//------------------------------//
// A Long Shift 
// Story: First Harvest 
// by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof 
//------------------------------//

	Lemon Pie laid under her cart, enjoying the cool shade as she kept out of the heat from the afternoon sun.  Her chin rested on one of the spokes of the wagon wheel as she watched the rest of the Saddle Burr's market square.

"Lemons?" she called out to some passing ponies.  "Fresh, ripe, juicy lemons."  As they moved on after just a glance, she let out a sigh.

This was not going how she had expected or wished.  She had not sold anywhere near as many as she had been hoping.  There had been a few sales, which was nice.  There had also been some bartering.  She had managed to trade some for a jug of milk (which she had been drinking while it was still cold) from one pony, and about a pound and a half of strawberries from another.  Not exactly what she would like to have gotten.

It was made a little more irritating by the fact that she was going to stop for the day.  She had to get home and have supper.  It also turned out she had to make some signs (still can't believe I forgot to do that).  She had also been planning to make some snacks and treats to sell as well.  Lemon had been considering making lemonade as well, and considering how hot and dry it was, that idea was seeming better and better.

A growl drew the mare's attention to her stomach.

"Cease your complaints," she said.  "You will be fed shortly you foul beast.  We've only been at this..." she let out a groan after figuring it out, "about six hours."

At least laying in the shade of the cart and resting had given her a chance to recover some.  The worst of the pain had subsided.  She still felt a little stiff and sore, but not as much as when she had first gotten to town after the crash.  There was little pain as she climbed out from under the cart, and she no longer had a limp.

Biting her lip, Lemon Pie had to resist the urge to look in the cart.  She already knew she would see and how much it would disappoint her.  All of those poor unsold lemons, not finding new homes where they will make somepony happy.  Unfortunately, she could not help herself when she was putting the container of strawberries and the rest of the milk in the back.  As soon as she did, she let out a disappointed groan.  She probably lost more lemons in the crash than she had sold.

The mare looked away from the back and stepped to move around the cart.  Moving into position, she attached herself to the traces once again.  A few quick tugs to make sure that everything was properly in place, and then a hard pull to get the wagon moving again.  Now she just had to hope that the trip up the hill went better than the trip down it.

As she walked, she came across a restaurant.  Her steps slowed down and stopped as she looked at it, watching ponies eating and drinking on the patio..  One of her ears gave a quick flick.  Slowly, a smile spread across her lips, turning into a full grin.  Quickly, she unhitched herself from the cart and ran up to one of the waiter.

"Excuse me," she said with a smile to get the waiters attention.  Moving closer, she wrapped a front leg around his neck.

"I couldn't help  but notice how plain and," she let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, "boring your water glasses are." Moving away, she turned him to face her.  "Well, you are one lucky pony today.  I have just the thing."  With that, she zipped over to her cart.

"LEMONS!" she shouted as she pulled one up and held it out.  "Yes sir, just imagine a piece of one of these beauties on the lip of the glass.  It could be a wedge or a wheel.  Why, your customers could give it a squeeze to add a little flavor.  Or, you could have it be decorative and add a couple leaves of mint.  What do you say?"

The mare continued to hold the lemon out and waited for the stallions response.  The smile vanished as the waiter turned and walked back into the restaurant.

"Why not?" she called out after him.  "Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity you're missing here?"

With a sigh, she put the lemon back into the cart.  Hooking herself back up, she began walking home once again.