Adventures in Equestria Ep. 8

*It was midday in Ponyville as Mr. Helter Shelter walked up to Mezmo's cottage and knocked on the door with his hoof*

Mezmo: *opens the door* Oh, hi, Mr. Shelter. Can I help you?

Mr. Shelter: Yes, you can, Mr. Mandrake… I want my money.

Mezmo: Money? What money?

Mr. Shelter: The rent money! The money you owe me for renting my cottage to you!

Mezmo: *eyes widen in realization* Oh, right! THAT money. Well, you see, sir… Um… I…actually don't have it on me at the moment. *smiles nervously*

Mr. Shelter: *groans* That's three weeks I won't get back and I had to pay the hospital for! Now you don't only have your back rent to worry about, but my bill I expect you to pay me back for!

Mezmo: Look, Mr. Shelter, I'm really sorry for hypnotizing you, but I just needed time in order to get you the money to pay for the house. Having you think you were a chicken was just an unexpected side effect is all.

Mr. Shelter: Well, now that you've had plenty of time, I expect to see some cash soon. If not, I will be evicting you! Know that Helter Michael Shelter does not like deadbeats!

Mezmo: No, sir. Look, just give me a few more days, please! I swear on Celestia’s mane that I’ll have the money for you by then!

Mr. Shelter: *groans* Fine, you've got till the end of the week.

Mezmo: *sighs in relief* Thank you, sir.

Mr. Shelter: I better see some cash by then. If not, consider yourself evicted! *turns and walks away* I was always told humans were trouble, but I had no idea.

*As Mr. Shelter left the yard and was out of sight, Salem came walking up to Mezmo and looked out the open door*

Salem: What kind of bug crawled up his flank?

Mezmo: I'm in big trouble, Salem… Really big trouble.

*Later that day, Mezmo was over at Twilight's library, explaining what had happened earlier to his teacher*

Mezmo: So if I don't have the money by the end of the week, he's gonna evict me from my cottage!

Twilight: Wow, Mezmo. You're in a real bind alright. What are you going to do?

Mezmo: I'm gonna do what I should have done when I first arrived here… *nervously gulps* Get a job.

Twilight: Well, I wish you luck with that. I think there might be a few openings in town. I remember Fluttershy saying she just applied to be a vet's assistant.

Mezmo: Good for her, but what would I be good at? I haven't even perfected my magic yet!

Spike: Well, let's take a look. *takes out a newspaper and opens it to the classifieds* Here we are, the classified ads.

Mezmo: *takes the newspaper and looks at all the job ads* Hmm… So many jobs… Which one would be perfect for me?

Twilight: Let's try something simple… *looks at the ads in the paper* The cafe is looking for someone to bus tables.

Mezmo: Okay… Worth a shot.

*Later, at the local cafe, Horte Cuisine, a small unicorn stallion with cream colored fur, a satin blue mane and tail, along with a pencil thin moustache and a metal dinner cover cutie mark was talking to Mezmo about the responsibilities of the job*

Horte: It's simple, Mr. Mandrake. You see a table nopony is sitting at, you clear it off and clean it for the next party. You then take the dishes to the kitchen to be cleaned. Got it?

Mezmo: *nods* Yes sir, Monsieur Cuisine.

Horte: Good. You can get started on table twelve. The couple that was sitting there just left. Remember, wipe the seats too.

Mezmo: Yes, Monsieur. *walks over to table twelve and collects the dishes and glasses* There we go. *takes out a rag and wipes off the table and chairs*

Horte: Good. Now I'll just leave you to it. *walks away*

*Just then, another couple of customers got up and left their table*

Mezmo: *sees the empty table* I got it. *walks over and collects the dirty dishes and cutlery* Heh! This isn't so bad.

*As Mezmo was collecting dirty dishes, more and more customers began to leave their tables. Then some new customers began arriving before all the tables were cleared*

Mezmo: *looks to see all the new customers* Oh boy, I just had to say that, didn't I? *raises an eyebrow* Hmm… Maybe I can speed things along a it... *reaches for his baton*

*A while later, Mezmo kept at his job. Everything seemed fine, until Horte Cusine was stopped on the floor by a customer*

Customer 1: Sir!

Horte: Yes, have you been helped?

Customer 1: Yes, I have. But when I stepped away from my table for moment, my salad vanished. I was only half way through with it.

Horte: I'm terribly sorry, sir. I don't know what happened.

Customer 2: Sir! My seat is terribly wet!

Customer 3: There isn’t any silverware at my table!

Horte: I'm terribly sorry, everypony. I don't know what's wrong.

Customer 5: Sir! My plate and silverware are dancing!

Horte: *eyes widen* I beg your pardon?!

*Just then, Mezmo came out from the kitchen to see all the ponies yelling at Horte Cuisine*

Horte: Monsieur Mandrake!

Mezmo: Uh… Yes, Monsieur Cuisine?

Horte: Would you explain to me why some of my dinnerware is doing the jitterbug?!

Mezmo: Well, I was doing everything you told me to do, clear the tables, collect the dishes and such, when I noticed there were too many empty tables for me to handle. So, I decided to use a bit of magic to get the job done faster.

Horte: So you decided to animate my china?!

Mezmo: They were only meant to go into the kitchen by themselves. Guess my spell kinda went overboard, huh? *chuckles nervously* I'm fired, aren't I?

Horte: Oui! But only after you've helped me round up the forks!

Mezmo: *sighs sadly* Yes, sir…

*Later on, Twilight was walking beside Mezmo, looking at the many other job applications in the newspaper*

Twilight: Okay, so busting tables didn't work out so well.

Mezmo: *sarcastically* Gee, ya think?

Twilight: But don't worry. There's a job for you in here, somewhere. We just have to keep looking.

Mezmo: *sighs* Alright, what's next on the list?

Twilight: Let's see… *reads the paper* Oh, hey! Rarity put out an ad for someone to help her with making fabric.

Mezmo: Hmm… That could work.

*Moments later, Mezmo was at Carousal Boutique. Inside, Rarity was showing him a special room around back*

Rarity: Alright, Mezmo, all I need you to do is keep an eye on my little miracle workers.

Mezmo: Miracle workers?

*Rarity opened the door to reveal a room full of glass cases with green worms inside each and every one of them*

Mezmo: *eyes widen* Whoa!

Rarity: These are my enchanted silk worms. They came all the way from the Ibex Empire. I need you to watch over them, keep their special lights on, and make sure they eat enough.

Mezmo: So many worms… *starts to sweat* So many… *gulps* breakable cases…

Rarity: Just be careful not to over feed them.

Mezmo: Over feed…?

Rarity: Yes, I heard that it would cause a real disaster if you did.

Mezmo: *eyes widen in fear* Disaster…?!

*Just then, Mezmo daydreamed that he did indeed overfeed Rarity's silkworms, which caused them to transform into giant moths that ate up everything in the shop and reduced the building to a pile of rubble. Rarity was seen outside, yelling at Mezmo for what had happened*

Rarity: Mezmo?

Mezmo: *quickly snaps out of his daydream* Wha?!

Rarity: Is there something wrong?

*A few minutes later, Twilight was talking with Rarity and Mezmo as they sat on the steps of town hall*

Twilight: What do you mean you quit?!

Spike: What was wrong with that job? I mean, you would've gotten to work with Rarity for Celestia's sake.

Mezmo: *babbling* Da, da, da, da, worms! Ehhh, uh…glass! Umm, nuh, overfeed! Duh, duh, MOTHS!!!! BIG MOTHS!!! D-D-D-Destruction!! Boutique…gone!! Gah…Rarity…yelling… Augh!!

Twilight: *raises an eyebrow* Uh…

Rarity: It's all my fault, Twilight. When I told him what would happen if he overfed my silkworms, he just…panicked!

Twilight: I'm sure it wasn't your fault, Rarity. We'll just have to see what else is available.

Mezmo: Something without breakable glass or caterpillars, please!!

Twilight: Umm… *looks at the newspaper again* Here's something from Sugercube Corner. They need someone to help with the customers.

Mezmo: I'll take it!! *runs to Sugercube Corner at lightning speed*

*Later, at Sugercube Corner, Mr. Cake was talking to Mezmo as they were getting ready to deliver a special order*

Mr. Cake: Alright, Mezmo, all you have to do is take the customers' orders and ring them out. I'm sure you know how to make change.

Mezmo: Yeah, sure, Mr. Cake. Uh, forgive me if I seem a little jumpy, it's just that this is my third job today and I really need the money in order to keep living in my cottage.

Mr. Cake: Well, we're glad you responded to our ad. The Mrs. and I have had our hooves full with the foals and all.

Mezmo: Oh yeah, of course. Don't worry, sir, I'll do my best. Besides, this means I'll be working with Pinkie Pie.

Mr. Cake: Oh, that's another thing, make sure Pinkie doesn't eat everything.

Mezmo: Does she do that?

Mr. Cake: Sometimes we have to hide the éclairs from her. Well, I'll leave you to it. Mrs. Cake and I have a buck-mitzva we're catering. Pinkie should be busy with Pound and Pumpkin and everything should be out.

Mezmo: Alright sir. Oh, and while you're at the buck-mitzvah, tell the lucky buck I said 'La Hyam'!

Mr. Cake: Will do. *turns to Mrs. Cake* Now come on, let's get going, my little cherry tart.

Mrs. Cake: Okay, my little angel food.

*With that, Mr. and Mrs. Cake walked out the door with the food for the party. Just then, Pinkie came charging downstairs with the Cakes' foals on her back*

Pinkie: Is it true?! Are you working here now, Mezzy?!

Mezmo: Yup.

Pinkie: Oh, super duper! That's so wonderful, we should celebrate! Where are the éclairs?

Mezmo: Oh no, you don't! *pulls out his baton and points it at Pinkie's face* I'm in charge while the Cakes are gone and I say you're not allowed to eat any of the baked goods. They're for the customers only.

Pinkie: Aw, phooey! Oh well. Would you mind watching the foals for a second? I need to go back up and get their toys.

Mezmo: Okay, sure.

*Pinkie then slid the foals off her back, causing the both of them to giggle. As she left, Pound and Pumpkin looked up at Mezmo*

Mezmo: *looks down at Pound and Pumpkin* Well, aren't you two cute?

*Pound looked up and saw Mezmo's hat. He smiled, flapped his wings and floated up to Mezmo's eye level. Pound then grabbed his hat and flew off with it*

Mezmo: Hey, my hat! *runs after Pound* Gimme back my hat!!

*Pound just flew around, avoiding Mezmo as he lead him all around the bakery, while Pumpkin laughed with such delight. She then got the idea of using her magic to make some cream pies float and flung them at Mezmo*

Mezmo: *sees the pies* GAH!!! *tries to avoid getting hit by them*

*Pound and Pumpkin continued their games with Mezmo when Pinkie came down, carrying a toy box on her back*

Pinkie: I'm Back! Oh! *sees the chaos going on* FOODFIGHT!!! *runs behind the counter and starts throwing cupcakes*

Mezmo: PINKIE!!! DO SOMETHING!!!!

Pinkie: I AM doing something. I'm joining in the fun! *picks up a tray of fudge brownies and starts tossing them like Frisbees*

Mezmo: NO, HELP ME STOP THEM!!!

Pinkie: Oh, why didn't you say so? *runs off and comes back with a bag of flour* They love this. *dumps the flour onto Mezmo*

*Pound and Pumpkin then immediately stopped what they were doing and laughed at Mezmo's misfortune*

Mezmo: *sarcastically* Yeah, yeah, look at me, I'm covered in flour! Aren't I funny? *holds out his hand* Now, my hat, if you please.

Pound: *puts Mezmo's hat on the ground*

Mezmo: *grabs the hat and puts it on his head* You know, you two deserve a good spanking for this!

*Just then, Mrs. Cake came back inside*

Mrs. Cake: Just came back for the grape juice we forgot. We'll jus- *sees the disaster that befell her bakery* Oh my…

Mezmo: Oh no…

*Mrs. Cake's eye began to twitch and her head started to cock to the side*

Pinkie: Uh oh, the twitch! That's never a good sign!

Mezmo: *sweat drops, nervously* Oh, would you look at the time? I really must be going! Later! *quickly runs out the door*

*Moments later, Twilight was with Mezmo, still looking through the newspaper for other jobs*

Twilight: Let's see… Mr. Kingpin is looking for someone to buff his bowling balls.

*Just then, Pinkie Pie trotted up to the two with Mrs. Cake right beside her*

Mrs. Cake: Um, Mezmo?

Mezmo: Uh oh…

Mrs. Cake: It's alright, I'm not mad at you. Pinkie Pie explained everything to me. It wasn't your fault, you can come back to Sugercube Corner if you want.

Mezmo: Thank you, Mrs. Cake, but…I'd rather not. I might screw up on my own and do something much worse. I think it's best I find another line of work.

Mrs. Cake: Well, alright, if you're sure. I mean I understand if you were having trouble with Pound and Pumpkin. I know how rambunctious they can get.

Mezmo: No kidding, I still have flour up my nose. Ah-Choo!! *sneezes out a small puff of flour*

Mrs. Cake: Bless you. Well, good luck with your job hunt. I have to get back and clean things up. *trots back to Sugercube corner*

Twilight: Well, at least she isn't mad at you or anything.

Mezmo: Oh, what's the use? I'll never get a job by the end of the week! I'm doomed!!

Twilight: Don't feel bad, Mezmo. I'm sure the perfect job for you is just around the corner.

Pinkie: Really? *looks every which way* I don't see anything.

Twilight: It's a figure of speech, Pinkie.

*Just then, Vinyl Scratch walked by, pulling a cart full of vinyl records behind her*

Twilight: Oh hey, it's Vinyl Scratch.

Mezmo: Hey Vinyl, what's up?

Vinyl Scratch: Hey, it's the magic man. I was on my way to my new record store.

Twilight: Record store?

Vinyl Scratch: Yeah, it's something I do when I'm not performing. Come by sometime, I got everything. Later! *walks away*

Twilight: Wait! You own a record store?

Vinyl Scratch: *stops and looks back at Twilight* Yeah, that's right.

Twilight: Are you hiring?

Vinyl Scratch: Well, I COULD use a little help. Know anyone?

Twilight: *quickly points to Mezmo* HIM!!!

Mezmo: *looks at Twilight* Huh?

Twilight: Mezmo really needs a job to pay his rent, otherwise he'll be evicted from his cottage!

Vinyl Scratch: Ooh, the magic man running low on that cheddar, eh? Alright, I dig his beats, I'll give him a shot.

Mezmo: R-Really?

Vinyl Scratch: Sure, man. Ah hay, if you're having money troubles, I'll even give ya a loan. You can just pay me back bit by bit whenever you can. I won't charge interest.

Mezmo: Uh, okay. Thanks. So, where's your record store?

Vinyl Scratch: Just follow me. On the way, you can tell me where you got that record you had me play at your party. Never saw it before, haven't seen it since.

Mezmo: Okay, sure. *looks to Twilight* Coming, Twilight?

Twilight: I'm kinda curious about this store. Sure, I'll come.

*A few minutes later, Mezmo, Twilight and Vinyl Scratch had arrived in front her record store. It was a simple building with a sign that feature a large black record and some music notes. It was next door to the joke and novelty shop*

Twilight: Wait, this is your store? Where did the general store that was here go?

Vinyl Scratch: The owner retired and sold the place to me. Got a sweet deal on it too.

Mezmo: Really?

Vinyl Scratch: Well come on inside, I'll introduce ya to the others.

Mezmo & Twilight: Others?

*Inside the store were three other ponies hanging out at the counter. One was a white unicorn stallion with a frizzy ginger mane and a flaming electric guitar cutie mark. He wore a plain red t shirt with a studded bracelet. The other was a red earth pony stallion with a black mane, mutton chops, and a handle bar mustache. He wore a pair of aviator sunglasses, a black cowboy hat, and a denim jacket with the sleeves torn off. His cutie mark was an electric bass guitar. The third was a light blue Pegasus mare with blond hair. She wore a black muscle shirt with a few tears in various spots. He cutie mark was a pair of guitars crossing over each other*

Vinyl Scratch: Two of them are my co-workers, the other one just likes to hang out. The unicorn's name is Power Chord, he's my assistant manager. His buddy, Heavy Strings; the earth pony, works our floors. Finally, that's Double Neck, Power Chord's Pegasus girlfriend. She doesn't do anything except loiter.

Mezmo: Well, they seem like friendly folks.

Vinyl Scratch: When they're having a good day.

Power Chord: Yo Scratch! What's up?

Heavy Strings: You know you're being followed by a monkey?

Mezmo: *annoyed* Hey!

Double Neck: Nah, I think it's one of those hue-mens things you hear so much about.

Mezmo: *nods* Yeah, that's right. *extends his hand* Name's Mezmo.

Power Chord: *extends a hoof and shakes Mezmo‘s hand* Power Chord, glad to meet ya.

Vinyl Scratch: Mezmo here's gonna be working with us.

Double Neck: *raises an eyebrow* Really? *smiles* Cool!

Heavy Strings: You don't work here, Double Neck, remember?

Double Neck: Oh yeah, right… *blushes*

Power Chord: Doesn't sound too bad. Welcome to the team, Mezzy.

Mezmo: *smiles* Hey thanks, Power Chord. *looks at Vinyl Scratch* So, Vinyl, what will you have me be doing here.

Vinyl Scratch: That depends…how good is your knowledge of music?

Mezmo: Well, I know a lot… RNB, techno, rock, power ballads, disco, rap,hip hop,  classical, pop, synth pop, metal, opera, ska-

Vinyl Scratch: Great! You'll be one of our clerks. If a customer asks if we have a certain song they want, you're job is to see if we have it or not. Sound good?

Mezmo: Hmm… If we don't have what they want, could I recommend songs that I like to them?

Vinyl Scratch: I don't see why not, I'm sure you've got some good suggestions…

Mezmo: *smiles* I'll do it!

Vinyl Scratch: Awesome, you're hired!

Twilight: Way to go, Mezmo! I knew you could get a job you liked!

Mezmo: Thanks, Twilight. Couldn't have done it without your help. *hugs Twilight's neck*

Double Neck: *starts crying* Oh, how sweet!

Twilight: I'm glad to help you out, Mezmo. I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Mezmo: *looks to Vinyl* So, when do I start?

Vinyl Scratch: Right now, if you want.

Mezmo: Sounds good!

Twilight: Well then, I guess I should leave you to it. See you when you get off?

Mezmo: Sure, meet me at my cottage later. Bye.

Twilight: Okay, good luck with the job! *trots out the door*

*Four days later, Mr. Shelter was once again walking up Mezmo's cottage. He stopped in front of the door and knocked on it with his hoof. The door then opened and out stepped Mezmo, smiling as he leaned against the door frame*

Mezmo: Oh! Hi, Mr. Shelter.

Mr. Shelter: Hello, Mr. Mandrake. As you can see, it's the end of the week and I've come to collect-

Mezmo: The rent? Oh, no problem. *pulls out a sack of money from his pocket and hands it to Mr. Shelter* Here you are, paid up in full. Check it yourself, if you want.

Mr. Shelter: *flummoxed* Oh… Um…I might as well… *raises an eyebrow* Where did you get this money?

Mezmo: My new job. I'm a clerk at Vinyl Scratch's record store.

Mr. Shelter: Really? THE Vinyl Scratch? *opens the sack and begins counting the coins*

Mezmo: You know it.

Mr. Shelter: Well, that's impressive… *finishes counting the coins* And it seems you have enough.

Mezmo: Cool. So, see you next month?

Mr. Shelter: Uh, yes, I'll see you then… Good day, Mr. Mandrake. *walks off*

*Mezmo then went back inside, grabbed a piece of paper and a quill and began writing a letter to his friends*

*Dear Nikolai and Lian

I have great news. After a few failed attempts, I managed to find a job working as a clerk in a record store. And here's the best part: it's owned by Vinyl Scratch, aka DJ PON-3. I worked there for a few days now, and I managed to pay off the rent. So far, things are looking great for me in Ponyville, but I still miss you guys.

Best regards,
Mezmo*