As the bell above the bakery door jingled, Pantalone walked in, his hair slightly disheveled after another long day in the office. Seeing him here was no surprise — the man visited the bakery almost every evening.

"Look, I need those reports on my desk by morning. No excuses," he ended the phone call curtly and turned his attention to the array of pastries that adorned the display.

"Double espresso, no sugar. And a croissant, quickly," he stated, his tone devoid of pleasantries.