That will be 1416.25 Bits

by RDDash


1: The Restaurant Industry Is Brutal

Vinyl Scratch and Octavia Melody had been visiting Canterlot For a few days on a business trip. Vinyl because she was looking for an opportunity for a DJ gig, and Octavia was just visiting the Philharmonia Orchestra where she worked sometimes pretty much everywhere and whenever the spot for a classical music was needed.

Performing at the party of some rich noblepony, check. Doing a gig for the Princesses, that's always guaranteed to be a high-class event, put a check on that too. Octavia wondered if she really did became just like Vinyl.

On another hoof, Vinyl Scratch did have very simple goals in life, not that anything was wrong with it. Working as a freelancer DJ had its advantages, as well as disadvantages. Mostly it was a good thing because going on a professional level means that the ponies are going to put more pressure on you.

"Hey, Octy! Check this out, there is a brand new restaurant that just opened in Canterlot. I was wondering, if you would like it, of course, you and I could go, um on a dinner date together. Or if not maybe just to spend the night as pals. So um, what do you think?"

"A new restaurant, Vinyl, are you sure? It's not going to be just like last time?"

"Octy when did I ever let you down?" Vynil prepared her ultimate weapon wub eyes of cuteness overload".

"Oh, alright Vinyl, but you are going to pay the bill."

"Sure thing! I am just happy that you said yes!"

So, with that out of the way they went about their business, and then when the evening came Vinyl Scratch was waiting for Octavia in front of the restaurant which had a very peculiar name CHIPS.

"A table for two, please!" they both asked a waitress unicorn pony at the same time.

"Sure, please come this way, we are always happy to see new customers!" said the waitress cheerfully, and then she gestured for them to come and sit behind the table. "Okay perfect! Here is your table, and the menu, please call me whenever you are ready to order. What drinks would you like me to bring to you."

"Oh, um, I guess we would like to start with two ponies of cider for starters." Octavia giggled, "What do you think Vinyl?"

Sure, sounds good to me."

After the waitress went away to get their drinks Vinyl decided to start a conversation. "So, tell me how was your day had been?"

"There is nothing to say really! You already know what I am going to say, sometimes I feel like I am a musician for hire."

"You aren't supposed to?"

Octavia started talking eventually going down rumbling her life problems to Vynil, "Well, yes! I mean no! I mean it's kind of complicated! I think I always thought that I should please my father, he was a very famous musician, and he just wanted me to be one too. So, sometimes I go to my job and ask myself, what does it mean to be famous."

"I dunno, people enjoying the work you do! Or maybe you just keep enjoying your own work, no matter what!"

"Thanks for the pep talk, so whats on the menu, Vinyl?"

"Let's see!" Vynil opened the menu and then looked at its contents "There are potato chips, sunflower chips, corn chips, coconut chips, all of them are deep-fried, baked, steamed, low carb, or gem crusted."

"Gem crusted?"

"Yes, they take gems and make them into chips, and they boil them or steam them, well you know the rest. I don't know I never tried myself. I heard that technique that they are using makes them quite soft even the ponies can eat it."

"You heard about it even though this restaurant opened just recently?" Octavia suddenly became very unsure over the Vynil's enthusiasm.

"Well yeah, but its a very famous chain of restaurants, they have at least one in every major city. Oh, I guess there is also a desserts option: Icecream Cheese Sandwich, Cider Mini Cakes Manehaten Cream Cake."

Vynil giggled, "Unicorn Cream Cake, Chimicherichanga Cupcakes, Sand Bit Cookies.. Several restaurant's specials Heart Attack, Seven Minutes With Celestia, Galaxy's Hot Mess! Don't even ask me what it made off, I am pretty sure it's just hot chocolate!" Vinyl raised an eyebrow at the next one, "Cadence Browny Cake, and well, I guess that about covers it."

The waitress came back and brought them a bottle of cider and two glasses, "So, what would you like to order?"

Octavia thought about it and then said, "Well I would take Sunflower Chips, and I guess I will take Sand Bit Cookies! What do you want Vynil?"

"Oh, um coconut chips with Icecream Cheese Sandwich, please."

The waitress took their order and then went away again. After about forty minutes or so, she returned with their orders.

Time flew for both of them, they kept ordering drinks and sometimes, even more, food, but mostly drinks, until finally, they asked for the final bill.

"Here is your bill, please come again!" the waitress was very happy to give them both a scroll with the bill which summarized a very hefty summary of their purchases.

After Octavia looked at it she then gives it to Vynil, "Well you promised that you would pay for it."

Vynil glanced at the bill, 1416.25 bits. She then nodded in agreement, and then put the big bag of bits on the table, "Keep the change!" After that, they both trotted out of it.

"Well, I suppose you could say that the night is well spent!" Octavia cracked a small joke.

"Yeah, I guess! So I suppose I will see you later today?"

"Of course! We are roommates aren't we?"

Vinyl Scratch nodded at that, two ponies with slightly different tastes in music somehow ended up living together in the same house. If she would have to guess it all started from her desire to save money. Then the fate put two of them together, and they end up the best friends who just liked each others company.