America: 50☆Stars (Vol. 3)

Episode 20: The Yellow Stick from Satan Himself

"Welcome to Culver's!" Wisconsin smiled, working the cash register at a fast-food restaurant for this episode. "What delicious item would you like to order?"

"I'll have a pint of chocolate custard. That'll be it."

"Okey-dokey. One pint of chocolate custard coming right up." She swiftly got the customer what they ordered. "Here you go. Thank you for coming and have a gouda day." She focused on the next customer in line.

"Um, yeah, can I get a grilled Reuben melt with a small side of onion rings?"

"You betcha. You want a drink with that order?"

"Oh, yeah, sure. A Dr. Pepper, please."

"No problemo." She quickly had the meal ready to go. "Here's your meal. Thank you for coming and have a gouda day." She waved before calling up the next person in line. "Welcome to Delicious! What would you like to order?"

"I want a ButterBurger Cheese with a medium side of fries and a vanilla shake."

"Ooh, gouda choice," she hummed and nodded.

"Also, I want my ButterBurger cooked with margarine."

"... What?" She stopped typing in the order, looking up at Illinois stifle a giggle. She forced a chuckle to hide her contempt. "Is that right, bud? You want margarine on a butter burger?"

"Of course," he smirked. "Is there a problem?"

"Not at all!" She forced another laugh. "It's just odd cooking a butter burger without butter on it, doncha think?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't sound odd to me. I mean, margarine tastes the same as butter."

"Haha, I have to disagree with your tastebuds, bud."

"Haha, how about you stop smiling and start cooking my burger. Isn't there a law you provide me with margarine if I specifically ask for it?"

"Haha, you got me there." She slowly typed the order on the cash register. "That'll be $20.33."

"Are you shitting me? A ButterBurger meal with a medium shake shouldn't cost that much."

"Sorry, bud. If you don't wanna pay, I completely understand, especially since you're drowning in debt."

"N-No problem." He forced a smile while swiping his credit card on the machine. "I've paid the price for this stupid joke, so cook me a ButterBurger with margarine—with only margarine."

"Okey-dokey, FIB," she giggled as she disappeared into the kitchen.

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The yellow stick from Satan himself had a name: oleomargarine. It was invented at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III wanting an inexpensive butter substitute for the armed forces and lower classes. The pearl-colored spread soon made its way to the United States where it was immediately scrutinized by dairy farmers and butter lobbyists for being a deceptive imitation of the real thing (which was kinda the point of its creation). Henceforth, a series of laws across various states were passed to control and prohibit the manufacture and sale of margarine, kickstarting the Oleo Wars.