[visual]

[ponymeisters]

[Well, this is unusual. The scroll comes on, revealing a middle-aged, stocky green stallion, with slicked back dark brown hair and a pencil mustache. He would seem tobe an otherwise normal pony - nothing outwardly odd or ominous. For those who deigned to go to the movie premiere, however, there is no doubt who this is.

This is Tom Shanks.

And he's beaming.]

Howdy, my friends! That's how Ponyville talks nowadays, right? Well, in any case, this is Tom Shanks, owner of Placeton and Quarterhorse Quarterly, with a special announcement! We're expanding again!

[Why does he look so happy. Why is he telling the off-worlders.]

And we've found the perfect place to do so. See, I've wanted to expand my business to the smaller towns, spread the truth and beauty I've come to find recently, but I just can't seem to do it without a significant presence. So, I've decided to buy up some lands that were in lien - don't worry yourselves about what that means, by the way - to make a brand new production lot right here in Ponyville!

[Waving his hoof, he moved aside, revealing a curtain. An unlucky assistant pulled it, revealing a large sign with a before and after picture. The after picture is a sprawling mecca of buildings, studios, and even a mini theme park clearly designed with Quest for Canterlot in mind. Its, for pony standards, impressive and advanced?

The before side?...looks...an awful lot like Satyagraha Farm.]

We'll have the legal niceties wrapped up by the end of the week. I've already put a bid on the place, and I believe I'll be able to bring my dream of truth to Ponyville at long last.

[A pleased, deep breath of contentment. Then he comes back to the scroll again, his voice flat as he stares.]

Oh, also, to the squatters on my land? You have a week to pack up and leave before I start razing. Nothing personal, just progress.

Comments

[visual]

[polyturtle]

[That's...that's...]

What?

[visual]

[ponymeisters]

Why so shocked? This is a great economic opportunity for this little town!

...Again, you have one week.

[ponycure_dream]

Waaaaaaait, isn't that...?

[ponymeisters]

Its my newly acquired land!

[ :D ]

NOT HERE YET 1/????

[neighfeni]

[At first, as Shanks is talking, Nephenee's only slightly perturbed. I mean, it's Shanks being Shanks. As annoying as the idea of Hoove-er, Quarterhorse Quarterly being in Ponyville is, it's not as bad as it could be, right? Though she rolls her eyes at this talk of truth; this fellow wouldn't know 'truth' if it bit him on the rump!]

[But when the sign is revealed, her blood turns to ice.]

[...No...she can't be seeing that right. She's tired from missing people and from working, that has to be it.]

NOT HERE 2/????

[neighfeni]

[...She can't ignore even the possibility, though. And three or four others confirming her worst fears later, she's only able to blink in unbelieving silence.]

[No. This...this can't be right. And even as she hopes that, the ice grows colder and a lump sits in her throat.]

[visual]

[notgivinguponyou]

[...Oh you have got to be kidding.]

Why that piece of land? Couldn't you have gotten any of the free unoccupied land around here?

Re: [visual]

[ponymeisters]

That's simple enough. Its prime real estate! Most of the free land wouldn't suit my purposes.

[Smile]

[Visual]

[keaton_mask]

[None of those buildings look like buildings, and what even is an amusement park? But more importantly-]

How did you get a scroll...?

[Visual]

[ponymeisters]

Oh, we've had this scroll since you all arrived, of course! We procured it from the Royal Canterlot Library.

[muffin_lover]

Why would you want an amusement park based off of that movie? I mean, didn't the Flanktastic Four do better than it? I mean, the more recent one, that is.

[Derpy, no! Not while he's here!]

[ponymeisters]

......................................................

[If looks could kill...]

Not here

[neighfeni]

[Derpy, she is making so many muffins for you, you have no idea.]

[mostloyalpony]

(Good one, Derpy! Rainbow's totally gonna buy you a basket full of muffins after this insanity's passed.)

[Visual]

[alentorbust]

Heyyyyy, wait a second...

[Give him a minute...he's got this, that picture looks awfully familiar for some reason...

and there is it.]

Why here though? I've been all over the place since I got here and there's plenty of places you could set all that up.

[Forgive the new guy, he's kinda confused.]

[Visual]

[ponymeisters]

Like I said! Its prime real-estate, near Canterlot, and its flat!

[Visual]

[chatwithdeath]

[She hasn't even watched too many films, but she swears she's watched something with a similar sort of villain with Alyssa...]

Well, if you want to play this way, fine.

[She's supposed to be at the barrier right now.]

[visual]

[ponymeisters]

Well, you'll be able to play at the theme park, if that's what you're implying!

If not, well, you still have seven days before I get the courts involved in kicking you out.

[needsteaplz]

A little premature to be gloating, Mr. Shanks? After all, seven days is quite a window of time.

It would be a shame if say another bid comes in before everything is finalized. Besides, transforming a very bountiful land like Ponyville into an urban jungle would be such a shame.

[When she first arrived, the Commune was her home. While she now owns her current residence, the Commune still meant a lot to her. If she could purchase her place, surely she could purchase another one or at least contribute in it.]

[ponymeisters]

[A chuckle.]

I doubt there will be another bid to match mine, but as I've said, good luck to anypony who tries!

[visual]

[weakbutwilling]

You...!

[She holds back the devil in her mind. Not time yet.]

Y-you can't do this!!

[bluesuit_hoofy]

Can't say as I'd advise building much of anything on this land. Buildings tend to catch on fire around here; faaaairly sure it's a curse on the land itself, wouldn't be surprised if the problem was ongoing.

[ponymeisters]

Well, that's easily rectified with fireproofing!

[wizardofharmony]

How much are you offering for it?

(Very quiet. Very calm. To those who know her, boiling with rage.)

[ponymeisters]

Quite a bit, actually. Why do you ask?

[Visual]

[theytookmypants]

[Crmsn claps his hooves together and lets out a loud whistle. Was he cheering?]

Bravo, though I think you need to put more emotion into your lines. I hate to say it, but you lack the proper skill to really belt out the villain role in this part. Threatening the homes of ponies is one thing, I mean...you really need to get at them in their lives. If that's what they call acting here I'm sincerely disappointed. There wasn't even a proper laugh. This is a classic cliche here, you gotta have fun with the part. Don't be afraid to ham it up.

I give the act a C-minus for now...I hope you can pull it together properly before opening day, dude. The idea is a classic after all.

[Crmsn takes a sip of his morning tea, loudly slurping it.]

[not actually here]

[neighfeni]

[...Dad she is making you...pretty much what she already does, but she's going to make you more of it. And give you massive hugs.]

[Visual]

[myhatdisablestraps]

So... you're building some production lot for a movie or something and a theme part? Ugh, don't you think your time could be spent better with helping us with Calice?

[Why yes, Shanks, this is THE real Daring Do.]

[Visual]

[ponymeisters]

I'm a movie maker, not a fighter!

...Nice costume, by the way.

[sailorlaughter]

But...but why would you DO that? None of the stuff in that movie was even true to begin with!

[ponymeisters]

The movie was true.

[There's the ghost of a frown at this.]

I did my research, and found the truth, of course.

[Visual]

[freeasthewind]

[Hi, Tom, have a very pissed pony.]

We're not going anywhere.

[Feena doesn't live there anymore, but...]

[Visual]

[ponymeisters]

I'm afraid you will be!

[weaponizedgems]

[This is Rarity looking rather unimpressed by his business sense. Really, a park based on that movie? He wasn't expecting to make any bits, was he.]

How you've managed to keep up any revenue to this point is rather baffling if you ask me. Simply put, your plans for an amusement park are tacking and uninspired.

Not to mention there are good honest ponies living on that land currently and you have no right to impose upon their homes. Your truth is rather... unwelcomed I dare say.

[ponymeisters]

I'm actually quite successful!

And I'm afraid the law is on my side on this. If anything, they ar imposing on my land.