At four in the morning a parking lot under sodium light is the emptiest place in Ingham County, and it happens to be where the whole day gets decided. Perked Industries pushes lots and drives across Meridian Charter Township, stacking snow where it won't blind a driver pulling out and salting the lanes and the walks that lead to the doors. Storms here like to trail an hour past the forecast, so the work often means coming back a second time to finish it properly. When the first cars turn in at seven onto clean blacktop, nobody gives it a thought — and that's exactly the point. Okemos, Haslett, East Lansing: same hours, same quiet.