Lake Angelica Green Reed Coffee was one of the rarest roasts available, and Bon Bon was nothing short of astounded to see it offered on the menu that day, on the very day that she had heard of it and mused about its taste.
From the lands of the hippogriffs to the far South, the plants that produced these beans were a particular type that grew only underwater in muddy soil, and instead of cherries, the beans grew nestled in hard shells that could withstand the torrential, feverish waters of the lake.
The beans, once removed by way of mechanical press, would then have to be roasted for forty-five minutes at 450 degrees celsius until they turned as black as night and as shiny as oil. After grinding in a special grinder that was strong enough to break them, they would then have to be boiled for at least two days continuously before any flavour would be gently coaxed out.
A further step would then be necessary to bring it to a drinkable state by utilizing freeze distillation, a process that would take many pieces of specialized equipment and a further two days.
From eight pounds of beans harvested from the most offensive landscape in Equestria and near a week of work, a single batch of coffee would be produced – say, three or four cups – and kept in vacuum-sealed containers at sub zero temperatures to ensure that it didn’t spoil.
The end result was a coffee that was surprisingly sweet, held the flavours of sun-dappled cattails and velvet begonias, and had an acidity so high that the beans could have been as green as the reeds that grew in its vicinity.
The Owner gave Bon Bon a cup on the house.
It was served in a small glass. 7 fluid ounces. No frills to it. No decorations.
Just a light-brown liquid in a cup.
It spoke for itself.
Bon Bon lifted the cup to her lips but stopped, lowering it back to the table without drinking. She sighed, pushing her glasses back up her face.
“Thomthing wrong?”
Bon Bon looked up. A pony in her early twenties stood there.
“What’th up?” Twist asked, grinning,
“Oh hey. Have a seat.” Bon Bon smiled back. “Did you bring the stuff?”
“I got the thtuff right here!” Twist slapped a few loose sheets of paper onto the table. “Juth ath you athked!”
Bon Bon sighed. “Twist.”
“Yeth?”
“Twist, we spoke about this before.”
“Oh, thorry.” Twist gulped down the remainder of her candy. “Sorry.”
“It’s polite.”
“Yes, I know. I know! I just took some caramel for the walk over.”
“Alright. Good. Sit down.”
Twist slid into her seat. “So, what’s wrong?”
“Hmm?”
“What’s wrong with the coffee? You were like ‘I’m gonna drink it’ and then you were like ‘I’m not gonna drink it’ and then you didn’t.”
“Oh. I just… can’t bring myself to.”
“Um… why not?”
“I’m afraid of what I might find.”
“Okay. That’s… uh....” Twist scratched her head. “But anyway, here’s the report you asked for, Miss Bon Bon.”
“Good, good.” The pony quickly ran her eyes over the sheets of paper. “I see all factories are producing at quota. How goes our push into Northern Haysia?”
“We’re working on the negotiations right now, Miss. Interpreters cost a fortune.” Twist shook her head, her wild curls flying all over the table.
“A necessary step.”
“Oh yes, of course, Miss. I get that perfectly. Just… expensive.”
Bon Bon pushed the sheets away, clasping her hooves, all the while giving Twist a rather specific look. “So.”
Twist found a distraction to her right.
“Come now. Have you given my proposal any thought?”
“I’m just a simple secretary, ma’am.” Twist smiled politely.
“I’m not asking you to give up your life, my friend. I’m asking for an idea.”
Twist sat back, her eyes continuing to wander.
Bon Bon folded her legs across her chest.
The rest of the chatter in The Cafe went on without them.
“What’s wrong?” Bon Bon asked after a little while. “Why are you so afraid of an idea? Please. Tell me. I want to understand.”
“Ideas change things,” Twist responded hesitantly.
“Well, isn’t that a good thing oft times?”
“They’ll change me, too.”
“Are you worried that things will be too different?”
“Well, it’s not that… I mean, I don’t want to seem like I’m not enthusiastic or anything… I can work–”
“I’ve been working with you for four years.” Bon Bon waved it away. “I know you by now. Just speak.”
“Look. I mean, I like what I do and where I am. I don’t want to rush about and do all the businessy stuff. I’m no good with that. I don’t feel comfortable with it.”
“You can learn, though.”
“But I feel that’s… forcing myself to do something I’m not happy with. It’s changing who I am. And I guess I just like this.”
Bon Bon shrugged. “I’m offering you a big opportunity. Who wouldn’t want to take it?”
“I’m sure there’s a hundred other ponies more willing and suitable for the job, Miss.”
“Yes, there are. But I still want you.”
“Well… why?” Twist asked. “Why do you want me so much?”
“Well, frankly,” Bon Bon took in a short breath, “there’s quite a number of reasons. I don’t want to lie, so let’s boil it down to two points. I think you’re creative and that your ideas could be a huge asset to the company. And also, you’re my friend and I want you to do the best in life.”
“I… appreciate that. But… couldn’t you just make me… I don’t know… Super Secretary or something?”
Bon Bon’s mouth curled up. “You’re already holding that position, dear. You don’t get higher than being my assistant.”
“Well… I just don’t want to have to handle all that stuff. I stay outside when you have your meetings. I wouldn’t know the first thing about what to do on the other side of the door.”
“You don’t want recognition?”
“No, Miss.”
“You don’t want money?”
“Well, I would, of course, and I would love to sell you my ideas. But I just… prefer things simple. I’m sorry, Miss.”
Bon Bon’s head lowered. It was a disappointment to hear, but one that left a few fleeting thoughts.
“Please don’t fire me, Miss.”
Once again, Bon Bon found the need to wave Twist off, this time with a tinge of annoyance.
Bon Bon sat and thought.
“Is everything to your enjoyment, Ma’am?” A voice rang out, sharply, calling Bon Bon back to shore.
She turned and looked up at The Owner, who was standing there with slight concern.
“Is there something wrong with your drink?” The Owner asked, gesturing to the untouched cup.
“Oh, no. Not at all.” Bon Bon replied, eyes catching the glint of the ceiling lights bouncing off the rim of the cup. “Hm.”
The Owner smiled with a strange precision and walked away in complete silence.
“That was weird,” Twist said, watching him go.
“I suppose…” Bon Bon said, staring at the plain glass, “there’s really no harm in keeping things simple on the outside.”
“Miss?”
“Listen. You’re alright with selling your ideas, correct?”
“Well, sure.”
“But you want to avoid having to do all the business stuff, as you put it.”
“Miss… I really don’t…”
“Listen. I have an idea.”
“Yes?” Twist asked, with worried trepidation.
“I’ll make up a new position within the company.”
“A new position?”
“Yes. A sort of… brainstorming tank of some kind. Nothing but brilliant ideas underneath, but no other frills to the job. Just get in a room, think of stuff, write them down and that’s all you need to do. Plain and simple.”
“Brainstorming?”
“Yes! I mean. There are a lot of ponies with ideas whom… like you, don’t want to get their hooves muddy with big decisions. Maybe we could just keep things very simple on the outside so that it doesn’t distract from the things underneath,” Bon Bon continued to muse.
“Are you offering to pay for this?”
“Yes, why not? What do you think, Twist? Commission or royalties?”
“Well… a royalty scheme would be much more fair in the long run, especially if you intend to expand the product line or run different campaigns…”
“See? Ideas already. Fantastic.” Bon Bon stuck out a hoof. “Alright. Here’s what I want for tomorrow. I’ll put together a plan. Could you get pony resources to come down to see me as well as ah… Perfect Sum from accounting?”
“Y-yes, Miss.”
“And get Fine to help look for anyone within the company who wants to throw or suggest an idea. I want to get this started as soon as possible.”
“That’s… rather fast, Miss.”
“Yes. Fast is how I work.”
“That’s what I don’t like about it, Miss.”
“Hey.” Bon Bon slowed down and caught Twist’s eye. “Don’t worry about it, okay? It’ll be fine. I promise. Your job won’t change, and if you don’t like it, you can back off. No obligation.”
“Alright, Miss.”
“Really. It will be fine.” Bon Bon gave Twist a smile. “I’ll be here for you all the way.”
“Okay.” Twist smiled back.
“For now, why don’t you pitch me your best idea?”
“You know what I’ve always wanted?” Twist responded, looking sideways as The Owner stepped up to the table. “I want a caramel that’s got both hard bits and soft bits at the same time. For that lovely texture.”
“Miss Twist?” The Owner said, stopping next to her. “I’m afraid we don’t have that.”
“Oh, but soon we will,” Bon Bon said. “We will.”