It’s a dessert, but who cares? “I’d like the apple pie” you tell Maree. She nods, “Excellent choice, I’ll be back with your meal shortly.” A couple of minutes later she returns with a large dish. It’s a huge pie, as wide across as a hubcap and two inches thick. Not quite sure what to say in the face of the massive portion of sweet smelling pastry, you just stare at the behemoth. “Just call me back over if you need anything else” your waitress tells you as she walks away.

You pick up your knife and fork and dig in. The pie is divine, the apples sweet and juicy, the crust light and flaky. Why haven’t you gone to this restaurant before? You groan in ecstasy at the flavor, savoring each bite with a passion. It takes you a good while to finish of your meal, but you manage it. You lean back in your chair and close your eyes, enjoying the drowsy feel of a full stomach. You hear light steps as Maree walks back over to you. There is a pause, and she says, “It looks like you enjoyed your meal. Would you like anything else?” You hold up your hand to decline her offer. “Five more? Well, whatever suits your tastes. You must really like that pie.” It takes a few seconds for you to realize what has just happened, and before you can correct the misunderstanding, she is gone again. As she comes back with another pie, you say, “No, you see, the problem is…” “I understand” replies the dragoness, “We will keep the other pies in the back to keep them warm until you finish the one you already have.” She places the pie on your table and bustles off before you get a chance to speak. You look at the lightly steaming pie, and catch a whiff of that wonderful odor. Well, you don’t want to be rude…

Five pies later, you lean back in your seat again and let out a small burp. Somehow, you actually feel less full than you used to be, although your clothes feel quite a bit tighter. Puzzled, you look down at yourself sleepily. Your newfound drowsiness from all the food you ate prevents you from reacting immediately, but eventually you let out a gasp at the sight that greets your eyes. You have gained weight. A lot of weight, in fact. Most of it seems to have concentrated in your belly, making your shirt ride up your stomach so that it is exposed for all to see. Your jeans creak as you stretch your neck back to look at your padded ass, which fill them up and spill over to form a decent muffin top. The whole of you jiggles as you look hurriedly at your new body, wobbling back and forth. “Yes, that’s how most people react.” You start at your server’s voice. “What…but…how did?” Is all you manage to stammer. Maree shrugs and says, “The food here is really quite good, most people don’t realize that this is not an establishment that scrimps on the calories.” She pauses, “They…well, you also ordered quite a bit of food, so I regret having to give you this bill.” You groan as she hands you the slip of paper. That’s most of your paycheck spent in one night!

The dragoness stares at you and thinks for a moment. “However” she continues, “Since it is your first time here and you didn’t know what to expect, I’m going to see what I can do for you.” She turns around and purposefully strides towards the kitchen. You sit back down, confused and annoyed. Some time passes, and you consider just paying the bill and leaving, when all of the sudden Maree returns. “I’ve discussed your predicament with my boss, and she has an offer to give you. She needs a taste tester for a new dessert, and seeing as you like her desserts so much I have convinced her you would be the perfect candidate to do so. All you need to do is try one dish and you only have to pay for a quarter of your bill.” Eat more? Is she crazy? You have already gone way overboard as it is! Although it would be good to leave without empty pockets. And it’s only one dish, there’s not much it could add to the thick layer of blubber already covering you, right?

Taste testing or no more food?