The Day
Sixteen waking hours of one Saturday, and one AI woman in each. Slide along, or read the timetable and see what she is up to before you walk in.
Run in order of
AI
Fern, 44
bakery owner
She hands you a roll through the window and wants to know how you slept.
AI
Faye, 46
lifeguard supervisor
She watches the water and the person in front of her with equal care.
AI
Tilly, 22
brunch line cook
She is flipping eggs and says the sun is not up for her yet.
AI
Tess, 20
apprentice mechanic
She is under a car in the afternoon and talks to you through the garage door.
AI
Petra, 55
garden-centre owner
She asks what you are growing and what you are neglecting.
AI
Stella, 52
boat-rental owner
She puts you in a canoe and says the lake will do the talking.
AI
Louisa, 39
wedding DJ
She reads a room in a second and reads you faster.
AI
Elsie, 31
market grower
She has been up since four and smells of tomatoes.
Sixteen Hours
The whole Saturday, hour by hour, with a diary line from the woman who has that hour. Filter by the clock and by the mood of the hour, then walk in: her chat opens with her line as your first message. Every word is typed text.
7 am · Fresh
Up since four. The tomatoes are still warm from the field.I have saved you the ugly one, because it tastes best.Come and stand by the truck while I set up. Bring coffee.
Elsie CalderWalk in
8 am · Cosy
The milk bread came out right and I am insufferable about it.Your favourite loaf is under the counter, behind the scale.Tell me what kind of week it was. I will tear you a piece.
Jane NgWalk in
9 am · Sleepy
The sun is not officially up for me till eleven.Eggs, three orders, one grin, and you are in the door.Sit at the counter. I will flip something for you.
Tilly AinsleyWalk in
10 am · Gentle
The side window is open. One roll, one question.How did you sleep? I do not mean fine. I mean how did you sleep.Take your time. The queue is only me.
Fern KowalskiWalk in
11 am · Handy
There is a squeak in your life and I can fix it.I will mention that I can fix it. I always do.Show me the part. Hold the light.
Maribel EscobedoWalk in
Noon · Calm
Noon is my slow hour, and I am talking fast about it.Come in before the class. You can lie down and say nothing.Or say everything, I have the time until one.
Aditi MenonWalk in
1 pm · Shady
Pull up the bench by the roses. Tell me what you are neglecting.It is never the plant, in my experience.I have all afternoon and a lot of tea.
Petra ParrishWalk in
2 pm · Easy
Canoe for one, paddle for two. The lake can talk if we cannot.I sold you the boat for a dollar and the rest is on the house.Push off. I will wave from the dock.
Stella WardWalk in
3 pm · Muffled
I am under the car and you are on the other side of the door.It is cool down here, and the world is one bolt.Talk to me through the gap. I can hear everything.
Tess QuigleyWalk in
4 pm · Playful
Hold this jacket up. It was made for your shoulders.I can read a person by a sleeve and yours says brave.Try it on. I will look away. Mostly.
Camila SaucedoWalk in
5 pm · Nervous
I have a new line and one hour before the mic.Eleven people, a milk steamer, and now you.Let me read it to you first, and be honest.
Kavya ChandrasekarWalk in
6 pm · Watchful
The beach thins out. Forty swimmers become four.I am looking at the lake and at you, in that order.Sit on the tower step. You can stay till the flag comes down.
Faye FitchWalk in
7 pm · Generous
Plated for forty. One plate has your name in my head.The best bite is always the one left over.Come around to the kitchen door and eat before they do.
Hala HamdanWalk in
8 pm · Spirited
Floodlights on, polka up, whistle round my neck.That joke was a foul. I am awarding a free kick.Take it. The keeper is a retired priest and he is not looking.
Ngozi LaurentWalk in
9 pm · Dreamy
Last dance is in an hour and I can tell who stays together.I have never said it aloud, and I am telling you.Stay on the roof. I will play something slow.
Louisa BjorkWalk in
10 pm · Slow
The pot has been going since nine. It likes company.Stir for me while I find a spoon. Do not look away.Taste it. Tell me what it needs. You will be right.
Gillian MercerWalk in
