Upper Crust

Word was getting around.

So were the customers.

As planned Cookie and Pinny had been making one item of everything with the new special sugar, sticking to one of that type to make sure customers went for that particular variety over the rest. Everything still sold, but those things sold much better than others. They’d bake double the amounts because they just knew it would vanish, usually within the first hour of opening.

So for example if they had four different varieties of cookies for sale that day, they’d put the sugar in the chocolate chip cookies and keep it that way and rotate the rest around, if customers asked. “Well these just happen to sell so well we keep them as stocked as we can at all times!” was the stock response.

The fact they sold the same things each day packed with this hugely fattening sugar was already starting to have a rather noticeable effect on the customers. One pony in particular who had almost become somewhat of an advocate and in effect, unpaid positive spokespony for the bakery who sang their praises whenever she could was the largest of them all.

The two had gotten to know her a little better, everyday she was always first in line before they opened and had quickly sniffed out the items that contained the super sugar. Neither Pinny or Cookie had let on to her or another soul about it so she was just as oblivious as the rest. But it was clearly having an effect on her. Pinny and Cookie watched as she squeezed her way through the entrance, the mare was getting a bit too big, her large and hefty belly that nearly touched the floor getting wedged in the door frame as she pulled her way through. Today, a kind (or infatuated) stallion gave her a push from behind.

“Morning all!” the mare enthusiastically chimed. “Ya’ll are gonna have to make that entrance wider if you keep wanting me to buy stuff! What ya got on today…” she said, already scanning through the counter to see what was on display.

“Morning Eclipse.” Cookie replied. “Plenty as per usual! You gonna order anything different or shall I just bag up your usual?”

“Give me a moment. I just want to have a look…” the mare replied still scanning. Her full name as the two had discovered was Luna Eclipse, but due to the similarity it shared with a certain Princess she preferred to just go be Eclipse. She wasn’t from the city either, some of that country twang still perpetuated her speech. Y’all was always a dead giveaway.

She was still making her decision as Cookie and Pinny served a few more customers, then Cookie spotted him.

“He’s here!” she almost yelped, dashing back to try to find the special treats they kept for when he arrived with all that amazing sugar in. Eclipse looked up in astonishment, Pinny just shrugged and kept his cool.

“Who’s here?” she asked.

“I believe they are referring to me.” Five Stars said without missing a beat. “I’ve been hearing things, especially from this one.” he carried on, looking over at Eclipse who was still trying to decide what she wanted.

“Oh? What sort of things?” Pinny said, still keeping that calm attitude.

“How suddenly, particular items on your menu, despite being what I’d call regular bakery goods are suddenly selling like hot cakes.” he replied.

“Some of them are hot cakes! Care to try them?” Cookie enthusiastically replied, reemerging from the back having found what she was looking for.

“No, I think I’d like what all these ponies are going crazy over. Excuse me miss, what do you recommend?” he asked, turning to Eclipse, who finally broke her staring spree to reply.

“Ah forget it! Yes, bag up my usual!” she blurted out, turning to Five Stars before following up with a “Sorry, I had a moment. Everything! Everything is good!” was all she managed to say, already drooling a little as she watched Cookie put her order together, her fat belly pressed up against the glass of the counter which squished against it.

“Everything? Well of course you’d say that. Layponies never appreciate what is really good over just good. Can you recommend me something? Last time I was here I ordered a little of everything but from what I understand some things are better than others.” he carried on.

“Well...do you want what’s in my order? It’s the best of the best.” Eclipse replied, picking the bag up with her hoof and offering it to him.

“Oh well...I am sure I could order this myself. Why would you offer it?” Five Stars replied, slightly perplexed.

“Because I want good things for this bakery, you can make that happen. I’ve been trying but word of mouth only goes so far. I guarantee what is in that bag will make you write a five star review, Five Stars.” Eclipse said.

“Well...thank you. Keep an eye on The Gazette. But I do expect real improvement in what’s in this bag. Do you trust her?” he asked Pinny and Cookie.

“She’s our best customer, of course we do. If she wants to give you her order I’m not going to stop her.” Pinny replied. All Five Stars did was nod and turn to leave.

“B-But, the special…” Cookie started to say.

“Don’t worry about that, he won’t need it.” Pinny replied.

“Won’t need what? Oh and while that may have seemed like it was out of the goodness of my heart, you guys have another bag right?” she asked, grinning a little.

“Of course, I think actually…” Pinny started to say, Cookie appearing by his side and passing a second bag over the counter top. “...of course we do, enjoy.”

With a small squeak of delight, Eclipse vanished. Well, not so much vanished. Rather ungracefully got herself slightly wedged once more before this time she actually managed to wiggle herself free of the store and happily waddled her way home.

“This is going to be a problem if she gets much bigger, we might have to do something about it.” Pinny mused, watching as Eclipse waddled away.

“Well, we’ll think of something. We always do. Look I know he’s going to write a great review obviously but do you think he’ll realise?” Cookie asked, the store now quiet once more, the morning rush over.

“Well it was a chance we had to take. He’s a foodie so if we get absolutely panned then it’s a good chance he knows about the sugar. I’ve got a feeling he didn’t though. He seemed really confused that we had somehow improved what he thought were standard foods without changing much, especially after he suggested we do something special.” Pinny said.

“Well, we’ll see. Once more, just got to see what he writes.” Cookie replied. At that point, a customer walked in. The two went back to serving.