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// Apple Pie Prompt Tag: Business 
// Story: Twinklescraps 
// by Twinkletail 
//------------------------------//

Applejack sighed to herself. Today wasn't going well at all. For some reason, one she couldn't explain if she tried, today was just not a good day for business. She had no clue why; she wasn't doing anything different from what she usually did. She was selling the same products, in the same place, with the same ponies coming around. So what, exactly, was the problem?

"Hi Jackie!" Pinkie said cheerfully, bouncing up and giving Applejack a smooch on the cheek.

"Well hay there, Pink Lady," AJ responded.

"Why the long face?" Pinkie asked. AJ raised a brow, not even having realized she was frowning.

"Uh...well, I guess it's on account of my sales ain't looking too good today," AJ responded. Pinkie giggled and gave her a nuzzle.

"That's cause you're all gloomy!" she responded, smiling.

"...So I'm frowning cause I ain't making sales, and I ain't making sales cause I'm frowning?" Applejack asked.

"Yup!" Pinkie said. She tossed an apple at the farmer, who caught it. She inspected the apple, only to see that Pinkie had painted a big "22" on it with edible paint.

"What's with the 22?" AJ asked. Then she shook her head. "Actually, nevermind. So do you really think smiling will help?"

"Of course!" Pinkie bubbled, still holding the paintbrush she'd used. "Here, watch!" The pink pony whirled around Applejack's cart, painting on all the apples.

"Pinkie! What do ya think you're doing?!" AJ shouted.

"Oh don't worry, it's edible paint!" Pinkie giggled. She then showed an apple to AJ. A big smiley face had been painted on it.

"...You painted smiles on my apples," AJ said.

"Yuppers!" Pinkie responded. "Now they're smiley apples! Or SMAPPLES! Ouh, smapples is really fun to say! Say it! Say it!!"

"...Smapples," AJ said, rolling her eyes with a smile.

"It sounds even funnier when you say it!" Pinkie said, nuzzling AJ's cheek.

"Thanks, Pink Lady," Applejack replied. "But do you really think this'll increase sales? I mean, it's just..."

"Ooh, is that apple smiling?" came Bon-Bon's voice as she trotted up to the cart. "I'll take four!"

"I want some too!" Cheerilee exclaimed as she stepped up. "They're adorable!" Before Applejack knew it, her cart was flooding with customers. She looked at Pinkie incredulously. Pinkie just smiled back at her.

AJ made a mental note to herself as she took care of all of her sudden transactions. She knew she shouldn't have doubted Pinkie Pie.