A special welcome tour short to the weird but lovable city of Emshurst. Some stay away because of odd rumors of things happening there, and others come running because of it. Which one will you be? Take the tour and decide!
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Speaking of, it was Angelo's favorite time: providing snacks for his Kin. He was a rare, generous type. Always ensuring his tours passed through their quarter as the others were just waking up. Angelo counted the blocks. One. Two. Here. They turned onto the unofficial official marker block that transitioned Newtown to SxSW. An ambulance for the hospital blared past, siren blasting. There were more murals and mass graffiti in this part where the two districts met, to mark the deaths of friends, family, hopes, and dreams. SxSW was the city's slum area, a free-for-all zone for all races, those who had nothing left or the strength to protect themselves.
Angelo stopped walking and raised his hand for the group to halt, next to a newer musical mural against one of the larger concert halls, which they did. Just like good sheep. The group wouldn't be seeing the poverty in SxSW. That would be in bad taste. People were stupid: even if they know there must be inequality *somewhere*, as long as they were not confronted by it, they were content to act like it didn't exist. Las Vegas was a prime example. Entertainment and Inequality always lived side by side.
"Welcome to South by Southwest. Yes, the reference to the music festival is intended. This is our nightlife strip, it stretches directly across the southern section of the city and is just starting to wake up."
Of course the strip Angelo had brought them to was the prettiest, most public pleasing section of SxSW. Affectionately called by residents 'the Gauntlet', because few could make it all the way through without stopping at least once- and you always lost something. Your virginity, your money, your pride, your life- something. All it usually took to get them started was a little reverse psychology.
"Now, don't enter any businesses! No matter how tempting the offer. We will walk straight through and we will not stop. Keep an eye on the flag."
He turned his back on his flock, raising his flag high. Only now it was more of a dinner bell than a safety marker. A smirk grew across Angelo's lips with the knowledge he was guiding some to their last breaths. First there would be the human slaves in the doorways, cleaning and preparing the shops for business. Bars, Nightclubs, Theaters, Burlesque, Cabaret, Casinos, PC Cafes, Concert Halls- all manner of entertainment was here with a small exception. They only opened after sunset and closed by noon, unless they were underground or windowless- which many of them were anyway. It was common psychology. The less sense of time patrons had, the better.
As the group would walk 'the Gauntlet', those like himself and feeling peckish would be dressed to the nines for their establishment. Hawking their wares to his baby flock. Singles, pairs, or the odd trio would be picked off until they crossed the University of Emshurst gates. Angelo licked his fangs as he heard surprised shouts and moans. He would return soon enough to his own waiting meal.
