My name is Knight Shift. Now, though, I’m working the really-early-morning-just-after-midnight, this-is-really-still-night-time shift.

I’m bored.

I start thinking about stuff that’s going on in the world. I don’t really see how, but everypony says there’s going to be some kind of a war between us and the Griffons sooner or later. More likely sooner. Everypony’s always talking about it, but they seem pretty confident we’ll win. My dad always tells me that our military could beat any ragtag griffon army. “We could drive them from the field in one battle, and be in Talondon within a month!” That’s what he told me the other day. Maybe that’s so… and maybe not. I don’t think tanks even drive that fast. But all the ponies on the radio seem to be sure of themselves.

Speaking of Talondon, I think, how in Tartarus did I even miss that one on the geography test?! I’m still kicking myself for that. I did really well up to that one, and I’m pretty bad at geography. The questions were “what’s the capital, and largest city other than the capital, in X nation?” All of them followed that format. So Equestria’s easy- Canterlot and Manehattan. Zebrica was tougher, but I sort of studied for it, so I remembered that one- the capital is Striperovia, and largest city is Brazzebraville. I even managed to remember the Minotaur ones- Byzantihorn and Thessbullonika. But for some reason, when we got to Griffonia, I messed up. The actual capital is obviously Talondon, and the biggest city other than that is Chickhago. But for some reason I said Hawkford. Sure, it’s a city in Griffonia, but it’s not the capital! I still can’t believe I messed up so bad.

My attention returns briefly to the empty store. There’s nopony on the road in either direction- I’m standing near the doors, so I can see both ways. The traffic light down the road blinks yellow in a steady, monotonous beat. I envy that light- at least it has something to do. Me, I’ve got absolutely nothing. The store’s already really clean. I did that twice. Maybe three times. Everything’s all stocked up. Nothing needs to be rotated. And it’s still going to be a few hours until someone comes to relieve me.

Then, like a light at the end of the tunnel, a pinprick of yellow appears down the road beyond the traffic light. I watch it like a hawk as it approaches, slowly growing larger like the dawning sun I can’t wait to see in a few hours. The light eventually reveals itself to be a pair of lights, headlights. Although I already knew that in my heart. The car approaches, and pauses briefly at the traffic light. I drink it in- the vehicle that carries the weapon which will defeat my boredom. Each yellow flash illuminates it a little. It’s a newer-looking car, sleek and streamlined with shiny metal hubcaps, not at all like the older models with crude lines, open tops, and wagon wheels. I can’t make out the hood ornament, but it looks like a Bayvarian Motor Works model- top of the line. I start coming up with some things to ask the driver. Practically giddy with excitement, I’m wearing a stupid grin from ear to ear. But that’s okay, because the car pulls forward.

And it turns left.
My dumb smile fades as the dim red taillights vanish into the distance.

I pick up the mop and go around for a fourth pass.

Author's Note

Shorter chapter. I think the next one might be my last in this format, but I may just have a couple more to add to the universe, just from different perspectives.