//------------------------------// // Dollar Signs and Mud In His Eye // Story: Cast Iron Chaos // by Mr Merritt //------------------------------// Two days later “…and apparently he has been going all over town doing odd jobs earning bits.” Rarity explained to Fluttershy as the two mares made their way to their weekly spa treatment. “I was reading about Pygg Iron’s pans the other day.” admitted the shy mare. “They are very expensive, but apparently very popular with chefs. It’s no wonder Peppermill wants one so badly.” “Can you just imagine what he could do with one of those?” tittered the ivory mare. “It’s too bad he seems to be so, well…stubborn about just asking for one. I’m sure Applejack and the rest of his family would be happy to get him one.” sighed Fluttershy as the spa came into view. “I know. But that colt has an independent streak a mile wide. Not to mention enough pride to make him a full-blooded Apple pony.” Rarity used her magic to open the door for her friend as they entered the building. As usual, the pretty Aloe was at the reception desk busy writing in an appointment book. But when she looked up and saw her two best customers, she pranced around the counter anxiously and spoke in a low voice. “Miss Rarity, Miss Fluttershy, you simply must come and see this. It is so charming…” The two friends gave each other a quizzical look, but followed the pretty masseuse into the large area where the mud baths were situated. There, at the far end of the room sitting at a small table was… “Peppermill?” Fluttershy gasped in surprise as she and her friend watched as the colt busily folded towels from a basket onto a pile on the table. He was so engrossed in his task he never noticed his friends gawking at him. “Aloe, what in Equestria is going on?” asked Rarity in a fierce whisper. “I thought only members of the staff were allowed to be back here.” “As of a few hours ago, he became our newest temporary employee.” explained the mare. “He came to me and my sister begging for a chance to earn some money. We simply couldn’t turn him away. Lotus decided that this was the easiest job we could give him.” “You are aware that he is just a colt, and that most of the clientele are…mares.” As much as Rarity approved of the cook’s incredible maturity, the idea of an impressionable male pony in a room full of females still unnerved her sensibilities. “Excuse me…please.” came a rushed voice, and Rarity stepped back just as Peppermill came pushing past balancing a basket of freshly folded towel past her to the cupboards that held them. As soon as he had unloaded his linens, he raced back to his table with the empty basket to start all over again. “As you can see, he is far too busy to be of any concern for the clients. In fact, we have already seen many ponies offer him tips for getting them fresh towels. And he is such a handsome little fellow…” Aloe was clearly hoping that Rarity would accept this explanation, since she was motioning for the mares to head for the steam showers. *** We need you to make sure we always have fresh towels for the clients whenever they need them, mon cheri. That was the fairly straight-forward, if singular, job duty given to the colt that morning. It sounded like a fairly easy way to earn some money, not to mention a chance to check out a place that had always fascinated him. Peppermill could remember how much his late mother Crème Brule had enjoyed her occasional spa day, and always enjoyed her impressive descriptions of the various activities she took part in. Rarity has a fit…if her hooves get dusty…yet she willingly bathes…neck-deep in mud. The things a pony…will do to look…fabulous. Of course…Mother did it…herself… Peppermill chuckled to himself as he returned to the rhythm of folding and sorting, pleased at how well things were going. He was so focused on his task he was oblivious to the smiles and titters of the various mares that took notice of him as he busied himself. Even if Peppermill did notice, the only thing he truly cared about at that moment was how much closer he was getting to a Pygg Iron Pan. As he finished off the next batch of towels, the colt barely registered the approach of the shy yellow Pegasus mare as she minced towards his work station. Fluttershy stood silently, watching as the colt went through another basket of laundered towels. She couldn’t help noting the sheen of sweat on the brow of the colt, though whether it was from concentration or the humidity of the mud baths she was not sure. “Is everything ok Peppermill? You seem a little…rushed.” “They go through…so many towels. I can’t…seem to keep up. It…would be nicer…if they would use…only one or two…at a time…” panted the colt. “And it’s so…wet in here…I feel like I need…to be wrung out…like a washcloth.” “I’d be happy to help you, if that is all right…” “No Fluttershy. What kind…of employee would…I be if I had…to rely on the customer…to help me…with my work. You just go…and enjoy…the spa.” The yellow mare gave the colt a reluctant look, but turned back to join Rarity who was already settling into one of the mud tubs. As she did, Peppermill finished another batch of towels, and loaded them into the basket beside him. He carefully balanced the container on his back, and power walked past Fluttershy to the cupboards. It was right about then that things went very, very wrong. The grey colt had just got past Fluttershy when his fore hoof slipped on a small patch of condensation. This, in conjunction with the sweat that was pouring off of him thanks to the damp heat caused him to slip and slide as if he was on ice rather than tilework. “Woah…woah…woah!” wailed the cook as he struggled to gain purchase on the slippery floor. All of the ponies in the room could only stare in amazement and growing horror as the colt’s flailing brought him closer and closer to the edge of the mud bath that Rarity had settled into. The mare in question was already sporting a pair of cucumber slices across her sapphire eyes, and was apparently oblivious to the thrashing pony before her. The next few moments seemed to go in slow motion for everypony watching. Peppermill found himself teetering on the edge of the bath, his basket of towels remarkably still on his back. He grimaced as he felt his balance betray him, realizing the basket was going to be his downfall. He gave a mighty heave, sending the towels flying backwards…straight into the neighboring mud bath (thankfully unoccupied). Unfortunately his attempt to regain his balanced failed, for he now began to fall forward. On his hind legs and forelegs wind milling wildly, the colt gave a wail of dismay as he fell forward… SPLAT!!! Nopony moved or even breathed as mud splattered all over the walls and any unfortunate spa patron. It took a few moments before Peppermill dared to open his eyes, to discover he was in an incredibly awkward position. Rarity had not yet sunk into the thick mud, and so he found himself sprawled across the beautiful mare’s chest. One slice of cucumber slipped from her brow, revealing a eye looking at him with shock. Both mare and colt shared a furiously hot blush across their respective cheeks at the realization of their situation. “Oh…bother…” mumbled Peppermill.