Ponyville’s annual charitable Switch for a Day contest was at hoof. Half the town was randomly chosen to put their names on a card to be put in a drawing box. Participants in the other half of town would go to the town hall to randomly draw a name from the box. The name drawn would be the pony with which he or she would switch professions for a day. Each successful pair traded for a day would bring a 100 bit donation to the foal’s recreation center from the First Bank of Equestria.
Cherilee was always a fan of charity. It was basically a natural extension of her job of cultivating the minds young foals. She tended to do things of an altruistic nature.
Mayor Mare took the microphone at the event. “Ladies and gentlecolts, it is time again for the Switch for a Day drawing! I hope all participants have the most fun and take pride in knowing that this means funding a very worthy cause. Now if you would, begin a line in front of the drawing box and pick somepony with a thrilling job!”
Cherilee was third in line. The first two participants didn’t look too thrilled, but she was ever optimistic. When her turn came she reached in and drew. The name on the card was none other than Berry Punch.
She immediately went over to Berry. “It looks like we’ll be trading for a day Berry Punch.” Cherilee told her.
“Well this will be interesting Miss Cherilee. You’re a teacher right? I could make it fun for the kids.” Berry replied.
“That’s great Berry. And you do what again now?” Cherilee asked.
“I’m a bartender at the Herd it Through the Grapevine.” Berry answered.
Cherilee felt a little uneasy. It would certainly seem to be at odds with her wholesome reputation to be working at such an establishment pouring drinks.
“Uh, a bartender? You serve dinner to customers huh?” Cherilee said in a low and dodgy way avoiding the obvious.
“Well sometimes snacks. Mainly plenty of booze. On Friday nights it can get crazy!” Berry said almost happily.
Thus Berry confirmed what Cherilee knew but didn’t want to know. It also intrigued her just how a bartender would be teaching and entertaining her students.
“Hmm, maybe we should work out an itinerary for each other to keep things flowing nicely.” The now more upbeat Cherilee suggested.
“Nah, I have some fun ideas for the kids.” Berry responded.
“Oh, I see.” Cherilee grumbled.
~~~~~~~~
The next day it was time for the switch. Cherilee was ready to start her shift at Herd it Through the Grapevine while Berry Bunch began lessons at the school.
The training received was brief and seemingly inadequate for Cherilee at the bar. Berry on the other hoof seemed quite confident that she could be in charge of a class.
The first customer at Herd it Through the Grapevine was a pony wearing a newsy hat who had just finished a long day. “I’ll have sex on the beach.” He said.
Cherilee was outraged. “I’m not sure this is that kind of establishment sir.” She said with some embarrassment. “We’re not even near a beach. Perhaps you should find the exit and save yourself the trouble.”
“Lady, you make this tough. Then again something sweeter will work. Just give me a wine cooler.” The newsy said and Cherilee reluctantly complied.
~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile back at the school Berry Punch was doing a surprisingly good job improvising entertainment for the kids.
The first assignment was to collect something from outside and give a brief oral report on it. It was Snips’ turn and his item of choice was a rock.
“So this rock I have is a totally good rock. It’s really rocky and it’s better than any rock Snails would have.” Snips told and boasted.
Then the expected exchanges of “Is not” and “Is too” commenced before an all out hoof hitting fight broke out between the two foal fools.
“Uh, ok then.” Substitute Berry said. “Scootaloo, you’re next. What do you have?”
“I found this cool leaf drifting down from a tree. It moved so awesomely like Rainbow Dash going for a sonic rainboom!” Scoots said.
The class found her report to be a bit more rational.
~~~~~~~~
Back at Herd it Through the Grapevine Cherilee was attempting to clean the bar top of spilled beer from an earlier altercation between two construction stallions when another customer walked in.
“Time for a Hurricane.” The Pegasus said.
Cherilee was slightly concerned. “Is that the weather report from Cloudsdale? Ponyville is quite a way inland so we shouldn’t be in too much trouble. I do have a friend near the coast I’m worried about though.”
“No, weather is fine. How ‘bout that drink though?” the impatient and humorless Pegasus asked.
“Uh yes. What drink is that now?” Cherilee countered.
The Pegasus shook his head.
~~~~~~~~
Berry Punch had put together a game of guess who for the kids.
“I have wings.” She hinted.
“Oh, oh, are you Gilda?” Sweetie Belle suggested.
“No. But I’m also purple.” Berry further hinted.
“You’re the flying purple pony eater.” Snails said.
“What kinda answer is that?” Apple Bloom quipped.
“Sorry Snails. This should make it easy. I have a horn.” Berry clued.
“The flying horned wingy thingy from Purpletopia?” Snips shouted.
The entire class looked at him with a concerned glare.
~~~~~~~~
Another customer entered the bar. The unicorn looked at Cherilee. “The Hound of Taurtarus.” He said.
“Well, I’m not familiar with how that one is mixed. What’s in it?” Cherilee said with more confidence this time.
“No, the Hound of Taurtarus has left his post again. Princess Celestia has sent us out to let local establishments know just in case. He’s usually not really that dangerous but can be unpredictable. We’re hoping Princess Twilight is on the scene to lead him back now.”
Cherilee sighed.
~~~~~~~~
The Hound of Taurtarus escape turned out to be a false alarm. It was now the closing of Switch for a Day and Ponyville was happy.
Cherilee and Berry Punch met up in front of the town hall to discuss their adventures.
“I’m sure glad this is over. How do you keep up with the bar?” Cherilee queried.
“It takes practice and patience. How do you keep up with those interesting school kids?” Berry asked in return.
“Same thing, practice and patience!” Cherilee laughed. “You know, this was fun. I’d almost wish to draw your name again next year but I have to be careful what I wish for.”
“Hey, we did it for a good cause. The kid’s rec center gets 100 bits for this.” Berry Punch reminded Cherilee.
“Yeah, it was for a good cause.” Cherilee agreed. “I really am looking forward to next year’s contest.”
Author's Note
EQD WTG submission. Just another one shot shorty. The prompt was "It's opposite day in Equestria! Write about someone swapping roles for a time."
