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// 5 - From Hooves, Burgers 
// Story: Sweetie Belle Serves Lunch 
// by David Silver 
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"Use what destiny gave you," instructed Miss Shake with that kindly smile.

Sweetie took a hay patty from the neat stack and floated it over to the stovetop. "Last time I tried to cook, I wasn't as good with my horn."

"You're growing up," agreed Fair Shake. "Now put it down gently and let it cook a moment. Even with your magic, you shouldn't try to flip it directly. Grab a spatula." She pointed at the named tool. "I've seen unicorns singe their poor horns. Not sure how that works, exactly, but let's avoid it."

Sweetie grabbed up the implement and swung it through the air like a sword before she caught herself and brought it down to gently lift the patty and turn it over. "How do you know when it's done?"

"Just do what you just did there, minus the theatrics. When both sides have darkened a little to a gold color, you're done."

She couldn't believe how easy it seemed to be to cook properly. What had changed since her first time? She could still remember all the smoke, and all the mess.

It came to her suddenly. She wasn't trying to show off, or do ten things at once. It was her, and the burger. The fries were bubbling away and didn't need her attention. She was one with the patty. She lifted it with the spatula and set it on a plate, only for Fair Shake to slip a bun in the way just at the last minute. 

"A burger without a bun is barely a burger," she sang. "They didn't order anything fancy on top, so let's just put the usual." She pointed to the condiments as Sweetie grabbed and applied them to the burger. "In the future, we keep a guide right here." There was a nice chart that showed which condiments to use for which orders. "Don't think we always remember it all."

The fryer began ringing and Sweetie jumped with surprise. She came down facing the sound and reached to grab the handle of the fry basket. "I got it!"

As it turned, she didn't. The basket raised from the oil, wobbling dangerously. Fair's teeth clenched in worry, but she let Sweetie try. Sweetie hadn't even cleared the lip when she tilted it to the side as if to pour it out.

"Stop!"

The basket splashed back down into the oil, making a bit of a mess.

Fair hurried over and grabbed the handle, lifting the basket up and hanging it just above the oil. "This is where you want to put that. Let the oil come out of it, give it a shake if you like, but only after that do you pour it out."

"Oh..." Sweetie was blushing with shame. "I didn't mean to make a mess."

"I've seen worse first tries," assured Fair Shake with a smile. "Let's get this order out. Go ahead and pour the fries over there." She pointed the way and Sweetie soon emptied the basket, then grabbed the scoop that let her get the fries into the serving bag, which joined the burger on the plate.

Fair nodded at the assembled meal. "Excellent. Put it over there and we'll have a happy customer."

Sweetie didn't trust her horn to lift the result of her cooking. She grabbed it in her jaws and set it on the counter where it could be taken, which is was almost immediately.

Fair reached to pat Sweetie on the head. "And there you are. That wasn't so bad, right?"

"No, it wasn't... What about when you're overwhelmed with orders?" Her voice squeaked as she imagined the apocalyptic situation.

"Then they have to wait." Fair pointed to the griddle. "You can cook what you can cook. As you get practiced, you'll get comfortable having more patties on at once, but don't rush it. If things get that busy often, then I'll just have to find another pony to help the two of you out."

Sweetie nodded as she plucked the next receipt off the hanging tray and checked it. A cheeseburger with extra onions. She could do that! She grabbed a patty and set it on the grill.

Fair nodded softly. "It looks like you've got this under control. Just call if you need anything at all."

"Yes ma--" She caught herself, coloring. "Thanks, Mom."

Fair's smile was radiant as the aged mare walked off, content with her life.

Sweetie took a soft breath as she turned the patty over. It crumbled a little with her poor spatula management. Part of her wanted to freak out, but she didn't. She would cook that patty, and the one after it. She would earn her bits, like a grown pony, and then be guilt-free when she spent them.

She smiled to herself. Working there wouldn't be where she'd work forever, but as first jobs went, she could think of worse.