AAA. AAA. AAA. AAA.

The alarm at Rainbow Dash's bedside blares.

Painfully, she awakes.

Her eyes squint open, one after another.

Muttering, she turns over in bed. She reaches a hand out and slaps the alarm off. Still groggy, she looks at the time.

It is six in the morning.

Teetering, she sits up and looks out the window.

It is still dark out.

Shuddering—dreading—she picks up her phone and looks at the screen. There is a group text—to her and all of her co-workers.

It reads:

Sorry for the early text. But Corporate finally just got back to me. Due to supply shortage, we still won't get all of the pre-ordered merchandise in time like we promised our customers at Thanksgiving. Nevertheless, we are still opening at nine thirty to beat out the competition. I need all keyholders to show up half-an-hour beforehand so we can talk about and plan the day shifts. Oh, by the way, we're going to be closing at ten pm on Christmas Eve. Sorry for the short notice. Thanks for putting in all your hard work. Expect complimentary fifteen dollar food court discounts in mid January~

Rainbow Dash slowly slowly blinks... then slowly slowly sighs.

“Mrmmmfffffffffff-hhhhhhhhnnnngh...”

Then, like the zombie she will always be, she limps off towards the bathroom for a shower...

...and to prepare for another twelve hour gauntlet ahead.

Author's Note

Sorry (but not sorry) y'all.

I just wanted to write something therapeutic.