[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

[ponymeisters]

That's right. He didn't leave any heirs, no will, so the city held the liens on it. Really, the only reason anypony is still living on the commune is because Mayor Mare had felt sorry for you. But, even she knows that the law is the law, and liens are liens. Once I offered to pay the liens, she had to comply.

[neighfeni]

Why here, though? Ah mean, there's gotta be better land for all that. Ya ever been on farmland? Ya ever been walked on over here? This ain't good land for buildin' heavy things like what your talkin', it's way too soft! Ya need good, hard land, not the stuff that's been softened up by crops an' hard work. Ah can even show ya some in land jus' as big as this!

Why don't ya come by, Ah'll throw on tea, too!

[PART OF HER REALLY HOPES HE DOESN'T TAKE HER UP ON THAT, but she will do what needs to be done to defeat the enemy. Including taking him to tea and snacks...and acting totally hospitable despite her growing intense dislike for him.]

[ponymeisters]

Hmm. Perhaps I will! It might be a good idea to discuss the details of moving your pony friends out. They'll likely listen to somepony like you.

[neighfeni]

[She isn't sure if she should take offense at him saying "somepony like you", so she just lets it roll off. She has bigger crops to harvest.]

[Despite that, she smiles.]

Well then, it's settled! When would ya like to come over, an' what sort o'tea do ya like? Or are ya more the coffee sort?

[GONNA BE THE MOST HOSPITABLE PONY THIS GELDING HAS EVER SEEN.]