Applejack fufills her dream of opening a diner and nothing goes to plan, ever.
Set in an alternate universe, Applejack Apple, daughter of very creative parents, has opened a restaurant and now has to face certain obstacles that happen to happen in it with her crew of workers.
This is based on the board game Kitchen Rush, at least the generel idea and outlay of the restaurant is. Character conflict, the thing I'm trying to focus the story on, is hopefully original.
Applejack Apple, daughter to apperantly very creative parents in terms of name-giving, stood before the large building she and her team had spent the last months renovating. The new sign hanging over the door was a sight that made Applejack's heart soar. The walls were painted a pale shade of orange only a few days ago, the smell of fresh paint still lingering in the fresh fall air.
Fall, the perfect season to go to a restaurant in Applejack's opinion. A restaurant like the one she was standing in front of, her very own. She smiled proudly and stepped inside. The floorboards no longer creaking under her weight, as she had replaced each and every wooden plank she was walking across. Applejack took the practically finished restaurant in. The walls, painted a deep red, calming and inviting. The empty tables, begging for people to sit and eat. The pictures on the wall, some bought, some of Applejack's own creations, and some of two of her friend's works, who were also going to be working at the restaurant. And the bar to the right side of the door, waiting to be used for taking orders.
Applejack entered the kitchen, the two pantries on opposite sides of the kitchen filled with all kinds of goods and produce, their delightful smell filling the kitchen. Although the restaurant was ready to take customers, in Applejack's eyes there was still much to do. There was a large empty room next to the employee's exit that she had no idea what to do with. The office was small and not renovated yet, a large arcade machine in its center on the wall with a cash box on top of it, a box with aprons and one small chair standing off to the side. The space for washing plates and cutlery was also blocked by several cleaning supplies, mops, buckets and boxes, the whole area blocked of by a room divider.
But it was alright, at least for tonight. Tonight was opening night, and Applejack invited her friends and family to come. It would be a small group of people, perfect for easing into the job. Not that Applejack was nervous, oh no. She passed culinary arts school with flying colors alongside her friend, Pinkie Pie, who was of course the first person she hired. No, the cooking or the quality wouldn't be the problem, it was actually starting a restaurant, fufilling the dream she had ever since she was little.
"Applejack, hey!" She heard a familiar voice behind her. "Are the others here yet?"
Applejack turned around with a smile on her face. "Nope, you're the first one, Sunset!"
Sunset Shimmer, one of Applejack's friends she knew from High School. She went on to go to an art school a town away, but had always been a talented cook in Applejack's eyes. A perfect addition to her crew.
She took off her jacket and hung it on one of the hooks next to the employee's exit. Or entry, in some cases. "I thought they'd be here already, big night and all!"
"Ah'm sure they'll be here any second."
As if on cue, the employee's entry burst open wide, having been kicked open by the next cook Applejack had hired. Former captain of her High School's... pretty much every team, Rainbow Dash.
"Heeeelllllo, Applejack!" She announced, taking the shades off her nose and tugging them behind her collar so they would hang off of it. "And Sunset, good to see you too!"
"Hey, Dash."
"Heya, Rainbow!" Sunset greeted. "Cool shades, where'd you get them?
Rainbow grinned mischievously. "I stole them with permission!"
"What's that even s'pposed ta mean?" Applejack shook her head like a disappointed mother.
The prysmatic-haired woman shrugged and strutted into the kitched, discarding her jacket by throwing it over the room divider. "Where's Pinkie?", she asked, looking around the room.
"I'm right here, Dashie!"
Everyone jumped up screaming for a moment, before setteling down again.
"What?" Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head innocently as if she didn't just appear out of thin air.
Sunset shook her head. "Nothing, Pinkie. Why don't we get ready?"
"Great idea, Sunset. Ah bought some brand new aprons we can use, and we should really consider introducin' a dress code." Applejack pointed them into the direction of the 'office' where she stored the aprons.
After everyone had their own apron they sat together in the kitchen, talking over some final details.
"Alright, ah want everyone to try everythin' in the first week, to see who can do what best." Applejack explained. "Today probably won't be as busy but ah still want ya'll to do your best, okay?"
The rest nodded affirmativly.
"Good. Fluttershy called me and said she'd run a bit late, hard day at work. The rest should be here any minute."
Just like Applejack predicted, their first guests soon arrived. Applejack's family, consisting of her grandmother, brother and sister and one of her cousins were first. Their orders weren't that complicated, even though Rainbow Dash almost burned one, which resulted in Applejack scolding her for a minute before realizing she left her own pan on the stove. Their mutual friend Fluttershy arrived an hour later, absolutely craving some good food made by her friends after a hard day of work. Even some people that Applejack didn't recognize came, however it seemed as though her friends knew some of them. She didn't mind, the more the merrier they say!
Fluttershy didn't leave right away, she stayed until they closed off, having had quite a successful opening night.
The five of them sat by the counter and talked, they had been pretty tight knit for a long time now. Everyone except Pinkie met back in High School, and although Pinkie came by way later, she grew fond of them and vice versa very quickly. Applejack had of course asked Fluttershy if she wanted to join in on her little project too, but she respectfully declined. She loved to cook, but only as a hobby. Her dream was to become a veterinarian and take care of her true passion, animals, which eventually came true.
She still supported them through their entire journey, even helping in cleaning up and renovating the place as best she could.
"Sooooo Fluttershy, how did'ya like the food?" Applejack asked, trying not to sound too excited, and failing miserable at it while her co-workers/friends giggled at her.
The girl smiled and clapsed her hands together. "Oh, it was just wonderful!" Her demeanor changed to uncertainty. "But..."
Applejack tensed. What could be wrong? Did they forget something? Was it overcooked? Undercooked? Not enough? Too much? A billion questions ran through her head, wondering what could've caused a godess such as her to nervously play with her hair with such an uncompfortable expression adorning her perfect face.
"It's a little bland..." Fluttershy admitted.
Sunset facepalmed, almost falling out of her chair. "The spices." She groaned. "We forgot to get the spices."
Applejack hit her head on the counter of the bar. "Months of preperation and we forget one of the most important things about a restaurant!"
She soon felt an arm wrapping around her in an attempt at compforting her. "Applejackie, it's alright!" Pinkie Pie said. "We can do better tomorrow!"
Rainbow Dash sat herself next to her on the counter. "Pinkie's right AJ, it was only the opening night, we can go out and buy plenty of spices still!"
She sighed, sitting herself up again. "Ah guess ya'll got a point." Fluttershy smiled at the girl, sending her heartbeat pumping a hundred miles per hour.
"The food was still amazing, Applejack! I'm looking forward to where your restaurant is headed!" She said as she stood up, already getting her jacket from the coathanger by the front door. "I'll see you guys soon! Text me if you need anything, alright?"
The four smiled and waved, each saying their goodbyes to the young veterinarian.
Eventually, they all packed up and took their leave, Applejack being the last to exit, closing up behind her. She was determined to make the next day go over much more smoothly. The next morning, she had compiled a list of things she knew she had to change and improve and immideatly got to work.
Rainbow Dash arrived at work thirty minutes early, as is expected of her, but as she parked her motorcycle in the backyard of the restaurant she couldn't help but stare at something curious that hadn't been there before, at least she couldn't remember it being there. She scratched her head in confusion as she took off her shades and clipped them back on her collar. Sunset Shimmer arrived soon after amd found herself in the same situation as Rainbow Dash, not taking her eyes off the curiousity.
"Ah! Ah see you've noticed my latest improvment!" Applejack said as she noticed them staring, having not gotten off their motorcycles yet.
"A- Applejack, how did you--"
"WHEN DID YOU GET A GREENHOUSE?!" Rainbow yelled, effectivly cutting off Sunset.
Applejack smiled and laughed for a moment. "Ah built it myself! Spent all mornin' on this beauty!" She leaned herself against it, clearly proud of her work. "Sunset, your buddy Wallflower and Rose helped me set up the plants and herbs, now we can just get our stuff from here!"
Rainbow and Sunset looked at the former farmer stunned. "Are you okay, AJ?" The more colorful of the two asked carefully.
Smiling brightly, Applejack replied. "Never better! In fact, ah'm more than excited for today, getting to try this baby out! Oh and one more thing: Pinks 'n' ah cleared out that sink so now we can wash the plates we use right here!" The girl beamed at the two as Pinkie poked her head put from inside.
"It's true!" She said. "I even got rid of that room divider it looks that good now!"
Sunset and Rainbow exchanged looks, before shrugging and finally getting off their vehicles.
Applejack had faith in their restaurant, if there was an issue that would become apparent while they worked, Applejack was determined to fix it. She loved this building with all her heart, even if it still had its flaws.
Despite the small setback during the opening night, she was not about to let that get her down. She and her crew would work hard and make this the best restaurant in all of Canterlot City! Applejack was sure of it.
Now all they had to do for a proper start and growth in popularity, was get through the first week hopefully without a hitch.
Applejack sat in the messy office, contemplating life and how to fix the problems that had come their way, when Pinkie carefully peeked her head in.
"Applejack?"
She took a very deep breath. "What?"
"We're out of salad." She shamefully admitted.
Alongside the moldy bread and pasta, this felt to Applejack like the easiest of the problems she was currently facing. After taking another breath, she jumped up from her seat. "Don't take anymore customers that ask for salad, ask if you can give 'em somethin' else. Ah'll have to make some calls, could you be a dear and take over for me for a while?"
Pinkie gave a brief nod and left.
Applejack followed her into the kitchen, there didn't seem to be any pressure on her co-workers. That was good, Applejack figured, she didn't want them to stress out as bad as she was doing right now. Brief glances and smiles were thrown her way when she passed, which she gratefully returned. She walked out of the exit and leaned her back against the wall, breathing in the cool fall air.
Then, she took out her phone and dialed a number of an old friend she knew. She waited, pacing the length of the wooden fence to the greenhouse, the rhythmic beeping filling her ears, making her more and more anxious. Then, it stopped.
"Ya, what's up?" An almost exhausted voice answered from the other line, Applejack almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
"Yes, hello, Applejack speakin'. Remember how you owe me a favor?"
She could hear rumbling and rustling on the other side, presumibly the girl untangling herself from her bed that she loved so much. "I do, infact, remember that." She answered, her voice much clearer now. "Whatcha got?"
"You can drive, right?"
"Legally yes. Why?"
Applejack smiled as she leaned against the greenhouse this time. "Would you like a job?"
Silence. For moment Applejack was worried she might've weirded the girl out, but she couldn't have, right? Maybe she was just considering the offer. Yeah, that's it.
"Applejack don't tell me you want to rob a bank or some multi-million dollar company. I mean I'd be down but I'm a horrible getaway driver."
The former farmer roared with laughter, of course that would be the first thing that came to her vivid imagination. "No, no, don'tcha worry, you won't end up in jail this time." Once Applejack had calmed down, she layed out the details. After a pretty lengthy explenation on what happend and what she had to do, Applejack seemed much more confident than before.
"So I just go there and get fresh stuff for you whenever ya'll run out?" She asked.
Applejack nodded, which she of course couldn't see. "Yeah, that's the gist of it. Think you can handle that?"
"Psh, sure I can." The girl on the other line yawned, still pretty tired.
Smiling, Applejack asked: "Long night?"
"Yeah, had four gigs in a row." She responded. "You won't believe this, but some shithead stole my color-correcting glasses a few days ago! Who does that? Who steals color-correcting glasses?? Do you know how expensive that thing is???"
"Uh-" Applejack stuttered. "Yeah, who would do that?" She coughed and set her crooked hat back on her head. "Anyway, can ah count on ya to be there tomorrow?"
"Uh huh!" The girl responded. "Totally, gonna be there, gonna be fun." She yawned again.
"Great! Have a good rest, Vinyl!"
"Yep, totally, see ya, man." The long beep indicating that the other person had hung up could be heard now, and Applejack did the same. Smiling, she turned back to the entrence, already having an idea on how to fix the problem with the mold.
"Alright everyone, listen up!" She yelled as she burst into the kitchen. "Where's Sunset?"
"In the guestroom, serving curry." Rainbow responded, in the process of cutting up a piece of meat.
Applejack waited for a moment until Sunset came back. "Okay, now everyone listen up!"
Sunset almost dropped her notepad at her friend's sudden outburst and quickly composed herself.
"Ah fixed the problem with our ingredients running out, ah hope. And ah happen to have an idea to solve the issue with the mold."
Everyone turned to her expectantly, except Rainbow, who occasionally glanced at her meat to make sure she didn't cut her-- "Ouch!", nevermind.
"If we clear out this room-", Applejack knocked on the door of the large empty room beside the employee's exit, "-we can store the bread and pasta in here, seperate from the meat and veggies. That should prevent them from going bad so quickly!"
The others exchanged curious looks before turning back to her.
"That sounds like a great idea!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, throwing her pan in the air for emphasis and miraculously catching it and everything that was inside a moment ago in one swift motion.
Sunset shrugged and smiled at her boss. "Sounds like it could work."
Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, too busy trying to stop her finger from bleeding by sticking it in her mouth, she simply gave a thumbs up with her free hand.
"What about the other thing?" Sunset asked. "Didn't you say you fixed that?"
Nodding proudly, Applejack showed them her phone. "Ah called in a favor from a friend of mine, you'll see, it'll turn out great!"
"Are you sure?" The red and yellow haired girl crossed her arms and furrowed her brows with worry. "I don't know if one favor is enough to fix this, I mean this problem will come back again pretty soon after too..."
Applejack waved nonchalantly. "Don't you worry 'bout that, sugarcube. It's all covered!"
"If AJ says this is gonna work, then it's gonna work!" Pinkie Pie said, cooking peacefully as before as if she never took her attention off of the sizzling frying pan and Rainbow nodded in agreement. Sunset only sighed.
"Well, if you guys think so."
"They know so, Sunset. When have ah ever been wrong?"
"You thought caramelizing onions meant literally putting caramel on them when we were in High School."
"You make ONE MISTAKE." Applejack took a deep breath. "That was a one time thing!" She pouted and made her way through the kitchen and to the bar to attend to new guests. "Ya'll keep doin' watcha doin' there!"
A chorus of confirming sentences rang through the kitchen, leaving Applejack with a grin on her face. Tomorrow would be much, much better and easier she thought as she rang up their next guest.
"Heya, AJ!" Vinyl greeted her friend, jumping out of her van. "I got the stuff you wanted to load up your pantry- WHOA!" She was caught off-guard by Pinkie Pie, coming out of nowhere as per usual, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Air! Please!"
"Sorry!" Pinkie grinned widely. "I'm just so excited to see you! We haven't hung out since-... since uh..."
"Last week?"
"YEAH! That was sooooo long ago! I missed you! How have you been? Are you Applejack's favor? Are you gonna work here now too?!" The pinks blur bounced up and down, shaking the poor delivery girl along with her.
"I missed you too, Pinkster." Vinyl's head spun when she was let go and for a moment she could swear she was seeing double. "I've been good, just like a week ago. Yes, I am Applejack's favor and yes, I am gonna work here now."
They turned their heads toward the sound of an engine roaring like a mighty lion with a horrible cold growing louder as it came closer toward them. Rainbow Dash, owner of the motorcycle that just arrived, removed her helmet and got off her bike.
"What's up, who's the new--... meat..." Rainbow paused, awkwardly trying to shuffle inside the building.
Vinyl's expression morphed into utter annoyance and anger. "YOU!"
"Me!" Rainbow grinned uncomfortably.
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO STOLE MY GLASSES!"
"No, I didn't! YOU gave me permission!"
Vinyl pointed and accusatory finger at the girl. "I was drunk! Any and all agreements made while in an intoxicated state are invalid!"
"You seem to have experience with that~", Rainbow raised a brow, giving her a cocky glare, causing the usually relaxed new delivery girl to blow a fuse.
It was not long before the two of them were physically at each others throats.
Applejack sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of her nose as Sunset arrived, watching them with great concern. "Are they alright?"
"They'll be fine!" Pinkie waved them off. "Can we go inside now?!" She asked, already heading for the entry. "Imagine all the things we can do for our guests now that we don't have to worry about supplies!"
Applejack followed suit. "Hey, you're right! Sunset, you comin'?"
Sunset only stared at the scene in front of her with great intrest, and great confusion. "Give me a minute, I wanna see who wins.", she paused.
"Why is the blue haired one wearing pyjama pants?"
To that Applejack did not have an answer, she just shrugged and went inside, hoping the two would break it up soon.
The evening was followed by an almost smooth shift, Sunset only accidently messing up a recipe once, but other than that the day was a major success and Applejack could not be happier about it. It may have taken a week and some more, but she was sure that now she had all the essentials to run a successful buisness with her friends.
Applejack left her pan sizzling on the stovetop as she went to check on the others. "Pinkie? How's the order for that picky guest comin'?"
The girl in question flashed her a thumbs up as she was preparing two meals at the same time without breaking a sweat.
"Sunset, you restocked the pantry?"
"Yes, ma'am!" Sunset said affirmatively, just leaving the pantry. "Ringing up a new order now!"
Applejack headed for the bar area where Rainbow Dash was currently 'working'. "Rainbow Dash! The dishes ain't washin' themselves! Get back to work and stop flirtin' with our customers!"
The prysmatic haired dishwasher waved her off and sent her customer one last wink before disappearing. "Call me!~"
The customer, Fluttershy, hid her burning red face behind her hands, shrinking way back into her chair as she contemplated why this always happend when she came here to eat. And more importantly why she enjoyed it so much.
Back in the kitchen, Applejack popped her head out of the exit. "You doin' good?"
"Yeah, drivin' to Golden Harvest's next." The delivery girl mentioned as she was about to hit the gas.
Applejack nodded and pulled back inside. Then, she grinned from ear to ear as she breathed deeply, taking in the smell of a beautiful and calming blazing inferno. Her eyes widened and her head snapped toward the pan she left unattended on the stovetop, the contents of which were scorching inside.
"HORSEAPPLES!" She made a dash for the stove and turned it right off, checking to see what parts of the food were still salvagable, if any.
"Oh my god." Rainbow mumbled. "Just say 'shit'".
Applejack chose to ignore her dishwashing friend for the time being and went to get a fresh pan and ingredients, making sure to not leave her spot this time. "How's that new double shift treatin' ya'll?"
Sunset stopped her plans to head into the main room for a moment to reply to her. "It's pretty stressful, but it's comfortable to know I've got more time to finish."
"Yeah! I've been serving soooo many people that couldn't come before because we were only open in the evening!" The excitable pink blur of energy clarified, somehow having gotten herbs from outside while Applejack was blinking.
Rainbow Dash meanwhile pointed at the large leaning tower of plates and cutlery beside her. "The dishes are piling up so fast, it feels like I can't even get to cooking anymore!"
"Yeah." Sunset, who had walked back in a second ago, agreed. "It does feel like we're a bit understaffed at times." She admitted.
The gears in Applejack's head started to turn. She scratched her head in thought. "Well, looks like we gotta hire someone to keep up!"
Murmurs of agreement waved through the kitchen before everyone went back to what they were doing.
"Guess ah better get started on makin some sort of hirin' add..." Applejack said mostly to herself, her mind occupied with finding a proper way to advertise for her restaurant. Would anyone even want to work at a restaurant? Applejack shook her head as that obviously wasn't possible. Of course people would want to work at a restaurant! She wanted to work at a restaurant, and look at her now! She just had to make it sound appealing and be honest about it, that has got to be a sure-fire way to--
"APPLEJACK YOUR PAN!"
"HORSEAPPLES, NOT AGAIN!"
"So what do ya'll think?"
The next day, thirty minutes before their first shift started, the staff met in the tiny office, Pinkie somehow managing to sit atop the unplugged arcade machine. They exchanged looks, each different from the rest.
"I like it!" Vinyl said, her voice sounding a few notes deeper than usual. She leaned back with a satisfied smirk.
"I don't!" Rainbow forcefully shoved Vinyl out of her chair before sitting in it herself. "You're making me sound like an incompetent dishwasher!"
"You ARE an incompetent dishwasher!"
"Silence delivery girl! Talk to me once you wear actual pants!"
Sunset gave a chuckle as she eyed the paper held in front of her. "I actually think that could work!"
"It's not too desperate, is it?" Their boss turned to look at the ad herself again, having second thoughts on wether this was a good idea in the first place.
Pinkie let herself dangle down the arcade machine, giving Applejack a brief scare. "Well, I think it's perfect, Jackie!" She said with an ever present smile on her face.
"Well, that's good, 'cuz I already hung these all over Canterlot City." The boss of the establishment mentioned, causing most of the staff members to break into laughter except the dishwasher.
"Great." She mumbled. Just as she could complain some more however, there was a gentle knock on the door to the 'office'.
They all sat up, Applejack now standing at attention, she straightened her back and cleared her voice. "Come in!"
"Oh dear, is this an office or a broom closet?" The lady complained immideatly upon walking in. It's not that Applejack thought she was being rude, she would agree that their office space was still quite a huge mess, but she didn't have to say it like that!
Nevertheless, Jack wasn't one to keep a lady waiting and no, her pan did not count as a lady, because that is a pan. "Welcome, miss!" She reached out her hand for her to shake which she gratefully accepted.
"What brings you here?"
"Your advertisment, mostly. And the fact that I couldn't find anyone when I entered." The woman explained calmly.
Rainbow eyed the woman up and down with an interested smirk, as did Vinyl, earning them both a swift elbow punch in the ribs by their bacon haired coworker which was largly ignored by everyone else present.
"Yes, well, we were havin' a little discussion right now. Why don't we move to the main area?"
"That would be delightful, darling." The lady smiled and held the door open for Applejack. "I'm Rarity by the way!"
"Suits ya, nice to meet you Rarity!", was the last thing the coworkers heard before the door shut behind their boss. Sunset went up to the door and fiddled with the knob.
"Oh my god." She muttered. "That idiot locked us in."
"She WHAT?!" Rainbow jumped into the air and turned to face the doorknob, she fumbled with it for a good five minutes before giving up. "What are we gonna do now?"
"Stay calm, Dashie! AJ will remember we're in here as soon as she's done talking to Miss Rarity!" Pinkie smiled, still laying atop the old machinery.
The four emplyees were now left in the 'office' with nothing to do, wondering what they're next course of action should be.
The blue haired delivery menace whistled a short tune before she turned her coworkers attentions to something else much more entertaining: "...Ya'll wanna see if the arcade machine still works?"
"Hell yeah, I've been tempted to plug that baby in since we renovated this place!", Sunset squished through the two rivals blocking her path and inspected the much more attractive arcade machine that would the four would spend the next 22 minutes or so on as they waited for their friend to finish talking and get them out of this claustrophobia inducing nightmare of an office.