“There’s a heavy focus on media, isn’t there.” I said. “Very much so,” He responded, pace never slowing. “We’re broadcasting to 4,000 televisions across the town and we’re developing new content every day. We’re about connecting people here in ways that Boomtown has never been connected before. That’s what this place is, a hub, a broadcasting tower for the BHI message, and do you know what that message is?” There was a long pause, as I was honestly expecting him to answer his own question. “Come togeth_” “Come together! Yes! Well said!” He slapped me hard across the back, and then somebody handed me a mug of coffee. It was hard not to feel like I’d just been given a prize.
“Not to be a detractor, but you aren’t exactly the first people to try this, the revolutionaries were all about unity.” I said, sipping the coffee (I hadn’t told them how I take it but somehow they’d gotten it right anyway). “And where are they now? I know that you spoke with the Masked Man, that he tried to win around to his way of thinking, and if I remember your article correctly he didn’t even have the courtesy to meet you in person.” The CEO said, “And now he’s vanished, leaving everyone else to clean up his mess. We’re not going anywhere, we’re here to improve Boomtown, we know how to do it and we aren’t about to deceive anyone. People can trust us.”
Coming out of the offices the CEO walked a few paces ahead of me and opened a huge set of double doors. On the other side was a massive office with the biggest array of screens I’d yet seen, and almost all of them were showing realtime footage of Boomtown, of every district. The largest screen was showing what appeared to be a shipyard, where a colossal cruise liner was being built, emblazoned with the Bang Hai Cruises insignia. On the table was a scale model of the town itself with various construction projects flagged in other districts. Oldtown had the most, but Mayfair wasn’t far behind, it even looked like they were planning to build a casino there.
“This is where it all happens.” The CEO said, taking a seat and having his cigar relit. “Digital media may be our frontmost enterprise but we have a huge, multifaceted redevelopment plan in place.” He finished, gesturing to the screens. “But why now?” I asked. “Why not now? Boomtown has just been shaken to its foundations, and we’ve all been given an opportunity to improve. Masked men, pirates, giant metal spiders, the people don’t want these things anymore, they want stability! Assurances! Look at Oldtown, it has always been a frightening, lawless reminder of the past and now we plan to turn it into a bustling haven.” He said, leaning across the desk. “But don’t take my word for it, let me_”
He didn’t get to finish, just as he’d risen from his seat the entire room was plunged into darkness. Some of the screens flickered with hard to read alert messages and the near endless chirps of music and TV shows gave way to the faint sounds of people shouting on the other side of the door. It was too dark to make out the CEO’s face, but relative quiet I could almost hear his shoulders tightening. After a few moments the lights came back on and order was restored. Another suited handler poked her head through the door and give him a thumbs up.
“What was that?” I asked. “Oh nothing, just a routine thing, testing systems, making sure all the cogs are turning correctly. I have to admit some of this techie stuff goes over my head!” He said, laughing far too loudly. “I’m afraid we’ll have to end the tour there, we’d planned to show you more of our redevelopment plans but it looks like there simply won’t be enough time. My associate will escort you out, I hope you enjoyed yourself! We’ll see you at the Fair!”
I wasn’t even given time to thank him. The handler took me through a back corridor which lacked any of the pomp I’d seen during other segments of the tour. “So that was a security test? That blackout?” I asked him, but he didn’t say anything. A few moments later I was regurgitated back into the town, blinking in the harsh sunlight. Around me people moved around in tight groups getting things ready for the impending arrival of 60,000 party-hungry revellers, business as usual.
I looked back over at the towers, piercing upwards, so coated with moving parts they looked like the living spires of some massive cyborg coral reef. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the rumble of Sector 6, and as I made my way out of town, I couldn’t help but feel unsettled. As I passed through Barrio Loco, a piece of paper caught under my foot, there was a crudely drawn symbol on it, with an ‘H’ in the middle. BHI are promising a new, revitalised Boomtown, but what we’ll get is anyone’s guess. See you in a few weeks, comrades.
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