A Bartender's Troubles

by Hot Dog Jones

Chapter 1

The rain poured as I walked down the dusty street.

Good thing I’m wearing a coat.. Fish could swim in this road.

I was heading to my night shift at the Silver Saxophone, ready to serve more drinks. I didn’t think there would be many ponies there on an evening like this, but still, a job’s a job. I could see the bar’s neon sign through the fog, so I was getting close. Thank Celestia, I thought, I’m soaked.

I stepped inside and took off my overcoat and hat. With a quick shake of my fur, I clocked in and headed towards the counter.

I started setting some things up opposite the counter, various liquors and whatnot. I stop suddenly, hearing a customer sit on one of the ragged stools. As I do a million times every day, I said my famous line.

“Welcome to the Silver Saxophone, what can I get you?”

In response, I hear the patron say, “Something strong. Surprise me.”

The familiar voice makes me turn from my sorting, only to see one of my usuals and good friends staring back.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the world famous Rainbow Dash, winner of the young flier’s competition and the only pegasus ever to perform a sonic rainboom. How’s my favorite customer doing?”

She obviously wasn’t in the mood to chat, simply uttering one word: “Alcohol.”

“Fair enough,” I said. I went to mixing her a Manehattan, fixing up the whiskey and adding a hint of lime for some flavor. She plunked a bit onto the counter and I slid her the carefully crafted beverage.

“I know it’s cliché, but still – why the long face, darling?”

“It’s… personal.”

“Rainbow, I’m a bartender. Nothing’s personal with me.”

She sighed and explained, “I’m having relationship problems.. but in a different way.”

“A different way?”

She paused and said, “It’ll sound a bit weird.”

“Hon’, I don’t care. I’m just here to serve you drinks and hear your troubles.”

She paused an even longer amount of time, listening to the chatter of the establishment and the peaceful song of the piano. Finally, she uttered, “..I’m in love with a mare.”

“Well, I’ll admit, that does change a few things, but all’s fair in love n’ war I suppose. Who is this mare?”

“That’s another thing.. She’s one of my friends.”

I chuckled and replied, “One of the six? If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought you’ve gone daft.”

“I know, I know.. It’s crazy.” She sulked and laid her head on the counter before adding, “The thing is, it feels so.. right.”

“Well, you would know when a relationship feels right, love. Only one way to find out if it truly is, though.”

She sipped her drink and thought it over, her feelings running through her a mile a minute. She then compromised, “Well, I could kind of subtly show her, just flirt with her a bit, but I dunno..”

I put my hoof on her shoulder and proclaimed, “Dash, if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that you should show that filly you love her.”

She looked up at me and said, “You’re totally right. I should go for it.” She smiled and added, “Thanks a bunch.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” I smiled back at her and took her empty glass. “Want another drink?”

“No thanks, I don’t wanna be tipsy for flying practice,” she giggled, “but thanks anyway.” She pulled out a gold piece and put it in my jar. I thanked her, and she trotted off towards the door. Just as luck would have it, she bumped into another of my usuals. They said a quick hello and parted ways, the new customer coming towards me.

Applejack sat down at the bar looking a bit sentimental, taking in her surroundings as if it were her first time in the Sax.

“Care for a drink, miss Applejack?”

“Oh, howdy there, Dice. Uh, yeah – just a glass of bourbon.”

I poured her the strong whiskey, watching as she brought her eyes over the scenic bar. Soon she took her gaze back to the counter, placing down a bit and accepting the concoction.

“Thank ya’ kindly.”

“Any time, miss.”

She sat on the stool, sipping her drink and looking around the bar. Her eyes paused at the piano, and she watched the pianist move his hooves across the fragile keys.

“Hey Dice.. Is that colt at the piano datin’ anyone right now?”

“I don’t think so.. Are you looking for a date?”

She blushed as she uttered, “Well, maybe.. ah’ve just been doing some thinking - ah’m not going to be around forever, and ah’d like to find a companion; somepony ah can trust with anything, somepony who understands me, somepony who I can really love.”

“Do you really need someone to complete your life? I mean, you’ve already got the farm to handle.”

“Ah know, it’s just ah’ve been feelin kinda.. lonely lately. Not that mah family’s bad company, they’ve always been good to me. Ah just want someone I can be closer with. Don’t you ever feel that, Dice?”

“Miss Applejack, you needn’t worry about my feelings. I’m just waiting for the right mare to come along, that’s all.”

“You sure? ‘Cause ah know some folks.”

“That’s quite alright, AJ. Like I said, don’t worry. Besides, who’s the bartender here?” I poured her another drink and chuckled.

She laughed and responded, “Well, ah’m just amazed the right mare hasn’t come along yet, ‘cause what mare doesn’t like you? You’re a huge charmer, not to mention you know your way around drinks.”

“I guess I am a bit of a charmer, but it seems to come naturally.”

“Y’know, ah wish Big Macintosh could be more like you. Then he might actually have the courage to ask out Fluttershy.” She laughed and took another sip of her bourbon.

“I never knew he had a thing for Fluttershy. That’s cute.”

She smiled and said, “Yeah, it is.. Now only if we could get in relationships.” We both laughed heartily.

The night dragged on as I watched the farmer pony slowly became intoxicated.

---

AN: Thanks for reading, and don't forget to comment and rate. I'd just like to clarify something - the starting of this story doesn't mean I'm delaying the rest of my other fic, but instead, this story may be on hiatus until Artist's Block is done. If you haven't heard of Artist's Block, you can check it out on my profile.

Thanks everyone ^^

Comments

[Brawlic]

This looks really good so far, hope you continue it

[TheRealShadowFoot]

pleeaaseee continue :D. and I'm definitely gonne peruse your other fics.

[Sohlat]

You got my attention good sir