Chapter Four
Two-Sided Business
“Ya did what Apple Bloom?!” Applejack yelled when she founded out Apple Bloom watered down the cider to double it. “Ponies rely on our cider for quality not quantity, we're not the Flim Flam brothers!”
“I don't think we're gonna have to much competition Applejack, since cider making and selling is illegal.” Apple Bloom countered folding her ears back. “We need more product, filling a bottle with half cider than half water seems like a good way to double our product.”
Applejack stomped a hoof grunting, “Fine, but if we get to many complaints we're going back to how we normally do it.” Applejack relented.
Apple Bloom nodded, “Alright... that sounds fair.” Apple Bloom said.
One Week Later
After a week of selling the water down cider Apple Bloom had earned enough to buy the restaurant and the car to make the delivers, she kept the ponies from complaining about the new cider by telling them if they did complain they wouldn't get any cider at all.
The restaurant needed a bit of work, but it didn't take long to have it fixed up and ponies flocking to it. Scootaloo had been right about the storage room, it was big plus it had a basement so they fixed it up to be a small bar with Scootaloo selling cider while Sweetie Belle ran the restaurant upstairs.
“Well, this place sure is popular.” Apple Bloom heard a familiar voice and stuck her head out of her office spotting the police pony from the farm, a brownish red coated stallion with a blue mane and tail and purple eyes. She went back into her office putting the papers she had been working on away.
“Of course, we have good food Officer.” Sweetie Belle told the police pony with a smile while putting her hoof on a small button behind the checkout counter she worked. “Would you like anything?”
Scootaloo saw the flashing red light and pushed the slide away bar she was at into the wall flapping her wings to stir up the dust to hide the drag marks on the ground, luckily the bar was empty. She started to pretend to check inventory in case any of the police ponies came downstairs.
“Officer Starling,” he greeted before he continued, “I just came to check on things, this is a new business after all and I want to make sure everything is... above board.”
“Of course, feel free to check around,” Apple Bloom said coming out of her office. “We ain't got nuffin to hide.”
“Well, thank you for the invention.” Officer Starling smiled before going to snoop around the restaurant. Scootaloo making her way upstairs as he did so heading over to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
“What's going on?” Scootaloo asked in a whisper.
“Apparently our friendly Officer here wants to make sure everything checks out,” Apple Bloom replied looking at Scootaloo, “Everything checks out right?”
Scootaloo nods at Apple Bloom, “Yea, everything should check out fine.”
“Good,” Apple Bloom smiled as they waited for Officer Starling to finish.
After almost two hours of checking Officer Starling came back to the three, “Well, looks like everything is fine here.” He said looking at the three, “Better keep it that way alright?”
“Of course Officer Starling,” Sweetie Belle smiled at him, being as polite and pleasant as she could be. “Thank you for your concern.”
Officer Starling snorted as he left looking back at the three.
Once he was gone Apple Bloom looked at the other two. “We should keep a low profile, his sudden check is suspicious.” She told them.
“Yea I didn't like it one bit,” Scootaloo agreed with Sweetie Belle nodding before they started back to their jobs. “Oh yea, Apple Bloom we're running low on cider.”
“Alright, I'll run to farm and get some more.” Apple Bloom sighed, “You two keep an eye on things here.”
“We always do Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle smiled at Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom smiled back nodding at Sweetie Belle before getting her keys and went out back where she parked. She climbed into the driver's side and got the engine started driving towards the farm.
The drive to the farm was uneventful, and she pulled around back behind the bark opening the trunk so she could load up the cider needed for the cider cellar under the restaurant.
“Apple Bloom, we need to talk.” She heard Applejack call to her as she loaded box of cider into the trunk.
“What is in Applejack?” She asked looking over to her older sister.
“Words gotten out bout the cider to a bar in Manehatten, they're offering double the price for delivery of three crates of cider over night. Told em not to get their hopes up... but we also told them we'd tell ya bout it.” Applejack explained folding her ears back, “I do'n like this though, it's pretty risky driving to Manehatten at night with a car loaded with cider.”
Apple Bloom rubbed her chin with a hoof. “Is risky, but that is pretty good money to. Trunk is big enough to fit three crates of cider as well.” Apple Bloom considered as she finished loading the car. “I'll get this load back to the restaurant first. Then tell you what I decide on doing.”
Apple Jack sighed softly, she already knew Apple Bloom wasn't going to turn down this offer. “Alright Apple Bloom, just be careful.” She smiled faintly, she had given up trying to talk her sister out of things.
Apple Bloom nodded at Applejack, “I will sis,” she smiled back before getting into the car and drove back to the restaurant to drop off the load of cider for Scootaloo. The return trip was just as uneventful, she turned on the radio tuning it to the local Ponyville station hearing the latest Sapphire Shores song.
Scootaloo unloaded the cider while Apple Bloom kept watch for any pony that got a bit to nosy for their own good. “Hey Scoots, I need to head back to the farm after we unload. Think you and Sweetie can watch the restaurant for me?”
“Of course Apple Bloom... why what's going on?” She asked having just finished unloading all the boxes. “Isn't any trouble is their?”
“No of course not, someone in Manehatten wants our product so I'm gonna make a delivery tonight.” She answered walking to the car leaning against the driver side door. “Should be an easy run there and back.”
Scootaloo chuckled softly shaking her head, “When has anything we've done ever been easy?” She asked looking at Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom smirked, “Guess you're right, you two be careful.” She said getting into the car starting the engine. “If anything happens, just run and burn the place down. Don't leave any connection to yourself or my family okay?”
Scootaloo nodded at Apple Bloom, “I got it, you be careful to.” Scootaloo waved as Apple Bloom pulled out of the alley way and onto the main road before heading inside to finish up her work.