//------------------------------//
// Just Another Day 
// Story: No Regrets 
// by Rustyshell 
//------------------------------//


26 Years Earlier

The streets of Little Buck were empty, save for one pony. One pony, who was all alone in a vacant city without another soul in sight. One pony, who stood in solitude among the cold skyscrapers of the city. One pony...who was absolutely delighted by the barren landscape he found himself in. Jackpot walked about the streets of Little Buck with a gigantic smile on his face. There wasn't anyone in sight and that reality filled him with so much joy. Here he was, in complete isolation, able to walk the roads of this city without a single pony getting in his way. The street corners were devoid of sign wavers, who so often got in Jackpot's way as they flaunted around their cardboard and obstructed his path. There were no obnoxious couples devouring one another's faces at the crosswalks that often trapped him with them for far, far too long. No pony bumped into him without a glance back, despite the fact that he had been deliberately attempting to avoid them. And best of all, there were no annoying children running around him and screeching. The silence that filled the city of Little Buck now was music to his ears.

The sweet melody did not last, unfortunately, and Jackpot finally woke up. He groggily came to his senses and took stock of his surroundings. Sunlight annoyingly poured through his blinds and found its way directly to his face. He let out a groan and turned himself over, trying to return to the nirvana he had so suddenly been ejected from. It was not be, however, as the houses around his came to life and soon the sounds of carriages and pedestrians bore there way into his room. He sighed and finally surrendered to the arrival of day. He got up from his bed and stretched his legs. His front, right leg was a little stiff and he walked on it to loosen it up a bit. After completing that task, he let out a yawn and found his way to his bathroom. Forty five minutes of grooming later and he walked out in his work attire, prepared for the long day ahead. He had on a generic, lime green, button up, dress shirt which he had ironed the wrinkles out of the night before. He looked back to his bathroom mirror and couldn't help but admire how clean and pressed he looked...even it his shirt was a bit of an eye sore, especially with the words "Front Cover's Bookstore" sewn onto the collar in golden letters. 

Still, Jackpot thought he appeared rather good looking today. "Great," he thought, "now I can look good while trapped in a bookstore all day." He turned away from his mirror and headed to his living room, where he grabbed his keys and some bits to pick up some food on the way back. He turned around the area and checked his belongings one more time to make sure he had everything...he didn't. He scurried back to his room and grabbed his name tag off of his dresser, sticking it into his shirt a few inches below the collar. It also had gold lettering and said "Jackpot" on it. With his identity now secured, he trotted back to his door and double checked everything one more time. He wasn't missing anything. Satisfied, he turned around and opened his door using the magic from his horn. A few seconds later and the door shut behind him. He turned his key in the lock until he heard a click and then brought it back to him. He then headed out into his daily commute.

The streets of Little Buck were usually busy during the morning hours but Jackpot had been working at the book store long enough to know when and where to go in order to avoid a majority of the traffic. He exited the street where his house resided and began walking to the north, despite the fact that his work was to the east. There was no way he was going east down Buckingham Drive, that was one of the busiest streets at this hour. No, instead he would take a detour north for a good little bit down Saddle Road before he would finally go east. He continued northward for a good bit, using the buildings to his east to block the sun from getting into his eyes. He examined the path ahead of him and was glad to see that all foot traffic was on the other side of the road from him. No one would really be walking down this side at this time of day, as none of the shops opened until around noon, well past the time that Jackpot would be gone. 

He took a breathe and enjoyed the scents of flowers that made up a good length of the walkway. There were tulips and roses in droves and Jackpot decided to pick one of each using his magic and put them away. He would give them to his boss, Front Cover, as she loved to fill the front of her store with flowers. He continued his way along Saddle Road and began to prepare to head east, down Baltimare Avenue, named in honor of Little Buck's sister city. "It should be here any minute," he thought. And sure enough, he came across a sign that said "Baltimare Avenue" and began his journey eastwards. This was one his favorite roadways in the entire area, as it was mostly filled with the homes of elderly ponies who wouldn't be heading out anytime soon. He thanked father time as this meant he would likely have the entire street to himself, which elated him. He wouldn't be able to stay this way forever, though, as he would need to head south eventually.

Still, Jackpot made sure to enjoy his walk of solitude as there wasn't even anypony on the other side of the street. He was truly alone. Memories of his dream from earlier that morning came back to him and he began to wish every day could be like this. No one to bump into on the street or obstruct his path. No one delaying him from an important event or trying to chat him up. Just him and an empty road. He smiled to himself and paused for a few minutes, taking in the silence of the area and enjoying it. He knew this couldn't last forever, though, and reluctantly continued his route to Harmony Boulevard, one of the busiest areas in the entire city. He slowed his pace a tad so that he could enjoy the last stretch of Baltimare Avenue before he finally came to a sign that said "Harmony Boulevard". With a sigh, he turned southward and bid a due to the peace and quiet he was leaving. 

He advanced to the south and was surprised to find it rather empty for a time, as there were only a few ponies walking around. He did his best to avoid them and they did the same to him, luckily. He began to feel his hopes rise as he pondered if this would be a good end to his commute. He found himself disappointed by reality, however, as he eventually ran into large amounts of foot traffic after cresting a hill. Jackpot let out a sigh and continued down the last leg of his journey. Mares, stallions, and fillies crowded the walkways as he did his best to weave his way past them. He made his way for a time, dodging everyone, until he saw a large group of school children up ahead. They seemed to be part of a field trip and were clogging the path ahead of him. Fortunately for him, there were currently no carriages around and he crossed to the other side of the street and continued onward. He dodged tourists taking pictures and grandmares who were wanting to talk his ears off. He avoided street vendors who were trying to sell him stuff straight from Canterlot and he sidestepped overly indulgent couples. 

Finally, after making his way through the sea of ponies he found himself at the front of his workplace. He looked into the window and adjusted his work clothes, making sure he looked good. He stepped inside and let a loud greeting. "I'm here, Front Cover!" Jackpot said. 

"Why Jackpot, I was beginning to wonder if you would every show up."

"But I'm ten minutes early."

"Ten minutes early for you is like 2 hours late for other ponies, Jackpot. Your usually here a good 45 minutes to an hour early."

"Traffic was a bit worse than I thought it was going to be...and I may have slowed down to enjoy my walk here from time to time."

Front Cover let out a laugh and said "Didn't take you for the stop and smell the roses type, son. Whenever I see you trotting around you always look like your trying to get home as quickly as possible."

He blushed a little at her laugh and response and replied "Well, I just thought I could take some enjoyment today for once. Oh, and speaking of roses..." He got the tulip and rose he had gathered earlier and levitated them to Front Cover who took them in her hooves. The earth pony examined them so he took a moment to observe her. She was wearing her typical rounded spectacles which clung to her wrinkled face. She was an aged mare in her later years of life, as one could tell by her grayed out mane that hung up in a bun on top of her head. She had a dark blue vest that she wore over her light blue, button up blouse which also had golden letter on its collar. Her light green eyes continued to scan the flowers for a time before she looked back up at him.

"These are lovely, Jackpot," she said with a smile that could warm a glacier. She placed them in a nearby vase and then said "Thank you."

"I'm glad you like them," he said. "They were part of the reason I was almost on-time for once."

"They were certainly worth the detour. If you find anymore like them, I would love them."

"I'll keep that in mind." He turned and walked to begin his typical work routine. 

"Jackpot," Front Cover said, "You know...it wouldn't hurt to get some of these for a potential somepony tomorrow."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said in order end the topic. He grabbed a book and said "Now, shall I get to work?

A full work day later Jackpot stretched in front of the store as Front Cover closed it up for the day. "I can't remember the last time we had that many customers," he said.

"Well, it is the day before Hearts and Hooves day. Most of our customers probably waited until the last minute and thought their special somepony might like a book." She turned to Jackpot. "Don't let yourself get caught up in their dilemma once you do get around to dating."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said once more in order to end the topic but it didn't seem to work this time.

"I'm serious, Jackpot. You're a nice, young stallion, you could probably find a good mare to spend your days with."

"I appreciate your concern, Front Cover, I really do, but I'm just not looking for anybody right now."

"It's just," she said "I don't really see you talking about any of your friends and you always seem to head straight home after this. I'm worried about you."

"I'm alright. I know I don't really talk to anypony else when I don't need to but it works for me. You don't have to worry about me Cover, I really am fine."

"If you say so," Front Cover said in a unconvinced tone. "Just make sure you don't keep your options limited, you hear me?"

"I hear you. Thank you for caring about me." Jackpot gave her a big smile to alleviate her concerns and she smiled back at him. 

"Alright, I'll stop butting my nose into your business. But if you ever change your mind, I know some good locales to go with friends too."

"I'll keep that in mind," Jackpot said, officially ending the conversation. They said their farewells and he made his way westward, towards home. He really wasn't looking forward to tomorrow.