This morning, in contrast to the outdoors, it is particularly warm in the bakery. The thermostat isn't working right, and the crew two head bakers, four bakers, four assistant bakers finds it a little too cozy for comfort. In here, the dark, cold night outside seems a dream, furthered by the absence of windows. The atmosphere is also a little dreamlike in the bakery. It's so quiet, given the amount of work being done.
Market pressures aside, there is also the inexorable nature of rising dough.
Christmas shopping, on the other hand, does have to wait, notes Barbara Wait, working across the table from Jackie. The need to sleep and to rest tired feet exerts too much pull during the week. Baking is standing work, mostly. Jackie has been at the bakery fourteen years, and when she heads home at eleven, she'll sleep until her eight-year old grandson arrives after school. Barbara has been part of the crew six years.