>Be Panne, batpony masterbaker.
>Closing up shop for the day, barely sold a thing.
>Just as you go to turn the sign from open to closed, someone walks in.
>You jump back a bit, fluttering your wings slightly.
>Scurrying back behind the counter, you greet your new customer.
“H-hello there! What can I get for you today?”
>This thing isn’t a pony.
>What the heck is that?
“You don’t look like one of my regulars...”
>A tall, lanky thing in a tailored suit stands in front of you.
>It doesn’t have any fur apart from on the top of its head.
>“Yeah, I wouldn’t be. I’m new in town. Call me Anon.”
>Weird accent too. You like it.
“Oh, nice to meet you! I’m Panne, local, uh… baker!”
>He smiles, his jutting snout making a weird shape.
>“Good to meet you.”
>You return a small smile, tilting your head to the side curtly.
“So what is it you’re in Hollow Shades for?”
>Anon adjusts his tie.
>“I’ve actually just moved here. My old town didn’t have enough excitement. Ponyville, y’know?”
>You’ve heard nothing but negatives about that place.
>Manticore problems on Tuesdays, world-ending disasters every other Sunday…
>It’s hard to imagine why he thinks there’s no excitement there.
“Oh right. In that case, welcome to Hollow Shades!”
>You beam at him.
“I’m guessing you’ve got everything all sorted then, house, job, all that?”
>His eyes trace the shelves while he strokes his chin with some claw-like appendages.
>This is a weird creature.
>“Actually, not yet. Still looking for a job. Been here about a week and still looking.”
>His pupils widen when he comes upon some carrot cake; he points to it.
>“How about some of that, please?”
>You nod and go to put a generous slice in a baggie-
>Wait.
>A thought pops in your head.
“Still need a job?”
>His eyebrow peaks.
>“Yeah. How come?”
>You’ve not even had enough time to make up a job advertisement or anything.
>You’ve desperately been needing someone to help with odd jobs here and there in the bakery for a while.
>Why not get someone who’s got claws, or whatever they are?
“How about you work for me?”
>He seems taken aback slightly.
>“Huh, really? I’m not sure I know how I could help you. You seem like you’ve got it all sorted here.”
>Far from it!
>You go to get a piece of paper to write your address on.
“Hold on a sec. Anon, you said your name was, right?”
>He nods.
>You hand him the small sheet.
“Are you free tomorrow at… say, 8pm? I know it’s an early start, but I do have the shop to run.”
>You shrug and put on a welcoming smile.
>He nods again, looking even more confused.
>You smile.
“Then come to this address tomorrow and we can discuss details there.”
>He picks it up and scans it for a moment.
“How about it?”
>His eyes look to you and they seem to glint.
“Uh, yeah! Sure! I’ll see you then!”
>Just as he turns to leave, you realise.
“Oh, hey, you almost forgot your cake!”
>With a heel turn, he places 3 bits on the counter and snatches up the bag.
>“Woops. Thanks so much, I’ll see you tomorrow!”
>When he leaves, he does a little fistpump.
>Finally, you might get a chance to get some promotional work done for the shop!
>With a smile on your face, you finish closing up.

- - -

>Check the mirror.
>Suit’s fine, hair’s slicked back and all smart. What a stud.
“Pfft...”
>You’re embarrassed at yourself for even having that thought.
>Almost time to leave.
>You check your watch.
>Best get a move on!
>You open up the door and remember it’s evening.
>Oh of course, batponies are nocturnal.
>Looks like you’ll be doing the night shift.
>With a firm foot forward you make your way out with the address in hand.
>Wait.
>Where the hell is it?
>In your excitement at an actual job, you forgot to ask that pleasant mare how the heck to get to it.
>Fortunately, seems like there’s a lot of batponies out tonight.
>You approach one that seems to be people-watching.
“Hello, miss. I don’t suppose you could point me to this street?”
>You show her the envelope.
>She looks a little unimpressed.
>“It’s just down that street there, buddy.”
“Huh?”
>You look at the sign in the middle of the mass of ponies.
“So it is. My mistake, thanks anyway.”
>Following the sign, you’re at the house in no time.
>You’re not sure if you should wait or just go in, you’re 10 minutes early.
>Screw it, best to make a good impression by being early, right?
>Knock knock.
>The blue-maned Panne greets you with a cheery smile.
>“Hello! Come in, I’ve got some tea if you would like.”
>You return her enthusiasm, ducking as you go in.
>That’s some small doors.
“I would like that, thanks very much.”
>She invites you to her sitting room.
>It’s very cosy, a mini grandfather clock ticks in the corner.
>7:53pm.
>Panne brings you some tea and places it on the small table beside your chair.
>You take a sip. It’s surprisingly sweet.
>She takes her own chair and picks up some paperwork with her talon on one wing.
>“So, let’s go over your duties first. Gotta know if it’s a job you wanna do, right?”
>You nod intently.
>“What I need is basically a hand around the store. Working the cash register, sometimes restocking, helping out with putting some promotional stuff out there. Think you’re up to the task?”
“Definitely seems like a job I can do.”
>She chuckles.
>“The pay is 8 bits an hour, and I usually open up shop at around 8:30pm and shut at 5-6am. Is that alright with you?”
>Another nod.
>8 bits?! Your last job was only 5!
>“You seem keen.”
>Well, you are.
“Yes, ma’am. Excited to get started, if you’ll have me.”
>She clops her hooves together in glee.
>“Great! But please, call me Panne. No need for formalities!”
>She looks to the table.
>“You just have to fill out these papers for your legal right to work and blah-dee-blah, I’m sure you know the drill.”
>She passes them, plus a pen over.
>Within a few moments you sign your signature off.
>“And with that, Anon, you’ve got a job!”