Chapter 55: Bow Ties Are Cool
At the sound of the whistle, Bryce packed up his tool belt. Today he packed it up much faster than usual because today he, and the rest of the construction crew would be getting their payment for the week: 100 bits.
Hanging around a little while longer, Bryce quickly did a few calculations in his head. While he did this, the foreman, Rivet, came up behind him. "Hey there, Bryce. Glad I caught yuh before you could run off. I wanted to know if you would like to join me and the others for a pint? It's something we usually do together to celebrate a week well done."
"Maybe later. I have something I need to go and do first," Bryce answered.
"Eh, that's alright. If you get thirsty later we go to a place on the outside of town called the Ragged Flagon. It's a small and quiet place and not very many ponies come around. And hey, you did good work all week. Just wanted to let you know. I think you might have even made Ambrosia a little jealous."
Don't know what you saw; all I did was do the work you told me to do. "Thanks, I enjoy my work." With a wave, they both parted ways.
Along the way to Time Turner's shop, he saw Rocksalt, talking with Scootaloo. Her back was to Bryce. Though he wanted to check in with the dull brown colt, he had wanted to speak with Scootaloo more.
"Hey, kid," he said to the orange pegasus. At the sound of his voice, Scootaloo immediately froze up on the spot. When she looked up she saw Bryce looking back down at her. "You got a minute?"
Without a word, Scootaloo ran off; not bothering to look back to Bryce.
Bryce stood there, watching until the orange pegasus slipped down an alley out of sight. "Well, guess you don't."
"What was that about?" Rocksalt asked.
With a shrug, Bryce said, "I don't know. She does that every time she sees me."
"What'd yuh do to her?"
"I don't think it has anything to do with what I did. She reminds me of someone I once knew. And, in some strange way, I think she's the same way." She then looked to Rocksalt. "What about you? What were you doing with Scootaloo?"
"Oh, I... I wasn't tryin ta cause any trouble."
"I didn't say you were. But I guess it didn't go that way, huh?"
Rocksalt shook his head. "Nah. I was tryin ta apologize to'r, but she's likeuh mule; she's stubborn."
Bryce nodded in agreement. "Well, I heard what you did to her. I can't blame her for being that way, but the important thing is you felt bad for what you did and you wanted to apologize for it." See, kid, there's hope for yuh yet. "So how have you been doing? Been keeping your nose clean?"
"Yeah, I have."
"That's good. Do you have anywhere you need to be?"
"Not until later tonight."
"Well, if you want you can stick around with me. I just have to make a payment, but after that we can do something together."
Before Rocksalt could give an answer, Rainbow Dash came down from the sky wearing her Cutie Mark embroidered saddle bags. "Hey, Bryce, is...everything going alright with...?"
Bryce didn't need her to finish to understand what she meant. "Yeah, everything's fine. We were just talking."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow at the dull brown colt before looking to Bryce again. "Alright then. You're just the guy I've been looking for. There's something I've been wanting to run by you, since you're kind of an expert with pranks. It involves-"
"That's great, but I just got paid. I want to make a payment before I do anything else."
"Yeah, I remember now. How's that going for you?"
"It's going well. I like the crew. I like the feeling of purpose. I like the feeling of earning a day's pay. Don't like the blisters, though." Bryce held up his hands to show her what he meant.
"Sheesh, that can't be comfortable."
"They're not. They feel worse whenever they pop."
"I guess I'll tag along. But when you hear the prank I've planned you won't be able to wait to try it out."
As Bryce, Rocksalt Rainbow entered Time Turner's shop, they were met with the ticking of more than a hundred different clocks and watches, and Bryce could hear every single one at almost the same volume.
At the ringing of the bell above the door, Time Turner came out from the back. "Ahh, Bryce, hullo. Here to make another payment?"
"Yes, I am."
"Alrighty then, if you would just give me a second to get the paperwork we can do so," he said before slipping into the back of the store.
In the mean time, Rainbow Dash took it upon herself to fly around, looking at the various prices of the clocks. When she saw the price tag for a small wall mounted clock she blew a raspberry. "3500 bits for this thing? Who'd pay that much for just a clock?"
"Oh, you'd be surprised, Rainbow Dash, how much somepony would pay for 'just a clock'," Time Turner said as he came out from the back a second time. "That particular clock was made by a renowned Germane clockmaker nearly 100 years ago. It also has a rather impressive way for telling the hour. If you would be so kind to turn the minute hand to the twelve you can see for yourself."
Doing as instructed, Rainbow turned the minute hand forward so the clock read six o'clock. When she did so, a pair of doors opened along the front below the face. From each door came a small wooden pony who trotted along a track to meet each other. When this happened, they both leaned in to kiss each other six times; each kiss corresponding with a chime. After this, they turned back and reentered their respective doors.
Rainbow nodded in approval. "Yeah, I guess that's pretty sweet. But it could be 20% cooler."
"Like how?" Bryce asked.
"Like if it shot out six fireworks at six o'clock."
"Well, wouldn't that be a fire hazard? It's meant to be placed indoors."
"Yeah, but it would still be 20% cooler."
"Why would it only have to be 20%?" Bryce questioned. "I mean, it's a clock. Wouldn't fireworks make it more than 20% cooler?"
Rainbow shot Bryce a glare. "Don't question it."
Bryce raised his hands out in front of him. "Okay, just saying."
"Now that that's out of the way," Time Turner interrupted, "are you still wanting to make a payment?"
"Yes, I do." Bryce handed 75 bits to the clockwork stallion.
"Thank you. With that you still have 1825 bits remaining."
"Well, I've done the numbers, and with my wage, minus the bits I take away for myself each week, I calculated I should pay it off by the 26th week, if nothing comes up.
"Oh you don't have to worry about that. As long as you get it all to me I will be sound as a pound."
"That's something else too," Rainbow stated. "How can you charge 2000 for something so small?"
"Well, you see, Ms. Dash, the particular piece Bryce is paying for is not only made from expensive materials, but is also further valued by what it can do. For one, as Bryce has told me, the band which it has been placed on allows for it to be worn around one's leg. Or in Bryce's case, around his wrist. Secondly, and this is something I wish to speak to Bryce about, his watch has the added ability to wind itself from the movements of the wearer and the forces of gravity."
"Yeah, so it can do some fancy things? What's it made of?"
"For starters, the casing is made from 18 carat gold."
"Isn't the highest it can go to, like, 24 carats?"
"That's correct."
"Then why not go all the way?"
"Because it would be that much more easily scratched or damaged. You see, as the purity of gold in an object increases the softer it becomes."
"If you've seen the movies where the guy bends a gold coin in his teeth they're trying to test if it is gold by how easily it gives," Bryce added.
"Quite right. In addition, the watch's face is made from white pearl, and with a high luster at that. Then there's the unique coat of arms on the front casing, and the way it keeps such precise time, when properly wound. In short, it's something not so easily found. If it were anypony else I would have charged 5000, but I digress. Now, Bryce, about the winding mechanism." Bryce straightened up at his calling. "I don't know if you can tell, but when it comes to winding pocket watches we ponies cannot do it with such ease."
"Well, I don't fully understand how any one of your kind can grab anything with hooves, but I've seen it happen somehow."
"Yes, well, I was wondering if you would allow me the pleasure of taking a peek inside and drawing out the mechanism. I've been wanting to do so, but I prefer to do it with your consent. In gratitude for allowing me this privledge, I would subtract a fair amount from what you still owe."
"Well, I-" Bryce began to say.
"Now just wait a minute," Rocksalt, who had been silent until now, interrupted. "How much would yuh subtract?"
"150; enough for two payments," Time Turner stated.
Bryce attempted to say, "Well, that's-" But Rocksalt had more to say.
"Hold up! Yous is tellin me me you've got somethin yous been wanting to get a look at and you're only going to take away TWO payments? You can do better'n that."
"Really? What do you offer?"
"Eight payments," Rocksalt countered.
"Kid, that's a little too-"
"600 bits? That's way too much. I can do 200 even."
"For something you'll probably make more money on? No way! 550."
"Wait, Rocksalt-" Bryce tried to interjected.
"Ahh, trying to get your quids in? 250."
"500."
"If that's how it is, then 275."
This left Rocksalt to counter with, "450."
"You little bugger. 300."
"425, or he walks."
"325."
"375."
"350, and not a bit more."
With a brazen grin, Rocksalt said, "375, or nothing." as the words hung in the air the stallion and colt stared at each other, playing to see who would be the chicken.
After a few seconds more, Time Turner was the first to yield. "You really like to grasp the nettle. Deal. But I would have gone for 400. If that is alright with you, Bryce."
"Well...sure?"
"Righty-O then," the stallion said with glee. "I'll open it up after I close for the night. For now, I'll just mark the 375 bits off your sheet. If there's nothing else-"
"Actually," Rocksalt stated. "There's something else I think you could do. You could lose that tie."
"Excuse me? My tie?" Time Turner asked in confusion.
"Yeah, your tie. It doesn't look right."
"What do you mean by it doesn't look right'? I've worn this tie for years."
"Yeah, and it shows. Let me ask yuh this: Do yuh make some of these things?" Rocksalt asked, waving a hoof around the store.
"Yes, I do."
"Well, with that tie I won't be able ta tell. All I see is somepony tryin ta run a business, not that he knows what he's doin with his product. I mean, if you were to lean over you'd get that thing caught in some gears."
"Okay. But if not a tie, than what?"
For a few seconds there was silence. Then Bryce spoke up, "How about a bow tie?"
"Yeah, somethin like that. A bow tie would make it look like yuh knew about what you're smarter than yuh actually are. No offense. And if somethin came up, they'd come back to you ta get it fixed."
Time Turner scratched the back of his head. "Well, I can see your point, but I don't know..."
"What's there to think about about?" Rainbow asked. "Bow ties are cool."
"20% cooler?" Bryce asked.
"No, more like forty four-and-a-half percent cooler."
Rocksalt pointed to Rainbow. "What she said."
Time Turner was still deep in thought. "I...suppose I could try; nothing ventured, nothing gained. I thank you all for the advice. If there's nothing else then please have a good evening."
The trio left the clock shop not long after, just in the nick of time to avoid the full wrath of the around fifty clocks announcing the sixth hour of the afternoon.
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Within minutes, the group moved from Time Turner's to the pub Rivet had told Bryce about, and as he had said the place was small and had a scant few patrons. It was quiet, save for the drunken, slurred ramblings coming from the construction crew, who were all quick to notice the human and his companions.
"Hey, Bryce, you finally decided to show your ugly mug!" Rivet shouted. "Come on over and grab a seat. Saved it just for you."
"I would, boss, but I came with my friends," Bryce politely refused.
"Eh, so you are. Maybe next week?"
"Sure, next week."
Taking a booth across from where the construction ponies sat, the trio chatted while they waited for their drinks to arrive.
It was Rocksalt who was on all of their minds. "I still can't believe how you were able to talk that guy into give up that many bits," Rainbow said. "And that bow tie thing, that was just awesome!"
"Yeah, well, it was nothin," the dull brown colt said, hiding a small smile. "It's somethin my daddy taught me. Some of it was just random. I didn't even know how much 8 payments was."
"Nothing? I might just have you tag along the next time I get a Wonderbolts ticket. What do you have to say, Bryce? You've been quiet ever since we left."
"Well, I'm happy you helped me out like that, kid," Bryce said to Rocksalt. "But I would have like you to have asked me first."
"I was tryin ta help yuh. Make up for when I-"
"You... don't have to make up for that. But here I was going to let'm do it for free."
"Really? Well I was going to let him take 300."
Bryce shook his he with a smile. "You might as well have earned me 375 bits in a single day, so I'm conflicted."
Rainbow let out a laugh. "And here I thought you were nothing but an annoying little twerp."
"You said the exact same thing about Pinkie. Well, minus the 'little twerp'," Bryce said.
The rainbow mare looked to Bryce. "When did I say that?"
"You said it to her after you both... Wait, that... hasn't..." The rest he muttered under his breath. "What was this prank you were going on about?"
"Oh, that. I almost forgot." Rainbow reached into her saddlebag, producing a jar. It held a fluid that was every color of the rainbow.
"Woah, is that what I think it is?" Rocksalt asked.
"Yep, pure, unfiltered rainbow."
Bryce took it and looked it over. "What is this supposed to do, stain the inside of someone's mouth?"
"It'll do more than 'stain' someone's mouth." By then, their drinks arrived at their booth: A chilled, stiff, locally brewed lager in a tall mug for Rainbow; chocolate milk for Rocksalt; and for Bryce, a lemon-lime soda, which resulted in his crew buddies labeling him a light-weight.
Bryce gave them a wave, and said, "Love you too, guys." Turning back to Rainbow, he asked, "So what's so big about this rainbow? I mean, if it can't stain your mouth than what's it good for?" Bryce took a swig of his soda, thinking Rainbow was going to answer, but he was slow to catch onto the rainbow mare's wolfish smile.
As soon as the soda touched his tongue it felt as if engulfed in flames. Bryce began to gag, slamming his glass down on the table. He reached for the best thing he knew of to quinch the fire in his mouth: Rocksalt's chocolate milk. Downing the beverage in great haste, and getting a good deal on his shirt, Bryce placed the milk glass on the table and started to pant. "What did you do!?" Rainbow's answer was to point a hoof to his soda. In addition to the soda, it now held the contents of her jar. "What the H is that stuff!?"
"It's liquid rainbow, straight from the source."
"What, as in the thing you see in the sky after a rain shower?"
"Yep, the very same."
Bryce took a second look at his glass. "Dang, what goes into it?"
From the table across from their booth, Ambrosia asked, "You don't know?"
"No, I don't know," Bryce responded.
"You really don't know," Jack said.
"Yes, I really don't know."
"Well, it's-" Jack was about to say.
"Jack, Amb," Rivet said in a shaky voice. "Don't go scaring the poor boy."
Well, that's the one thing NOT to do to make me interested. "Come on, tell me," Bryce said.
"You can't handle it. It's... not for the faint of heart," Offset stated.
Bryce smirked. "You're talking to the guy who watched all seven Saw movies without batting an eye. I'm sure I can handle it."
Rivet gave his brother and co-workers a glare. "See what yuh both done now. There's no way he'll let it go." The buff foreman looked Bryce in the eye with an unmoving face. "Bryce, it's... foal."
Bryce had to stop and think for a second. "Fowl?"
"No, not fowl. Foal. As in a young pony."
"Foal as in..." The color receeded from Bryce's face.
"Pegasi foal, actually. Specifically the ones who can't fly all to well."
"Pegasi... foal...?" Was all Bryce could say as he starred at his drink. Steadily looking to Rainbow, then Rocksalt, then to his co-workers he found the words to say, "Well, I've had steak tartare. I've had haggis. I've had veal. And now foal." A smile crept across his face. "Of all that, I'd say foal tastes the best."
Everypony was left speechless by that remark.
Rocksalt felt a little uneasy being so close to the guy who'd just claimed such a thing.
The construction crew was unsure of whether they should stay or go.
But it was Rainbow Dash's silence shattering laugh that made their skin crawl. It didn't take long for Bryce to join in.
When they were both done Rainbow said, "You know, I was this close to believing you."
"Well, it's like I've said: I've tricked people a lot smarter than me." He laughed again. "But seriously, what's in it?"
Tihs time it was Rainbow who looked at him with a straight face. "Bryce, it's foal."
"*Pfft* Yeah, and eggrolls have eggs in'em. What's in it?"
Rainbow's stern features refused to yield.
Again the color drained from his face. Taking a look at his soda he felt himself on the verge of heaving. "Oh. My..." He placed a hand over his mouth.
Then, everypony began to laugh at Bryce's disgust. "Nah, we're just yanking your chain," Rainbow stated after mre than a minute. "I can assure you 100% that's no foal, now or ever, goes into the production of rainbows."
"Why, did you used to work at the Rainbow Factory, Rainbow?" Ambrosia asked.
Rainbow shook her head. "No, but my Mom does. Well, used to."
"Well, you had me going there Blitzkreig," said Bryce. "I give the whole thing an 'A'."
"That's what I was hoping you'd say."
"That was nice there, Rainbow, but Bryce drank my chocolate milk," Rocksalt said, a tad frustrated.
"Cool your flank, squirt. It's on me."
At almost fifteen minute intervals following Rainbow's prank a member of the group left for home. First it was Ambrosia, who was always the first to leave before she could lose herself in drink. Second was Offset, who though quiet most of the time had a lot to say about Bryce's previous unease. Next was Rainbow, claiming she needed to get in a good night's sleep so she could practice stunts over the weekend. But before leaving she made sure to give Bryce a fresh jar of rainbows. Wishing the rainbow mare a good sleep, she made her way out, barely able to walk a straight line. After Rainbow's departure, Rivet and Jack Hammer downed what remained of their drinks and left themselves, leaving Bryce alone with Rocksalt.
For a few minutes they said nothing until Bryce said, "So, you learned that kind of stuff from your Dad?"
"What... Oh, yeah. My Daddy did. He works for a big company back in Manehatten. It's hard to explain what all he does. From what he told me its about dealin in the money of companies and tellin them what they need to do to make the most money."
"He evaluates the probability of events and quantify the contingent outcomes in order to minimize the impacts of financial losses associated with uncertain, undesirable events?"
"Yeah, that's, uh, the gist of what he told me. How'd you know?"
"Well, back home my Dad used to do the same thing. Is that all he taught you?"
Rocksalt was quiet for a few seconds before saying, "He... did try and teach me other stuff. He was always helping me with my math, though that was kind of a long time before..." The dull brown colt fell silent.
In an attempt to change the subject, Bryce asked, "What brought you and your Mother here from... Manehatten was it?"
"If I told you what happened would yuh promise, yuh know, not ta..."
Bryce nodded. "You don't have to worry; I don't have anybody I want to tell."
"I moved here after... There was an incident I had at school. I... got in a fight with a teacher one day and... they expelled me. I mean, I'd done a lot bad stuff before that, but... This was the first time I... hit anypony."
A long silence fell over them again.
After taking a swig from his soda, Bryce said, "I had some of the same problems when I was growing up too. I mean, when I was a kid I was a big problem child, and I mean really big. I was always throwing tantrums and acting out and not listening to what my teachers told me to do. I got sent to about 5 schools before I even passed the 3rd grade. And the whole time I did this it was my Mom who suffered because of me."
It was a while before Rocksalt said, "My mom says I'm going to have to start over in school."
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine."
"But I'm going to be a whole year older than all the other foals. What if they find out and- and they tease me? I don't know if I can take it."
"Rocksalt, I'm sure it will be tough, but you shouldn't worry about what they think about you. I used to be that way, but you just need to be yourself. You're a good kid, I know you are. You just need to remember one thing: You are what you love, not who or what loves you."
Rocksalt looked to Bryce in confusion.
"It just means that you are you, not what everybody labels you as. You can't go through life trying to impress others. You need to impress yourself, not betray yourself. That's one of the worst things anybody can do." Rocksalt had heard what Bryce had said, but it did little to lift the dull brown colt's fears. "When do you start school?"
"The Monday after next."
"Well, how about you and I meet up sometime before then? I get off work around 5p during the week and the weekends off. I'm sure there's something we can find to boost your confidence."
"I... I don't know."
"Just give me a chance. Who knows, I might even find you a friend in your class. But now it's getting late, and I want to get on back before the crickets come out. I'll walk you on home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Bryce and Rocksalt left the tavern they found it was later than they'd anticipated. It wasn't dark enough that one would need a flashlight, but it was dark enough that the setting summer sun had almost dropped below the horizon, leaving a small sliver of light the world. After leaving Rocksalt off at the colt's home, Bryce made his way out for Swet Apple Acres.
As he passed through the town the usual Friday night sounds of the patrons of bars, restaurants, and the like escaped from the timbered buildings as he passed them by.
It was from one night club that forced Bryce to come to a halt. It had nothing to do with the long line running to the door, or the posters around the place advertising tonight's DJ. It was who was coming out that made him stop: Thunderlane. The slate grey pegasus came out of the club; tipsy and reeking of grandpa's cough syrup. He had an equally drunk pegasus mare with him. This probably explained why the pair was being escorted by a stallion almost the size of Big Mac
In a slurred tone, she said, "Come on, we haven't even gotten to see... to see... whatsherface's best stuff." She ended her speech with an audible hiccup.
The bouncer refused to yield.
"Come on, man," Thunderlane said. "We were just dancing."
"Well, your 'dancing' was beginning to become too risque."
"Is it a... a... *hic* a crime to show my fillyfriend how much I love that sweet, round flank of her's?"
"In a public place like this? Yes!"
"Ahh, don't go killing my *hic* buzz." Thunderlane tried to breeze past the bouncer, but the latter held like a wall. "Fine, you know what, I've got the bits! I'm gonna go and make my own night club! It'll have blackjack and- and hookers! And a better DJ than DJ PON-3!!!" He followed this with a loud, vibrant, long burp in the bouncer's face.
A vein become quite pronounced on the isde of the bouncer's head. "Leave! NOW!!!"
"Uh, uh... Sure!" Before leaving, Thunderlane had one more thing to say, "YOU WATERED DOWN THE BOOZE ANYWAY!!!" He and his fillyfriend were quick to leave after that, not even taking notice of Bryce as they passed him by.
Bryce wasn't going to let Thunderlane get away. He had a bone to pick with this Schande!
For hours, Bryce followed the two pegasi, leading him to two bars, of which they were refused entry, and to an all night convenience store, where they both left with a large bottle in a paper bag.
After they downed half of the bottle's contents, they came upon the mare's home. "It stinks we couldn't find a place to dance," she said.
Thunderlane replied, "Yeah, yeah, that really sucks. But at least... at least... Uh... At least we had some good booze."
"Yeah, there's that."
For a second they both looked at each other in a drunken haze. "So, Cloud Chaser..." Thunderlane began to say. "Mind if I came in?"
Cloud Chaser thought for a second. She knew what he was implying, but she said, "No, I want to go on to bed."
Thunderlane wasn't prepared for that. "Are you really 'that' tired?"
"I.... I kinda am."
"Can't we at least do something quick."
"Thunderlane," Cloud Chaser said, becoming defensive. "I have something I need to do tomorrow."
"Like what?"
"I... have to wash my mane."
"Wash your mane? You feeling alright?"
Cloud Chaser acted like she was about to say more, but something unseen seemed to push her to go inside, leaving a very dazed and confused Thunderlane outside in the dirt.
"What... What the hay was that about? We've been planning this night for over a week." Thunderlane turned back, taking the bottle in hoof. However, he was met with something that blocked his path. "Wha...? Has this... wall...?" Snaking his gaze upwards, he saw that the 'wall' happened to be twice his height, and looking back at him.
"Hello, feather brain," Bryce said in a stern tone. Thunderlane gasped and prepared to run off, but Bryce had other plans for the slate grey pegasus. Taking him by the mohawk, and grabbing his bagged bottle in the other hand, Bryce brought him down an alley and held him against a wall. "So, you have enough bits to buy yourself a night club, do you? With blackjack and hookers?"
"Uh, well, I may have, uh, exaggerated a- a little about the, uh-"
Bryce placed a hand ver the stallion's mouth. "Oh, I know you did. But we both know what this is about, don't we?"
Thunderlane's eyes shrank to pinpricks.
"You took something of great, great value to me. And now, you're going to pay." He took his hand away. "What do you have to say?"
"I- If you do anything to me then I'll... I'll tell everypony that Time Turner knew it was stolen, but bought it anyways."
"Oh, I'm sure you would, but I'm not going to do anything to you." Bryce dropped Thunderlane on the ground. "No, I said you would pay. You're going to pay for my watch with the same bits Time Turner gave you for it."
Thunderlane let out a snort. "What makes you think I would do that."
"Because I know."
"Know what?"
Bryce gave the pegasus a smirk.
Thunderlane, in his inebriated state, scowl back. "Fine, if you say I will, then I will. I'll give you the bits, but only if you give me my flight back." He crossed his hooves in front of him.
Bryce uttered a single, unnerving, "No."
"Then I won't give you the bits."
"Yes, you will."
"No, I won't."
"We'll see about that, but I know. By tomorrow at 1 PM I will have the bits, and then my watch."
"What makes you think that?"
"I don't think. I know."
"Fine, you know what, let's make a bet on it. if by 1 PM tomorrow you have your watch back I'll admit to stealing it. But if you don't then you have to give me my flight back." He thrust out his hoof. "Deal?"
Bryce gave a smirk. "You pegasi and your damned wings. What would Freud have to say about that?" Bryce took Thunderlane's hoof in his his hand with a firm grip. "Deal." Bryce then bore down onto the drunken pegasus' hoof. "But you may think you'll get out of it. You'll think you can just sit at home and avoid me, but in the end I'll be the one with the watch." He released his hold on Thunderlane and walked off.
Thunderlane was left in a stupor after that remark. In an attempt to calm his nerves, he grabbed his bottle and brought it to his lips, downing it in mouthfuls. In seconds, his mouth felt consumed by fire, causing him to blow out a small breath of flames as he light up in every color of the rainbow.
As Bryce walked towards the farm, he had a thought. Silly me, it was supposed to be one-half teaspoon for fast, effective relief. Not one-half cup. Well, can't change the past. But Rainbow wasn't wrong, it was a good prank.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Bryce entered the farmhouse everypony was asleep. Everypony, except for Bait who shot up at the human's entrance. "Bryce!?"
Bryce shook in surprise. "Bait."
"Where have you been? I've been waiting for you."
"I was with a few friends. Why didn't you come looking for me?"
"I had work I had to do here. But that's beside the point." Bait thrust a letter in front of him. "Here, read this."
It read:
Bait, I realize I would be the last pony you would ever want to see again, but what I need to tell you is something you need to hear. Again, I realize you do not wish to see me, but I implore you to at least hear me out. If you will not see me than please send Bryce Smales in your place. If I cannot convince you to come than perhaps he can, And, as four times before, I will be bringing 10,000 bits for you.
I do not know if you will believe me when I write this, but I do love you, Bait. When I told you that you need to get out on your own I only did so because I feel it best for your well being. Please come and see me at the restaurant within the vicinity of the train station. I shall be there around noon tomorrow.
From, your Uncle Ponz
"Let me guess what you want me to do?"
"Yes. I want you to go and get the bits from my uncle tomorrow in my stead."
"Isn't this something you should do yourself?"
Bait scowled. "Perhaps, but I want you to hear what he has to say first. If you think it's something I need to hear than I might. MIGHT see him. Now, if you excuse me, I'm tired. Goodnight, Bryce." Having said that, the tan colt jumped up onto the couch and fell asleep.
Bryce ascended the stairs, a smile spread across his face. All was going just as he had seen it.