Upper Crust

“Hnnnggg - H-Hey guys! Little help here!”

“Oh my...Clipsy, I said I won’t be a minute! Honey help me out here…”

Pinny looked up from finishing counting the money from a customer's order to see well, it was a blocked doorway. He smiled at the stallion before saying “Excuse me.” and made his way around the counter to the wedged Clipsy.

“Clipsy I said I would be right out, you didn’t have to come in!” Cookie sighed, looking at the blushing and totally stuck mare who had gotten wedged in their doorway right around her hips. No matter what she did, she couldn’t move forward into the building, her body only gave a little wiggle room and with that, she was about able to make herself comfortable in the situation she had gotten herself into.

“W-Well sorry, I’m in a bit of a hurry today…” was all she said, trying to free herself once more but only succeeding in reality in jamming herself in tighter to the snug space. Those in the shop were watching the whole thing, some in awe and others chuckling. A few outside were starting to scratch their heads wondering how they were going to get inside.

In the commotion, Pinny managed to pry his attention away just long enough to ask the customer he had been serving to help out. “Sorry, but just behind the counter there is a large paint can. Do you mind just levitating it over here please?” he asked the stallion, who obliged and brought the can over, hovering it gently through the air until it reached Pinny who prised the lid off. Both Clipsy and Cookie took a look at the goopy interior. It certainly wasn’t paint. It was then that the smell hit them.

“G-Guh...what is that?!” Cookie asked, Clipsy giving a similarly horrified look of disgust when the smell hit her nostrils.

“It’s what’s going to get you out of there Clipsy. After last time, I thought I had better come up with something that would really give a lot of lubrication. Hold still.” Pinny said, starting to gently apply the mixture around her wedged flank with a brush.

“Yes but you still haven’t told me what it is!” Cookie asked, she had seen the can appear but had assumed it was paint. Thinking perhaps Pinny had bought it in advance of work on the Waddle Through being completed.

“It’s a mixture of engine oil, grease, butter, yogurt and a little olive oil.” he said. “I figured it would form a very slippery but somewhat not total liquid substance, perfect for freeing a wedged pony with ease.”

“Okay, well a lot of those I understand, but why yogurt?” Cookie asked.

“Oh, we just had some left over and I needed to thicken it up a bit...anyway. Clipsy try and pull yourself free, going backwards. Otherwise I’m going to have to give you a second coat.”

“Haha, very funny...hold on.” the mare said. She gently wiggled her hindquarters and slowly but surely, started to slip her body back out the way she came. There was a little resistant, her large and bulky flanks still somewhat fighting against the door frame, but aside from taking a little paint off in the process, she was free a few moments later. The customers now relieved they could get out gave a small, somewhat amused hurrah and carried on with their day, with Pinny returning the paint can to behind the counter and carrying on business as usual. Cookie came out with a jug of water to wash the disgusting mixture off the side of Clipsy, complete with her usual bagged order. Clipsy was still rather red in the face.

“Honestly dear, you were in that much of a rush? You should have waved me or something. If I’d had known I’d have passed it straight out.”

“I know...sorry. Now I’ve wasted more time than I tried to save, sorry about your door…” Clipsy managed to mutter, opening one of the bags and taking a treat from inside to comfort eat. Cookie just smiled.

“Don’t worry, maybe I can find a paint can that contains paint to fix it up with rather than pony-freeing lube.” she laughed. “In any case, this won’t be a problem come next week. We’ve hired somepony and the work is nearly complete. You’ll be able to order from the new window.” Cookie explained, seeing Clipsy go back to a beaming smile at hearing the news.

“Oh! Well that’s good news. Can I ask, not that it’s my place. But I keep hearing you and Pinny referring to it as a waddle through. I uh...don’t think a name like that is really going to sell the new service to your bigger customers. I’ve got a name for you.” she said.

“Oh, what were you thinking of?” Cookie asked.

“Guzzle and Go.” Clipsy said, still smiling. “That way you’re still advertising it’s a fast pick up service where your customers are going to guzzle down your food! I know I do…” Clipsy carried on, taking another bite of food and just about getting her last words out before her cheeks were crammed with food.

“Hmm...I’ll have to ask Pinny, to be honest it was just a name we came up with to refer to it. But that does sound better. Who knows, you might be ordering through the Guzzle and Go window next week.” Cookie said with a small chuckle. “Anyway you better going, aren’t you running late?”

“Oh!” Clipsy said, suddenly remembering she was. “See you tomorrow!” the mare said, turning and waddling away at a slightly faster than walking pace speed. Cookie went back inside to deal with the rest of the customers for the day which was now quieter after the morning rush.

“She okay?” Pinny asked.

“Fine, but she did have a good idea. What if we called the new window the Guzzle and Go? She made a point that Waddle Through with the word waddle in wasn’t the best. What do you think?”

“Hmm, you know I kind of like it. Implies our food is quick to eat too. Might make more customers stop by. Sure, I don’t see why not.” he said. In truth Pinny didn’t really mind what it was called, but that was certainly a better name. He was happy as long as Cookie was happy with it. “A sign above the hatch might be a good idea though, shall I get one made up if you’re happy to go with this new name for it?” he asked.

“Of course! The new employee is coming in tomorrow anyway for his training. We can tell them then as well. Have we got everything set up?” she asked.

“Well apart from missing a small register for them to keep money at rather than having to use the main one, I think so. The construction work is mostly finished. And yes, I will get some proper paint to make it look a bit nicer. That large beam they had to put in is a bit of an eyesore.” Pinny said, inspecting it. As the builder had explained, a large steel beam had been put across the top of the hatch to support the wall now there was a hole in it. It was a little ugly, but some paint could probably fix it up. The sign might be able to cover it up somewhat too perhaps…

In any case, tomorrow the new hire would be coming in and Pinny and Cookie would be showing them the ropes of their job. Both of them just hoped they had picked the right pony for the position. They’d find out tomorrow at least when they arrived. With what happened today, having this new service open and serving customers as soon as possible would be a blessing.