A Hateful Encounter

The day so far had been going by perfectly for Colgate, not just the day but the whole week. She had not had a patient with any problems during the week, every single patient had paid their bills at the time of service and they were all ponies that she was on good terms with, and in the case of a couple, found rather attractive. It was time for her final appointment on a Friday afternoon when she took a look at her schedule and saw who was her final appointment of the day.

When she saw the name, she cringed, "Ugh, Limestone Pie? I have to see that bitch? I have to put up with her constant complaining and that icy glare of hers?" She took a deep breath and continued, "Its alright, her exams are always perfect and she always pays so this shouldn't be anything other than a routine appointment."

Limestone wasn't exactly thrilled about having to go to Colgate's office but she figured that putting up with a unicorn she loathed would beat going to Canterlot and paying three times more than she would by simply going to Ponyville. When she checked in with the receptionist, she had her typical scowl, "I'm here for my appointment with Colgate."

The receptionist, Lyra, was a pony that Limestone did not mind. Her cheerful personality did get on her nerves but she knew that she was a genuinely nice pony. When Limestone was finally called back, all she could do was hope that this would be quick and she could get going as quick as possible.

As Limestone headed back into the exam area, she had her usual scowl on her face. Colgate too had a scowl on her face as she pointed at the chair and said, "You know the drill."

Limestone grunted, "Yes I know."

Limestone got up in the chair and immediately opened her mouth. Colgate began to examine her and like it normally was, she did not see anything abnormal. Given that she did not like Limestone, hated her to be exact, she decided that she would take a few costly X-rays. When Colgate put the lead vest on her and brought in the machine, Limestone yelled, "You're taking X-rays? Can't you just use that spell of yours?"

Colgate lied, "The EDA recently made my X-ray spell illegal so I have to do this the way non-unicorn dentists do."

Limestone grunted as Colgate began to take the X-rays. Once she took them, she took the images back into her office to read them. As she sat there and was going over them, she was scheming about how she could overcharge the earth pony. She got a sinister smile on her face and snickered, "I've got it, I'll keep her late and charge her extra! I may not like her but if putting up with her longer means more money, I'm all for it!"

When she returned to the chair and a scowling Limestone, Colgate returned the scowl, "Well I have some good news Ms. Pie, you have no cavities. Now I just need to clean your teeth, collect your payment and you can be on your way."

The way that Colgate put so much emphasis on "collect your payment" did not sit well with Limestone and her scowl deepened. Colgate ordered, "Open your mouth so I can clean it. I doubt you want to keep me late."

Limestone snapped, "If you weren't so greedy....."

Before she could finish her statement, Colgate began to clean her teeth. She had no desire to put up with any more of Limestone's bitching than she had to. After finishing cleaning her teeth, Colgate looked up at the clock and noticed something that would normally enrage her, Limestone's appointment had went after hours. With Limestone though, it made her happy because nothing thrilled her more than billing ponies she hated extra.

Once she was done she ordered, "Up, up Limestone. We need to get you up front and collect your payment."

Limestone gave her a scowl and followed Colgate up front. Once they got up front there was Lyra, cheerful like always. She began to enter information regarding what Limestone's appointment entailed and said, "Alright, that will be 110 bits." Her smile widened when she continued, "But I know your insurance will cover all of it."

Limestone began to dig in her purse looking for her insurance card and handed it to Lyra. Lyra took a look at it and asked, "Ms. Pie, your card has expired. Do you have a new one?"

Limestone's groaned, "Ugh, I forgot my new card. My policy number is still the same, can't you just enter that in?"

Lyra replied, "I have to have the expiration date....."

Before Lyra could say anything further Colgate interrupted, "Lyra, you can go home for the day. I believe that it would be best if Limestone and I are alone while we set up payment arrangements."

Colgate had done this before with patients before at the end of the day so Lyra did as ordered. Once she had left, Colgate pointed towards her office and ordered, "Follow me. Perhaps we can set up a payment plan that won't involve you paying late fees and being turned over to collections."

Limestone grunted in disgust when she heard Colgate bringing up late fees and collections. There were many things she hated about Colgate but the thing she hated most was her greed, the greed that she uses to make sure all patients pay on time.