Hunger Pains (and other tales)

by Quillfeather882

Quill's Day at work

Filthy Rich's store Barnyard bargains was absolutely dead today. Oh, sales were at an all time high, but every shop would have it's dead periods. No pony was more affected by these lulls in business than his employees. Hours would get cut, and the shifts would seem to drag on and on.

Quillfeather absentmindedly straightened up the jars of zap apple jam that were lined up on one of the back shelves. It felt as though she'd straightened up this particular section multiple times. "Ugh," She groaned, lightly bumping her forehead against the wall. "Where the hay is everypony today? It's Saturday! Everypony does their shopping on the weekends." She didn't really care to deal with the ponys that came in. Some were kind and sweet, like the yellow Pegasus that came in every week to buy vegetables. Others were...difficult. At this moment, though, Quill would have given anything, and I do mean anything, for even a difficult customer to trot through the front door. At least then she'd have something different to do.

Just as she was contemplating asking Mr. Rich if she could go home early, she heard the bell by the door open. A sigh of relief passed over her lips, as she walked over to the front of the shop. "Welcome to Barnyard Bargains!" She said brightly, rounding the corner. "Is there anything I can help you find today?"

The pony who had entered was a bright blue unicorn, wearing a star covered cape and pointed hat. The unicorn turned at the sound of Quillfeather's voice, giving her a pleasant smile back. "Oh yes. The great and powerful Trixie has need of many things!"

Quill waited patiently, expecting the pony to rattle off a list of things that she would be needing. But the pony only stared at her. 'And...what exactly is it you need?" Quill finally asked when the pony didn't respond. Looks like this one is going to be a difficult one. Great.

The unicorn put a hoof to her head, as if trying to remember. "Hm...some apple jam I think...yes! Definitely some apple jam!"

Quill smiled, nodding. "But of course! The apple jams are going to be over this way!" Leading the mare to the section she'd just been working in, she pointed a hoof at the zap apple jam. "All of our apple jams were made at Sweet Apple Acres, a farm that our company has been proud to do business with for many decades at this point! What sort of apple jam were you interested in?"

The pony put a hoof to her chin in thought again. "Hm...are you sure that one," She said, pointing at the rainbow striped jars of Zap apple jam, "Is actually an apple jam?"

Quill smiled. This was a question she got quite often from ponys who weren't from around here. "It is rather unusual isn't? That's zap apple jam."

The blue unicorn scoffed. "What apples are striped like rainbows? No apples I've ever seen. I'm certain you're making that up. There's no such thing as a Zap apple."

Quill was starting to struggle with holding her smile in place. "No ma'am. If you look right here on the label, that's what it contains."

The unicorn shook her head. "No, no, no, Trixie refuses to believe that such a thing exists."

Oh, sweet Celestia, not this again... Quill groaned internally. Now, more than anything, she just wanted this pony to leave.

The pony continued to rave and rant about how it was impossible for an apple to be any other color but red or green, and then decided to say the words that every retail worker absolutely hated to hear, "Trixie would like to speak to your manager."

Keeping her smile plastered on her face, she nodded, and turned to walk toward Mr. Rich's office. Mr. Rich was generally a good natured stallion, and was easy to talk to. Raising a hoof, she knocked.

"Yes?" Mr. Rich called from inside.

"Mr. Rich, sir, I have a customer who would like to speak to you. I'm not sure why."

The sound of a chair scrapping against the floor reached her ears, and then her boss opened the door and stepped out. His hair was neatly slicked back, his tie perfectly straight.

"Where is the pony, dear?" He asked.

"She's over here in the apple butter section, sir."

The pair trotted over to the aisle, only to find that Trixie wasn't there.

"Well, she was here." Quill stated, sighing.

Mr. Rich chuckled. "Not to worry, Quillfeather. This happens a lot, as I'm sure you know. Why don't you trot on home dear? Take the rest of the day off. I'll see you tomorrow at 1 pm."

Quill beamed. "Thank you sir!" Quickly, she removed her apron with her magic and trotted to the locker room to get her things. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad day after all.

Author's Note:

I'm sure everypony who works in the service industry can relate to this. Hope you liked it! (Note: I've written this as part of NaPoWriMo, and so I do know that some editing is still required.)