Upper Crust

Stress, panic and lack of sleep were plaguing both Pinny and Cookie. Doughy less so, as he had less to do. Perhaps just stress and panic for him.

The two had barely gotten any sleep. They had got up extra early to ensure they had enough to feed everypony until they closed. On top of that, there was another order from the Princess, the two would be staying late tonight once more.

As they approached opening times, Cookie could already see a large line forming at both the regular entrance and also the window. “Doughy.” she asked, the stallion looking up at her. “Can you just pop outside and make sure that the right sized ponies are in the right line? I really don’t want any getting stuck again like yesterday, we nearly ran out of that awful grease mixture getting them all out.”

“Can do.” Doughy said, hopping off the chair. As he went out, there was a slam from behind that caught Cookie’s attention. Pinny came back in via the rear entrance from making sure Clipsy got out okay.

“All good, I sent her and the four that pull her out for the day.” he said, pulling some more goodies out of the oven. The smell of fresh baking was more intense than usual due to them making so much.

“Are you sure it’s wise to keep sending her out? We’re just about managing as it is.” Cookie said. “Even more customers is going to be an even bigger problem.”

“Well, we’ve paid for a week. I talked to the ponies pulling her that we hired. They said no refunds, so either we use it or lose it.” he replied. “Also we’d have to think about what we wanted to do with Clipsy when she’s not advertising. I don’t think parking her out back every day will be a permanent solution.”

“Might be better to lose it…” she said.

“I’d rather not. I know it’s tougher than usual dear, but think of the money we’ll make. It’s going to help so much.” Pinny said. “About ready to open?”

“I suppose so, sorry, I’m just feeling really worn down and it’s only been one day. I don’t know if I can take a week and it might not even let up after that.”

Pinny gave her a hug. “I’m here for you. We’ve been partners so long that whatever you need I’ll always do my best to lend a helping hoof.”

“Thanks.” was all Cookie said, returning the hug. “Might as well let the hordes in then.”

As predicted, the day did not stop for the three. Customers of all shapes and sizes passed through the doors throughout the day. Regulars were more easy to spot due to their increased heft over the other newer ones who had clearly started coming since yesterday. It was always interesting to the two when one they didn’t know failed to pass through the front door. It was usually resolved by one of them asking Doughy if they’d seen them at their window which was often an affirmative. They had passed the threshold of being able to fit through the front door. By that stage however, they all had a regular order and knew what they wanted so it was no problem.

“S’cuse me! Coming through!”

Pinny looked around his current customer, a pony was pushing their way through the line to get inside but none of the customers seemed to be stopping them. He could only guess it was a pony in some sort of authority position perhaps. He was somewhat right.

“Ah, good morning Stampy. Mail a little late today?” Pinny asked.

“It wouldn’t be if I didn’t have to wade through this line, do you know it goes back two blocks? I hope you’re prepared.” the mailpony replied.

“As much as we can be.” Pinny said. He finished attending to the current customer and then kindly asked the next one to wait while he went to the end of the counter, the only clear space in the bakery, to talk to Stampy.

“Anyhow. Here’s your letters. This one looks important.” Stampy said, passing over a few envelopes. Mostly the run of the mill things but as Stampy pointed out, this one was different. It wasn’t a letter from Princess Twilight, it didn’t have the ornate wax stamp on the back. The envelope was just as nice though. The giveaway it was from somepony else was the hoofwriting on the front was different.

“Hmmm, indeed. I’ll read it in a moment.” Pinny said. “We’re very busy, I’ve got customers to attend to.”

“Are you sure? Could be more business.” Stampy said, he didn’t move. Clearly he was interested in the letter. As a mailpony he usually was when it was customers he knew. He knew Cookie and Pinny well.

“Fine.” Pinny said, quickly grabbing a knife and slicing the top open. A single, folded piece of paper dropped out. Stampy watched as Pinny’s eyes scanned the writing. He then quietly put the letter in a counter drawer and stood for a moment. Stampy could see him pondering.

“Well?” he asked.

“It’s from The Mayor.” Pinny said. “She saw our advertising cart yesterday and is coming Monday next week to see what all the fuss is about, and as the letter put it, ‘What could possibly turn one of her citizens to such immense gluttony’.” Pinny explained.

“You know I have always wondered what’s in your baking. Ponies come here and within a few weeks they’re waiting in line outside. Too big to get in.” Stampy said curiously.

“Maybe someday I’ll tell you Stampy, but now is not the time.” Pinny replied.

Stampy just nodded. “I’ll be off, enjoy your day.” he said, vanishing into the large crowd and eventually out of sight. Pinny pulled the letter out the drawer and slid it across the counter to Cookie, who read it between serving ponies. Eventually, well past closing time once they had finished for the day and gotten Clipsy parked up outside and Doughy had left she was able to talk to him about it.

“I didn’t even have time to panic when you showed that to me.” she confessed. “Too busy.”

“I thought you were unusually calm.” Pinny replied.

The two spoke as they worked, putting together Princess Twilight’s order before they cleaned the equipment down and shut up once more to hobble home for a few hours of sleep. “It doesn’t sound positive.”

“No, I inferred from the tone she’s not exactly pleased, but the wording implied curiosity as well.” Pinny said.

“You think she might shut us down?” Cookie asked.

“With the money we’re currently pulling in for the city from taxes? Unlikely, but she might ask about what it is that we’re doing to get customers to keep coming, especially at their sizes...she’s probably going to ask why so many of them are so gigantic.” Pinny said.

“What do we do?” she asked.

“...It might be time to finally come clean. If we lie to The Mayor, that’s just going to open a whole can of worms. Plus she’s smart, whatever we tell her that isn’t the truth I doubt she’d believe it. We’d probably have ponies who work for the city going through our garbage at three in the morning to figure it out. She’d know eventually.” Pinny mused. “Then we’ll just have to see what she does.”

“Well, we were going to come clean some time. We just kept flip-flopping on it.” Cookie said.

“I know.” Pinny replied. “Let’s deal with it on Monday, I’m too tired.”

The two continued to bake in silence for the rest of what remained of the day. Princess Twilight’s order was sent off as per usual. Neither of them even bothered to stay to make sure it was collected on this occasion, they just left it for Stampy to pick up outside. Tomorrow was another day.