//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2: Just Another Day in the Office 
// Story: A Pony Christmas Carol 
// by ShadowBrony928 
//------------------------------//

Twi and Starlight would go back to work after Jackie left as both got quite focused into their work. Not long later, two mares came into the establishment with welcoming smiles on their face. One was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail and blue eyes while the other was a white unicorn with an elegant purple mane and tail and blue eyes as well.

"Why, good afternoon, darling" the unicorn said delightfully as they both approached the desk of Starlight

"I um...don't suppose we could be speaking to Ms. Scrooge or Ms. Marley...um...a-are we?..."

"Ms. Marley has been dead seven years today..."

"Oh my...we're so sorry..." the pegasus would respond

"Why's that? Are you relatives of hers?"

"Well um...no but-"

"Then what do you want?" Starlight said, cutting off the unicorn

"Well um...you see Ms. Scrooge...a-at this time of year we take time to give to the poor homeless ponies...who have nowhere to go..." answered the pegasus

"Aren't there prisons?" Starlight asked

"Yes, plenty..." the unicorn responded, a bit weary

"And are the workhouses still up and running?"

"Um...y-yes...miss..."

"Good. For a moment you had me worried." Starlight would say relieved

"Well um...we do wish to give the homeless this time of year...give them food, drink, and shelter." the unicorn continued

"W-what shall we put you down for?" the pegasus asked

"Nothing."

"Oh, you wish to remain anonymous. Well, of course, darli-"

"I wish to be left alone! I don't make myself merry at Christmas and I can't afford to make ponies merry who don't even do anything! I support the establishments I mentioned, merely have the homeless go there"

"Well...most of them can't go there...m-many would rather die..."

"Then they'd better do it and decrease the surplus population!"

The unicorn gulped "well um...would you look at the time. We simply must be going...Merry Christmas, darling." the two then quickly left the establishment

"Humbug!" Starlight simply said before returning to work.

It soon neared the end of the day as the two got ready to close up for the night. Twi was about to speak before she was cut off by Starlight

"I suppose you want the whole day off tomorrow?"

"If it's convenient ma'am"

"Well it's not! If I were to dock you half a bit, you'd think you were being ill-used!...yet you don't think I'm being ill-used by paying a full-day's wage for no work!...but I suppose if you must, you may have the day off...but I expect you here all the earlier the day after! Got it!?..."

"Yes ma'am! Thank you so much! Merry Chri-" she was cut off by Starlight's glare "-uhh...good night Ms. Scrooge" the two headed off to their respective homes for the night. Starlight sporting her usual gloomy face while Twi's was bright and full of cheer. Little did Starlight know her night had only just begun