{"id":33702,"date":"2023-03-03T12:15:45","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=33702"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:15:45","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:15:45","slug":"chapter-4-all-roads-lead-to-pony-mart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/03\/03\/chapter-4-all-roads-lead-to-pony-mart\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 4: All Roads Lead to Pony-mart"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> like Belen,\u201d Thomas said slowly, looking at the application on the desk in front of him, \u201cbut her visa’s only good for the next three months, and there are no guarantees she’ll be able to stay in the country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd she’s taking care of that,\u201d Tabby insisted. \u201cLook, it\u2019s between her and Trudy; and Trudy is convinced I practice the dark arts. I will have you know that I <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> rarely summon demons, and it\u2019s <\/span>never<\/span><\/i> intentional.\u201d She drew herself up indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrudy has great experience, <\/span>and <\/span><\/i>she\u2019s not in danger of deportation,\u201d Thomas argued, knowing he would never hear the end of it if he went against his fiancee\u2019s wishes–but not wanting to give in too easily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust–I–umm\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d he prodded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me talk to my mom,\u201d Tabby said with great reluctance. \u201cShe might\u2026 <\/span>know someone<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Agatha Fershund did seem to know just about everyone worth knowing, Thomas mused. \u201cFine,\u201d he allowed, setting the applications aside for the moment. \u201cSee what she says. Now, about lunch–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I can\u2019t do lunch today,\u201d said Tabby with a very patronizing yet endearing look. \u201cI have to make a run to Pony-mart–my source on the inside said they were stocking some new people this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Right,\u201d said Thomas, knowing that he could never compete with the allure of new My Little People.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime returned to the front end of Pony-mart, and was disappointed to see the lines of ponies waiting to checkout extended for far too long. She looked around for her colleague, Liv, and found her standing at the service desk, in close consultation with Tara and Whispering Winds–but Springtime doubted that the conversation was work-related.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo I said I wasn\u2019t going out with him until he showed some initiative and <\/span>got a job<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Whispering Winds was relating with emphasis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhispering Winds,\u201d Springtime said sweetly as she neared the group, \u201cdo you think you could head back to your register?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just dropping off unwants!\u201d the pale blue pegasus said petulantly before scurrying off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRelax, <\/span>chica<\/span><\/i>!\u201d said Liv to Springtime, her blue eyes sparkling with amusement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime and Liv were Front End Managers, FEMs for short, which was a fancy way of saying they babysat the cashiers. Though her family’s financial means–aided by the town\u2019s funding for the royal twins–would have allowed for Springtime to stay home with her offspring, she felt that her job was part of her identity and maintained part-time employment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to keep an eye on the lines!\u201d said a chagrined Springtime, resenting the familiarity–not to mention that she had at least ten years on the mare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re too uptight,\u201d laughed Liv, unconcerned, as she turned back to Tara.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, at least the lines were settling down, and Springtime idly studied the break schedule as she considered her co-worker. She and Liv had started working at the store around the same time–but Springtime was a transfer from the Hayton branch, and Liv was a new hire. Why Liv had been promoted directly to a supervisory position was beyond Springtime, as the mare seemed to have no abilities other than standing around gossiping. Actually, if Springtime were being honest, she knew all too well how Liv had gotten promoted–she used her innate charm to dazzle anyone to do her bidding. The managers here were no exception.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe change fund hasn’t been balanced,\u201d Springtime noted, a bit curtly as Liv sauntered over to the supervisor\u2019s stand. \u201cWhile I\u2019m doing that, why don’t you do some spot checks?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv pouted, but took the proffered list from Springtime. No one really knew why the accounting office kept issuing these lists of registers to be counted, and nothing seemed to happen if the requests were ignored, but it was something to keep Liv doing work instead of wasting time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpringtime, is it lunch time?\u201d asked a rather whiny voice belonging to a nearby cashier named Primrose.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot until Maple gets back,\u201d Springtime reported after consulting the break schedule. There were days where it seemed that behaviors at work were no better than what she experienced with her three-month-old twins, whose primary concern was filling their bellies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUgh! She takes two hour lunches,\u201d pouted Primrose, leaning against her register counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt shouldn’t be too much longer,\u201d said Springtime in a pacifying manner. \u201cNow, remember to stand out in front and invite shoppers to your lane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy hoof hurts,\u201d Primrose said, \u201cand Liv said it was okay to stay here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSpringtime, I need an override!\u201d This request came from Tara over at the service desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not this guy again<\/span><\/i>, Springtime groaned inwardly as she approached the desk, recognizing the stallion waiting there. \u201cHello, how can I help?\u201d she asked, mustering cheer as she arrived on the scene.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese shoes are worn out. I\u2019d like to return them,\u201d the stallion said, gesturing at a quad of muddy horseshoes on the counter. \u201cI have the receipt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s from five years ago,\u201d Tara piped-up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> have a ninety day return policy,\u201d Springtime said, kindly but firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut I have the receipt,\u201d he repeated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Springtime stifled a sigh. In the past month, this same stallion had returned a used-up roll of tape, a belt worn to shreds, and a microwave that inexplicably reeked of cat urine. She could call up a manager and have them ultimately refund the customer, or she could make the call herself. No one would care. \u201cWe\u2019ll make an exception this time.\u201d She nodded at Tara to process the return, and put her initials on the slip that printed. By the time Springtime finished with that, she noticed that the light on lane 3 was blinking, so she headed over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe register says these dolls can’t be sold until the ninth,\u201d said Whispering Winds, holding up a pink box and looking at Springtime expectantly, waiting for her to make the problem disappear.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on! They’re on the shelf, and don’t you want the sale?\u201d said the customer, a pink unicorn, in a wheedling tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, hadn’t management just been harping on everyone at the morning meeting about sales quotas? Springtime shrugged. \u201cHey… it’s you,\u201d she realized as she inserted her key into the keyhole on the register to override the restriction. \u201cYou’re one of the girls from the vet clinic, aren’t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d the unicorn–Tabby, wasn\u2019t it–said, looking at her inquisitively.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe met in the hospital,\u201d Springtime explained. \u201cYou were avoiding your ex, that dreamy doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 oh!\u201d Realization dawned on her face. \u201cYou’re the twins’ mom! How’s that going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust fine. They\u2019re keeping us very busy,\u201d Springtime said, keeping it simple. No one really wanted to hear about sleepless nights and diaper blowouts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight, right.\u201d Tabby took her bag of purchases and shifted uncomfortably on her hooves. \u201cWell, uh, see you later. Bye,\u201d she said in a rush, then darted off.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a bemused smile, Springtime watched her go.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

As Liv was counting the contents of the till in the sporting goods department, a dark red mare came up to the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d the mare said smoothly. \u201cI was wondering if I could get change for a fifty.\u201d She slid a bill across to Liv.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Liv agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA twenty and three tens, if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d the red mare said with a winning smile. \u201cIt\u2019s really nice weather–must be tough to be cooped up in here,\u201d she chattered cheerfully as Liv counted out the bills. \u201cOh, you know what–could you make that all tens?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv\u2019s guard went up. She recognized a fellow con artist when she met one. She dropped the bills back in the till and \u201caccidentally\u201d bumped the cash drawer closed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m so sorry, but it closed and I can\u2019t open it myself,\u201d Liv said sweetly. She had no great loyalty to the job, but she wouldn\u2019t let a fellow swindler pull one over her eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just the briefest glint of disappointment passed across the red mare\u2019s face. \u201cNo problem. I understand,\u201d she said–likely understanding that she had been uncovered and not wishing to press her luck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv kept a surreptitious eye on the mare as she strode off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Liv.\u201d A blue stallion sidled up to Liv as the red mare disappeared around the corner. \u201cHow’s it going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh… Butch.\u201d Liv schooled her expression into a smile. \u201cHello.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou put on quite a show the other night at Tex\u2019s,\u201d Butch said. \u201cThe record companies will be knocking on your door any day now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndeed,\u201d Liv said with a slight incline of her head. Since Butch had seen to the sisters\u2019 first introduction to local society, she didn\u2019t have a great deal of use for him\u2026 still, experience had taught her not to write him off completely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d he added, inching a bit closer, \u201cmaybe I could treat you to dinner sometime.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, it was a free meal. \u201cSure–that would be nice,\u201d Liv agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice seeing you. I\u2019ll let you get back to work.\u201d And with a tip of his hat, he strode off to look at fishing poles.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Liv was heading back to the front of the store, she caught sight of her sister. \u201cHey, Liv. Is it time for your lunch break?\u201d Belen asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Springtime has things handled,\u201d Liv said, not caring to check, and fell in step with her sister. \u201cHow was the interview at the vet clinic?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it was fine; the doctor and his assistant are very nice. I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not what they\u2019re looking for, though,\u201d Belen said honestly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why not,\u201d Liv said, absentmindedly running a hoof through her mane. \u201cYou love animals.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo does everypony else. It\u2019s not a job qualification,\u201d Belen pointed out. \u201cFor now, waitressing at the SSSS will suffice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Garnet meandered away from the sporting goods counter, not greatly concerned that the con hadn\u2019t gone through. The world was full of opportunities, after all, and this had just been an exercise in entertainment more than anything. Her real goal was elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

She found her way back to her shopping companion, Fern. The two mares were supply shopping for that evening’s movie night with a select group of friends at Fern’s apartment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI got the popcorn and cookies,\u201d said Fern, approaching Garnet with a shopping basket in hoof. \u201cCan you think of anything else we’ll need?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have napkins?\u201d Garnet said the first thing that popped into her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh–good idea!\u201d Fern said enthusiastically. \u201cNow, I wonder what aisle they’re in\u2026\u201d she meandered off, looking up at the aisle identification signs, and Garnet joined her.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabitha, dear, how lovely to hear from you!\u201d Agatha\u2019s effusive voice came over the line. Toning down, she added, \u201cHow are things with Dr. Fairfax?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine… look, I know you don’t approve for whatever reasons, but I don\u2019t really care,\u201d said Tabby bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, Guido was just asking about you the other day,\u201d Agatha continued, unabated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMom, I didn’t call to talk about boys!\u201d Tabby sighed impatiently. \u201cYour old sorority friend, the one with the poofy hair, is she still with Immigration Services?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you mean Linda?\u201d Agatha said with some surprise. \u201cYes, why do you ask?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d Tabby paused, hating to ask for help from her mother, but not having any other recourse. \u201cDo you think she might be able to expedite some paperwork?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m sure she could take a look. What do you need?\u201d Agatha asked. Tabby briefly explained. \u201cI\u2019m so pleased you came to me,\u201d her mother beamed. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted you to avail yourself of your connections!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean, use personal relationships to cheat the system?\u201d Tabby said dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I wouldn’t put it quite like that, dear,\u201d said Agatha complacently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight. Well, um, thanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cI do like Belen,\u201d Thomas said slowly, looking at the application on the desk in front of him, \u201cbut her visa’s only good…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33702","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33702"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33702\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33703,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33702\/revisions\/33703"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}