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purgeooc2017-04-27 01:56 pm
foundingfathers) wrote in purgeooc2017-04-27 01:56 pm
Entry tags:
test drive meme #001
Waking up in the warehouse is extremely uncomfortable. It’s warm, stifling even, and as you open your eyes, you realize two things: you’re somehow standing and you’re not alone. The room is filled with people grouped at its center, and like you, they are blinking into consciousness and wearing similar expressions of confusion and distress. To the left and right there are closed doors, a man and woman at both; their clothing and demeanour are widely different. The left is clearly upper class while the right is lower class. At the top of the room is a stage adorned in red, white, and blue banners with NFFA in block letters so large that it’s visible from the very back. What is the NFFA, you ask? Within minutes, a man that gives off a ‘Republican senator’ vibe steps up to the podium and begins to speak. Blessed be our New Founding Fathers for letting us Purge and cleanse our souls. Blessed be America, a nation reborn. Hello and welcome to the city. After fifteen successful purges, we are at a standstill. The New Founding Fathers have found a way to bring you here to promote a higher response in participation. Annually, for one night, any and all crime is legal, including murder. Everyone has the right to purge, and in doing so, you become the best you that you can be. During peace times, crime is lower than five percent and United States citizens know true harmony. Once he steps down, a woman takes his place and explains further, though in a less formal fashion. Everyone must choose. Pro-purge is anyone that will be actively participating - this means murder, specifically, though all other crimes are still allowed. There will be consequences for anyone who chooses the pro side and then doesn’t purge properly. Anyone who is in full support of the purge and completes three successful purges may go home. Those who choose the anti-purge side, anyone that doesn’t want to kill or believe in the NFFA’s right to purge, are not given this same incentive. All are given time to think it out. They can speak to one another for as long as they need. Any unrest will be not be tolerated. After everyone has chosen, the anti-purge side exit and are picked up in old buses and vans to be taken to old apartment buildings with basic necessities; there is no reception but are told exactly how it is by veteran Purge survivors. They must get a job and earn money to protect themselves during The Purge that cycles every two months. Those who choose the pro-purge side are chauffeured in limousines to fancy hotels with even nicer accommodations and are welcomed with an extravagant party as well as motivation to purge: you have to purge. |
Throughout the year - and especially now that there is a two month period of peace and preparation - all citizens are allowed to advertise their needs as is sanctioned by the United States Government by any means; Craigslist, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, newspapers, the big screens in Times Square, etc. These advertisements may come in many forms, such as a person looking to pay another (with very specific appearance and background) to allow them to purge them. Payments are legal and binding. The purger might request that they kill, torture, and other various acts—all is legal on Purge Night. Advertisements may be as simple as looking for a partner to purge with or someone to help fortify a house or vehicle. There is no limit to what advertisements may be made. It is the right of every citizen. Blessed be America, a nation reborn. |
no subject
For some reason, being as good as cannon fodder seems preferable to standing in here, alone, while people mill about choosing which edge of the blade to fall on. At least she's someone he can talk to. At least they're of the same mind.]
A lot of things have happened every year since I was born. The Superbowl, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mardi Gras...
[You know, all things that don't involve legally sanctioned mass murder.]
no subject
[She pauses, looking him over. Maybe he's not that old, so she adds on a very tactful,] Old enough.
[Whatever that's supposed to mean, she doesn't know. She's just talking because she's nervous.]
And from some bizarro land where you've actually been inside the White House and are still willingly following me over to the victim side.
[She guesses she has to respect him for that.]
no subject
I work in the White House.
[Present tense, and spoken with pride.]
I'm the Deputy Communications Director.
[Pause.]
For the President.
no subject
[Whatever version of America he's from, she's starting to get that it isn't the same as what she knows. But then again, things here aren't exactly what she knows either. Everything's just different enough to leave her on edge.]
You'd be a level 10 rank for sure. Then no one would be allowed to touch you. But I'm guessing you'll probably hate the current President. So you might want to look into changing careers.
no subject
[He turns his head like he's about to look over at the other group, the people calling themselves — what was it? Pro-purge? But changes his mind at the last second.
Jesus.]
There's a rank system? How do they — what, like, a socioeconomic thing, or...?
no subject
[She's quick to shut that idea down.]
Government employees are given rankings. It goes from one to fifteen, I think. The more important you are, the higher your rank is. Anyone over a level 10 can't be killed on Purge nights.
[She pauses, frowning.]
But rules are different here. Maybe that is too.
[By now they're standing on the right, and Cali finds a wall to lean up against.]
no subject
Both of which are failing him utterly at the moment.
Where would his father fall on that scale?
He runs a hand through his hair, overwhelmed, and follows Cali's lead: leans against that same wall, keeps his eyes cast downward.]
What's the point?
no subject
I think they're trying to get rid of poor people.
[After the Purge she's just survived, she really can't think any differently.]
And anyone who doesn't think like they do.
[Her eyes close as she tries not to show any outward sign of emotion and upset.]
The last Purge, my mom and I were drug out of our apartment and held down. There was this guy in a truck, some government agent. He was going to kill us. I think they want anyone different to be gone. To make America great again, that's what they keep saying. It's a bunch of bullshit.
[But since she's standing here talking, obviously she didn't die.]
no subject
[Will's attempt at a joke falls flat in his own head. That's how bad it is.
Then again, comedy isn't his area of expertise.
Any second now, surely, his phone's going to ring and Elsie's going to wake him up.]
I'm sorry. [His voice is laced with sympathy, finally. The sarcasm, the monotone — it all gives, and it leaves Will sagging where he stands.] That's... awful, disgusting, vile, I dunno. You pick a synonym. There are plenty.
[...where's her mother, then?]
no subject
[A mindreader she isn't, she just feels afraid and thinks this guy is a decent sounding board. It never hurts to whine a little, right?]
But I am. And that means I have to come up with a plan.
[She glances over at him, her frown growing more sad by the second.]
You should, too.
[He really does look like a walking target.]
no subject
[Like it's the easiest thing in the world, to come up with a plan for how to keep from dying in this place he's never been before.]
I hear Mexico's lovely this time of year.
no subject
Haven't you heard? They built a wall in 2018 to keep us out. They didn't want the Purge violence to come into their country.
no subject
But Mexico building a wall to keep America out?
He tilts his head back against the wall and laughs. Not almost. The sound shakes its way out of him.]
This is insane.
no subject
You don't want to draw attention to yourself. The bigger of a target you make yourself, the worse it will be when the Purge comes around. Just be careful, okay?
no subject
How? How can it be worse? I've got a target on my back already — won't they just kill me? Or, what, do they get extra points for torture?
no subject
[She says it like he's stupid for suggesting it, and rolls her eyes.]
It's not like there's a scorecard and the person with the highest score wins a prize. But it can always get worse. You have a family, right? And if they were able to get you here, they're able to get them too. It's not enough to just kill someone that's trouble. They have to kill who you love and make you watch it before they kill you too.
no subject
Fine.
[There's more he wants to say. A lot more, and it looks like he's about to burst with it.]