Fluttershy shifted uncomfortably in her seat, wearing a green blazer. The pony in front of her, an earth pony stallion with an orange coat and a black mane, was looking through her application.

“So...Fluttershy…” he said.

“Yes?” Fluttershy responded.

“It says here that you have a degree in Veterinary Science?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”

The stallion flipped to another page. “In fact, it says here that you’re currently a licensed veterinarian as well as a pet sitter.”

Fluttershy nodded again. “That’s correct, Orange Penumbra.”

Orange Penumbra chuckled. “Just call me Orange, dear.”

Fluttershy blushed. “Yes, Orange. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” Orange said, hoofing through her application, “but you seem to have a wonderful job and life in Ponyville. Why would you want to be a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?”

Fluttershy looked down. “Well, I’ve always wanted to travel...and the increased pay would be nice…”

Orange chuckled again. “Well, at least you’re honest about it...tell me, Fluttershy, what do you consider your greatest success?”

Fluttershy smiled. “Reforming Discord.” Orange looked taken aback by that, then collected himself.

“And what would you consider your greatest failure?”

Fluttershy blushed and looked down. “When I ruined the Grand Galloping Gala.”

Orange raised an eyebrow at Fluttershy. “I heard that that was a group effort.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “Oh no, Mr. Penumbra, I ruined it the most. I led the animals into the dining hall. That was when the real bedlam took place.”

Orange put down her application, then grinned. “Well, it’s nice to see a mare that owns up to her actions,” he then extended a hoof, “congratulations.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“You’ve got the job!”

Fluttershy looked at Orange incredulously, then grasped his hoof in both of hers, shaking it excitedly. “Oh, thank you, Mr. Penumbra, you have no idea how much this means to me!”

Orange chuckled. “No, Fluttershy, you have no idea how much this means to me. Welcome to the Transpicuous Pharmaceuticals team, Fluttershy. You should be meeting your partner tomorrow, when you’ll begin your first assignment.”

Fluttershy disengaged her hooves and sat back down. “To...tomorrow?”

“Why, yes! You’ll be teamed with our top sales rep, so there’s no need to worry. She’ll be bringing all of the drug information with her.”

Fluttershy nodded and stood up. “Thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Penumbra,” she said, walking out. Orange shook his head and smiled.

“She’s quite the looker, that one…”

----

Fluttershy was sitting on her couch, petting Angel lovingly.

“My partner should be here any minute now, Angelbunny! Aren’t you excited?” Angel yawned and stretched out, presenting his belly, which Fluttershy stroked. “I wonder what they’ll be like?” A knock was heard from the door, causing Fluttershy to sit up sharply. “Oh, that must be them! Come on, Angel, get down from mommy.” Angel hopped off of Fluttershy, letting her get up and answer the door with a smile. What she saw, however, surprised her. It was a blue unicorn with a silver and cyan striped mane wearing a black blazer, smiling insincerely.

“Hello! I’m Trixie, and I’m going to be your partner for to...day…” she trailed off as she slowly recognized the butter yellow pegasus in front of her. She then facehooved. “Oh, crap. You.”

Fluttershy blinked. “Me?”

Trixie glared at Fluttershy. “Yes, you. Butterfly, or something—”

“—it’s Fluttershy.” Trixie groaned.

“Of course. May I come in?” Fluttershy nodded, upon which Trixie strode in to the main area, threw her saddlebags on the table by the door, then flopped on the chair. She then massaged her temples.

“Is something the matter? Can I get you something to drink?” Fluttershy asked.

“Brandy if you have any...Celestia damn it…” Trixie replied. Fluttershy nodded and trotted into the kitchen, returning with a glass of brandy which she presented to Trixie. Trixie grasped the glass in her magic and took a sip. “Not bad.” Fluttershy nodded.

“Thank you.” Fluttershy said. She then sat down. “So, you have some information on the product we’re supposed to be selling?”

Trixie shook her head as she took another sip. “We don’t sell, Butterfly—”

“—Fluttershy—”

“—whatever. We don’t sell the product.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “Then what do we do? Isn’t sales right in the job description?”

Trixie chuckled, taking another sip. “Well, I suppose you could call it selling. We’re selling a promise.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. “I don’t follow.”

Trixie sighed. “We’re selling the idea that our drug is the superior drug, and in fact, the superior choice to nondrug alternatives.”

Fluttershy nodded. “But what if it isn’t?”

Trixie smiled. “Oh, but it is. Haven’t you heard the company line?” Fluttershy shook her head. “Transpicuous Pharmaceuticals are the best pharmaceuticals,” Trixie then opened her saddlebags and pulled out a pamphlet, floating it over to Fluttershy, who grabbed it in her hooves, “anyway, I’ve never seen anything like this before. Check it out.”

Fluttershy looked over the pamphlet. It was for a drug named Desoxyn, and judging from the structure, appeared to be a stimulant. Strangely enough, though, it was being touted as an anorexiant, an anti-narcoleptic agent, and paradoxically as a way to calm foals down. “Trixie?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes?” Trixie said, taking another sip of her drink.

“This doesn’t make any sense.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Well, it says here that this can be used to prevent sleeping and to calm foals down at the same time. Don’t you find that a little strange?”

Trixie shook her head. “The way it was explained to me is that the reason kids are so hyperactive is that their brain isn’t producing enough activity, so this drug gives ‘em a jolt to the brain so that they’ll stop being annoying.”

Fluttershy glared at Trixie. “I don’t believe that’s how they explained it to you.”

Trixie shrugged. “Eh, close enough. You get the idea, though, right? Aren’t you some kind of doctor?”

“Veterinarian.”

Trixie stared at Fluttershy, sipping the last of her brandy and placing it on the end table next to her. “So why’d you quit that?”

“Oh no, I didn’t quit. I just took this job to make extra money.”

Trixie looked around. “You're appearing to be doing quite well for yourself. What do you need the extra money for?” Fluttershy blushed. “Say no more. It’s about a stallion, isn’t it?” Fluttershy opened her mouth. “No need to ask. When you spend your entire life on the road, you learn to read ponies like a book.” Trixie then stood up. “Well, get your blazer. We’ve got a job to do.”

Fluttershy stood up, trotted over to the chest of drawers, and took out her green blazer, slipping it on. “Now?”

Trixie stood up and shook her head. “Yes, now. We’re meeting with a Doctor Stable and a Miss Cheerilee.”

Fluttershy smiled. “I know those ponies. But why Miss Cheerilee?”

Trixie shook her head. “Apparently, Transpicuous wants educators to be in the loop on this drug.”

Fluttershy nodded and headed towards the door, opening it. “So where are we meeting them?”

Trixie trotted out the door, upon which Fluttershy shut it. “Town Hall. You know where that is, right?” Fluttershy nodded. “Well then, lead the way.” Fluttershy nodded, then started cantering towards the direction of Town Hall, Trixie following.