Drinks Are On Us

-COMING SOON-

-TAPS, AN ALTERNATIVE BAR & LOUNGE EXPERIENCE-

-NOW HIRING TALENTED WAITSTAFF AND PERSONNEL-

-MARES WANTED, PAY AND BENEFITS NEGOTIABLE-

-MUST BE WILLING TO UNDERGO ALTERATION-

-INTERESTED PARTIES INQUIRE WITH VANILLA VODKA, 107 EXT 9-

This was what had been taped to the help-wanted board outside Ponyville's town hall. It was a rather large piece of paper for so few words, and had covered up a few of the other ads, prompting the mare who was reading it now to take it down and re-pin it off to the side.

Said mare, a short yellow pegasus with a curly cherry-red mane, was still considering the new ad. She was fairly skinny, as most active pegusai were. Her clothing was simple, as most Ponyville civilians wore. And she could use the money, as most of the country town felt...

"Hey Sweetie, whatcha lookin' at?"

She jumped a little, but settled back down on the ground as she recognized the unicorn that had snuck up behind her. "O-Oh, it's just you, Lemon. This ad here. Wasn't here yesterday. Somepony's building a new bar in town, looks like."

Lemon Hearts stepped up, curious. She wasn't as thin as her friend, but she was taller than most, easily reading over her head. "'Taps', huh? Sure sounds like a bar. You think it has anything to do with the construction crew at the old soda shop?"

Sweetie Sunrise turned her head. "The what now? I didn't know about that."

"They came driving past my house, out from Canterlot, early this morning."

"Huh. They must be moving fast, if this and that are the same thing."

"Wanna come check it out?"

"... Sure. I'd like to see if this Vanilla Vodka's there too." The pegasus stuck her hands into her pockets. "I could use the money."

"Couldn't we all." Lemon agreed, looking around the town square. "Even when life does give you lemons, it's never gonna be enough."

They were a block away when they ran into a friend whom they agreed, would be the most interested in the opening of new bars.

Berry Punch ambled over to the waving pair, her expression flushed, but not totally sloshed. "Heeeeeey gals, what's all the commotion?"

"Lemon and I are heading to where the old soda shop was." Sweetie explained. "Apparently, some city types are building a new bar there on top of it. Wanna come see?"

The wine pony did indeed want to come see. Together, the three of them happened upon the street corner where the once-abandoned shop stood. It had been barricaded off, and completely gutted, the majority of demolition having apparently been done earlier. Already, ponies were clambering over the structure, putting up new paneling, wiring, the works. There was even a small shoveler inside, conveying dirt to a pile behind the building.

"What's that for?" Lemon asked, gesturing at the shoveler.

"My guess is wine cellar." Berry replied, leaning upon one of the barricades. "Lotta places like 'em. Looks like it's gonna be a big one too. What'd you say they were calling themselves again?"

"Taps." the pegasus stated. "Said they were gonna be a bar and lounge. They posted an ad at the help board this morning... I'm thinking of giving it a shot."

The purple mare raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't like bars. Too many wandering eyes, wasn't it?"

"Y-yeah, but... well, my own little breakfast venture's not going anywhere till I can afford more room. I'm willing to take a chance."

"Hrmmm... gonna say this though, girls. Help wanted? On same day? That's not suspicious at all."

"You're right." said a new voice. "It's not suspicious. It's just the way things are done in the city."

All three mares turned to look. All three mares stared hard. The top-heavy form of a tall, silvery mare stood behind them, dressed incongruously in work clothes that hugged her like a second skin, orange safety vest and all, though it did nothing to cover that tremendous bust. The hardhat was small and canted off to the side, obviously more for decoration than for any real protection.

"O-oh, h-hello." Lemon stammered, momentarily cowed by the new mare's imposing stature. "A-are you... y'know, with... with them?"

The mare gave a matronly smile. "Yes, I am. My name is Vanilla Vodka, and I am one of the leading owners of the Taps franchise."

"Oh!" The pegasus flapped her wings. "You're the pony the ad said to get in contact with, aren't you?"

She nodded. "That's correct. Again, posting the ad same day as construction is simply more efficient. It ensures an establishment hits the ground running, once everything is in place." She looked over at the construction, a hint of pride in her voice. "If everything remains on schedule... and it no doubt will... we should be opening in a week's time."

Berry was giving her a critical eye. The pretentiousness was rubbing her the wrong way. "What're you ponies actually about? I heard 'bar and lounge', but what kind?"

Vanilla glanced over at her, before taking a breath, a motion that made her bosom heave. "Taps, is a bar and lounge, and yet is also an adult entertainment establishment. Our core attraction is our alternative and exotic method of serving refreshments, which remains a secret to all but employees and customers. We've proven that there is merit to the concept, thanks to three successful franchise locations inside of Canterlot itself. Today, we think Ponyville is ready to experience the next big thing in the lounge scene, and so we've broken ground." She glanced about the street with a disapproving expression. "Frankly, it could use a little class, which we're hoping to bring."

Lemon opened her mouth, but was beaten to the punch by Punch. "How wide's your selection?"

"Every location has a different assortment of local specialties, but we do carry a sizable beverage list."

"How 'local' are the localities if they're all in Canterlot?"

"Every employee brings an individual 'touch' to the serving experience."

"So, you support local brewers? Or do you rope them in under your own brand?"

That got a reaction, the tall mare pivoting to swing her massive bust around, pointed straight at Berry. She stared down her cleavage at her, noting that the mare, for her apparent inebriated state, had not flinched, and was returning the gaze steadily. At length, she smiled. "You know a lot about the drinks industry, do you?"

"I have to." the purple mare replied. "I'm the town drunk."

"C'mon now Berry, play nice." Sweetie enthused, stepping up beside her. "You'll have to forgive her, she's got a vineyard and her own line. Me... I could use some capital." She stepped closer to Vanilla. "Miss Vodka, I'm Sweetie Sunrise. I'm... I'm interested in signing up for your bar, here."

The mare was all smiles. "Oh, how wonderful! Our first potential employee." She reached out and shook hands with her. "My schedule is rather full today, but I can pen in an interview for you tomorrow. Would that be okay?"

"Suits me fine, miss!"

"Excellent." She swept her deep blue gaze over the other two mares. "What about you two?"

"... oh all right, I might as well." the yellow unicorn conceded, stepping up. "Lemon Hearts. I own an orchard in town, so, if you need any lemonade Miss Vodka, I can be your mare."

"Oh, lemonade, hmmm~" Vanilla hummed, taking her hand to shake as well. "A nice addition to our roster. Please, call me Vanilla, or Miss Vanilla, if you'd like. I'll pen your interview right after Miss Sunrise's here." She took a few seconds, before turning her head back in the wine pony's direction. "And you, Miss..."

"... Berry Punch. I'll... think on it. You'll probably get me as a patron, if nothing else. These places are okay with 'gentlemares' as well as gentlecolts, I'm assuming?"

"Of course! It takes all sorts." the tall unicorn enthused, spreading her arms wide. "Still, should you ever reconsider, please don't hesitate to call. We at Taps are always on the lookout for mares with natural talents, you know."

That struck an odd chord in Berry's head. Before she could ask about it though, the street suddenly became busier, as more carts piled into the lane, stacked high with building materials.

"Oh good, the rest of everything." Vanilla crooned. "I apologize dear ladies, but I must be going. Can't have a body without a head to steer things after all. If you'll excuse me."

She departed, her bust leading the way in front of her, with only a slight sway to each of her long steps. Berry couldn't help but wonder how tight her top must have been, taking another quick look at how the pale blue flesh was billowing over the neckline.

However, her eyes were quickly distracted by the trailer they had just walked past. It was piled high with trimmings, red tile, an assortment of bar stools, shelves, poles, and a...

Applejack was in the middle of carrying a bushel of apples to the house when she heard her name being called out.

Stopping, looking down the road, she was more than surprised to see Berry jogging down it at breakneck speed, waving a hand. "Applejack! Applejaaaack!"

She stayed in place, waiting for the purple pony to catch up with her, and then waiting a few minutes longer as the mare bent double, trying to catch her breath. "Berry? What's goin' on? Yer lookin' like y' just ran th' Iron Pony marathon."

"I... I-I just ran... all the way from town..." she panted, gasping for breath, before looking up. "Applejack, we need to talk, now."

"It... it was the well."

"Are y' sure?"

"Pretty certain. Oh, it wasn't made out of stone, like the one you and I know, it looked like it was made out of some sort of cheap plaster. But it wasn't the proper sort that's in town either. It was made up to look like the well."

"Now that, is mighty strange." Applejack scratched her chin in contemplation as they both sat at the Apple family dining table. "What'd you say these ponies called themselves again?"

"They call themselves 'Taps'. They're apparently a 'alternative adult bar experience.' At least, that's how the Canterlot lady described it. You shoulda seen the mare. Tits out to here." Berry gestured a foot or so in front of herself. "She was full of it too. She didn't use her nose, she used her cleavage. If you inflated her ego any more, I swear it wouldn't go to her head, it'd go to her boobs instead."

The farmmare couldn't help but chuckle. "Ah take it y'all didn't hit it off too well."

"That's putting it mildly. 'Please, call me Vanilla. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a town I need to class up with my astounding dirigibles~'" She flapped her hands, causing her friend to laugh again. "Seriously. Would love to see a black eye on that smug face."

"Okay okay, ah get it. She's a first-class snob. But what makes y' think she an' these 'Taps' ponies know anythin' about th' well?"

"It was the way she laid on her pitch for Sweetie and Lemon." The lavender mare's brow furrowed. "She said that they were on the lookout for mares, with 'natural talents'. Given the mockup of the well, the fact that she was this close to being topless... I dunno. It's pretty damning, isn't it?"

"It's... it's somethin'." AJ bowed her head to think. "Mah big worry is th' timin', though. Y' say they plannin' on opening within the week?"

"That's right. Whether or not they're snobs, they have serious money. They tore the old soda shop down to bare bones just this morning. Building it back up even as we speak."

She narrowed her eyes. "This close to Cider Day... that feels too close t' be a coincidence."

"Well, what're we gonna do then?"

"Well... what time is it." A quick glance at the kitchen clock. "Almost seven, damn. Ah still got chores t' finish up... but come on by tomorrow afternoon, kay? We'll both go see just what this 'Vanilla Vodka's up to."

And from th' sound o' things, she thought to herself. If ah wanna stand up t' her... ah'm gonna haveta make a big splash...

True to her word, the next day, Berry stood outside the gate for Sweet Apple Acres, waiting on her. It didn't take too long for Applejack to spot her and join her. "Hey Ayjay. You all ready?"

"Ready as ah'll ever be." she replied, standing up straight, adjusting the stetson on her head. When no further reply came, she glanced at her friend, only to find the purple pony's gaze fixated on a certain part of her.

"Uhm... Applejack... are you sure you don't need to, uhm... empty first?"

Jutting out from inside her vest, two freckled melons stretched out the tube top that she had decided to wear underneath, her speckled cleavage fully on display. Looking down at them, a blush slightly tinged her cheeks as she replied.

"T' be honest... ah haven't touched them yet t'day. After everything you told me 'bout th' lady, ah thought it might not be a bad idea t' go in kinda... well, 'full', mahself. Make'er think twice, maybe."

"Yeah, maybe." Berry replied, still eyeing her friend's bust warily. "You gonna be okay though? No tightness or leakage or anything?"

"Nah, this here is nothin'. An' ah took yer advice on nursin' pads too. Ah'm ready, sugarcube, so let's go see this newfangled bar they're buildin' already."

They set off. Ponyville never took an awful long time to get to, and on top of that, finding the bar again was especially easy, since by now it had drawn a crowd.

Ponies lined the barricade, mares and stallions both, gossiping amongst each other about the establishment that was being constructed. "I just got back from Canterlot, went to one of these" one stallion was saying. A mare down the line whispered to her friend "I heard they accepted all sorts, mares, stallions, and those inbetween!" Even a pair of colts down at the end were plotting ."Bet we could sneak in when it's open. Nopony'd be the wiser!"

Beyond that, there was now a new trailer carriage set up across the street from it, with various ponies milling around it. At least one stallion clad in black stood by its door. Amongst the various mares and stallions gathered there around it, Berry saw a couple of familiar faces.

"Sweetie! Lemon!"

The aforementioned ponies perked their heads up, and then lit up as they saw who was joining them. "Hey, Berry!" the pegasus replied as she stood up. "And Applejack! What brings you to town?"

"This here Taps business." was AJ's reply, forking a thumb at the construction. "Y'all realize how close t' Cider Day this is? While ah'm all fer competition, this is lookin' a little too pat fer my likin'. An' ah wanna make sure we don't get another snafu like we did last year either."

A number of ponies overheard AJ, and started muttering amongst themselves in agreement. The memory of the Flim Flam Brothers was still in everyone's minds, and nopony was eager for a repeat.

The redheaded pegasus dipped her head down a little bit, as Lemon spoke up. "I remember, AJ. I don't think it's going to be like that though. There's no open challenge, and they're not trying to outdo you at it either."

"Hrm, y' may be right. Still, ah wouldn't mind talkin' to th' heads of this operation." The farmmare tilted her head to the carriage. "They in there?"

"They are." the pegasus answered. "They're holding interviews right now, Lemon and I are waiting our turn."

"Looks like a fair-sized turnout." Berry remarked, taking in the loitering crowd. "Everypony here looking for a job?"

A stallion stood up next to her. "Lots of us are barely makin' ends meet. What you're seeing here are ponies who just want a little more cash to make themselves feel comfortable."

AJ rubbed her head. "Ah guess ah cain't begrudge a pony that. But jumpin' on franchises from Canterlot? That ain't th' Ponyville ah used t' know."

Lemon Hearts opened her mouth to speak, but found her eye drawn by something else. "... Applejack, did you fall in a bee hive recently? Cause you're lookin' pretty-"

The carriage door swung open, allowing a dazed Cherry Berry to leave its interior, arms wrapped around herself. From inside, a voice spoke. "What Ponyville smells, is opportunity. And when it comes, you mustn't dawdle to seize the moment."

Out stepped Vanilla Vodka, dressed this time in a black pinstripe business suit, skirt down to her knees, and undershirt unbuttoned to the nines. One could even see the beauty mark on her breast peering out just a bit from under the shirt hem. Looking at her, AJ couldn't help but bristle. Berry was right. Celestia almighty was she right.

The blue mare adjusted the pair of pince-nez glasses she was wearing, looking over the crowd of ponies. "Oh, hello again, Miss Punch. So glad you could join us. And..." her gaze met Applejack's own. "And you are...?"

"Applejack Apple. Head proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres." She placed her hands upon her hips. "Are you Vanilla Vodka?"

"Vanilla, please. Yes, I am the pony you seek." the top-heavy unicorn replied, stepping down from the door and taking steps forward, leading with her bust all the way. "Apple-jaaaack... yeees, I do believe I have heard of you! Proud and honest Applejack of Ponyville, blue-ribbon rodeo pony, and hero of many an escapade, am I right?"

"Ah ain't here t' be flattered." AJ replied, beginning to take small steps of her own. "Y'all're here on business, so am I. Whats yer angle here in town?"

"Angle? Oh Miss Apple, you ascribe too great an aspiration to me. I simply figured now was as good a time as any to bring some of the joys of the higher city, to your quaint little community here." Vanilla began to slow her steps, veering to the left, eyes not leaving the orange pony for a second.

It seemed to Berry that the space surrounding the two mares was quickly becoming an empty circle, ponies having shifted or gotten out of the way to give the two some room. They were circling each other now, and the tension had suddenly congealed in the air.

"Interestin' timin', that." The orange pony was saying. "If y'all were a month earlier or a month later, ah wouldn't have batted an eye. But yer here settin' up yer fancy establishment, right in th's few weeks leadin' up t' Cider Day."

"And so?" the blue mare crooned, brushing some of her blonde locks aside. "We're hardly looking to impinge upon your sales. Your specialty is cider, after all, and our view of the industry looks way beyond that. "

She's got me there. "That may be so," she replied, closing in a little on the unicorn. "But if that were really all there was to it, y'all coulda been out here months ago. Why now?"

"Simply put," came the reply, "We didn't know everything we needed to know, until... recently. But now that we have the information we needed, we decided that to move any later would be folly~"

AJ stopped, turning to face her. "What kinda information might that be, pray tell?"

"Demographics." Vanilla replied as if it was rehearsed, breaking free of the orbiting pattern, now simply taking short, slow steps towards the apple pony. "Ponyville is home to a hard working clientele that could use a little more excitement in their lives. And also, there are mares here whom, I am sure we'll find, will fit right in with the Taps way of life, even if they don't know it yet."

To her horror, the suited mare came to a full stop right in front of her. The reason why she'd stopped, being that she had pressed her bust right into AJ's own. The unicorn was bigger, and taller than she was. Still, Applejack did not retreat, nor budge, knowing that to do so would be to concede to the newcomer, weakening her position, especially in front of this crowd of nervously-watchful ponies. She stood her ground, bosom against bosom, trading unflinching stares through cleavage.

"Why the animosity anyway, Miss Apple?" the streaked blonde asked sweetly. "What we really should be doing to working together. Your farm's cider is known throughout all of Equestria after all, and more often than not, we get requests for it in our establishments. What do you say?"

"Ah say yer tryin' t' change the subject."

"Oh but it's a subject that would solve your apparent issue with us. Come now, Miss Apple, why not give us the benefit of the doubt? Sweet Apple Acre's cider, served not just at Taps in Ponyville, but in all three of our Canterlot locations too. Why just settle for making cider in this little dirt hole, when you can make cider for all of Equestria yourself? Besides... I think that I can tellll~..."

AJ's eyes widened, and then looked down quickly, as she realized too late exactly what Vanilla had done. Pressing their busts together had been, on the outside, purely for show. But with four repetitions of the word 'Cider', she was unable to do anything as, with each utterance of the phrase, her breasts had swollen even fuller, pressing against the unicorn's own bosom more and more. When she glanced back up, the look in Vanilla's eyes was gleaming, smug... and predatory.

"I do believe that you, Applejack, have got some... natural talent. How's this for a deal then? Leave that stuffy old farm, and come join our enterprise instead. I can already tell, you would be a natural on the floor of our newest establishment here. I could even put you ahead of the curve, make you the local franchise manager. You've got more opportunity here for you than anywhere else you'll ever be. What do you say, Miss Apple 'Cider' Jack?"

Metaphorically trapped between her own swelling bust, and the cat's-eye gaze of the unicorn, she had to consider her response carefully... or as carefully as she was able to, considering the businessmare had just dissed her farm.

"Sweet Apple Acres, is not stuffy." she began. "It is one of th' founding cornerstones o' Ponyville, an' Cider Season has been a long-standing tradition for our town since mah Granny was a wee mare. Moreover, it's mah life. Mah family. And yer gonna have a hard time tryin' t' get me t' budge for anything else."

There was a whooping somewhere in the distance, and a few ponies even applauded. She suspected Dash was nearby, cheering. Emboldened, she then allowed a grin to come over her own face. "Seein' as y'all were so generous t' offer though, ah'll definitely take yer suggestions under serious consideration~"

The look upon Vanilla's face had become carefully composed and neutral. "Very well then, Miss Apple. Then, if you've no further business with us, may I request that you leave us be, so we may continue our interviewing process?"

She nodded, and the pale pony disengaged from their docking, sauntering back over to the trailer carriage, bosom leading the entire time. She paused only to motion at Sweetie Sunrise to follow her, before disappearing inside.

"Oh MARE!" Berry suddenly exclaimed, tackling and embracing AJ from behind. "You SHOWED her! That was amazing! Aw man you were right to fill up like that, that gave you just what you needed to-"

The mare was frantically signaling her to stop, and so she did, dropping back to the ground, chagrined. Applejack for her part, found herself surrounded by a crowd of ponies still, some approving, some confused, and others looking downcast or ashamed.

"Look." she started, addressing them. "Ah know that was ugly. But it ain't up t' me to decide what yah should or shouldn't do. It just ain't fer me. If y'all need it, go for it. Just... be careful, alright?"

There were nods and words of acknowledgement, which she took as her cue to actually turn around and leave, weaving her way out of the crowd, with Berry close on her tail. When they were finally to themselves, she whispered to her friend. "She knows."

"W-wha? Vanilla? B-but-"

"That whole boob-squish thing, she planned it. She was testin' me. An' ah couldn't do a bloody thing." The freckled mare rubbed the side of her bust, which was now even fuller than it had been when they'd started. "She felt mah girls swellin' against hers every time she said th' word. And then she went an' said it, that ah had 'Natural' talent. Think yer hunch is right, Berry. She's got her eye on us."

"Got her eye on you, you mean. She doesn't suspect a thing of me." the purple pony corrected. "But still, that's crazy. She really tried to sell you on the idea, didn't she?"

"She did. An' that bit she tried t' feed me, 'bout demographics? A big fat fib, that's what. Ah could tell, ah'm not th' element o' Honesty fer nothin'. But what ah said there, was th' honest truth. Ain't no way ah'm gonna leave th' farm, specially not so close to th' day. And if that don't sit well with miss balloon-bra, then tough taters."

"Hah, you said it. Besides, what can she even do? Even with all that money, nothing could ever get you to bail ship now, right?"

Sweetie Sunrise exited the trailer with unfocused eyes, her hands resting upon her chest as she stumbled into the light as if in a dream. Behind her, the lull between interviews allowed a hushed conversation to take place.

"Hidden Deal?"

"Yes, Miss Vanilla?"

"Sweet Apple Acres, and the Apple Family. Are you familiar with them?"

"They do own the local apple market, ma'am."

"Get me some dirt on them. Dig deep. Anything you can find, I want it on my desk, and I want it yesterday. Especially anything you can find on Miss Applejack."

"Miss Applejack, ma'am?"

"She has come across it. She has that natural talent, and in spades. Her word is 'Cider'. I want her, Hidden Deal. I want her under my thumb, and in the employ of Taps. One way... or another."

A knock sounded on the still-open door, Lemon Hearts peering inside. "Uhm... hello? I think you said my interview would be right after Sweetie's..." she looked back out into the open. "What did you tell her? She's acting like she's high or something."

"Oh, it's a natural high, Miss Hearts. Miss Sunrise has been accepted and hired into Taps." Vanilla's smile was ingratiating. "Please, come on in, sit down. Let us begin. I'm sure you'd like to be hired alongside your friend, right?"

"That would be nice." the yellow unicorn replied timidly, closing the door behind her and taking her seat. "I hope she hasn't said anything bad about me."

"Oh on the contrary Miss Hearts, she gave nothing but a glowing recommendation of you and your skills."

"You'd might even say," the older stallion spoke up. "That she did almost half of your interview for you."

She puffed her cheeks. "Now I don't know if I should be thankful or annoyed."

There was a small laugh, as the pale mare regarded her, sizing her up. "Miss Lemon Hearts, you said you own an orchard in town, correct?"

"That's right."

"But from what I heard, lemons and lemon goods don't sell well year-round."

"Well... lemon season's in the summer, when it's most wanted. My lemonade recipe's always brought the ponies back wanting more... but, demand varies with the heat. The onset of fall has always meant a drop in the sales for me."

"But this year has hit you harder than most, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, it has. One of my trees got hit by a stray parasprite, and you know the kind of hell those cause. Managed to snag an accordion and drive them away, but by then, the damage was done. So... yeah, I'm looking for a little extra work, at least until I can recover."

"I see, I see..." Vanilla nodded thoughtfully. "Well, as we're looking for local mares, the odds of you being approved are high enough already. Just let us make sure of a few things... have you had any previous waiting experience?"

"Yes actually. Worked at an Inns and Oats Hayburger in my school years."

"Excellent. Any specialty schooling or education?"

"Yup!" Lemon cheered. "Graduated in animal sciences from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns!"

The temperature in the trailer seemed to suddenly drop a few degrees. Was it her imagination, or was the boss pony glaring at her now? Whatever it was, it seemed to pass as soon as it had happened. "... Interesting. While a laudable field, it has little bearing on the position we're trying to fill. So, let's move on." she rustled a few papers, before continuing. "Bar service?"

"U-uhm, I own my own lemonade stall whenever the heatwaves hit."

"Ah yes, the lemonade... a specialty of yours. I wouldn't suppose you'd have some on hand for us to sample, would you?"

"... actually," the blue-maned mare replied, leaning down to retrieve her purse. A bit of digging revealed a thermos inside. She handed it over. "Always liked to keep some on-person, whenever I get parched."

The mare behind the desk accepted the thermos, unscrewed it, and took a whiff, a smile coming to her lips. Mr. Deal provided a paper cup for her, and she poured a small amount, before taking a sip. "Mmmm... classic, yet original in its own way. Your own recipe, correct?"

There was a nod. She then proceeded to light her horn, a dark blue aura enveloping the thermos. "You know, we could help you distribute your lemonade. Add it to our list of beverages. A hard-working stallion would still be most appreciative of it in the middle of the winter, if it's served with a summer's smile."

The pitch rang a bell. It was similar to the one that she had given to AJ, before abruptly changing track and trying to recruit her instead. "... w-well, if I like working here... theeen I don't see why not?"

The smile that graced Vanilla's face could have powered the sun. "Most excellent, that's what we like to hear. We've only one question left then..." she leaned forward, the expression suddenly turning serious. "Are you, or have you ever had in the past, lactating, nursing, or been a wet nurse?"

That one threw Lemon for a loop. "...nnnnooo I have not. I've never married, or ever had any children. Do you ask that of everypony?"

"We do." the top-heavy unicorn replied, raising her hand and snapping her fingers. The gangly stallion immediately placed a sheaf of papers into her grasp, and she sat back up straight, again beaming with a smile. "Well, Lemon Hearts, I have some good news for you. You, I believe, are prime Taps material."

"R-really?!"

"Yes, really! Now, we just need to make things official." She passed the pile over to the yellow mare, quietly delighting at her expression of confusion.

"That, is the company contract." Mr. Deal spoke again. "Upon signing it, you agree to all services, benefits, regulations, and alterations as listed inside. Though I'm sure a mare of your experience is already quite familiar with the documentation listed in such a contract."

The truth was, this entire document was a mess of dense text that she had no idea how she was going to read all in one sitting. "Alterations... You mean magical augmentation, right?"

"That's correct. It is an essential element to the services you'll be providing, should you accept." She didn't get any further elaboration.

She stared at it hard, trying to make sense of the text, before at length, shrugging her shoulders. It's probably the same sort of terms they had me agree to at the Inns and Oats Hayburger. she thought to herself, flipping to the end. "Do I sign here?"

"That's it."

She signed, and then handed it back, the mare accepting and then immediately filing the document away. "Congratulations, Miss Hearts. You are now officially part of Taps. There's just only one order of business left to straighten out. Your alterations."

"Right, alterations... what do you need me to do?"

"Take your shirt off."

"I-... excuse me?"

"There's no need for alarm." the stallion soothed. "Miss Vanilla will make the alteration herself. It's our company secret you see, the reason why Taps has seen the rampant successes that it has."

"Have you ever wondered..." Vanilla crooned, standing up behind her desk, her horn glowing brighter. "Why it is, that we call ourselves 'Taps'?"

"I-I..." she was finding herself being oddly drawn towards the light that the other mare's horn was emitting. She looked to the side to see that Mr. Deal had turned his back, and, feeling oddly safe in Vanilla's overflowing presence, she found herself complying, hands reaching and grabbing the hem of her sweatshirt, before pulling it up and over her head, her pert little C-cups now on display, enclosed in a pale green bra. "N-No... no, I hadn't. I thought it was cause... o-of some... special dispenser?"

"Oh Lemon, you are so, so close." The thermos from before hovered forward, and a drop of lemonade splashed out. It suddenly froze as it was caught in the buxom mare's magic field, before flashing and vaporizing in an instant. "Yes, the draw of Taps, is our method of dispensing drinks. But it's not anything mechanical. It's the fact that it's done with such personal service, along with a smile~"

"Wha-... Wh-what's the... dispenser then?"

"I thought that was obvious, Miss Heart." Vanilla Vodka replied, her horn upping one more shade of blue, intensifying, as Lemon began to feel a peculiar buzzing within her breasts. "You are."