Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)-The story of Benny Goodmane

Author's note- Short chapter, but it sets up some important plot tangents. More to come tomorrow.

The bell attached to the shop door jingled. A blue unicorn with a downtrodden face walked into the shop.

"Hey! Benny! How's my best customer doing?" shouted the owner of the music shop.

Benny looked up. "Just peachy."

The owner chuckled. "I take it this has something to do with presenting your piece to the orchestra?"

Benny sighed. "They hated it! They didn't even bother to try it out! Do they know how HARD I worked on that?"

"Listen man," said the shop owner, cutting off his rant, "Those guys... They aren't really into THAT type of music."

"Oh, so they're not into good music?"

"Ha ha ha! That's good kid."

Benny sighed. "I can tell all the jokes I want. It's not gonna change the fact that I'm now the laughing stock of the Canterlot music world."

The owner gave Benny a sympathetic nod. "Yep, that's certainly true. Can't really help you with that."

Benny rolled his eyes. "Oh gee, thanks. That is just SO helpful! You are SUCH a great friend!" he mused, lacing his voice with sarcasm.

"Hey, you're not exactly a ray of sunshine yourself kid."

Benny laughed, but quickly returned to his previous frown. "Well... I just stopped by for some reeds,"

"Oh. Yes. Of course. Here ya go." Benny pulled out a handful of bits and slapped them on the counter. "Oh no. This one's on the the house. You've been through enough today."

Benny smiled. "Thanks man. I appreciate that."

"Not a problem," replied the shop owner.

"With that out of the way," said Benny,” the only thing I have to worry about is what I'm gonna do with all the extra copies of my music."

"Here, let me see it, maybe I can do something about it." Benny took out several folded pieces of paper, and handed them to the shop owner.

He pondered over them for a minute. "Hmmm... You know what? I think I know a guy who writes music similar to this."

Benny did a double take. "What?! Really? Who? I never met anyone who even knew what jazz is!"

"I would think not, he lives in Ponyville."

"Uh... Ponyville? Sorry, I've never heard of anyplace called Ponyville."

The shop owner laughed. "I didn't think so. It's a quaint little town about half a day's walk from here."

"Cool!" exclaimed Benny, elated he would have someone who shared his taste in music. "I'll go meet him! What's his name?"

"Let me see," mumbled the owner, "His name... Hmmm... Oh! I remember now. It's Gene Hoofa.

"Gene Hoofa. Got it. What does he look like?"

"Trust me; you'll know him when you see him."

Satisfied, Benny practically ran out the door. "Thanks again!" he said I've his shoulder. He was going to make sure this worked out. He ran to his house, pushing several ponies out of the way. He disregarded their shouts, knowing that he was on to something big. He raced into his apartment and pulled out an aging Map of Equestria. He searched for a few minutes, finally locating the town of Ponyville. He marked it with a big red "X" just to be sure he could find it again.

"Looks like I'm going to Ponyville." He sat back on his haunches and laughed at what he was doing. He was now hedging his entire career on a pony that he had never even seen who lived in a town he didn't even know existed until recently. If that wasn't desperate, he thought, I don't know what is.

He looked at the clock. It was getting late. He decided to pack tomorrow morning, and set out for Ponyville midday so he would get there around sundown. He put his head down to sleep, a small glimmer of hope kindling a fire that now burned in his heart. "This is gonna be great. I can just TELL!"