mare, right?”
Finally, they reached the last cell on the right, a small empty chamber. Applejack stepped inside, and instantly the heavy iron bars slammed shut behind her. She turned around and looked up. Golden Harvest almost gasped at the sight. Her friend appeared apathetic – numb to the whole situation. Maybe it was fatigue, or maybe something more, but the fire that once burned fiercely in her green eyes was gone.
Golden Harvest forced a smile through her own exhaustion. “Don’t you worry, I’ll be back first thing.”
Applejack merely nodded before climbing onto the worn cot and placing her hat over her face.
The two officers led Golden Harvest back through the torrent of wolf whistles and cat calls and up to the main lobby of the police station.
“Thanks for letting me be there with her, Officer....”
The earth pony said, “I’m Officer Hairy Callaharness, and he is John McColt.”
“Thank you, Officers Callaharness and McColt,” she said sincerely.
“You must be some friend,” said McColt.
Golden Harvest nodded, “Our families are neighbors and Applejack’s been a friend since my fillyhood.”
“She’s going to need a friend tomorrow when she goes to trial,” said Callaharness.
“What time should I be here?” she asked.
“No earlier than 7:30, no later than 8.”
“Okay.” She started to leave, then paused. “Do any of you know a place where I can stay? I wasn’t exactly planning on coming to Manehattan or spending the night.”
“There’s a cheap hotel three blocks down the street. Called ‘The City Stable.’”
“Thanks.” She turned and stepped outside onto the street. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting back exhaustion and frustration. This was her first visit to Manehattan. And unfortunately this trip had been nothing like she’d been dreaming about. She opened her eyes and with a weary sigh trotted down the street, passing out of the light of a streetlamp and into the darkness....
Golden Harvest cracked an eye at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 6:00. It had been such a short night. She was sorely tempted to roll over and pull the blanket back over her head. Sleep would have returned in mere moments.
Instead, still dead tired, she sat up in bed and listlessly gazed around the darkened hotel room, though honestly there wasn’t much to see.... A simple bed of a plain mattress and a blanket she was sure hadn’t ever been washed. A small nightstand with a lamp and an alarm clock. An old beat-up chest of drawers. A pile of stained sheets she had stripped from the bed the previous night before going to sleep. A window that looked out to the amazing vista of a brick wall of the adjacent building. And... nothing else. It was a far cry from her cozy home in Ponyville. It was a far cry from the luxurious upscale Manehattan hotel room she had dreamed about for her first trip to the city.
She briefly reflected on the previous night. After seeing a dejected Applejack off at the police station, she had proceeded to the hotel the officers recommended. It was a cheap hotel, alright. And full. The desk clerk noted that hotel reservations were the only way to guarantee a room in Manehattan on weekends. She pleaded her case. The staff could think of only one hotel in the area that might have availability, though they didn’t recommend it. Still she was desperate. So, after wandering the unfamiliar back streets of Manehattan in the dark, she found it. A run-down hole-in-the-wall. She almost preferred sleeping on a park bench but was sure she’d get arrested. On the plus side though, she could have shared a cell with Applejack! A jail cell probably would have been better. Instead, she took a room and fell into bed. It had been the worst night of sleep she’d ever had. At least the room was cheap, and she could stretch the few bits she’d brought.
Climbing out of bed, she grabbed a towel and trotted down the hall to the community bathroom. After taking care of business, she climbed into shower. It was just her luck the boiler would be out. She shivered under the cold water... on the plus side she was now fully awake. It was undoubtedly the shortest shower of her life.
Taking a few minutes to dry off, she looked into the dirty mirror. Everything considered, she didn’t look too terrible... almost passable. She ran her tongue over her unbrushed teeth and felt the grime from the day before.
Golden Harvest returned to her room and gathered the few things she’d managed to cram into her saddlebags before leaving Ponyville. She wished she had thought to pack a snack from her produce, but her departure from the market had been rushed and chaotic. She only had enough time to get a passing pony to look after her stand before galloping to the train station to meet up with the agents and their innocent prisoner.
She packed her saddlebags and left the room, silently hoping she’d never see it again....
Trotting down the sidewalk, Golden Harvest was forced to navigate the relentless crowds. The previous night’s deserted streets now teemed with life. She had to weave through the masses like a salmon swimming upstream to spawn. And just like a salmon, she had to evade numerous obstacles to make it to her destination.
Though she rarely gave into believing stereotypes, Golden Harvest found in this case they were true. Manehattanites unquestionably lived up to their reputation as extremely pushy, self-centered ponies! Golden Harvest quickly learned to get out of their way. And when she couldn’t, they ran into her without hesitation and failed to provide an apology. More often than not they would simply scowl at her and offer a harsh word from a seemingly endless list of expletives that she’d never heard in her life.
But the crowds were just the start. Delivery ponies rushed packages and crates from parked carts on the street to waiting shopkeepers. Restaurants were setting up outdoor tables and chairs, further constricting the sidewalks. And crossing the busy streets meant dodging carts and carriages. But worst of all was the gum. Inconsiderate ponies tossed it onto the sidewalk without thought, and it was just her luck that Golden Harvest would step onto some!
Finally one insanity of the city would be traded for another. Stepping inside the police station, she noticed that it was far busier than the graveyard shift of the night before, but still not as busy as she would have assumed. Golden Harvest expected it would be jam packed in an hour or two.
She approached the desk and smiled at the police sergeant, a different one than she met the night before.
He set his cake donut aside – seriously, the Manehattan PD were truly living up to the police stereotype! – and took in the unkempt mare who had shuffled in from the street. After eyeing her for a good thirty seconds, he inquired, “Yes?”
“Good morning, I am here to see Applejack.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Applejack?”
“She was brought in last night by the RBI,” clarified Golden Harvest.
“Sergeant Stripe did mention a fugitive being brought in during changeover.” He leafed through the ledger. “Here it is, Applejack Apple.” He looked up, “And you would be?”
“Golden Harvest.”
He eyed her again, “You’re not her lawyer, I hope.”
“No.”
“Blood relative?”
“No.”
“Spouse?”
“No, I’m her good friend –”
“Sorry,” he cut her off, “we don’t allow visits from non-family members at this hour.”
“Please, sir. I travelled all the way from Ponyville with her yesterday. I spent the night in a cheap hotel, and I’ve come to be with her through this ordeal.”
“We can’t just let you –”
Golden Harvest had seen Rarity’s dramatic performances before and gave her best damsel in distress impersonation. Of course, her shabby appearance and heartfelt plea aided her cause. And it didn’t hurt that she felt like she was on the verge of breaking down in tears. “Please, Sir. My friend was arrested yesterday in the middle of town without warning. She was –”
“Miss –”
“– physically dragged halfway across Equestria without being able to say –”
“Miss –”
“- goodbye to her family. Nopony will tell her the charges. She hasn’t had time to hire a lawyer –”
“Miss –”
“– or anything. She’s confused and scared and I’m the only link to sanity she has here. Please, sir –”
“Alright.” He reached behind and banged on the glass wall behind him. A moment later a pale-yellow unicorn came out front. “Lieutenant Beat, please escort Miss Harvest back to see Miss Apple.”
“Sarge?” the confused lieutenant protested.
“Yeah, I know,” he muttered.
Shrugging, the lieutenant said, “Follow me.”
He led Golden Harvest into the familiar office space she had seen the previous night. Now there were numerous police ponies working. Some were busy reading reports. Others filled the room with a cacophony of snaps from their typewriters. More than a few were munching on donuts....
Lieutenant Beat escorted her down a hallway to a heavy wooden door. Unlocking it, he swung it open to reveal a familiar orange mare. The pony looked unkempt, with stray hairs poking out from her mane and tail. And from the way she slouched in her chair and had her head resting face down on a table, she was clearly exhausted.
“Applejack!” cried Golden Harvest.
The pony snapped her head up at the sound of her name. “Golden Harvest!”
Silence reigned for a moment. “Well,” began the lieutenant, “I’ll leave you two mares to it.” He pulled the door shut and there was the noticeable Thunk! from the deadbolt locking.
Golden Harvest gave her best smile. “You look terrible.”
Applejack, for the first time since before her arrest the morning before, cracked a smile, “Ah hate ta break it to ya, sugarcube, but y’all don’t exactly look yer best either.”
The two broke out into a bit of laughter.
Golden pulled a spare chair over to sit across the table from Applejack. “So, how are you doing?”
Applejack removed her trusted Stetson and ran a hoof through her long, golden mane. “Well, Ah’ve been better.” Leaning back in her chair, she paused for a moment before saying, “Jail sure ain’t what Ah was expectin’, and it’s sure ain’t somethin' Ah ever want tah experience again. Them stallions in the other cells kept me up all night. They’ve been longin’ for a mare, an’ Ah was the first one they’ve seen fer a while. An’ it was mighty chilly in mah cell. Ah was cold all night.... Ah guess it couldn’t be helped. Say, it doesn’t look like yah had a great night either.”
“Well...,” began Golden Harvest. She didn’t want to depress Applejack anymore. On the other hoof, misery does love company. “I spent a night in a hotel so bad I almost wish that I had spent the night in jail.”
Applejack shook her head. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”
“The hotel charged by the hour.”
Applejack’s eyes went wide.
Golden Harvest shrugged, “It was the only place that had a room available.”
Suddenly Applejack facehoofed. “Ah was feelin’ so sorry fer mahself last night, it didn’t even occur tah me. Aunt an’ Uncle Orange live here. Ah should ’ave sent yah to stay the night with them.”
“That’s okay. It wouldn’t be right to just show up unannounced late at night and tell them their niece is a jailbird.”
“Still, yah came all this way with me, an’ y’all are havin’ the worst time on yer first trip to Manehattan,” regretted Applejack.
Golden Harvest shook her head, “It is what it is. Say, have you had anything to eat?”
“Well, Ah had some cold oatmeal this mornin’.”
“I figured as much.” Reaching for her saddle bags, Golden Harvest pulled out a couple of muffins and a few apples. “I stopped by the market to pick up some breakfast.”
Applejack snorted, “What have Ah ever done to deserve a friend like you?”
Golden Harvest laughed, “Be sure to send some of your customers my way next time, why don’t ’cha?”
Applejack laughed, digging into the muffin. “Mmm... apple. How did you know?”
She snorted, “Lucky guess.”
The two friends enjoyed the breakfast, taking time to reflect on happier times.
As they were finishing, the sound of a deadbolt unlocking caught their attention. The two mares turned towards the door expectantly. It swung open to reveal Lieutenant Beat and somepony new.
The other pony was a peculiar stallion. He was an earth pony but had more of the size and build of a pegasus. Scrawny was the word that came to mind. A pair of spectacles perched precariously upon the point of his snout, poised to plummet to the pavement. He wore a cheap brown business suit a size too big that clashed horribly with his natural lavender fur. And next to him stood a worn briefcase with a few papers sticking out of it.
The stallion picked up his suitcase and stepped nervously inside. The door slammed shut, causing him to noticeably flinch. He looked at the mares and hesitantly addressed the closest, “Good morning, Miss Apple?”
She snickered, “I’m Golden Harvest.” She motioned to the mare across the table, “Applejack is the pony with apples for a cutie mark.”
The stallion pushed the glasses back up his snout and examined the other mare. “Yes, I should have noticed that.” Then, looking Applejack directly in the eyes, he gave a weak smile as he said, “Good morning, Miss Apple.”
“Howdy,” she replied, her voice guarded and uncertain as she gauged the strange stallion who stood anxiously before them.
“My name is Whinny. I’m your lawyer.”
Relief washed over her. “A lawyer. Thank Celestia!”
Whinny pulled up a spare chair and sat his briefcase upon the table. Clicking it open, he withdrew a few folders.
“So,” began Golden Harvest, “you’ve represented a lot of ponies in court?”
Looking up to look her in the face, his glasses slipped back down. “Not that many. I only passed the bar two months ago.”
“Two months ago!”
Pushing the spectacles back up his snout, he explained, “Well, it was supposed to be last year, but the bar was really difficult... at least the first three times.”
“But you do have experience?” pressed Applejack.
“Oh yes, I’ve had... moderate success. Traffic court can be challenging.”
“Traffic Court!”
“Yes. This is the first time I’ve practiced in trial court.”
“Well, what am Ah charged with?” Applejack demanded.
Picking up the folders, he pushed his glasses up again and said, “Let’s see....”
“You don’t know?”
“I was only assigned to represent you ten minutes ago.”
As he leafed through the documents his eyes widened and he grew pale, incredible given his lavender coat. His hooves began to tremble slightly causing the papers to shake. He pulled his briefcase onto his lap and propped it upright attempting to shield his exposed barrel.
Applejack’s face fell in despair.
“Is it that bad?” asked Golden Harvest.
“Well... it’s... um... well....”
“Spit it out,” demanded Applejack.
“Armed robbery, assault, larceny, destruction of property....”
The mares stared blankly with their mouths open.
“Oh, and failure to pay a taxi fare.”
A good thirty seconds passed before Applejack said, “Beg your pardon?”
“These are some very serious charges,” Whinny said. “And it looks like there’s a long list of witnesses the prosecution has assembled to testify.” He shook his head, “This doesn’t look good. No, not good at all. I’m sorry to break it to you – please don’t take it out on me, I’m only doing my job – that you’re facing years, perhaps the rest of your life in prison. I recommend trying a plea deal. You plead guilty and some of the charges will be dropped.”
“But Ah’m innocent!”
“Of course you are....”
Applejack slammed her hoof down on the table and Whinny recoiled away, nearly toppling over in his chair.
“I’ve known Applejack most of my life. She’s a descent, hard working pony. A family pony. And honest like no other. She’s not some – gangster. I truly believe she’s innocent.” Golden Harvest smiled over to a fuming Applejack.
As he reflexively pushed his glasses back up his snout, Whinny thought for a moment. “Well, that presents another problem. If you really are innocent –”
“Ah am!”
“Well, if we work out a plea deal and you plead guilty, then it’s proven you’re innocent, then you’ll be charged with perjury, and you’ll serve jail time.”
Applejack groaned while Golden Harvest protested, “You can’t be serious!”
“I am,” said Whinny.
“So, Ah’m damned if Ah do an’ damned if Ah don’t?”
“Yes, it’s a regular Kobayashi Maru.”
“A what?”
“Kobayashi Maru. It’s from this book series I’m reading called Star Trot. You see –”
“Can we get back to Applejack’s defense?” interrupted Golden Harvest.
“Yes, of course. We really need to decide quickly on how you’ll plead. The trial will start very soon.”
Applejack protested, “Wait, ain’t there normally a whole bunch of things that need to be done before a trial?”
“Well, since you weren’t here, you were going to be tried in absentia. But when the RBI arrested –”
“Abducted.”
“– arrested, they did have a warrant. When the RBI arrested you and brought you here, the judge decided that since everything was already going ahead, to just have you stand trial.”
“That don’t make sense.”
“Well, if it’s one thing I learned in four years of law school, the law doesn’t always make sense. But we really must decide how you’ll plead. You can plead no contest, innocent, guilty, or guilty by reason of insanity.”
Golden Harvest shook her head, “If you can be guilty by reason of insanity, then all of Manehattan is guilty of something.”
“Ah’m innocent,” declared Applejack with no room for argument.
“Very well, that’s what we’ll go with.” He thought for a moment, “Where were you when the crimes were committed?”
“Ah don’t even know ‘when’ was.”
“Let’s see....”
“The last time Ah was in Manehattan was when we had to deal with a split-personality Fluttershy running Rarity’s boutique.”
“What?” asked a surprised Golden Harvest.
Applejack shook her head, “It’s a long story sugarcube.”
“You’re going to have to –”
At that moment the door unlocked and swung open to reveal Lieutenant Beat and several additional police ponies. “We must escort you to your trial,” he said sternly.
Applejack groaned as she slid off her chair.
“Wait right there!” barked Lieutenant Beat.
The other police ponies came over and shackled Applejack’s legs.
“Surely this isn’t necessary,” objected Golden Harvest.
“Lady, with what Miss Apple is charged with, we aren’t taking any chances.”
Finally, Applejack looked pitiful as she was secured in several heavy iron manacles.
Lieutenant Beat led the seven ponies through the police station. As they walked down the long office space towards the front lobby, all conversations died and typing ceased as everypony stared in ominous silence at the heavily armed escort that led a single prisoner to judgment....
Golden Harvest rarely gave in to believing stereotypes. Those who advocated them typically were biased and trying to sway uninformed ponies to their point of view. Golden Harvest liked to give everypony the benefit of the doubt and draw her own conclusions. However, she had quickly learned that the majority of Manehattanites unquestionably lived up to their reputation. Rude, inconsiderate, pushy, arrogant, careless, insensitive, self-centered... the list could go on and on. Walking the sidewalks during rush hour had been a truly dangerous experience. The crowds had turned a simple morning trot into an odyssey of self-preservation. She had to continually dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge out of their way, lest she get run over and trampled to death. And she had to look out for delivery ponies wheeling massive carts, speeding wagons and carriages on the street, the ever-present threat of pickpockets, and the random dropped wrench from a construction site.
Yes, it was truly a dangerous experience. Unless, of course, you were escorted by a squad of the Manehattan PD. If she didn’t know any better, Golden Harvest would have thought Lieutenant Beat was a unicorn wielding some powerful spell. As the group marched down the sidewalk, the morning crowds parted to either side as if by magic. It seemed that nopony wanted to mess with a group of heavily armed officers of the law as they transported their manacled prisoner to stand trial.
On the other hoof, Golden Harvest’s elation of not having to navigate the crowds was tempered by the knowledge that Applejack was having a miserable experience. And who could blame her? Getting dragged halfway across Equestria, spending the night in jail for unknown crimes, having a lawyer that left much to be desired, and the humiliation of being paraded through the biggest city in the kingdom in shackles.
After walking five blocks, the group finally arrived at the court house. It was an commanding building constructed of large blocks of chiseled white marble. A series of wide steps swept gracefully up to a grand portico of eight towering Corinthian columns. Among the finely carved statues that adorned the building’s pediment, a blindfolded mare holding a set of scales stood prominently in the center.
After checking in with security, the group approached a pair of heavy oak doors. They swung open dramatically to reveal a grand courtroom. Large skylights flooded the interior with sunlight, giving the room a sense of majesty and illuminating the upper galleries. A long center aisle stretched out before them with ten rows of benches on either side. Towards the front stood two large tables for the defense and prosecution. On the right a finely crafted balustrade cordoned off twelve seats for the jury. And dominating the entire room, upon a raised dais, stood the imposing desk for the presiding judge.
The two friends stood in awe for a moment, until one of the guards yanked Applejack forward. Golden Harvest followed the accused to the front of the courtroom, where Applejack and Whinny took seats behind one of the tables. One of the guards removed the shackles around Applejack’s legs. Golden Harvest sat on a bench right behind the defense.
Whinny placed his briefcase upon the table and removed several folders and a legal pad. He busied himself with organizing the documents he had brought.
The sound of hoofbeats from the back of the courtroom drew everypony’s attention. Golden Harvest turned and saw a pale-yellow unicorn with a stylized fiery red mane. The mare’s formal pantsuit highlighted her authority while the scowl reinforced her serious demeanor. Trailing a respectful distance behind her was an earth pony stallion in a business suit. He carefully balanced several heavy binders of documents.
“Who’s that?” wondered Golden Harvest.
Pushing his glasses back up on his snout, Whinny explained, “That’s District Attorney Tough Cookie. I wouldn’t want to go up against her.”
Both Applejack and Golden Harvest stared at him.
“Uh... I mean... if you’re guilty. Which you aren’t. Most definitely not... I need to go talk to her.” He quickly left his seat.
The two mares exchanged knowing glances.
Whinny and Tough Cookie engaged in a conversation off to the side while the DA’s assistant organized the documents.
Applejack sighed, “When Ah came to Manehattan as a filly, Ah wanted ta be a cultured pony. Ah sure as heck never thought Ah’d end up in jail.”
“Well,” said Golden Harvest, “we’ll just have to make sure that last night was a one a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
Applejack gave a half-hearted laugh.
Trying to lighten the mood, Golden Harvest said, “Applejack, tell me about the story of the split-personality Fluttershy running Rarity’s boutique.”
And so, for the next several minutes, Applejack related the story of four Fluttershys working in Rarity’s Manehattan Boutique. All the while ponies filed into the benches of the courtroom. Up front, twelve ponies took their seats as the jury. Finally, as Applejack was finishing her tale, Whinny returned to the table.
“Well?” prodded Applejack.
Taking his glasses off his snout to wipe them with a handkerchief, he said, “She wanted to make a deal.”
“Oh?” said Applejack with a raised eyebrow.
“If you pleaded guilty to the armed robbery and two of the counts of assault, she would drop the other charges.”
“Two counts of assault! How many am Ah being charged with?”
Putting his glasses back on, Whinny explained, “Ah saw at least four, but I haven’t had a chance to go through all the records.”
“Four,” repeated Applejack in a complete state of shock.
“And what did you tell her?” asked Golden Harvest.
“I told her my client would not plead guilty to any charges.”
“Well,” began Applejack with a sigh, “when does this thing start?”
Looking up at the courtroom’s clock, he said, “Very soon.”
Once again the two mares exchanged looks, but Applejack’s was far more uncertain than it had been before.
Shortly a uniformed officer entered the room and all chatter ceased. “All rise!” he commanded.
From a side door an elderly stallion entered. Golden Harvest thought he bore more than a passing resemblance to Grand Pear, except this stallion was a pale green unicorn with one stubborn streak of fading black in his otherwise grayish-white mane. He wore a standard black judge’s robe that covered most of his body, but his tail poked through an appropriately placed slit in the back. As he approached the bench, he glanced their way. Perhaps it was the light, but for the briefest of moments Golden Harvest thought he was giving them a nasty glare. No. Judges were impartial; it must have been her nerves.
“Oh shit,” muttered Whinny.
“What?” pressed Applejack in a hushed tone.
The officer announced, “Court is in session. The Honorable Judge Dread presiding.” At that, everypony took their seat.
The judge donned a pair of reading glasses and examined the documents before him.
Applejack whispered, “Is it bad?”
Leaning over, Whinny hurriedly gave a hushed explanation. “Judge Dread is a legend. He’s tried more cases than any other judge in Equestria. He’s well known for being extremely strict on the law. It’s said that he has the entire judiciary under his hoof and nopony questions his authority. When I was in law school – ”
Bang! Whinny snapped to attention in his chair. The judge set his gavel aside and surveyed the courtroom before him. “We are here today for the trial of one Applejack Apple.”
Whinny stood up, much to Golden Harvest’s surprise, though she did noticed he seemed to be trembling slightly. “Your Honor....”
Judge Dread narrowed his eyes and cast his glare down, “And you would be?”
“I – er – um – ” He shuffled uneasily.
“Yes?” pressed the judge.
He quickly spat out, “I am Miss Whinny’s attorney, Applejack.”
Golden Harvest facehoofed while Applejack buried her head in her hooves.
Apparently not expecting that answer, he was momentarily taken aback. “And who is Miss Whinny?”
“I mean – uh – I am Whinny, Miss Applejack’s attorney.”
Judge Dread leaned forward, “Are you sure about that?” Then, giving Whinny careful scrutiny, continued, “We have yet to begin, and you already wish to say something?”
“Well, I – uh – I motion that this trial be rescheduled,” he explained, pushing his glasses back up his snout.
“Rescheduled?”
“Well, if you wouldn’t mind,” he said in a lowered tone.
“Mister Whinny, we have subpoenaed all these witnesses and experts here to testify today,” he said as he swept his foreleg dramatically to indicate the ponies in the audience. “They made time in their busy schedules. Surely you do not expect to inconvenience them further by asking them to come back?”
Pushing on his glasses, even though they hadn’t slipped down, Whinny stammered, “We are not ready for this trial, your Honor. I’ve only been her lawyer – ”
“We have given Miss Apple fair warning of these proceedings. She has had plenty of time to arrange her legal defense. That she chose to ignore the summons that I personally mailed to her is her fault. I was ready to hold this trial in absentia, but since the RBI was kind enough to escort her to Manehattan, we can have this trial with her present.” He stared down Whinny. “Anything else?”
“No, your honor,” answered Whinny in a barely audible voice.
Golden Harvest leaned forward and whispered to Applejack, “What summons?”
Shaking her head, Applejack whispered back, “I dunno. I never got any.”
Judge Dread began, “Mister Whinny, I assume Miss Apple knows the charges she’s facing?”
“…”
“What was that?”
“Yes, your honor,” squeaked Whinny in a manner reminiscent of Fluttershy.
“And how would your client like to plead to the numerous charges facing her?”
“She would like to plead innocent, your honor.”
Peering over his reading glasses, he repeated, “Innocent?”
“Yes, your honor.”
Judge Dread eyed Whinny for a long time, then sat back in his chair. “Very well.” He looked over at Tough Cookie. “The prosecution may make its opening statement.”
