>It's a slow Tuesday night over at The Lady Apple as Darcy wipes down the main counter. 
>She takes a moment to rest her head on the cool wooden surface, and looks at the 4 patrons all sitting scattered in the bar.
>"Maybe I should only open on the weekends." She mutters to herself before the wooden double doors open.
>She picks herself up and resumes looking busy as she glances at the new customer.
>A full blown human male, not exactly a rarity round these parts, but not something you see very often. 
>Showing no real enthusiasm or hurry, he walks over to bar hands in pockets before sitting himself down. 
"Rum and coke please."
>"Sure, right away." She smiles just happy to be doing anything.
>He makes no acknowledgement besides a short nod as she readies the cocktail and sets it in front of him. He was fairly young from what she could tell, probably around her age if not a little older.
>He looks at the 4 ice cubes floating in his drink and inhales before slowly exhaling.
"Say, can the next one not have ice?"
>For a moment she breaks her cheerful pokerface before quickly recovering "Sure, I'll whip you up another one right away." 
"No, this is fine. I'm gonna have more than this one, believe me."
>He knocks it back and takes a gulp before setting it down and looking forward in thought.
>Darcy waits a moment by his side to make sure he didn't ask for anything else before storing the rum and sodas beneath the counter "I'll have these chilling hear for you when you need it ok?"
>Calling him back down from his trance, he looks to the side and gives a weak smile.
"Thanks." 

>20 minutes later Darcy finds herself looking towards the man as he nurses his 3rd rum and coke. Thankfully he ordered some sides so at least he’s not just downing alcohol. 
>He takes the last cheese stick and bites into its gooey goodness, nobody can resist the magic of a cheese stick as he dawns a look of pure bliss for just a moment before swallowing.
>Satisfied, he collects himself as Darcy takes this opportunity to get to know this patron better. She walks over cleaning another mug smiling “So why so glum partner?” She asks as he sips at his drink.
“I’m sorry what?”
>”I said, why so glum?”
“Gloom.”
>”Huh?”
“You meant to say, why so gloom.”
>”Oh, no I’m pretty sure its glum.”
“No, glum isn’t a word.”
>Darcy chuckles a bit but sets her mug down, “I’m pretty sure it is.”
“Bet you 20 bits its not a word.”
>”You’re on. But wait, how are we gonna know if it’s a word or not?” She asks before the two look around for anything to validate their bet before spotting the closest drunk stallion. 
>Darcy walks around the counter and the human follows behind as they approach the smoky caramel stallion. “Excuse me, but is glum a word?” Darcy asks upfront as the stallion turns to them.
>”Huh?” He asks not fully understanding that he was even asked a question.
>”I said is glum a word?”
>”I don’t know.” He groans annoyed before going back to resting his head on the table and trying to sleep. Darcy stomps her hoof in annoyance and turns around.
>”Oh!” She fusses as the human smirks.
“Well that went well; he wouldn’t have been able to answer that question sober anyway. So what now? You wanna try asking another stallion?”
>Darcy looks back with a determined look in her eyes, “We need a dictionary.”
>The human stands at the door of a backroom as Darcy fishes through all the cabinets and tossing things around.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave the bar unattended? What if somebody shows up?”
>”Please, nobody shows up on a Tuesday.”
“That’s not true, there are like 4 other ponies out there.”
>”They’re regulars, they’re always here. In fact, I think you’re the only new face I’ve seen around these parts.”
“Oh, has this place been open that long?”
>”No, but you get used to seeing the same people day in and out. What brings you here stranger? By the way, I didn’t get your name.”
“Its Anon, and I’m new here.”
>Suddenly Darcy peaks her head out from the door and gives him a good country girl smile, the likes of which filled his heart with a warmness that the alcohol could only hope to fill. “Well Anon, its nice to meet you. I’m Darcy. And, I found the book.” She brags shaking it in place.

>Back at the counter, Darcy rests her face on the palm of her hands with a knowing smile “Its not too late to back out ya know.”
“No, I never welsh on a bet. Open it.”
>Darcy opens up the book and thumbs through a few pages before reaching the G’s. Going down the list she taps on the books firmly, “Glum, looking or feeling dejected. Ha. Pay. Up.”
“Oh cmon! That has to be an equestrian word, because that word was never used back home.”
>”As my granny always says, “Ya can fight drunk, but ya can’t fight facts.” So I will take my 20 bits please.” She replies somewhat smugly as Anon reaches into his pocket and brings out a sack.
>Counting the bits, he sets down a total of 45.
“That should cover the food and the bet.”
>”What? No tip?”
“Hahaha.”
>”Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
>”Why were you so GLUM?”
“Ah, you really gotta rub it in don’t you?”
>”That’s the last time, scouts honor. But why were you sad? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Bah, it’s not important anymore. I feel better.”
>”I’m glad.” She smiles as he clears his throat and readies what little belongings he had.
“Well, its getting late. I’ll..see ya around?”
>She presents the entire bar to him and nods “You know where to find me. The Lady Apple is always here for ya.”