By the time Suzy arrived at the pre-made meal factory, the sun was high overhead, the air thick with lingering heat.
She had made it clear over the phone that her order would be substantial, so the person receiving her was a mid-level manager. He greeted her politely and personally guided her through the facility.
The factory supplied several well-known convenience store chains.
The rice balls, boxed lunches, desserts—everything sold in those brightly lit stores—were produced here under exclusive contracts.
As they toured the production lines, Suzy observed carefully.
The factory was clean and orderly, nothing like the shady back-alley workshops people often worried about. Workers wore full protective gear, surfaces gleamed under white lights, and ingredients were neatly labeled and stored.
The pre-made boxed lunches looked exactly like the ones displayed in convenience store refrigerators—neatly arranged, vibrant, appetizing.
