“Three weeks, and we already doubled net gain for the shop!” Rhyme Buster looked up from the stack of cash he was counting. Rosy Rivet and Broken Heart stood before him, the former smiling brightly.
“That’s great!” beamed the green mare. “What are you going to do with all that extra money?”
Rhyme laughed. “I think a bonus is in order for the pony whom we can thank for this increase in revenue. Don’t you think so, B?” When Heart nodded, the tan stallion slid a stack of money to Rosy.
Rosy counted the money before her, her expression growing more and more aghast. “That’s a thousand bits,” said she in disbelief. “Are you sure that’s right?”
“Yeah,” answered Rhyme. “With all the work you’ve put in these past few weeks, you’ve earned it. Go on home, Rosy; it’s late, and we can take it from here.”
“Wait,” said Rosy. “Why don’t we all go out for a nice dinner? I’d be more than happy to cover it.”
The two stallions nodded. “Sounds good, Rosy,” said Rhyme, “but there’s no need for you to pay all round. In fact, we should be treating you.”
“I agree,” added Heart. “We do owe it to you.”
Rosy shrugged. “I guess we can discuss this at the restaurant. I was thinking The Boat House?”
Rhyme Buster shrugged. “Lofty choice,” remarked he. “Not many ponies get a table without a reservation, but it’s worth a shot.” He gave Heart a stack of the money, and put the rest in the iron cash register, locking it as he closed it. “I got a suit I’ve been looking to break in.”
Rosy nodded. “I’ve got to get something from home, too. Meet up there?” Everypony agreed, and went their separate ways.
Rhyme Buster arrived at his apartment in very little time. His apartment lie on the third floor of the complex, with two windows overlooking the street. The apartment’s layout was standard, with standard wall and carpet colours, and almost no decor. His bedroom was completely different, though: posters of various famous rappers covered the walls and doors, and a large stereo system covered the parts of the walls that had no posters.
Rhyme opened his closet door and got dressed. He donned a black undershirt, a dark gray, pinstripe suit coat, matching cape, a white tie, and a white fedora with a black band. He looked in the mirror inside his closet and nodded. “I should be a Pegasus,” said he to his reflection, “because I am fly!”
The tan stallion walked at a leisurely pace towards the marina, where The Boat House stood. He arrived in about an hour’s time. The restaurant had two floors and many open-air areas full of tables, including the roof. The building offered an excellent view of the lake, which was dotted with reflections of stars and lights from the surrounding city.
He was met by Rosy Rivet, who wore a white work shirt with the sleeves up, a black vest, and a long black coat. She looked over Rhyme’s outfit and commented, “you look like a mobster.”
The stallion gave a chuckle. Before he could reply, he noticed Broken Heart approaching the restaurant. His outfit was no different, save a red rose in his right lapel.
He looked at the two ponies, then turned his attention solely to Rosy. “You clean up nice, Rosy.” He then turned to Rhyme. “You look like a mobster.”
“That’s what I said!” replied Rosy with a laugh.
The trio shared a laugh. “Well,” began Heart, “we should get in; see how long the wait is.”
The three ponies entered through the main door, where a pale orange Pegasus Stallion stood at a podium. “Three,” said Rhyme to the pony. “How long’s the wait? Hour? Two?”
The Pegasus shook his head. “You came at a good time,” said he. “The wait for a table’s only 35 minutes. In the meantime, the bar’s open.” He then pointed a hoof in the direction of the bar, in the far corner of the restaurant.
“You are old enough to have a few drinks with us, right Rosy?” teased Rhyme Buster with a smirk.
Rosy hit Rhyme’s side with her hoof. “I’m twenty-six!” replied she with a laugh.
The ponies sat down next to one another at the bar, where the bartender, a blue Earth Mare, greeted them. “What’s your poison?” asked she with a smirk.
“Brandy, all around.” Rhyme Buster didn’t miss a beat as he replied.
The mare nodded and prepared three glasses of the dark golden spirit. Rhyme paid for the round. “Go ahead, Rosy,” said he, “it don’t bite, too much.” He then laughed at his joke.
Rosy looked at the liquid in the glass. She then gave a shrug and took a large gulp of it. In a second’s time, her eyes widened and she coughed. “Whooh!” shouted she. “That’ll clear your sinuses!”
The tan stallion laughed. “It’s 120 proof, Rosy,” said he between breaths. “You sip it.”
Broken Heart gave a small smirk. “You okay, Rosy?”
The mare nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine,” replied she. “Just wasn’t prepared for a glass of paint thinner.” The trio shared another laugh. When they finished their brandy, Rosy paid for a round of drinks. “Porter, all around,” said she to the bartender.
Broken Heart admired the flavor of the dark beer. “Nice and rich,” commented he. “Good choice, Rosy.”
“And it won’t buck you in the chest,” said she in response.
Heart nodded. “Brandy’s good, but it’s not to be taken lightly. Now it’s my turn for a round.” He thought for a few seconds. “How about hot toddies, all around?”
“Ooh, a mixed drink,” said the bartender playfully. “Classin’ up the place. Coming right up.”
The spicy drink brought a tear to Rosy’s eye. “That’s pretty good,” said she, taking another sip. “Never had a drink with spices before.”
As the ponies conversed, the maitre’d approached them. “A table just opened up on the patio,” said he. “I’ll show you where.”
The table stood just a few inches from the banister facing the lake, and offered a great view. Rhyme, Rosy, and Heart each ordered a glass of porter. “What can I say? It’s good,” said Rhyme defensively.
As they ate, round after round of drink was poured. With their meals finished, they continued to drink. “We’re doin’ good,” said Rhyme with a smile. “We be doin’ pretty well for ourselves. Look at us, chillin’ at the hottest restaurant in town, didn’t need a reservation or nothin’ like that! Just walk in, like we own the place.”
As Heart listened, he started to laugh heavily. “What are you talkin’ about, Rhyme?” asked he. “We DO own this place. This whole city is ours!” He continued to laugh as he threw his hooves outward, facing the lake and city.
As the gray stallion turned back to his friends, Rosy giggled. “I’ve never heard you laugh before,” said she with a blush. “It’s cute.” she then poked his muzzle with her hoof.
“Well,” began Rhyme, “it seems that we are sufficiently full and sufficiently wasted, so let’s bounce.” He set down a large tip on the table and stood up, as his friends did the same. They paid their bill at the front and left the restaurant.
Using his bright white hat, Rhyme Buster hailed a taxi to ferry the ponies home. The carriage was pulled by a large red Unicorn Stallion wearing a yellow hat and coat. “Wheel Spin, at your service,” greeted he as the trio boarded the carriage. “Where to?”
“Apartment complex on 8th,” said Rhyme.
“Apartment complex on 15th,” said Rosy.
“Tick Tock Teck, 22nd Street,” said Heart.
The cabbie nodded. “8th is closest, so we’ll go there first.”
As the stallion pulled the cart, the trio discussed many things. “You know,” began Rosy, looking at Rhyme, “I never asked why you like to rap so much.”
The tan stallion gave a chuckle. “I rap,” said he, “because I can. Not everypony’s born with the skill to rhyme. I was, so I do it when I have the time. Girl, that’s all that rap’s about. So go ahead, why don’t ya try it out?”
Rosy scratched her neck with her hoof as she thought. “Uh, I guess I’m sitting in a taxi cab,” began she slowly. “I just ate a meal that wasn’t too drab.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” said Rhyme encouragingly. “Keep on goin’ Rosy; you got this.”
Rosy smiled. “Thanks, Rhyme Buster, that means a lot. You could teach rap in Canterlot.”
As Rosy rapped, Wheel Spin stopped. “We’re here, Apartment complex on 8th Street.”
Rhyme exited the carriage. “Good work, Rosy. Keep workin’ on that. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” With that, he entered the building.
“Next stop is Tick Tock Teck, over on 22nd Street,” said Wheel Spin as he regained motion.
“So, Heart,” began Rosy Rivet again. “What do you think about that apprenticeship now? I work at the shop full-time, with you, no less.?
Heart drew a sigh. “Based on my observations,” said he, “I don’t think it’s really necessary. I mean, you’ve learned perfectly fine on your own just by watching me, and you’re doing well.”
“But there are still things I don’t get,” replied the green mare. “Things that I need explained. When I can’t figure something out, you just say to give it to you; that’s no good. I’d learn more from a book, if you’d write one. You know so much, and it’s almost selfish to keep it all to yourself.”
Heart shook his head. “Rhyme gave me that same speech weeks ago,” said he blankly. “I’ll tell you what I told him. As we speak, somepony, somewhere, most likely knows all I know and more. And if not now, then the chances are slim to none that nopony will figure it out within a few years. Who know’s? That somepony could be you, Rosy.”
“Then why not just teach me, if I’m going to just figure it out anyway?”
Heart put up a hoof. “You know, we’re not in our right minds; we really shouldn’t be discussing this right now. When we’re both sober, then we can talk.”
As if on cue, Wheel Spin arrived at Tick Tock Teck. The gray stallion dismounted the carriage. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Rosy,” said he as he entered the shop.
“Apartments on 15th, right?” asked Wheel Spin. When Rosy nodded, he carried on in the direction. “He seems nice,” said he, sarcasm in his tone.
Rosy nodded. “I know he seems like a jerk,” replied she, “but I know there’s a kind, sweet, stallion in there somewhere, under that miserly, reclusive shell.”
“Ah, I see,” said Spin with a nod. “You’re an optimist; try to see the best in ponies. I get where you’re coming from. It helps to think that the pony robbin’ you has to feed himself and get by.”
“Heart isn’t robbing anypony,” replied the mare defensively.
Spin scoffed. “Robbing you of a teacher, robbing you, and all of Equestria of all that knowledge. Sounds to me like he’s doin’ plenty of robbing.”
“I guess you’re right,” admitted Rosy with a sigh. “This is my stop.” She paid the stallion generously, thanked him, and entered the building. She entered her room, threw off her formal attire, hung her dew rag on the bed post, and lay down. “Maybe Rhyme and I can talk some sense into him in the morning,” mused she as she closed her eyes.