GF Rule 63: The Hand That Rocks the Marcus

One afternoon, Silvia was concluding yet another tour. "Thanks for coming," she said. "Don't forget to take a dollar coin as you leave!" She held up a small sack containing dollar coins for the tourists to get.

The crowd muttered several positive things about the dollar coin giveaway and Silvia's personality. She smiled sweetly as they left.

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In the Surprise Hut, Dana, Marcus (who was wearing a Lily Blossom medallion), and Salls were watching television.

Thaddeus and Thor will return after these messages.

"Hey, look," Salls said. "It's that commercial I was telling you guys about."

The commercial Salls was talking about had upbeat violin music playing in the background and a perky Southern woman narrating.

Are you completely miserable? Then you need to meet Jennifer. She's a psychic. So don't waste your time with other so-called women of mysteries. Learn about tomorrow tonight at Jennifer's Castle of Telepathy.

"Wow," Marcus remarked. "I'm getting all curious inside."

"Well, don't get too curious," Silvia said, entering the room. "Ever since that Jennifer rolled into town, I've had nothing but trouble."

"Well, is she really psychic?" Marcus asked.

"I think we should go and find out," Dana said.

"Oh no, you don't!" Silvia exclaimed. "You're forbidden from patronizing the competition. No one that lives in my house is allowed in that Jennifer's house."

"Do castles even count as houses?" Dana asked.

"I think we just found our loophole," Marcus said with a smirk. In the background, the commercial came to an end.

So come down soon, folks. Jennifer is expecting you.

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That night, a crowd entered the Castle of Telepathy. A large, slightly portly woman with short brown hair stood near the entrance, holding out a light blue sack. She was wearing a salmon, flower button up shirt, a straw hat, tan pants, and white shoes. Upon hearing her voice, one could tell she was narrating Jennifer's commercial. She was also wearing a nametag that read 'Bonnie', which was apparently her name.

"Step right up there, folks," Bonnie said. "Put your money in Jennifer's psychic sack."

The crowd muttered several positive things about the sack's credibility.

Inside the Castle of Telepathy, Dana, Marcus, and Salls took their seats. "Wow," Dana said. "This is like a bizarro version of the Surprise Hut. They even have their own Salls."

Dana pointed to a maintenance worker who looked very similar to Salls. The older girl glared at the lookalike.

"It's starting!" Marcus exclaimed. "It's starting!"

"Let's see what this psychic looks like," Dana said.

Curtains opened and a short, stout girl with white hair appeared on the stage. She had an upturned nose, blue eyes, and three freckles on each side of her cheek. She wore a cyan woman's suit, a cyan headband, a black shirt, and brown fancy shoes. She also wore a jade amulet, and there was a 'This Is 100% Derpy Approved' pin on her suit's collar.

"Hello America!" the girl said. "My name is Jennifer Gleeful." She clapped and doves flew out from the ceiling. The crowd cheered.

"That's Graunt Silvia's mortal enemy?" Dana asked.

"But she's so young," Marcus said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is such a gift to have you here tonight," Jennifer said. "I have a vision. I predict that you will soon all say 'aw'." She silently counted to three and the crowd said 'aw'.

"It came true," Marcus said, amazed.

"What?" Dana asked. "I'm not impressed."

"You're impressed!" Marcus said.

"Hit it, ma!" Jennifer said. Then Bonnie started playing the piano.

Oh I can see
What others can't see
It ain't some sideshow trick
It's innate ability
Where others are blind
I am futurely inclined
And you too could see
If you were little old me

"Come on, everybody, rise up!" Jennifer said as everyone in the audience stood up. "I want y'all to keep it going!"

"Wha--?" Dana asked. "How did she--?"

"Keep it going!" Jennifer said, then she resumed singing.

You wish your son would call you more

"I'm leaving everything to my cats!" an old woman called out.

I sense that you've been here before

"Oh, what gave it away?" Chief Blubs asked, decked out in Jennifer Gleeful merchandise.

"Come on," Dana muttered.

I'll read your mind if I'm able
Something tells me your name's Marcus

"How'd she do that?" Marcus asked Dana.

So welcome all ye
To the Castle of Telepathy
And thanks for visiting
Little old me

When the song came to an end, Jennifer was sweating and panting. The crowd cheered wildly. "Thank you!" she said. "You people are the real miracles!"

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Outside the Castle of Telepathy, Dana and Marcus were discussing the performance. "Man, that kid's a huge fraud!" Dana said. "No wonder Graunt Silvia doesn't like her."

"Oh, come on," Marcus said. "Her dance moves were adorable!"

"You're too easily impressed," Dana said, rolling her eyes.

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The next day, at the Surprise Hut, Marcus (who was wearing his Fluttershy medallion) approached Dana. "Check it out, Dana!" he said, holding out a plastic turtle ring. "I successfully made a Tank the Tortoise ring!"

"Seriously?" Dana asked.

"I really need to get more figurines," Marcus said.

The doorbell rang. "Someone get the door!" Silvia called out from off-screen.

Marcus went to get the door. He opened it up, but there was no one there. Marcus looked down and saw Jennifer standing at the doorway. "Howdy," she said.

"It's little old you!" Marcus commented.

"I know, my song's quite catchy," Jennifer said. "Now, I know we haven't formally met, but after yesterday's preformance, I just couldn't get the image of your face out of my head."

"You mean this one?" Marcus asked, pointing to his grinning face.

"Oh, what a delight!" Jennifer said. "When I saw that Pony necklace you were wearing, I said to myself, now there's kindered spirit! Someone who appreciates the Pony things in life." She gestured to her Derpy pin.

Marcus gasped. "No way!" he said. "That's an authentic Derpy pin!"

"Precisely," Jennifer replied. "She's my favorite background Pony. It's a shame so many people hated her after she spoke."

"Who's at the door?" Silvia asked.

"No one, Graunt Silvia," Marcus lied.

"I appreciate your discretion," Jennifer said. "Whaddya say we step away from here and chat a bit more? Perhaps in my dressing room."

"Sounds good to me," Marcus said.

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Marcus couldn't believe what he saw. Jennifer's dressing room was filled with various Pony merchandise. "Do you see somethin' you like?" Jennifer asked.

"You have a lot of Pony stuff," Marcus said. "How did you get the mane right on the dolls?"

"I used the plastic combs," Jennifer explained. "It took me several weeks, but it was worth it."

"Lucky," Marcus said. "I can never seem to copy their manes. That's why I prefer turning my Blind Bag figurines into medallions."

"Which reminds me," Jennifer said. "How do you make those things?"

"I have a special drill," Marcus explained. "I use it to drill two tiny holes on the top of the Pony's head and I put it on a stainless steel chain."

"Guess we each have something to contribute to the fandom," Jennifer said.

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Later that day, Marcus came back to the Surprise Hut. "Hey Dana," he said. "What's goin' on?"

Dana looked up from her book. "Whoa, where have you been?" she asked. "And where did you get that toy?"

"Oh, this?" Marcus asked. "Jennifer had an extra Derpy doll, so she gave it to me."

"Marcus, I don't trust anyone whose ego is bigger than their head," Dana said.

"Oh, leave her alone," Marcus said. "You're not into Ponies, and you and Salls get to do masculine-girlish stuff all the time."

"What do you mean?" Dana asked.

As if on cue, Salls entered the room. "Hey Dana, you ready to blow up these hotdogs in the microwave one-by-one?"

"Am I?" Dana gleefully replied. Then she picked up her book and followed Salls to the kitchen. Marcus could hear the two females having fun.

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The next day, Marcus and Jennifer were sitting on the roof of a factory. "Whoa... The view from your family's factory is nuts!" Marcus commented. "Good thing we both brought our..."

"Pegasus binoculars!" the two friends said in unison, holding up identical light blue binoculars. They used them to look at the scenery.

"Marcus, when I'm up here lookin' down at all them little people, I feel like I'm Princess Luna," Jennifer said. "I guess that makes you Princess Celestia if she was a guy."

"What?" Marcus asked. "You're being so nice to me right now!"

"Course I am," Jennifer said. "I'm speakin' from the heart. Marcus, I've never felt this close with anyone. So, so close..."

Marcus immediate got what Jennifer was trying to say. "Look, Jennifer," he said. "You're a great girl and a cool Pegasister, but I only see you as a friend. We can still be Pony pals."

"Pony pals?" Jennifer repeated.

"Yeah," Marcus said. "Pals who like Ponies."

"Oh," Jennifer said. "Can we still hang out?"

"Well, of course," Marcus said. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with a guy and a girl doing things together."

"Marcus Pines, you have made me the happiest girl in the world!" Jennifer said. She cheerfully Brohoof'd with Marcus.

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The next day, at the Surprise Hut, Dana and Marcus (who was wearing a Cherry Spices medallion) were playing a video game. "It's not a date," Marcus explained. "We're just two Pony pals hanging out."

"Marcus, girls don't work that way," Dana said. "She's gonna fall in love with you."

"Yeah right!" Marcus said. "I'm not THAT cute."

"Okay, we agree on something here," Dana said as Marcus beat her at the video game.

The doorbell rang. Marcus went over to the door and opened it. Jennifer was standing outside. "Ready when you are, Pony pal!" she said.

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It wasn't long before Marcus and Jennifer arrived at a restaurant. They were sitting at a booth. "I've never seen so many forks," Marcus said. "And water with bubbles in it? How classy."

"This restaurant has always been my favorite," Jennifer said. "I feel like Rarity every time I come here."

"Yeah, she would definitely like this place," Marcus agreed.

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Back at the Surprise Hut, Silvia just found out about Marcus' new friendship with Jennifer. "What's Marcus doing in the paper next to that crazy cheapskate Jennifer?"

"Oh yeah, it's like a big deal," William said. "Everybody's talking about Marcus and Jennifer's friendship."

"WHAT?!" Silvia exclaimed.

"I wonder what the new name will be for the power couple," Salls said. "Marifer? Jennicus?" She gasped. "Marjencusifer!"

"I didn't know!" Dana said. "I didn't hear about it! And plus, I told him not to!"

"Yeah, well it ends tonight," Silvia said. "I going right down to that girl's house. This is gonna stop right now!" She left the Surprise Hut, angrily closing the door behind her.

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At the Gleeful household, Silvia knocked on the door. "Jennifer, you little witch!" she called out. "Open up!"

However, Bonnie opened the door. "Why, Silvia Pines!" she said. "What a delight!"

"Where's Jennifer?" Silvia asked.

"Well, I haven't seen the girl around," Bonnie said. "But since you're here, you simply must come in for tea. It's imported all the way from Columbia."

"Wow," Silvia said. "I went on vacation there once."

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And so, the two women were in the living room, drinking tea and chatting. "Now, I hear your great-nephew and my daughter are getting along quite well," Bonnie said.

"Yeah, and I'm against it," Silvia said.

"Oh no," Bonnie said. "I see it as a fantastic business opportunity. The Surprise Hut and my own car company, the Fifth Wheel. We've been at each other's throats for far too long, yes we have. This is our big chance to brush aside our rivalry and pool our collective profits, you see."

"So?" Silvia asked.

"So, it'll help my family," Bonnie continued. "You see, my dearest husband was in a serious accident. He died on the day Jennifer was born."

"Oh, you poor thing," Silvia said. "If it means that much to you, I think we can work something out."

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Back at the restaurant, Marcus and Jennifer finished their meal. Right now, they were talking about Ponies. "I think they should just make her a princess," Jennifer said. "After all, her brother became part of a royal family through marriage in the last episode."

"I don't know," Marcus said with a shrug. "It might ruin the show's dynamic. What I really want to see is Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo finally getting their Cutie Marks."

"Maybe we should continue some other time," Jennifer suggested. "Like say...this Thursday?"

"What's so special about Thursday?" Marcus asked in response.

"There's a dance that night," Jennifer explained. "I heard it's just as crazy as Pinkie Pie's parties."

"Oh really?" Marcus asked, intrigued.

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Back at the Surprise Hut, Dana looked up from her book and saw Marcus coming back. "Hey, how'd it go?" she asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Marcus said, smiling.

"Well, at least it's all over and you won't see her again," Dana said.

Marcus was silent. "Bro, it's over, right?" Dana asked. "Marcus?"

"Nope!" Marcus cheerfully said. "We're still Pony pals."

"Dude, it's easy to say 'no'," Dana said.

"It's not that easy, Dana," Marcus explained. "I do like Jennifer as a Pony pal. She's the first person I met who knows what it's like to be part of a popular culture."

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Eventually, Thursday night came. After the party, Marcus (who was wearing a Rarity medallion) and Jennifer were out on a boat. "You know, I thought dancing was going to be the end of the evening," Marcus said.

"Don't you want this evening to last, Marcus?" Jennifer asked.

"Well yeah," Marcus answered. "I'm always happy to hang out with a Pony pal."

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When Marcus got back home, he was incredibly happy, even more so than usual. "What in the heck happened during that party?" Dana asked.

"Oh, nothing special," Marcus said. "I'm just really happy to be friends with Jennifer."

"I hope Graunt Silvia is okay with this," Dana said.

As if on cue, Silvia entered the room. "Marcus, I'm so glad you became friends with Jennifer!"

"Wait, what?" Dana asked.

"It's all part of my long-term deal with her widowed mother, Bonnie," Silvia explained. "There's a lot of cash tied up in this thing. Plus I get to help her family."

While Marcus was happy with Silvia's partnership with Bonnie, Dana was getting very suspicious.

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A few days later, Dana and Marcus (who was wearing a Rainbowshine medallion) were playing with Salls. "I'm so glad everything's great now that we're friends with the Gleefuls," Marcus said.

Then the phone rang. Dana went inside and answered it. "Yello?"

"Oh, hi Dana Pines," Jennifer said from the other line. "We need to talk. Meet me at 412 Gopher Road at 7pm tonight."

"Um, okay," Dana said.

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That night, Dana arrived at the place, which happened to be the Gleeful family factory. "Hello?" she called out.

Jennifer stepped out of the shadows. "Hello friend," she said.

"Jennifer," Dana coldly responded.

"Dana Pines, how long have you and your brother been livin' in this town?" Jennifer asked. "A week? Two? Ya like it here? Enjoy the scenery?"

"What do you want from me?" Dana asked. "Is this about Marcus?"

"Oh no," Jennifer said. "Let's just say readin' minds isn't all I can do."

"But you're a fake," Dana recalled.

"Oh, tell me, Dana," Jennifer said. "Is this fake?" She snapped her fingers causing several boxes to levitate for a few seconds.

"H-How are you...?" Dana stammered.

"I'm a real psychic," Jennifer explained. "Nothing more than a girl with the ability to lift objects using brain powers."

"Why didn't you tell Marcus?" Dana asked.

"And freak him out?" Jennifer asked in response. "No way! Pinkie Promise me you won't tell anyone else, especially Marcus."

Dana was speechless. She was wondering if Jennifer was hiding some kind of secret, but was this it? Just the ability to levitate objects? It seemed harmless enough.

"Okay, Jennifer," Dana said. "I 'pinky promise' I won't tell anyone about your powers."

"Oh, thank you," Jennifer said. "This sure won't be the last you'll see of little old me!"

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Dana returned to the Surprise Hut, still freaked out. "What the heck happened to you?" Silvia asked.

"I had a talk with Jennifer," Dana said, forcing a smile. "She's just as sweet as she claims to be."

"At least you can be sure the Gleefuls are as nice as their surname," Marcus said.

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But at the Gleeful residence, Bonnie was in the living room reading a maroon book when Jennifer came home. "Welcome back, dearest," Bonnie said. "Did everything go as planned?"

"Yep," Jennifer answered. "You were right about Dana. I used a hidden remote and invisible string to make her think I really have psychic powers."

"That's a good girl," Bonnie said. "We can now move on to Phase Two of our plan."

"Yeah, about that," Jennifer said. "I'm actually starting to like that Marcus boy. He's such a sweetheart."

"Jennifer dear, focus on the plan," Bonnie said looking up from her book. "We pretend to be nice to the Pines and gain their trust."

"I know, but I gave Marcus my extra Derpy doll," Jennifer said. "I told you I was saving it for a special friend."

"Well, you did gain his trust," Bonnie said. "You've done enough for now, Jennifer. Now why don't you play with your dolls for a bit?"

"Of course, ma," Jennifer said.

Once Jennifer left the room, Bonnie picked up her wedding picture. "Our sweetie has grown up so nicely," she said, talking to the picture of her dead husband. "It's a shame you couldn't stick around to see her."

Bonnie took out a blood-stained knife as she continued. "But then again, all I needed was for you to help me conceive a child. That precious car lot of yours was a nice little bonus." She put the knife in her book as a bookmark. "Nothing personal, dear. It was all part of the plan."

Bonnie closed her book and put it on the table. On the cover was a hand with six fingers on it and the number 2.