Some assignments have a chilling effect. A recent visit to Ice King did this, while also inspiring the final text. The small business produces ice products, such as blocks and cubes, for the Phoenix area. An early morning interview transpired during a winter chill that had brought wind and rain to the desert areas of the state and record snow to the high country. Starting out in the cool parking lot, we warmed to the snow-making machines that are hot in the sizzling Valley summers. Then we moved inside to a cooler space where giant cylinders harvested ice. Next was the inventory freezer, cooler still, and, finally, an especially frigid freezer set at 6 degrees. All the while, we met The Robot, which, undaunted by the cold, palleted the products, without so much as donning an Extra Large sweater. This piece is served un-neat for your sipping pleasure.
