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// 2 - Things Get Loud 
// Story: Sweetie Belle Serves Lunch 
// by David Silver 
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Sweetie started to get into a little groove. She'd smile and greet each pony, press the buttons for each thing they wanted, and put the resulting receipt on a little spinning thing that let the cook on duty get to it. It was nice and simple, really, and she felt accomplished doing it without making... too many... mistakes.

Then Cranky came in. He was already muttering as he came up towards the counter. He looked Sweetie up and down even as she enthusiastically greeted him. "Can it and take my order. I'm not here to make friends." He looked away a moment, grumbling, "Sometimes it's like all the ponies take after that pink menace." He looked back to her. "Ready?"

"Y-yes sir!" Sweetie gave a sharp salute before hovering a hoof over the register. "Ready."

"I'll take..." He started droning off his order. It seemed just a bit much for one donkey.

Unfortunately, Sweetie didn't contain her curiosity. "Getting some for somepony else?"

He raised a shaggy brow at her. "That's a rude thing if ever I heard. Whether I am or not is none of yer business!"

Sweetie went red with shame and annoyance. Was that really so bad a question? "O-okay. Um, anything else?"

He pointed up at the menu over both of their heads. "What's that?" Sweetie turned and began to explain, but he cut her off, "Nevermind that! How much?"

Sweetie found her teeth were clenched. She didn't like being talked at like that, but she tried to let it go. She depressed the big finish lever. "That'll be seven bits"

Cranky grumbled as he fished out the coins and surrendered them. 

Finally, Sweetie was left with a measure of peace. She sank back after hanging the receipt and let out a loud sigh. "This can be hard..."

The door swung open, admitting the next pony in. A small pony. A familiar small pony. Applebloom came trotting in, her bow bouncing with every step.

Part of Sweetie lifted. It was good to see a friend, but what would she think of it? Sweetie darkened in her cheeks, going warm. She had freaked out when Twilight showed up, and that worked out alright... right? She cleared her throat softly. "Hey Apple Bloom! Welcome to Hay Burger."

Bloom blinked with some surprise. "Oh hey, Sweetie. What'ya doin' back there?" She reared up and stood against the register, getting a better look at Sweetie. "Wow! Is that an Hay Burger uniform?" Sweetie started to blush all over again. "Cool!" Really? "I didn't know you were gettin' no job. Ah mean, ah already got a job, ya know, workin' the farm with mah family, but this is cool! Now ahm not the only Crusader that works fer a livin'."

Sweetie blinked with wide eyes at her friend. She hadn't even started to look at it that way. "Huh, I guess that's true. Do you think Scootaloo might get a job too?"

Bloom shrugged. "Maybe. Ah ain't forcin' her or nothing." She pointed up at the menu. "Ah'm ready to order."

Sweetie sat up, tall and proud. "And I'm ready to take it. What would you like?"

Apple Bloom ordered a reasonably hefty meal, but ordered two oat burgers. Sweetie knew she didn't usually eat two oat burgers.

"Extra hungry today?" She asked as she pushed down the finalize lever.

Apple Bloom grinned wide. "The second one's fer you. Us workers gotta stick together."

Sweetie felt a sudden flood of giddy warmth. It was so good to have real friends. "You're the best." She reached out a hoof and they met in a loud clop of camaraderie.

When the meal was complete, she passed it down to Apple Bloom and kept one of the burgers, putting it beside her for when she got her break.

"What's that?" It was her senior employee. He was pointing at the lone wrapped burger. "Did somepony forget their order?"

Sweetie blinked at him and the burger. "My friend bought one for me for my break."

He tilted his head. "You shouldn't accept that. I know you're new, so I'll let it go this time, but you can get in real trouble having Hay Burger food anytime besides during your break or off-duty."

Sweetie felt her blood rushing into her ears. Was he implying she might have taken it without asking? "I'm not a thief!"

He shook his head. "I'm not calling you one. Look, Sweetie, you seem super nice, but rules are rules. I don't want you to get in trouble, alright?"

She hung her head a little. "Alright," she said in a sullen tone. What was wrong with accepting a gift from a friend?

He reached for the burger and snatched it from the counter. Sweetie gasped loudly and reached for it, but he was already walking away. "I'll put this in the break room."

Oh... She put a hoof behind her head. That was a logical enough place for food to go.

She tried to put it out of her mind, taking a few soft breaths before she looked up. Oops! There were two more hungry ponies waiting for her. "Welcome to Hay Burger. What can I get for you today?" She smiled bright and focused on the job.

She wouldn't mess it up! She got the line moving with cheerful smiles and a recovering spirit.

At least she didn't have another Cranky to deal with that day. The ponies of Ponyville were good folk, by and large.

At least until a pony she didn't even think would ever eat at Hay Burger stepped in. She looked down her upturned nose at Sweetie Belle as if she just smelled something nasty.

Spoiled Rich had arrived.