Red Tape waved goodbye to Ace as he left, peering after him until he was totally out of sight.  Once he was gone she sighed in a pleasant manner and slumped back in her seat.  Now why couldn't she get more handsome clients like that in the office more often?  The mare looked back to her heap of work still yet to be done and shrugged helplessly... but at least now it didn't seem like so daunting a task.

Down the hall, Ace would pass by a few busy ponies trotting along to and fro.  There was lots of chatter coming from the different offices he passed -- it seemed that the bored secretary downstairs was an exception to the rest of Town Hall's behavior.  The whole place was bustling and frankly a bit noisy.  At the end of the hall was a set of large, ornate doors that was obviously the Mayor's office.  She wasn't an idle figurehead either from the looks of it; her doors were propped open and ponies were constantly flitting in and out with papers, files, and other pressing items of importance for her.  Ace would have to wait in a bit of a queue, but he'd be up to have his turn with the Mayor soon enough.

The gray Mayor Mare took a moment to stretch her shoulders out as she finished signing a few more forms, rolling her head from side to side to pull some cricks out of her neck.  That made the eighty-seventh file put through just that morning and there were still plenty more to go.  There had been a recent population increase in Ponyville and the town was enjoying the benefits of the extra income and tourism each month as a result.  But it also meant that upkeep on facilities and the streets increased exponentially.  They were going to have to repair the train sooner too...

"Next~!" the Mayor called, signally Ace to step up with his scroll.

 Standing in line had all the excitement of standing in line, which is to say the excitement of standing in line. Ace would mull that repeating sentence in his head a few times before catching a few words here and there from ponies passing by. Apparently Princess Luna is in town. She might be second banana to Celestia, but what's a Royal doing in a small town like this? It certainly is an interesting bit of news if true. Ace patiently waits for his turn with the busy Mayor.

 (oops I guess you updated while I was working on this, let me just add some stuff.)

 Finally it was his turn and Ace stepped in passing his scroll over. He figures the Mayor might enjoy some extra revenue taxing his fine establishment may net the town. He lets her look over the paperwork, not needing to say anything until spoken to.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Fri 20 Apr 2012.

While Red Tape had been more than charmed with Ace, it seemed the Mayor was not so easily swayed by mere appearances.  As she looked over the form her expression shifted into doubtful suspicion and she glanced up at him over the rims of her glasses.

"A gambling establishment?  Well, you've already handled the initial down-payment... at a reduced rate, I see."  the Mayor rolled her eyes and muttered something below her breath.  "I swear, that Red Tape is more easily star struck than a filly... ahh~em!  Now then!  While I'm sure you're an absolutely trustworthy sort, Mister Ace, it's my responsibility to impress upon you the gravity of this situation.  Ponyville is a wonderful, peaceful town and I'm very proud of its clean reputation.  I won't abide by anything subverting the integrity of my town.  Can you swear to me that your gaming hall would be completely on the up-and-up?"

Obviously the Mayor knew more of the less-than-spotless nature of casinos in other larger cities and had no interest in letting Ponyville be polluted by a corrupting influence.  While Ace had made it past Red Tape just fine, the Mayor was a whole other hurtle and could just veto his claim right on the spot if she didn't like his reply.

 "Yes, yes I can", Ace replied expecting this kind of response sooner. "I promise you my gambling hall will be clean as a whistle and follow the law to the letter. I'm just here to let Ponies have a good time. Also, I'm sure the town could use a fair share of any profit I make." He is true to his word, his Casino wouldn't be the shady part of his dealings. If he were to do anything wrong, the Casino would be a legitimate front. The Casino will be squeaky clean, the alleyway next to it however might be a different story.

"I'm more interested in knowing that your casino would follow the spirit of the law, not just the letter.  Most casinos gleefully follow the letter of the law since that's how they exploit loopholes." the Mayor tapped her hoof on her desk sharply.  She mulled over the matter in silence for a few moments longer before finally giving a gentle sigh and reaching for her quill.  The scroll get her approving signature and was rolled back up to be placed in her desk.

"Very well.  But I expect you to be completely on the level, understood?" the mare warned in a stern tone.  She hopped from her chair to move across her office to some tall filing cabinets.  A little while of sorting through them soon rendered yet another scroll, though this one was sealed and imprinted with Ponyville's civic symbol.  "Here is a copy of the deed to your new property.  Keep is somewhere safe.  You'll be getting the paperwork explaining your responsibilities as a business owner here in Ponyville and other important information mailed to you later this week."

 "Thank you, your honorable Mayorship", Ace says carrying the deed with his magic. He is a little sleazy but he isn't sure what he really wanted to do with the casino other than what was advertized, if anything. Maybe it was time he settled down and stuck with the completely legal way of doing things. He on occasion bent the rules, possibly why he won that tournament in Canterlot, but there could be worse ponies running a casino around here for sure. When allowed to leave he would excuse himself and go to check out his new building and see what he's working with.

< To The Lucky Horseshoe >
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Fri 20 Apr 2012.

Entering from Ponyville Schoolhouse

After the morning escapade involving the Apple Family cart, Blue Shield was ready to get back on a proper patrol. At this time, he'd be pretty close to checking on the Town Hall, so that was precisely where he'd gone. Admittedly, all the apple talk had made him a little hungrier than usual. Lunch break would be a welcome happening. Not really needing to go INTO the town hall, he simply began a slow loop around the building that was the dead center of town.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:23, Thu 26 Apr 2012.

As Blue Shield idly patrolled around the Town Hall, he'd find the place to be quite busy.  It always was, but today even more so.  There was a lot of hub-bub going on and some ponies were even decorating the building with banners and flags like they were getting ready for some sort of celebration.  In due time he was called upon as a familiar, sing-song voice sounded out above the general din of the Square.

"Officer Blue Shield~!  Good afternoon~!" the Mayor herself came cantering along with a big smile on her face.  "I'm so glad to catch you here.  Have you heard anything about this evening?  Princess Luna is going to be holding the first ever public Moon Raising right here in Ponyville~!  Though I do wish she'd told us about it sooner..."

As he came about full circle, there was the mayor herself coming out to see him. She was certainly super-happy about the recent development in news that he was unfortunately unaware of. Town Hall was even a little more busy than usual. "Good day to you, Miss Mayor." He chimed in, his spirits up despite the morning goose chase. He was about to ask if she needed assistance with a stuck pickle jar, but he quickly remembered that it was Cloudsdale's mayor who had that particular problem. Jars were tricky things. "I honestly did not have any idea..." Blue cocked his head to the side in contemplation. That meant security would be tight from Luna's guards alone. He probably had to report in to make sure all the proceedings were orderly for her. "This is turning out to be a rather busy day for me, it seems. Rather exciting day too." He admitted to the gray-maned mayor. "To what do I owe the honor of this chat? I dare say you're quite the busy mare. Anything I can do to help you out?"

"I'm very glad you asked.  You see, Princess Luna's arrival here was unannounced, so she has a very limited guard detail and they'll be busy watching over her." the Mayor explained.  "All of the merchants are eager to make some extra bits off the excitement and there's sure to be plenty of ponies packed into Town Square tonight to watch the event.  I wanted to know if you would be available to work security?  Take some assistants from the Weather Team if you need to, but we need to make sure there's suitable crowd control.  I don't want anything to happen that would spoil this opportunity."

The grayed mare looked about quickly for a moment as if she were concerned that somepony was listening in on them, then scooted up closer to Blue Shield to speak in a low voice.  "Also, there was a unicorn in the offices this morning by the name of Ace High.  He purchased a property deed and plans to open a casino.  While I'm sure he's a responsible fellow, I'd appreciate it if you could perhaps keep an eye on him.  Make sure he's keeping his nose clean?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Thu 26 Apr 2012.

Blue Shield nodded as the mayor explained the security situation. "Once you told me, I figured I'd need to set up some additional security. I'll have a talk with the royal guardsponies to see what gaps need to be filled. It will be a busy night." That meant long hours. That was a slight problem with being the only officer in the town. But still, a little extra effort here and there was more than worth it.

"Ace High?" Blue Shield did recollect sorting through some papers showing some of the new residents. Ace was among them. A pro gambler trying to set up a casino in Ponyville. Personally, he didn't like it. A little town didn't need a casino, nor would said place be very profitable. But, all the papers and licenses were in order so far. "I can't say I blame you for your suspicion. Have his gambling, business, and salt licenses gone though here yet?"

"Not yet.  I put through communications to get them circulated through, but he travels a lot.  Las Pegasus, Manehatten, Canterlot... it's going to take a while to consolidate everything.  This appears to be the first time he's ever purchased property on his own though." The Mayor shrugged.  "But like I said, I just want you to keep an eye on him.  I would hate to think the worst of anypony right off the bat and don't want him treated like a suspect if he's not doing anything wrong.  Just watch and make sure he's on the straight and narrow?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Thu 26 Apr 2012.

"I see." Without the licenses here, Ace would be waiting a while for them to show up before he could really open up business. Without the salt license, he could still operate, but it'd be even less profitable. The amount of bits for start-up would be pretty staggering too. Anypony with a gambling or luck cutie mark was always at least a little suspicious. That went hand-in-hand with winning more often while playing games of chance. After all, casinos were rigged to make ponies lose money... "No worries, ma'am. I'll keep an eye out. Hopefully he's getting used to the townsfolk here. He's probably way out of his element."

The Mayor nodded softly in reply and quickly pushed her glasses back up along the bridge of her snout before they could slide off.  "Indeed.  Ponies like Ace are more suited to big cities without as much neighborly love as Ponyville.  With any luck, maybe he's here for a fresh start... or at least we might rub off on him a little."

She gave a soft sigh and smiled up at the much taller fellow.  "Thank you, Blue Shield.  It's a load off my mind knowing I have such an upstanding stallion looking out for us.  Is there anything you might need?"

"Can certainly hope so... But I get the feeling Ponyville will have to endure at least one misguided swindling before he settles down." Blue explained. Not that Ace seemed like that bad of a person. It was just that anyone who did open a casino was looking for bits. Bits made ponies do crazy things sometimes. And in Las Pegasus, swindling was a common facet of everyday life for anypony not already in the top percent of society's riches. "No need for thanks, Miss Mayor. It's my duty and pleasure to keep the peace around here. All I can ask for is good neighbors and friendly ponies. And I think we both know Ponyville has got that in spades."

"Good man.  Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see a horse about floral arrangement.  I've had Roseluck working since I found out about this whole affair earlier." she laughed softly and gave a toss of her mane.  "Be sure to stop long enough to get something to eat, alright Blue Shield?  And tell wherever you go to put the charge through to Town Hall.  We'll cover your tab."

With that, unless she was stopped for whatever reason, the Mayor would the readily trot off to go see how those roses were coming along.

"Well now, do have yourself a wonderful afternoon. I'll see you at the ceremony." Blue Shield gave a nod of the head as they began the process of parting ways. There was a generous offer of a free lunch too. How kind. "Much appreciated, Ma'am. Actually, if you could. Send out a messenger to Sweet Apple Acres. I know a good few ponies are there right now who probably don't know about the event. Rainbow Dash is there too, so she should probably know she'll need to keep the skies clear tonight."

With a wave of the hoof, Blue Shield went off at a slow walk, timing out his duties. First would be that lunch so he wouldn't have any embarrassing grumbles. Then finding the guardsponies.

[Exit to... Summer Song Cafe]

-> From Town Center ->


Wordsmith whistled softly as he walked with Pansy, his legs loosening up as he walked slowly.

"Well... I do hope we can slip in before they close."

From Town Square-->

Pansy nodded.  "Hope so.  What did you need to do at the Town Hall anyway?  Do you have business with the Mayor?"

Wordsmith shook his head, "No, I'm looking for a place to rent.  While this nice pony, the Doctor?, offered me a place to stay... I don't want to overstay my welcome with him, but I didn't want to be rude and decline his hospitality."

He sighed, "Also hoping to find a bulletin board for jobs, I -ah- need the bits."

"Oh, well, I'm sure you can find a place to stay.  I'd offer my place too, but it's a little small for two ponies," Pansy admitted sheepishly.  "What's your special talent?  With a name like Wordsmith...are you an author?  A journalist?"

--->From Town Square

Quick Buck galloped through the front entrance of Town Hall still dripping wet from his botched landing. There didn't seem to be too many ponies around at that time, which Quick was somewhat thankful for. No witnesses. Whoever was the custodian that night would probably flay him for leaving a trail. Then again that also meant that they were about to close as well.  Quick nearly took another nasty spill in his haste as he took a turn down the hallway to the Treasury Branch far too quickly. Catching himself, he slowed his pace; he was nearly there and didn't want to make another spectacle. He also took this time to recover from his dash through the halls.

He arrived at the teller desk a few moments later, now relatively dry and calm after his run. Ringing the bell he called out, "Hello? Is anypony still here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Thu 03 May 2012.

Wordsmith chuckled, patting his belly, "Two-and-a-half, you mean, which would be that much more crowded." he blushed at the mention of his special talent, "Ah, well... I -want- to be an author.  right now I'm just a "writer" and unemployed."

"Well, writer is still very exciting.  I'm sure you can find something.  We have a local newspaper.  Maybe they'd hire you."  Pansy led the way into the town hall, keeping an eye out for any other ponies.  Puddles in the hall seemed to indicate that Quick Buck had already been here.