That should mean I'm likely to be unharassed the rest of the night. They work very conventional hours, these inspectors.

Pack up by midnight or whenever custom slows too much to warrant hanging round--probably nearer ten, practically speaking, this can be a dodgy neighbourhood late at night. Already in broad daylight I've had people demand muffins free in recognition of their disadvantaged place in society. Who knows what I might do in case of actual need--better give discounts at the end of the night anyway, just so there's no stock left over. But most of these people are no worse off than me and they know it. I won't surrender a single baked good to bullying, you have to be firm.

Do a roaring trade at rush hour if the empty out of service buses continue to outnumber the odd one, full to overflowing, that comes to take up the slack. One onrushing mob, tired, hungry and nobody more conveniently located to serve them than me. Time it right, the smell of fresh ones baking will be an almost irresistible inducement. Often it's the smell of food that activates the part of the brain that hasn't had time, in the mad rush of quotidian events, to ponder fully how famished it has grown. Some'll gobble up two or three. Not wise, could spoil your dinner. Some'll take a batch home for their families. Modest reduction for purchases in quantity.

Tomorrow if an inspector drops by (squealing tires)  I'll be sure to let him know, and so will everyone else at the stop--plenty that'll be--how appallingly lax bus service is getting in our neighbourhood, paid for by the sweat of our brows and reflected in our tax dollars and all

Don't seem to have that with me. First must write up a ticket, having cautioned this wildcat entrepreneur on a previous occasion

YOU CAN'T TREAT HER THAT WAY!

We'll see about that tomorrow. If she's wise she'll have packed up and gone. (Departing squeal of tires.)

I'll take no notice of that. The odds of him being here tomorrow or any time this week or next are slim to none, unless service on this line improves dramatically, because at any time he did come by there'd be people--stacks--waiting in frustration, more than enough to roll one of those green official cars on its side or over on its back even, like a turtle.

Damn funny shade of turtle, halfway between lime and emerald green, but it'd be a photo op for local media, they'd offer inducements for him to pose upside down in the driver's seat.

This might not turn out so badly. New reality series in the works--"Upside Down Inspector"'s being considered as an episode.

One of my customers, also a neighbour on the same floor in my apartment--he squeezed in on the last bus actually in service that passed this way, last one on, muffin held high above his head, otherwise it would have been crushed to mere crumbs? 'Calcutta on wheels' is what I distinctly heard him mutter under his breath, I don't know what the people are doing who are waiting at the five or six stops between here and the subway--

Be that as it may. He just started work at Ee Cee Cee Oh, one of the local offices of that global concern? Said the catering manager at their caf might be interested in my stock. Start 'em off in the two cafs downtown, maybe take 'em regional--national--worldwide if all goes well. But they'd want an exclusive contract---help me find auxiliary bakers, sure, at least that seems to be implied. My patisseries however, would in consequence be delivered into their hands and theirs alone. Not sure I like that--prefer to be my own boss--I'm a remarkably flexible employer, tough on myself only when I have to be. Another worldwide commodity--have to think about it first.

Listen--does anybody in line have some fresh blueberries you can sell me, or some slightly overripe bananas I'll pay you practically what I would for fresh? It never hurts to vary the merchandise and trust me--the few minutes it takes to your apartment and back, you won't miss a bus. Go home and take a half hour nap you probably won't miss a bus--see? That's one coming now, see the sign: "SORRY--NOT IN SERVICE"? That's what they almost all say. We should apply for city funding--set up tents and start a fair. Let people start coming to us. They'd need to charter transport probably, so better make it spectacular. Turn ourselves into an in-city tourist mecca like the Beaches. We're not even that far from the lake.