Coup De Tarte - 14 - Cruller Developments (Updated 5/4/24)

So a pact was made

And each knew their place

They'd keep their own secrets

To feel safe in their trades *

But when it came to jelly
They were of the same mind

To always protect the Pieman

And the ingredients he hides *

So the Pieman's more at ease
Now that he has a jelly team

Though his pace is still relentless

Now that he's become a jelly fiend

But how long can he last

Always living on the brink
He can supplement with jelly

But it's not as sweet as it may seem

Still the Pieman feels more safe

Now that there's order now in place

And word has been slowly spreading 

Of all of jelly's unique names

So business is steadily growing

And people now need reservations

Because they're hosting big events

For all sorts of different occasions 

[...]

Mestuffstoplease was always busy
And nothing lacked attention 
From crafting delicious jellied treats
To travelling between two kitchens

But he decided to make time
To visit his Chosen cakes
To better understand the milieu 
And to hear all that has taken place 

[Mestuffstoplease]

Hello my Chosen
I'm the one who gives you jelly

Have you heard of me
Do you understand what's in your belly

[...]

Unbeknownst to Mestuffstoplease
Baker Brian was passing by
And he pretended not to notice
But his snickering he couldn't hide

Mestuffstoplease was incensed 

For he wasn't without pride

And what does Baker Brian know of friends
He only baked desserts he despised 

For he's not a pastry fan

He won't even eat their kind

For Baker Brian's a proud vegan 

Always claiming animal rights

But he couldn't say anything 
Baker Brian just wouldn't understand *
He cannot empathize with this food 

And he's not the Jelly Man 

Feeling in a huff 
He dashed to the donut stand
He picked up one with a lot of nuts
For he wanted friction in his hands

He beelined it to the bathroom

He didn't even put it in his apron

But the bathroom was now locked

And he wasn't a man of patience 

He made his way to Cocina 

Asking the waiter for directions

For he never visited its bathrooms

Just its office and its kitchen

Finding his new arena
He chose the handicapped selection

For they usually had a handrail 

And this one was no exception

He thought of Baker Brian
And how he's a dainty man
How he doesn't know what it takes
To be the Jelly Man

After the nuts had disappeared
And the donut became less
He flushed the little that remained
Washed his hands
And cleaned up his mess 

Starring into the mirror 
He can see how his eyes have changed
What used to be jelly love
Has turned into jellied rage 

He gathered his composure 
And thought of the bigger plan
It was no longer about him 
The Caker nor Baker Brian

It was only about the jelly 
Everything else took second place
Still Baker Brian had a surprise
He didn't know would come his way

He decided to get Baker Brian fired
But how would this all play

He had to get him to do something wrong
Not just make a baker's mistake

He exited the bathroom 
And just out of curiosity
He checked the other bathroom
To see if it's unique 

The dim lighting was enchanting

And it smelled of cinnamon 
He decided he'd return later 

With a very special friend *

He decided to stay in Cocina

And rearrange its kitchen

And take some time to consider 

This Baker Brian situation

He knew what he had to do
He'd have to entrap Baker Brian

But he would have to create a scene
To make the wrong seem worth trying

But what does Baker Brian want
That the Pieman could provide
It would have to be easy to have
And something clear in sight 

Then it struck him 
And it was clear as day
Though he hated pastry's kind
He'd still want the jelly recipe 

For there's value in the jelly
As everyone now understands

But how to make it easy
For it to find Baker's Brian's hands

He decided to put on a show
In front of Baker Brian 

He'd even show the method
That he could use without the striving

He'd turn enemies into friends
Using the cameras that he hates

They would watch baker Brian

As he swiped the recipes

But little would he know 

They wouldn't be real they'd just be fakes

But not to Baker Brian *
They'd be his way to brighter days 

While he was busy contriving 

Baker Brian's unethicality

He felt a pinch inside his chest

Probably from all the jellied drinks

He tried to recollect

And then tried to reconvene

But he was compelled to take a break

And to dump his jellied drink

So he took a stroll outside

And he noticed the party scene

He briefly reflected on the past

And youth's eventual unraveling 

As he walked to his jelly station

He made sure to grab paper and a pen *

And he'd be sure to make a show

When he'd write his jelly creations *

But on his way to the pastry shop

He heard his name called with hopeful glee

And who else would it be 

But the Lady in Red and now her niece 

[Charlene]

Calvin!  Hey sweetie I want you to meet my niece

She just graduated from high school 

And next year she's going to university

[Calvin]

That's excellent

Do you know what you want to go for?

[Ashley]

Well, I was thinking about psychology
I want to do some social work 

[Calvin]

Well, that's excellent 

Everyone needs someone to listen to
And why not get paid for it 

I'm just kidding
I actually went to a psychologist myself

And she always let me win at checkers
But I think she did it just to see if I could tell

[Ashley]

How old were you when you went? *

[Calvin]

Oh, yeah, I was only about nine or ten
But soon I would upgrade to Chinese checkers
And now I even know the basics of chess

[...]

Ashely looks at Mestuffstoplease with awkward composure

[Calvin]

But I didn't see the point in playing
For I didn't really like losing
And if I'm going to remember anything
Why not make it something worth using 

[Charlene]

That's a great point Calvin
Is that when you took up baking?

[Calvin]

Oh, well it's a long story

But let's just say I fell in love with creating

Anyway, will this be your first job?

[Ashley]

Oh, no, I worked at Aldi for a bit

And in the winter I worked at a tanning salon 

[Calvin]

Oh, Aldi--you must have great work habits

They're never in one place for too long

And their hands are like the fastest

[Ashely]

Yeah, it's true

They keep you busy

[Calvin]

So did you fill out an application 

Is that the reason for your visit?

[Ashley]

Yeah, if it's okay I can do it right now

[Calvin]

Absolutely, I don't see why not

Let me pass you off to the bartender

I think she knows their spot

[Charlene]

Thank you so much Calvin

How have you been sweetie

[Calvin]

I've been great 

They always find a way to keep me busy 

[Charlene]

I can only imagine

it seems that business is improving 

I hear of all these fantastic jellies 

Would that happen to be of your doing

[Calvin]

It's kind of top secret ma'am

But between you and me

I had a hand in their making

But really we are a jelly team

[Charlene]

Well whatever y'all are doing

Be sure to keep it up

I had a few customers at the salon
And they say they can't get enough

[Calvin]

I'm glad to hear it ma'am

I just try to focus on my craft

We have so many contributors 

Working here and on the pastry shop's staff *

But I have to get back to work

Have her fill out the application

I'll be sure to put in a good word

My word is probably worth a mention 

[Charlene]

Haha, alright sweetie 

Have a great day

[...]

And if Mestuffstoplease's plan goes right
He just in fact may

It will be a great day certainly 

But much to Baker Brian's dismay

Back in the pastry shop

Chef and Jefe were laughing in the office

While the Caker was busy caking

And Felicity the froster was busy frosting

But Baker Brian would return

For he's scheduled at least until 9

And that's when Mestuffstoplease planned *

To watch Baker Brian and his crime *

So the day moved rather quickly

And he put on quite a show

Hastily writing down ingredients

And taking pictures with his phone

He made quite an impression

For everyone took subtle notice

In fact the Caker started laughing

And made his way into the office

But Baker Brian and Froster Felicity

Seemed unsettled and dumbfounded

They pretended not to notice

And would not speak a word about it

But it was business as usual

Customers quickly came and went 

And then left Froster Felicity

At around quarter after seven

All that remained in the pastry shop

Were the Caker and the Chef

But they were always in the office 

So it was just him and Baker Brian

At quarter to nine
That's when he planned his trap
For it was passed closing time

And Chef and Caker were still in back

Baker Brian was stacking trays
And Mestuffstoplease was counting change

Then he strolled into the office
But forgetting his ingredient sheets

He quickly found the display
And watched Baker Brian make his play
He was wiping all the counters 
And putting away all the trays

But he didn't swipe the list 
Not even a snap from his camera phone
Though he knew that this was the time
Where he and the lists would be alone 

The Chef and the Caker were amused
And they teased Mestuffstoplease
Making little offhand comments 

Questioning his sexuality 

He let ten minutes pass 

And Baker Brian was just working

Not a snap and not a glance
His discipline was just disturbing

Mestuffstoplease soon gave up

It looks like Baker Brian's not a thief

Though he knows he's just a human
He will find his disintegrity