//------------------------------//
// 2: "A Hearth's Warming Carol" Part 1 
// Story: Snowed in on Hearth's Warming Eve 
// by GoneGuy 
//------------------------------//

	Icy Heart sat alone in his office, counting his golden bits eagerly. Now, this was seven years after his partner, Money Hungry, had passed away. The two had formed a money lending business together years before, and definitely had bits to spare.
"Six thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine bits.... Seven Thousand Bits.... Seven Thousand and One bits..."
Two gentlecolts knocked on the door to the Heart & Hungry BitLenders offices, and walked in, levitating a small box with their magic.
"Hello, good sir! We are from the Ponies in Need Foundation, and we were wondering if we could speak to Mr. Icy Heart or Mr. Money Hungry."	
"Mmmm....Money Hungry is no longer with us. Passed away seven years ago."
"Well then, you must be Icy Heart! Would you possibly think about donating a few bits to help the poor this Hearth's Warming Season?"
"Donations? DONATIONS?" Why, I should pound you for merely suggesting that! The poor are the scum of Equestria, so let them die and reduce the census population!"
"But sir.... surely you must have some spare change? Even a few bits could help feed a needy family this season..."
"Get out of my sight, you foalish money-launderers! I will have none of your begging for handouts in my office today or any other day!"
Icy Heart's Sole Employee, Stricken Poverty, sat counting finishing up his own work in his office. It was cold, and the coal in his furnace had just run out. He went into Icy Heart's office to get some more coal. After all, it was Hearth's Warming Eve, and he wanted to get home quick as he could.
"What are you doing, Poverty? You've used all of your coal for the week."
"Well sir.... It thought, since it is Hearth's Warming Eve, I might get a little spare coal to warm me before I head home and celebrate with my family."
"Celebrate? Celebrate what?"
"Hearth's Warming, sir."
"Hearth's Warming? Bah humbug. Every colt with joy in his heart in this cold winter ought to be taken out and buried with mistletoe in his heart."
"Yes, sir."
Stricken Poverty went back to his cold office and finished his work for the day, and prepared to leave.
"I'll see you first thing tomorrow, Poverty."
"But sir.... It's Hearth's Warming, and I thought..."
"Thought what?"
"That I might have the day off, sir."
"The day off? And I suppose you want the whole day off?"
"Yes sir... I must celebrate with my family," he began to mutter, "before it's.... too late."
"Gah, fine. But I'll see you first thing day after Hearth's Warming. And don't expect any coal then either."
"Yes sir. Happy Hearth's Warming," he said as he walked out the door.
"Hearth's Warming...bah humbug." Icy Heart said as he too walked outside, locked the door and started for his home.