Upper Crust

Word has spread about the visit from The Mayor. Upper Crust was even more packed than normal.

Most ponies were waiting outside on the street, there were a number of paparazzi ponies outside armed with cameras, waiting for the arrival.

‘Why are there so many? I thought that letter was just for us.’ Cookie said, making sure there was a batch of baking put aside for The Mayor to sample.

‘I don’t know, perhaps they were told some other way. Word spreads around Manehattan dear, especially involving official business. You should know.’ Pinny replied.

‘I do, oh well. Just make sure this batch.’ Cookie pointed a hoof towards the bag near the counter. ‘Only gets given to The Mayor.’

‘Of course.’ Pinny said.

The Mayor arrived mid-morning just after the rush, a number of ponies were still hanging around. Cookie noticed the large carriage pull up outside, hauled by eight stallions.

‘She’s not exactly one for subtlety.’ Pinny commented as he watched one of the ponies unhitch themselves and then open the door for whoever was inside. Three of the others unhitched themselves too, whilst the remaining four stood around the cart. The three that entered ushered any lingering customers out and then made their way to the counter, with one speaking.

‘You are aware of who you are about to have visit?’ one asked.

‘Yes.’ Pinny said.

‘Good.’ the stallion replied, just nodding a hoof toward the cart, at that point, The Mayor trotted out.

She was a rather regular looking pony, by most respects. Only her official garb really gave her away as something special. She was a pegasus, but with all the jewelry and thick state robes Cookie guessed that she would have a hard time doing any flying. She made her way inside, official state robes being now held by two of the ponies previously guarding the wagon. Pinny and Cookie stood silent as she observed the premises.

‘Cookie Crumble and Rolling Pin?’ The Mayor asked.

‘Yes, madam mayor.’ Cookie replied.

‘Please, call me Shady Palms. I am not one for titles.’ she replied. ‘So then, are we going to play games or are you two going to tell me what it is about your baking that’s making the ponies of my city so incredibly large?’ she asked.

There was hesitation, the two had resolved to come clean but there was still a pause. Eventually however, Cookie spoke up.

‘It’s the sugar.’ she said.

‘The sugar?’ Shady Palms asked.

‘It’s...special. Addictive but also fattening. That’s what does it.’ Cookie said, almost trembling at revealing the secret. ‘Here...I have a batch, you can sample it, or one of your guards, taste the sweetness in it.’ Cookie said, gently but carefully picking the bag up from under the counter and placing it on top.

The Mayor eyed it for a moment, before nodding to one of her guards. The stallion stepped forward and opened the bag, peering inside. ‘Just full of treats ma’am.’ he said.

‘Sample one.’ she replied.

The stallion did as instructed, taking one of the cookies and chewing on it. He ate the entire thing as the whole shop watched as if they were expecting him to explode blubber any second.

‘Very sweet, better than any baking I’ve ever had. I definitely want more.’ he replied, he almost went in for a second cookie, but remembered his training and stepped back.

‘They’re well trained, it would seem you’re telling the truth.’ Shady Palms said. ‘Now here’s my problem. This has all been very successful, for you two. Other bakeries, even chain ones, are struggling. The city is a delicate balance and I like to maintain that. Currently, at the rate you two are going, you’ll end up with a total monopoly over all the bakeries in the city. This is unacceptable.’

‘Hmmm, well that wasn’t our goal...we just want to pay off our debt and bake. This has just...helped.’ Pinny said.

‘Of course, I know businesses look for any edge they can get. So I am going to cut you a deal.’ The Mayor said with a smile. ‘Give me your supplier of this illegal sugar, which if it isn’t, it should be. Then switch to making regular baked goods with regular sugar.’ she said, pausing. ‘For correcting the balance, the city will pay off any outstanding debt you had from setting up your bakery.’

Cookie turned to Pinny. ‘That...that was always our goal, just to bake and be debt free. How can we refuse? I miss baking things I liked to make, without all this special sugar…’ Cookie said, burying her head in his chest. He could feel a few wet tears tumble down her face.

‘I don’t see how we can refuse. You have a deal Shady Palms. Here.’ Pinny said, sliding a small piece of paper across the counter top. ‘That is our supplier.’

One of the guard ponies took it and secreted it away on his person. ‘Perfect, with that, I’ll be taking my leave.’ she said, she was about to turn tail, but Pinny spoke up.

‘There are however...complications. I told you the sugar is addictive. We have a number of large ponies who are regulars that will notice the change, there is also Princess Twilight.’

‘Princess Twilight? What does she possibly have to do with any of this? I doubt she’s even ever heard of your bakery.’ Shady Palms sputtered.

‘Actually, she’s a regular customer, we don’t know her physical state but we’ve been asked to go to Ponyville to answer some questions. We think she’s addicted too. We’ve been sending her boxes of treats daily.’

‘I see.’ The Mayor said, she remained calm. ‘What happens outside Manehattan is usually no concern of mine. However this is Royalty. You must visit, then pass along the outcome to my office. Good day.’ and with those instructions, she was gone. The carriage door shut and as she left, Pinny closed the door and flipped the sign to closed, instructing Doughy to close the hatch.

‘Well...that was less painful than I expected. The secret is out now.’ Pinny said.

‘Yes...we have to make that trip. We need a new sugar supplier...we have to tell Clipsy and worst of all, Princess Twilight.’ Cookie replied.

‘One thing at a time dear, tomorrow we shut and make the trip. Doughy, we will be out a few days at least, just make a daily check on the shop until we’re back and send a letter if anything is wrong, okay?’ Pinny asked.

‘Of course, I can do that, what about Clipsy?’ the young stallion said.

‘Oh right...of course, we’ll have to use the remaining sugar up to keep her fed. I’ll let the stallions who haul her know the advertising is off, we’ll just lose the money. I suppose it doesn’t matter now the debt is going to be paid.’ Pinny said.

‘No it doesn’t...we can deal with her once we’re back, I’ll make enough to keep her fed for a week.’ Cookie said. ‘This is...a lot to take in.’

‘I know, I know. It’s not going to get easier until this is all sorted out, so let's sort it out, okay?’ Pinny said.

‘Yes, let's sort it out.’ Cookie replied.

Upper Crust was closed for the rest of the day. The two went home to pack their bags. The trip to Ponyville was next on the list.