Walking down the pebble path that welcomed all those that took the time to visit The Crescent, Peg felt herself emboldened. It was a funny feeling, after so many ups and downs, lefts and rights. It was an unnatural feeling as well, uncharted territory which she was entering with nothing but The Major as a dim light besides her.
Truly, such a place could be called beautiful when even the rats and the garbage littering the surrounding area did not spoil the experience. If anything, it made it all the more impressive as though statements and experiments of their contrast would be compared in greater detail in a century's time. She felt the single statue in the center of it all shade her, protecting against itself, against the moonlight. Already her mind was putting together a show that would be her greatest yet. Where she would stand, where the others would stand. It was all coming to her in a great flash of inspiration.
"Alright my girl," The Major started as they drew near to where it was that they were to meet. "All will go our way and just perfect so long as you do just as I say. This is the best chance you and I will ever have at this so we cannot afford for any shenanigans to get in the way. The best way to make an impression is to make a good first impression, especially when it comes to an Otto."
Peg snapped to attention, her spine curdling upwards in a shudder that she could not control. She had only been listening to The Major with half an ear, the majority of her attention set to which songs she would sing, how she would sing them and for how long she would sing them. There was an important distinction when it came to the latter most of those. As soon as he'd spoke that name however, all the fear and dread that seemed to follow her around on a regular basis at last took a step in front of her. Just as it stood in her mind, it stood too in front of her as a physical blockade.
"M-Major," she stuttered right before their rendezvous.
"My girl?"
"Maybe we don't have to do this," Peg tried to reason. "I-it's risky after all and the deal we had with Otto before was just fine."
"There is no innovation without risk my dear girl," The Major said, providing reasoning of his own. "The two of us, we've innovated so many times and each time was through risk. A calculated risk by me yes, but a risk nonetheless. My promises to you will not go unfulfilled. All you have to do," he stood aside to let her pass first, "is take the first step."
Peg gulped but took a shaky step forward in any case.
And then another.
And another.
Before long, she was walking entirely on her own, in a constant battle between her own fearful instincts and the assurance which The Major had just made to her. The former grew stronger in the fight the closer they got. It began to win when the silhouettes of two dogs turned a corner and approached them at a pace much faster than their own.
Her cowering did not cease until they were only a few paces away. Roman, his appearance largely unchanged, stared at her with his usual no-nonsense gaze. Otto, the name that she so feared, looked to her to completely and utterly... different?
"There they are!" he said enthusiastically, greeting both Peg and The Major. "I thought you two would never get here. Roman here was about ready to drop dead, it is past his bedtime after all," he said chuckling in a way that Roman refused to reciprocate.
"Otto Junior!" The Major greeted back. "If it isn't a pleasure to see you again after all this time and look at how big you've gotten! Why you, you're just the spitting image of your father aren't you?"
"Thank you Major," Otto accepted. "How's your back? I heard about the accident."
"Oh you know, a little stiff here, a little sore there but for the most part-"
"Great!" Otto cut him off suddenly and then turned his attention to Peg. "Peg! Wow! I cannot believe that the Peg the preternatural pup is standing right in front of me, right at this very moment!"
"Uhm..." Peg stalled, looking to The Major for help and receiving only a hopeless shrug in response. "...thank you?"
Otto, sensing her discomfort, turned up to whisper something in Roman's ear, causing the larger dog to promptly leave, "You're welcome. You know, I was just thinking the other day of how many times I've watched you perform. My father would always take me to see you. He never really let me meet you though, no matter how many times he promised." He sighed, "One of the only things I still hold against him, dead and buried as he may be."
"So, Otto," The Major began, seeking to redirect the direction of their conversation. "I'm sure you realize that we're here to negotiate a deal similar to what we had with your father, you know, all the usual benefits like a security detail and a guarantee that-"
"That all sounds good and well Major," Otto again cut him off. "Now I know that you two are here on matters of business and it's on matters of business that a manager and his client never separate, but what say you we put a break to the business for the moment?" He gazed intently at Peg. "I'd like to discover the legend for myself, if you don't mind Major?"
The Major struggled to find his words, "O-of course Otto," he stuttered, eyes flitting to Peg who seemed as equally as lost as he was. "I'll just have a nice look around the place, make sure it's fitting for Peg and all that, can't have her injuring herself from some strange endearing." He ended with a laugh which Otto returned and one which lasted until he made his leave.
Otto kept it up for as long as The Major was in hearing distance. When the older dog was gone, he dropped the act and let out a child-like groan, "Ugh. I can't stand him. Even when I was younger it was always like him to talk in these long-winded never ending..." he huffed in frustration. "It's like everything he says is a puzzle that you've gotta solve."
Peg, allowing herself to feel a little more comfortable, agreed with him, "That's The Major for you."
"Wow," he repeated, eyeing her up and down. "I can't believe that you're really standing in front of me."
"You said that earlier."
Otto shook his head sheepishly, "Sorry. It's just that I... I really never imagined this day would come."
The young puppy she was staring at however, resembled nothing of the cold, deep depths most used to describe Mr. Otto. "Kids don't have to be their parents," she thought. "I'll bet that he's as innocent as I am."
Deciding then that this was not the same monster that his father was, Peg allowed the last of her uncomfortable resolve to melt away, "Didn't I always tell you that I would keep an eye out for your face in the audience?"
He took a deep breath in, "You did!"
"That's what I though," Peg said with a gentle chuckle. "Never could see you though, no matter how hard I looked."
"That's cause my father never let us sit in the light," Otto bemoaned. "And Roman was even worse! He always made me sit outside the tent!"
"Oh c'mon now, they didn't have to do all that."
"But they did anyway," he said with a pout.
Peg gave him a happily sympathetic look, "Sweetheart, for what it's worth, I reckon that they only did that because they were worried about you."
Otto did not immediately respond, his eyes opening wide, "D-did you just call me..." he stopped himself and cleared his throat. "This place is pretty much yours'. Feel free to sing and do whatever else really."
"It's a beautiful venue."
"Thank you. One of the last things my father pillaged before he left it all to me. I wonder why he never let you in here."
"He would have," Peg argued. "If he had ever heard me sing."
"Maybe I could hear you sing."
"What?"
"I-I mean, if you wanted to...maybe I could hear you sing?"
Peg looked him up and down and then a soft smile curled her mouth, "Sit right there sweetheart."
Otto did as he was told, watching as Peg gently stepped into whatever moonlight remained.
When first I saw the love-light in your eye
I thought the world held naught but joy for me
And even though we drifted far apart
I never dream but what I dreamt of thee
He sucked in a deep breath before exhaling in a sputter: "M-majesty! She's a majesty!"
The Major nodded and watched as she pranced and moved along the stage with the same sort of wild grace that she had exhibited years before.
I loved you as I've never loved before
Since first I saw you on the village green
Come to me ere my dream of love is o'er
I love you as I loved you, when you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen
Clint, in spite of his darkened eyes and strong urge to visit a bar, seemed happier as well, his hand in Marie's as they watched Peg's performance. The sight of it was enough to make The Major's heart swell.
I loved you as I've never loved before
Since first I saw you on the village green
Come to me ere my dream of love is o'er
I love you as I loved you, when you were sweet
When you were sweet sixteen
It was to both his pride and the eliciting of his happiness, that the audience roared in applause as soon as she and the others were done.
"I'll tell you right now Otto, there is no better show out there. If I were you, I'd get her to stick around for three thousand years. Strike while the iron is hot." Much to his annoyance, he had to speak loudly to be heard, although: "A small price for the value of this deal," was what he was really thinking.
"I'd just like to go ahead and welcome a few dogs tonight, ones that are very special to me," Peg took a moment to catch her breath and address those in attendance that could understand her, "First off, my lovely mate Robert. Would you stand up honey?"
"After seeing all this. This reaction, I might just be inclined to do exactly that Major," Otto Junior spoke with complacency, a skill lifted directly from his father. "But if I remember correctly it's you that sorts all her deals, so what did you have in mind?"
He grinned eagerly and began to lay out the terms of this new deal, one crafted out of careful consideration for the future. No more would he risk losing her. No more would the happiness of his Masters be put in jeopardy.
"And of course, the one dog that I wouldn't be here without, Private Mclellan- oh sorry, The Major everyone."
The Major glanced over with offense on his mind, but smiled for the sake of the authenticity of the show.
"Now we're going to do a new song for you tonight. It's called 'I ain't got nobody much '," she turned to address her ragtag band, Cliff, Rick, Bull, Toughy and Ma Fitz standing at the ready, "'Nobody much fellas'."
There's been a sayin' goin' round
And I begin to think it's true
It's awful hard to love someone
When they don't care about you
Once I had a lovin' gal
The sweetest little thing in town
But now she's gone and left me
She done turn me down
"Listen to this here Otto," The Major began, instincts in full negotiation mode. "This place of your father's and now yours' is just lovely and all and clearly it's done it's job in being presentable for this one night right here, but, and trust me when I say this because I've been around for a long, long time, it will inevitably fall back into the hands of chaos. I say that not as warning but rather as advisement."
Otto nodded his head, appearing unhappy to have to turn his attention from Peg for even a moment.
"My proposal is that you and I work together so as to keep Peg here performing the way that she is now so that this place has real economic value to the town. Real economic value to the town means that the town has a real incentive to keep this place in tip-top shape and tip-top shape is how you keep the hoodlums carrying the chaos away."
"State your terms Major," Otto said, this time acknowledging the other without removing his gaze from where it was so intently focused.
Now I ain't got nobody, and nobody cares for me!
That's why I'm sad and lonely,
Won't somebody come and take a chance with me?
"I am proposing," he licked his lips to stop the saliva from boiling over, "that Peg remains committed to this venue of yours' for the next five years, in performances where she will do all that it takes to lure in curious and rich prospectors. In return, I will require complete confidentiality as to the terms of this deal, a word of good faith from you that no one will take her place for the next five years, that all matters of security will be taken care of and that we will be allowed to operate here with your entire blessing in regards to any profits we might make."
"Five years?"
"Five years," The Major confirmed.
I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time,
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine,
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me!
"I propose Major," Otto began, "that you find us some mud to officiate this business of ours', because for what I see up there, a little bit of Roman's magic and not much else strikes me as an absolute bargain." He finished with a chuckle, that lit up the air and cut through the songs being sung and the dances being danced.
The Major joined him and before long they each had a ligament stuck in the nearest patch of mud, Otto using his right paw to show his honor and high ranking, The Major using his left paw to indicate who had the advantage in the deal being made and sealed under the watchful eye of a certain divine entity.
I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time,
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine,
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me!
Suddenly having remembered something and internally kicking himself for it, The Major made mention, "Just to be clear Otto, you would not be expecting any sort of royalty payments? No food or the such? All that will be mine to keep?"
Otto gave him an uncaring grin as his attention returned elsewhere, "Major, you do whatever it is that you want to do and you eat however it is that you want to eat. So long as that Majesty up there stays right up there where I can see her."
I'll sing you love songs, honey, all the time,
If you'll only say you'll be sweet gal of mine,
Oh, I ain't got nobody, nobody cares for me!
Peg finished with a flourish that incited even more applause. A level of applause that shook an otherwise usually still part of the town.
Already, having finalized his deal with Otto, The Major found himself stumbling over to the backstage, watching the last of Peg's twists and turns.
His Master had already taken to the stage to announce, in a tired voice: "Peg! Peg the Phenomenal Phenom!"
The moon cast its soft glow over the vast arena, creating an ethereal ambiance as the grand events of the night drew to a louder end than how it had started. The night was and would remain alive with anticipation, the air buzzing with a curiosity that had been satiated. Peg, with her luscious coat gleaming and her tail held high, looked out as the people stepped closer and the adoring waves of dogs crept from their hiding places to bark and howl in amazement.
With Clint's voice resonating through the speakers, calling for yet another long round of applause for Peg, a spotlight illuminated her, casting an otherworldly glow around her regal figure. She felt the adrenaline in her blood course into something else. Something that made the noise and the grandness of it all feel like the usual Tuesday for her. Something that made her feel as though she had found her forever home.
With a grateful nod to those watching, Peg gracefully bounded back towards the center of the arena, her every movement filled with grace and purpose. Even such a simple action caused the crowd to watch in awe as a team of majestic horses accompanied her, their powerful strides blending harmoniously with her elegant presence. It was an awe-inspiring sight, an unexpected union of two magnificent species.
Eventually she parted ways with them, coming to a stop at the very edge of the seats and staring wistfully at the barrier which separated her from her fans. The barrier between nothing and glory, the barrier between performer and spectator. A forbidden fruit, such as the one which Eve had picked. There to be thought of and nothing more. She took it. Admittedly, the first step was slow, made all the slower by the length it took for humans to step out of the way, clearing a path for her.
She had done it and now she walked through a maze of content adults, joyful children and raving dogs. She nuzzled with some and licked others as a form of kiss, spurred on by their rapid cheering and desperation to be paid some attention by her. The Major was behind her at some point, helping her through and egging her on, showing off his dear girl for all the world to see. Even Robert, who watched from the sidelines with his head tilted in sad confusion.
On Wednesday night
When the moon was shining bright
They robbed that Glendale train
And the folks from miles about (yeah they can)
They all said without a doubt
It was done by her Frankie and Jesse James (yes it was)
Oh Jessie had a wife to mourn for his life
Three children they were so brave
But that dirty little coward
That shot Mr. Howard
Has laid Jesse James in his grave
Has laid poor Jesse in his grave
He laid Jesse James in his grave
As Peg took her final bow up where all could see, the deafening ringing that had been in her ears seemed to fade, if only slightly and she said a few more "thank you's" as the curtain began to close. This performance, this one moment in time, would forever be etched in her memory.
She felt the heat on her face slowly cool down into consistent drops of sweat and took a few panting breaths. From where she sat, the curtain still ahead of her, the roaring applause and noise of barking was extremely apparent. She didn't want to move, as tired as she was. How could she when there was so much love and admiration just beyond those curtains? So much, that she was tempted to crawl right back through and keep on going.
Someone nudged her side and prompted her to stand up, which she easily did.
"Wow, what a show that was."
They said into her still ringing ears before moving to place someone over her shoulders. She quickly recognized it as a towel, slung over hastily and loosely.
When she felt as though she had taken more than enough breaths to last a lifetime she stood and turned around to her crew, their faces and voices stilled by silent trepidation. Her own heart skipped a beat before she threw her head into the air gloriously in sincere celebration.
"That was amazing."
"Such a great show."
"Next time'll be even better."
From the corner of her eye she spotted The Major and tried to make for his direction before being stopped from someone on her other side.
"You were amazing out there. I've never seen you like... I've never seen anyone like that!" Robert embraced her warmly, hot as she may have been. "That was amazing!"
"Yeah," Peg said, tucking her muzzle behind his ear, "I know."
"Gosh Peg, I didn't realize you could be so-"
"Uh huh," she cut him off breathlessly and pulled back. "Look, why don't you head back now with the others and get yourself comfortable. I might just have a surprise for you when I get back."
"A surprise huh?" Robert asked slyly, raising a brow.
Peg scoffed and lightly shoved him away, "Get outta here you moron."
Once he was gone, she turned around in the darkened backstage to find that The Major was only a few paces away from her.
"My dear girl!" he praised. "What a tremendous phenom you are! Truly and I do not say this lightly, truly the greatest show this side of America has ever seen."
She smiled as she came to stop right before him.
"My dear girl," The Major praised again, "all of this that has happened tonight is the culmination of what has come from both you and I, but it is you in particular that carried the burden of fame using your talent and-" he broke off with a chuckle. "We've done it, you and I, we've done it!"
Peg embraced him then, much more warmly than she had embraced Robert, reciprocating his cheerfulness with utters of "We did it," to go alongside his.
"Careful there Major," she pointed out. "You've got some mud on your paw."
"Oh never mind about that," he shrugged still standing shoulder to shoulder with her. "That cloud that I promised? We are closer than ever before."
"I trust you there Major," Peg said, tucking her head deeper into his shoulder. "I trust you there."