//------------------------------// // Month Seven: Bar On The Rocks // Story: Stand By You // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// Mist entered into her seventh month of pregnancy with no problems. By this point, she had grown so used to her pregnancy, she was taking everything in her stride. Even her increased size and swollen ankles did little to put a dampener on things. Unfortunately, Blue was experiencing some problems of his own. Blazin' Blue's wasn't making as much money as it used to. While the bar had its loyal customers, the fact remained that it was barely making enough money to stay afloat. But that wasn't all... One afternoon, Blue was closing up. He opened the till, and extracted the day's takings, which was depressingly low. "Oh, for Faust's sake..." He groaned. "What am I doing wrong here? Why isn't this place making more money? This is barely enough to cover the drinks, let alone-" Just then the front door opened, and a dirty-yellow Unicorn stallion with a pale brown mane, deep green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of an overflowing bag of Bits entered the bar. "Sorry, we're closed." Blue barely looked up, still focused on the earnings. Undeterred, the stallion made his way over to Blue. "Can't you read?" Blue growled. "I said, we're clo-" Blue froze as he finally got a look at the stallion. It was Mr. Frugal, the stallion Blue had rented the building from. "Oh, Mr. Frugal!" Blue said nervously. "I, er, didn't recognize you. Did you get a manecut?" "Please dispense with the flattery, Mr. Blazes." Frugal said bluntly. "This isn't a social visit." "Then, um, what is it?" Blue asked. "I'll get straight to the point." Frugal declared. "I couldn't help but notice that you've been falling behind in your rental payments over the last couple of months." "Well, business has been kind of slow." Blue admitted. "I'm sure it'll pick up soon." "'Soon' isn't good enough." Frugal frowned. "I'm a stallion who likes to keep his books balanced. And thanks to you, there is a severe imbalance in those books. I'm sure there are others I could lease this building out to. Others whom may actually pay their rent on time." "With all due respect, what do you want from me?" Blue admonished his landlord. "I can't help if business is on the downswing!" "And I can't help it if I require your payment for the use of this building." Frugal retorted. "Truth be told, Mr. Blazes, I did hold some admiration for you when you first came to me, asking to use this building as a bar. A young stallion like you, taking on a business of his own? Most impressive. But I'm afraid I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of my business dealings. It's just not professional." "But... but I have a foal on the way!" Blue protested. "I need to provide for it." "Not to sound heartless, but I'm afraid that has little to do with things." Frugal retorted. "But I'm nothing if not fair. You have until the end of the month to settle your discrepancies." "...I understand." Blue sighed. "Best of luck to you." Frugal said curtly. Frugal departed the bar, leaving Blue with the stark reality that he could lose his bar, the very thing he had dreamed about for years, if he couldn't find some way of pulling in enough money to pay the rent. With a melancholy air, he finished closing up, and made his way back to his apartment. Mist was already there by the time he arrived; She was sitting on the couch, absent-mindedly munching on a cupcake. "Hey, handsome." She waved a hoof in greeting. "Hi, babe..." Blue sighed. "Oh, no." Mist acknowledged Blue's mood. "What's wrong?" "It's the bar." Blue frowned. "It's not bringing in enough money to pay the rent. Frugal says if I can't pay up by the end of the month, he'll take the place back." "Seriously?" Mist gaped. "How can the bar not be making enough money?" "I don't know." Blue groaned. "I really don't. We have steady customers, decent sales. I can't imagine what's wrong." "That's a real shame." Mist said sympathetically. "That bar was your dream..." "It's not over yet." Blue declared. "I'm going to earn the money I need, just you wait and see." "But didn't you say the bar isn't bringing in enough money?" Mist asked. "It's probably just a slump." Blue said confidently. "Things will pick up soon, just wait and see." Despite those words, Mist could detect a touch of uncertainty in Blue's voice. Over the coming week, Blue put his all into the bar. He put out flyers advertising it, and even offered group rates for the booths at the back. Unfortunately, it still wasn't enough. The takings, minus the portion required to restock and keep the bar clean, were nowhere near enough to settle Blue's debts. "I can't believe this is happening!" He wailed to Mist on Sunday. "I'm going to lose the bar!" "Not necessarily." Mist declared. "Maybe you could ask somepony for money. I'd suggest asking Celestia, but she can't, because the royal family can't be seen 'playing favorites'. You could ask your parents for a loan." "No way." Blue frowned. "Can you imagine what my mom will say if I come crawling to them for money? She never thought my dream of owning a bar would get off the ground. If I come asking them for cash, she'll just lay on the 'I told you so's'!" "Okay, then." Mist said, a little unnerved by Blue's outburst. "How about Luxury? his family's rich. I'll bet he could lend you some money." "I'm not angling for charity from anypony." Blue declared. "This is my bar, my dream, and I'm going to pay for it myself. Besides, the way business is going, it'd only be a temporary fix. I'd start falling behind on the rent again, and I'd have to ask Luxury for more money, which wouldn't be fair to him." "Well, have you tried any ways of making more money?" Mist asked. "I've tried everything I could think." Blue sighed. "I've tried lowering prices, two-for-ones, renting out for parties... I got a little extra cash, but not nearly enough." "Okay..." Mist sighed. "There is only one other alternative then... maybe you should just... throw in the towel." "...What?" Blue frowned. "If you can't afford to keep the bar any more, maybe you should call it quits." Mist suggested. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Blue held up his hooves, “Are you serious? How can you seriously suggest such a thing?!” “Blue…” Mist tried to sooth him. "No way!" Blue shook his head. "I'm not quitting on the bar!" "I know the place means a lot to you, but I'm thinking long-term here." Mist declared. "If the bar's barely making enough to pay the rent, how can you expect to provide for the foal?" "I'll figure something out." Blue said testily. "What, exactly?" Mist frowned. "It's not like Bits are going to magically drop from the sky." "Business will pick up." Blue insisted. "Just gotta give it time..." "Time is something you don't have." Mist retorted. "I'm sorry Blue, but considering the only other option is letting Frugal take it, you might as well give up the bar and cut your losses." “Mist.” Blue glared, “That bar is my dream. My life’s ambition. And you are asking me to give it all up?! Just like that?!” “I’m asking you to be realistic.” Mist retorted angrily, “As of now, neither of us are in any position to be following our dreams here.” "Easy for you to say." Blue growled. "You already got your dream job as Twilight's student." "Which I had to put aside for the foal." Mist shot back. "Maybe you should do the same. Instead of wasting time on a career that's barely paying the bills, maybe you should take up a profession that will actually pay enough to provide for a foal. Maybe you should go back to being a Wonderbolt." "And go back to only being known as the son of Spitfire and Soarin'? Forever proving that my mom was right all along and that my dreams means nothing?" Blue snorted "Not a chance, Mist! I am not a quitter!" "Why do you have to be so stubborn?!" Mist groaned. "Because owning a bar is all I've ever wanted!" Blue yelled. "And I'm going to keep it! I'll find a way, you'll see!" "Because it's all about you, isn't it?" Mist sneered contemptuously. "Have you forgotten about me, about the foal? We have needs too, you know! Ever since you opened that bar, I haven't seen as much of you as I'd like. Most of the time, it barely even feels like I have a fiancé! And what about when the foal is born? The poor thing will barely see know its own father!" "That's a little much, don't you think?" Blue frowned. "Maybe you should stop thinking about just yourself, and start thinking about us." Mist declared. "How dare you accuse me of being selfish…" Blue growled. "Let's think for a second about what would happen if I did become a Wonderbolt, like you suggested. It would mean moving away from Canterlot, where everypony we know is. Would that be fair to you and the foal, to be so far from your family?" "It wouldn't be that far." Mist retorted. "Besides, we could still visit from time to time." "Well, you just have an answer for everything, don't you?" Blue snorted. "That makes one of us." Mist said coldly. "I'm trying to plan for the future. And that includes a future without you bar." "Well, that isn’t going to happen. I’m going to save Blazin’ Blues!" Blue said angrily. "Just you wait and see." "Oh, I'll see, alright." Mist snorted. "I'll see you crash and burn, and you'll end up trying to get another job.! And what if you can't find a decent-paying job? An unemployed father isn't exactly the best example for a foal." "How about a little support?" Blue growled. "You are my fiancée, remember?" "What, and that means I just blindly go along with every boneheaded decision you make?" Mist growled. "Not in this lifetime!" "You don't know what you're talking about anyway." Blue huffed. "What does some bookworm from a hick town know about business?" "What did you just say, you... jarheaded jock?" Mist growled. "You heard me." Blue snarled. "Unless it involves reading or cherry picking, you should stay out of it!" "Okay, that's it!" Mist stood up. "You can sleep on the couch tonight, mister!" "Fine." Blue pouted. "I don't wanna share a bed with somepony who doesn't believe in me, anyway!" "That suits me just fine." Mist snarled, as she headed to the bedroom. "Let me know when you've come to your senses!" Once Mist left the room, Blue laid himself down on the couch, still fuming about their disagreement. "She just doesn't get it..." He muttered. "Not even close..." The next morning, Blue and Mist didn't even speak to each other as they prepared for the day, simply throwing scowls and glares each other's way. With unusual speed, Blue made his way to the bar, continuing his money-making crusade. But once again, business wasn't exactly booming. As the late evening rolled around, and the time neared to close up, Blue started to worry. 'What if Mist's right?' He thought. 'What if I'm really better off just giving up?' He sighed deeply. 'So this is it. My dream is about to die. All that effort, all that hope, for nothing...' At that moment, the door was flung open, breaking Blue out of his reverie. None other than Vandal "Vinny" Napoleon entered the bar. "Good afternoon, sir." Blue smiled as Vinny approached the bar. "What can I get you?" "Well, let's see." Vinny grinned. "What do you have here?" Blue could tell by Vinny's breath that he was already on his way to getting steaming drunk. "There's quite a selection." Blue smiled. "I have some Trottingham elderberry wine, some Manehatten schnapps, and even some cherry wine from down in-" "Dodge Junction?" Vinny grinned. "I've had some of that before. How about pouring me a glass?" "Coming right up." Blue nodded. Blue filled a glass, which Vinny downed instantly. "Again." Vinny urged. "So, what brings you to Canterlot?" Blue asked. "Just checking out the bar scene around here." Vinny shrugged. "For such a fancy-schmansy place, there are some real dives around here. But not this place. This place has got some charm to it." "Thanks." Blue sighed, passing over the next glass. "Glad somepony thinks so..." Vinny, despite his drunkenness, picked up on his sigh. "What's eatin’ ya, kid?" Vinny asked. “You look prettybummed for closing hour.” "You don't wanna know." Blue sighed. "Sure I do." Vinny smiled with a drunk smug. "That's what a bar's for…aside drinking of course: to have others provide sympathetic ears to one’s woes." "Well, if you insist." Blue groaned. "I'm having trouble paying the rent on this place. The bar just isn't making enough money. If I can't settle my debts by the end of the month, my landlord's taking this place back." "That's rough, kid." Vinny frowned. "Places like these... they're sacred. Folks from all walks of life can come in, drink, chat with each other, laugh it up... y'know, all that good stuff." "Yep." Blue nodded sadly. "What hurts the most is even my fiancée want me to give up on the bar, and go back to being a cruddy Wonderbolt.” “A Wonderbolt?” Vinny perked up. “That doesn’t sound so bad. They pay well and you get health and dental coverage.” “You’re missing the point.” Blue sighed, “Being a Wonderbolt is what my mom and dad did. If I just followed in their hoofsteps, I would be nothing more than ‘the son of the two greatest Wonderbolts’, the ‘kid who had everything handed down to him from birth’, the ‘one who wouldn’t make it nowhere if my parents weren’t Spitfire and Soarin’ Windsong.’” “Hmm... I guess that is a big reason to not do it.” Vinny cringed. “Not only that.” Blue groaned, as he slouched on the counter. “This bar... this place was my one chance on making a mark on the world that didn’t involve me being a Wonderbolt like my parents. A testament that I didn’t need my parents’ fame and fortune to be somepony. It was my dream ever since I first got my Cutie Mark... now...” He let out another sigh, as a tear dropped from his eye. “It'll be gone.” For a moment, the two stallions fell into silence. "Sorry." Blue said finally. "You shouldn't have to listen to me whine like this..." Vinny appraised Blue. "You know what you need?" He said finally. "You need a drink. And there's plenty of choice around here." "No, I couldn't." Blue shook his head. "I can't afford to waste that stuff on myself." "Look kid, you gotta get outta this slump." Vinny declared, laying back. "And nothing chases away depression like a stiff drink." "But-" Blue started. "You said yourself you're not making enough money." Vinny pointed out. "It's not one or two bottles are gonna make a difference, right?" "Yeah, I guess." Blue gave in. "Couldn't hurt my chances, at least." Blue poured himself some Manehatten martini, and started drinking. "That's the spirit." Vinny grinned. "Feel better?" "A little." Blue admitted. "Don't stop now." Vinny urged. "Have another." "I really shouldn't." Blue shrugged. "It's almost time to close up." "Close up?" Vinny snorted. "Haven't you ever heard of a lock-in?" "Say what?" Blue asked. "Look kid, you obviously need to loosen up." Vinny crossed his hooves. "And I know how to get you loosened up. Stick with me, pal, and you'll be feeling better in no time." Blue mulled it over for a moment. He was still mad at Mist, so he didn't feel like heading home. And it would be nice to put his worries aside for a while... "Okay, you're on." He smiled. "A lock-in it is." "Sweet." Vinny grinned. Using his horn, he shut the door and locked it. "By the way, I don’t think we had been formerly introduced. I’m Vinny." “Vinny…yeah, I remember you.” Blue mused. “You were here opening night. Caboose’s brother, right?” “That’s me.” Vinny smirked, brushing his beard, “Vinny Napoleon, wine connoisseur and maker, at your *hic*” He suddenly hiccupped. “Service.” "I thought you looked familiar." Blue nodded with a small smile. "Caboose is a decent guy, but a little weird. Glad it doesn't run in the family.” "Me too." Vinny snorted. "One Caboose is enough for me, thanks." "I think it's enough for everypony." Blue chuckled. "And yet, he wound up with Daring Do of all ponies." "Don't even get me started on that." Vinny smirked. "A smokin' hot babe marrying my wacky little brother? I'll never understand how that happened..." "Hurricane's a great little filly, though." Blue remarked. "You must be one proud uncle." "Sure am." Vinny nodded. "She's a sweet kid “Now, let's get in some of the good stuff.” Blue smirked. “I like to put aside some really fancy drinks for special occasions." "Now we're talkin'." Vinny chuckled. The two new friends spent all night drinking. Despite having a head start on Blue, Vinny was able to hold off total inebriation for much longer. Blue, however, wasn't so lucky. "This stallion's tryin' to hit me." He slurred, eying the Prancing Patriot mascot, who had one hoof raised. "Well, I'm gonna hit him first!" He punched the bottle, knocking it out of his hoof. "That's showin' 'im." Vinny hiccoughed. "Comin' in here, thinking he owns the place... This is your bar!" "Yeah." Blue nodded. "Jerk." As the night wore on, they grew drunker and drunker, to the point where they could barely speak. "Blah-gah-flar-rih-sluh-buh!" Blue said. (Translation: "Y'know, my mom always hated this bar idea.") "Gru-mup-fah-tig-bav." Vinny retorted "Huv-mag-suv-baf-lu-vun." (Translation: "I know what that's like. My family weren't always so supportive about my own wine-making dreams.") "Flur-pha-wa-fi-xa." Blue mumbled. (Translation: But it's important to hold on your dreams, right? No matter what anypony says" Bla-sa-nu-tu." Vinny replied. (Translation: You got that right.") "Ghhhruuufrrrrsurrrr." Blue gurgled. (Translation: ?????) "Flerguhraaarooogh." Vinny nodded. (Translation: ?????) Even the lack of coherent speech did little to slow them down. They continued their drinking until far into the night. The next morning, Blue awoke to a massive hangover. "Ahh..." He groaned, rising from the table his head was on. "My aching head... I can barely remember a thing..." Vinny was asleep on the opposite side of the booth, leaning against the seat, snoring heavily. Small snippets of Blue's memory came back, mostly involving Vinny's arrival, and the impromptu lock-up. "What was I thinking..." Blue groaned. "Throwing all my profits down the drain..." Knowing he was in no condition to run the bar, Blue decided to shake Vinny awake, so they could leave. "Vinny... Vinny!" Blue yelled, nudging Vinny. Vinny didn't even budge. "B-b-b-b-bird, bird, bird, bird is the word..." Vinny muttered in his sleep. "...Don't you know about the bird? Well, everypony knows that the bird is the word..." "...Fine, be that way." Blue groaned, “I will have to deal with you later.” Blue decided to leave Vinny there for the time being, reasoning that he would cause no harm, and headed back to the apartment. "Where have you been?" Mist confronted him as he entered the apartment. "Not so loud..." Blue cringed. "Ugh, your breath!" Mist gagged. "...Have you been drinking?" "Yeah, I met this stallion, Vinny." Blue declared. "We got to talking, then before I knew it, we were drinking each other under the table...I think I lost." "Wonderful." Mist said sarcastically. "It's bad enough that bar's dragging you down, but now you're drinking your nights away at it..." "I'm sorry about leaving you alone like that." Blue sighed. "I wasn't thinking." "I was so worried about you." Mist admitted, her expression softening. "I thought... maybe something terrible had happened to you." "I shouldn't have made you worry." Blue apologised. "I'd never leave you. You know that, right?" "Of course I do." Mist smiled. "I just forgot for a while." "Look, Mist, about what I said before..." Blue sighed. "You know why this bar is important to me, right?” “Well, you made it quite clear.” Mist snorted, “Because you don’t want to be some trust-fund foal, right?” “It’s more than that.” Blue shook his head, “Mist, when I was a kid, I had little to no friends. I always had to travel a lot because of my parents, so I hadn’t time to make some. Even then, most of them only liked me because of my mom and dad.” "Seriously?" Mist gaped. "Those rotten kids..." “The bar... it’s just not a bar.” Blue explained, “It’s what allowed me the chance to finally connect with other ponies like I couldn’t back then. A place where there are ponies who come and visit you everyday, and on occasions, ponies you never see before. If I just gave up on the bar... I would just be back to where I started as a kid...” "Oh... I never thought of it like that…” Mist admitted, “And I certainly know the feeling. Growing up back in Dodge Junction, I never had many friends either. I was just some sickly, bookish kid who never really stood out. ...I guess I didn't realize just what the bar means to you." "It didn't help that I never mentioned it." Blue shrugged. "I'm still sorry about yelling at you, though." "I'm sorry, too." Mist smiled, before her face scrunched in shock. "Wait, Vinny? As in Vinny Napoleon?" "That's the guy." Blue nodded. "And where is he now?" Mist asked. "Asleep at the bar." Blue answered. "You just left him there?" Mist asked. "Hey, he was out cold." Blue declared. "Besides, he won't get up to that much trouble." "Nuh-uh." Mist shook her head. "Let's get over there and let him out." "Can we get something for my head first?" Blue asked. "It is pounding." "I've got something for that." Mist went into the kitchen, returning with a thick milkshake-like drink. "Big Red swears by this. Just don't ask what's in it." Blue downed the drink. It was revolting, but he started feeling better almost instantly. "Whoa, good stuff. What’s in it?" He grinned. "What did I just say?" Mist sighed. "Tell me." Blue urged. "Fine." Mist gave in. "There's pureed prunes, mashed cactus, dried garlic cloves, week-old chilli, and a cactus coyote's spi-" "Okay, let's go!" Blue cut her off, not wanting to hear the last one. When they returned to the bar, they were surprised to find it open for business. "What the..." Blue frowned. “Blue... did you hire somepony to run your bar?” Mist gaped. “With the troubles I've been having?” Blue spluttered. “No way...” As they entered, they discovered that the bar was full of customers, all drinking and making merry. To their shock, at the bar, was none other than Vinny, shaking up a drink. "Hey, pal!" He waved at Blue, “You’re just in time. I was about to break out the slammer shots.” "Exactly what do you think you're doing?" Blue asked. "What does it look like?" Vinny grinned. "I'm tending the bar while you stave off that hangover of yours... partner." "'Partner'?" Mist frowned. "Hold on a second." Blue growled. "I don't remember making you my partner…or giving you permission to run my bar." "But you did." Vinny chuckled, pulling out a legal-looking document with his and Vinny's signatures (his a little crooked) on it. "Mid-way through our little private lock-in, you were pretty out of it, you started going on about what a connoisseur I am…” The night before... The word was in a grainy, black and white style. "This bar is-hic! Gonna tank if I-hi! Don' get some help." Blue slurred. "That's too bad..." Vinny said through a drunken haze. "Ya got yourself some primo drink here, kiddo..." "You know what'd-hic! Be awesome?" Blue asked. "If I had somepony like you working with me. You really know your-hic! Stuff, and I bet you could handle tending-hic! Bar." "Hey, why not?" Vinny smiled. "I'd be glad to help ya out!" "Really?" Blue grinned. "Sure." Vinny nodded. "I've always wanted to have a hoof in this kinda business. I could be your 'business advisor. In fact, I've even got a business contract with me that could make it official." "Why do you-hic! Have a contract with you?" Blue asked. "Long story." Vinny shrugged, pulling out the contract. "But the short answer is, I like to be prepared. So... are we doing this?" "You-hic! Bet!" Blue grinned. Grabbing a spare quill, they both signed the contract. "Welcome aboard-hic! Partner." Blue smiled. "Thanks, partner." Vinny smiled. "Hold up." Blue said suddenly. "There's a mouse over-hic! There. He's... he's driving a boat!" He waved a hoof at the hallucinatory mouse. "Hey, you! No-hic! Boats in my bar!" The present... "Oh, jeez..." Blue groaned. “That explains why that Steamboat Wally song was stuck in my head.” "What's with the long face, pal?" Vinny asked. "Face it, you need somepony's help in keeping this place afloat, and I'm just the pony." "What makes you say that?" Blue frowned. "Well, for one, I know a thing or two about business. Especially when it comes to the bar scene" Vinny smiled, pouring the shaker into a glass and sliding it to a customer. "And for two, I have this." He placed a thin book on the bar. "A collection of my own special cocktails. Unread and untouched by everypony except yours truly. You want this place to bring in the customers, you gotta make it stand among the other bars, and what better way than with unique drinks?" He started flipping through the pages. "You got 'The Bitalian Stallion', which mixes Bitalian gin and wine. There's the 'Don special', combining vodka and vermouth. "The Shetland Striker"... that's a great one. Mixes brandy and whisky for one heck of a buzz. Then there's my personal favourite; A mix of pernod, absinth, and a few shots of tequila. I call it 'The Marecarena', mostly because it leaves you feeling like your guts are dancing... oh, and the "Moneyguzzler," a drink so addictive that you want to pay for more shots. A great staple for getting money in a pinch." "Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse..." Blue groaned. "Now I've got a partner I never even wanted." "Maybe you should let Vinny help." Mist declared. "I know you have your pride, but at this point, you really can't afford to be choosy. Give Vinny a chance. Maybe he'll help turn things around." "Sure, what have I got to lose?" Blue shrugged, defeated. "Okay Vinny, what do you have in mind for boosting business around here?" "I got a couple of ideas." Vinny grinned, “By the time we’re done, you will be like Moe Szzylak!” “Who?” Blue asked. "What, you've never heard of him?" Vinny frowned. "Okay, how about Georgie Stablorelli?" "No." Blue shook his head. "Buddy Grassity?" Vinny continued. "Nope." Blue declared. "Harry Snowdrop?" "Nope." "Quark?" "Is that actually a name?" "Sam Marelone?" Vinny asked. "Now him I've heard of." Blue declared. "Well, one of out of six ain't bad." Vinny shrugged. "You really think you can help turn this place around?" Blue asked. "Of course I can." Vinny declared. "I've been all over, kid. I've seen some of the best bars in the world. I know how they pull in customers. And combining that knowledge with my own business know-how is bound to produce results." "I guess it's worth a shot... partner." Blue admitted. "Great." Vinny smiled. "Now, here's a couple of ideas just off the top of my head..." It turned out that the customers loved the cocktails, with new patrons flowing in practically by the carriageload. As the week continued, Vinny put his plans into action, putting together such attractions as theme nights (dancing, costumes, and others), karaoke, and darts tournaments. Of course, buying the required paraphernalia cost a pretty penny. "You sure about this?" Blue asked, as a brand new karaoke machine was being wheeled in. "This place is already low on funds as it is." "First rule of business, Blue boy: You gotta spend money to make money." Vinny said confidently. "Trust me, you'll get all this back, and more." It turned out Vinny's prediction was correct; All his suggestions turned out to be a hit with the populace of Canterlot. Over the next couple of weeks, the bar was raking in more money than ever. Blue found himself having to order more stock every few days, and would even have trouble fitting all the Bits into the cash register. One day, Blue looked at his bar in awe at how well business was booming. "This is amazing." He smiled. "I never thought this place could be so full." "It's a thing of beauty, alright." Vinny agreed. "A bar full of ponies, all having fun and hanging out together. There really is nothing like it in the world." "Hey, Blue!" Luxury called, as he and Constell entered. "What's the deal, here? I've never seen this place so packed!" "Yeah, there's barely enough room to move." Constell added. "It's all thanks to my new partner." Blue nodded to Vinny. "You?" Constell gaped. "The one and only." Vinny chuckled. "Like what I've done with the place?" "Gotta say, I'm impressed." Constell smiled. "You and Blue make a great team." "Hey, I'm just the idea stallion." Vinny said modestly. "Blue's the one who does all the heavy lifting. It's still his bar, you know." "A bar that's better than ever." Blue smiled. "So, what'll it be?" "How about a couple of those 'Slammer Shots'?" Luxury asked. "Coming right up." Vinny grinned. Ponies from all walks of life were enjoying their drinks. Captain Iron Hooves and Caboose led the Royal Guard in their imbibing. "Nothing like a stiff drink when you're off duty, eh, Caboose?" Iron Hooves smiled. "No, sir." Caboose nodded. "Especially if that drink's one of my brother best cocktails. The 'Shetland Striker' has always been one of my favorites" "I'm somewhat partial to the 'Don Special' myself." Iron Hooves declared. Even Jet Set and Upper Crust were coming back for more. "Another two 'Moneyguzzlers', bartender." Jet Set told Vinny. "We just can't enough of those." Upper Crust admitted. "I had a feeling you'd say that." Vinny chuckled, as he set up a couple more drinks. For the next couple of weeks, business climbed ever higher. At the end of the month, Frugal returned. "Well, I hope you're ready to put things in order." He told Blue. "Sure am." Blue nodded, as he handed over a satchel containing all the back-rent. "That's everything I owe you, with a little interest thrown in." "Well done, my boy." Frugal smiled, pleasantly surprised. "Honestly, I was hoping you'd get everything in order." "Well, I didn't do it all by myself." Blue said humbly, as Vinny entered the room. "I had a little help." "And there's no shame in that." Frugal declared. "Even I didn't get where I was relying solely on myself. Now if that's all, gentlecolts..." "Actually, there was one thing we wanted to talk to you about." Vinny declared. "Oh?" Frugal mused. "What might that be?" "We were hoping we could... buy the place from you." Blue announced. "We've got more than enough, you know." "You don't say..." Frugal weighed his options. "Very well then, you have a deal. I shall return in a day or so with the necessary papers. I trust you'll have the money ready?" "No doubt." Vinny nodded. "Excellent." Frugal declared. "I applaud your initiative, fellows. And I hope this charming establishment continues to serve the ponies of Canterlot for years to come." "Thank you, Mr. Frugal." Blue smiled. "And if you ever want a drink, feel free to stop on by." "I'll keep that in mind." Frugal chuckled. After Frugal left, Blue turned to Vinny. "Listen Vinny, I just wanna say... thanks. For everything." He told him. "If it weren't for you, this place would never have survived." "Happy to help." Vinny chuckled. "We are partners, after all." "We sure are." Blue nodded. "Maybe we should change the name of this place..." "Nah." Vinny shook his head. "Blazin' Blues is nice and catchy. And the only reason we're partners was because you were so drunk that you tried to kill Mickey Mouse." "True." Blue shrugged. "How about a drink? On the house." "Like you even have to ask." Vinny smirked. That night, Blue slid into bed beside Mist, planting a loving kiss on her cheek. "Everything go okay?" Mist beamed, knowing full well what the answer was. "Better than okay." Blue grinned. "It went perfect." "I was wrong to tell you to give up on your dream, you know." Mist admitted. "I just... I just didn’t want to see you get your heart broken if you were unable to turn things around.” "And I didn't want to let my dream go." Blue countered. "I shouldn’t have been so gung-ho to try and keep it alive. If Vinny hadn't come along when he did, it would have all gone down the tubes..." “Nonetheless, I’m glad things worked out for you.” Mist smiled. “When the foal comes, I'll tell it to always follow its dreams. No matter what" "That's good parenting." Blue nuzzled her. "Night, babe." "Good night, Blue." Mist kissed him. The two fell asleep together. Thanks to an unlikely source, Blue's dream had been kept alive, and he was glad; Since he learned Mist was pregnant, he had made it a goal of his to show their foal his bar, to show it what a dream come true was. And now, that goal was back in sight. Blue couldn't wait for the foal to be born, so he could share the wonders of a fulfilled dream with it.