Certificated Citizen (Nation Maintenance)

[Main Nation Ministry]

Author's Note: Certificated Citizen is meant to be more of a bit of a practice for an upcoming project involving a puppet nation, which is more of a larger-scale maintenance thread, than what is shown here. As you can see, it's based off of Sunset's Then, Now and Tomorrow maintenance thread, where I had asked permission to do a thread similar.

What makes Certificated Citizen important is that this is a story about people trying to live their lives in Main Nation Ministry, a dystopian nation of mystery and violent events. There are no heroes. No villians. Characters can be recurring and main characters will make cameos or be the driving forces for some unfortunate citizens. This is a post-modern nation, where zombies, demons and monsters are real and can be living among us. There is no way to change the system. There is only the nation.

As such, this maintenance thread contains mature content and may features some topics that may make some uncomfortable. If you're interested in this series, want to see something different with a character, have a citizen from another nation involved, want to know what a certain part of life is like in the nation, or act as an agent of fate to cause unforeseen consequences for a character, you can telegram me if you like.

THEME

Bradberry Flats, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

"Take a deep breath. Clear all that is in your mind. Today's weather will be soft rains. Let all of the negative energy go. Everything is fine." Andrew was laying on his bed in his flat, as the radio gave us the guided mediation speech that he had programmed. There was little rain coming down, as he listened to raindrops hitting the windowpane. He sat himself up, so he can like the blood flow into his legs. Getting up from his bed, he walked over to his bathroom to take a morning shower. The warm water was splashing on his face, as he applied some shampoo. Today was a work day. Can't disappoint the boss, now can he? Drying himself off after rinsing his hair clean of studs, he slipped on some new underwear and got dressed in the work garb.

A white-collar outfit of a suit and tie, along with jeans and office shoes to look professional. Breakfast was some natural sugar puffs, where he saw some soldier on the front of the box. At least, the cereal was somewhat honest. Even though some celebrity or important figure was on the front, tricking kids that as long as some athlete is promoting some calorie and sugar high product, this cereal box was still honest at showing the nutritional information on the front of the box. He did hear about the complete breakfast that he hears playing on his TV with some toast or some grapefruit, but he doubts that many people would actually eat such a morning meal. He finished his cereal and went to the mail slot where the newspaper went through and was on the floor in front of the door. The typical minor politics demand, something about Jessica Madden, and the economy that flood the contents of the paper. He will just have to read it at work.

Andrew left his flat with his suitcase and started to head downstairs, where the landlady was at the front desk, having curlers in her hair as she was trying to do some work. "I need the rent by the end of the month! You know that!" "I know. I know. 90 chips a month." Andrew told her, as he left through the front door. Right before he left, he saw her fiddling with her phone where he can hear the notification sound popping up in his ears.

"Ignore it, Andrew.. The bus is here." he said to himself, as he walked from the apartment complex and went down to the bus stop.

[Main Nation Ministry]

The Archaeological Society for Explorers and Adventurers, High End Apartments, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

"Certain pro-democracy supporters have been on a slight increase from a week ago after several conservative-leaning lobbyists have been addressing the government to enforce pro-life stances on abortion, despite the government already having several related laws implemented. Several other activists who are currently forming the Liberal party have not currently released a statement. The Leader is seeing the current rise of political activism as more of a passing fad, since many past declared politicians have been arrested for a variety of crimes or have died to certain circumstances." Marcus Tyler heard on the radio that was at the front desk of the apartment complex. Being a lobbyist in a developing political party wasn't easy. He wasn't the designated leader of the party, since they were still working on a major focus for the party to push for. He did need to have some support for and from several people.

Entering the elevator and exiting on the 3rd floor, he heard the argument of a tenant and his landlord. "You can't throw me out! I was in the war! You know how hard it is for me to live like this?!" a veteran said to the landlord, but he ignored his statement. "If you say it's hard to live like this, you should have payed for the rent yesterday! Now out!" the landlord shooed at him, until he eventually gave in. Marcus checked the address he written down earlier. Room 308. Belonging to a Professor Griswald. Standing in front of the door, he gave it a good knock, so the Professor can hear it. The man who answered the door had the whitest, bushiest beard Marcus had seen. "Ello! Mr. Tyler! You came to make a donation to the Archaeological Society for Explorers and Adventurers?" Professor Griswald asked Marcus, as he let him in his deluxe flat.

"Professor Griswald, our party is currently in development, but we are willing to support you, since you may support some of our museums also." Marcus spoke in a Southern accent, though he didn't really look like a cowboy. "Museums? The ruffians in charge of the culture in our nation have denied putting some items of origins into their exhibits! All they only showcase are junk from the wars and what the Leader thrown away in his trashcans!" Griswald explained, as he started to lead him to his study, where several items were on display.

"What is all of this?"
"This is history, Mr. Tyler!"
"And how is all of this history?"
"Because, Mr. Tyler. I believe we had once lived in a society where modern technology had prevailed ahead of it's time." Griswald explained, as he went up to one of the glass cases to show him a weird-shaped sculpture made out of what seems like plastic.

"This here was discovered during a clean-up operation several years ago."
"You think it's important, because..?"
"Because it showing her a culture before the Ministry was in power!"

Marcus Tyler was busy focused on another glass case, this time it looked what appeared to be some sort of handheld console. "We managed to decode some etchings on that. It is labeled as a "Game Boy". We still hadn't been able to figure out the true origins. We do know that it still functions, though it would require batteries around the time it was made, along with some sort of key on the top. We even found a smartphone that was made in a similar style as this device you just seen."

"So let me get this straight. What about "very ancient" artifacts? They do into the museums?"
"I'm one of the many people that the Ministry monitors. They keep track on what's important to be shown to the public and what shouldn't."
"And what happens to the things that can't be shown?"
"They just take them away. They will never say where, but they probably have a bunker somewhere full of many objects of pure value. My guess is that they are going to sell a whole bunch, if our economy flatlines."

"Well, I know you wanted to give me a free tour of what you have collected, but I only want to discuss about donations towards the archaeological society and your support to us." Marcus explained to the professor, as he was getting out some cleaner to polish the glass cases. "You did say that you hadn't figured out your main focus of the party, yes?"
"We are still working on that. Me and some lobbyists are trying to do a pro-life stance. I can wait a week then I can give you more information on what's happening. A bit of a concerned citizen, I am. Being a foster parent and all is something that people are going to use to absorb information about me."
"Planning on being a leader, dear Tyler?"
"Not really. I want to be somewhat of an influencer for one."

"Well, you hadn't made elections, yet. But be ready when the Leader starts to clean house!" Professor Griswald said to Marcus, as he was getting ready to leave. "All of what happened after the Rot Virus incident was a waste of time, yes. But we're doing this naturally. Since there are demons living among us." Marcus said to the professor, as he wished him farewell, upon leaving through the door.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Backyard, Suburban House, Somewhere in a Suburban District, Main Nation Ministry

Bobby walked down the street, seeing the house that he recognized belonging to his ex-wife that won over the custody battle. He didn't care that she immediately put a restraining order on him afterwards, he was going to see his daughter Sandy, like it or not. He walked over to the driveway to see that his ex-wife's car is gone. Probably out shopping or something. He couldn't break in through the front door, since a neighbor might see him. He looked around, ducking into a plywood fenced alley. "Let's see. It's right here." Bobby said, starting to climb over the fence to get into the backyard. However, he forgotten a little something. Before the custody battle, he decided to get himself a large guard dog for the family, since there were groundhogs tearing up the garden.

What Bobby forgotten was that his ex-wife kept the guard dog. The moment he leapt over the fence, the dog went ballistic, running towards him and biting his arm when he tried to shield his face. "Boy! It's me! It's me! AHH!" Bobby screamed, as his own dog immediately turned on him. Eventually, a neighbor had heard the screams of Bobby getting mauled to death by his own dog, where they alerted a soldier, who arrived to the scene to assist in the situation. As the afternoon was arriving and it had stopped sprinkling, Bobby was dragged to the backdoors of a paddy wagon.

The Blue Dragon, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

Whenever some brave tourist goes over the border and asks about the culture in Main Nation Ministry, some might give you a correct answer. Due to the Leader's ideal of gifting civil rights and an environmentally paradise, he took every opportunity to violate every law in privacy and human rights. But it's important that even through nearly all of the population spoke English, some spoke in different tongues, such as French or Chinese. Some Ministrians who spoke different tongues were running the Blue Dragon, a Chinese restuarent where some would eat for some moderate priced food of 11 to 30 chips. Normally, most of the cuisine was snakefish, but the owners of the Blue Dragon made sure that it was the average 4 star experience which restaurants tend to aim for. After all, it helps with business. Even when you're giving some of your paycheck to the government, since they are socialists.

"Mr. Wan, if you're available? Is it possible to apologize for something?" a young man said to Mr. Wan, who worked as the owner and manager. Currently, he was doing some waiter work, since one of his workers was stuck home sick. "Apologize? There isn't anything to apologize, sir." Mr. Wan said with his heavy foreign accent. "I'm from the Truth News. I'm more focused on being a newlywed, but I'm here because of a negative review that was posted on one of our columns. Kristin Trang arrived here once and wrote a review about your Snakefish Dumplings and Bao Milk Buns. However, the editor in-chief got involved when it was discovered she plagiarized from another review by another journalist."
"Well, I didn't know this. Is the matter resolved?"
"Yeah, it is. Most probably didn't know, since you do make some dumplings." the young man said, as he was being served a Scallion Pancake and some Snakefish Dumplings for lunch.
"Well, it's good to hear that the food is still bringing people here."

At the bar area of the restaurant, Andrew was sitting next to a man who was a bit of a fanboy towards the Leader. He was eating some Pork Dumplings rather fish, while Andrew ordered himself a Pork Jjajangmuyn, since he wasn't being interested in seafood for today. "I'm telling you this whole political stuff is just going to be a fad. They think they have just have their faces, besides the Leader's on cable TV. It's crazy. I see no reason for change." the man said, telling his bartender, though they looked completely uninterested in the man's conversation. Andrew wanted to ignore him, but he started to hear some buzzing in his ears. He looked over to some young girls who were eating Snakefish and Pork Dumplings. Snapping pictures of their food, like they were going to hang pictures of them on the kitchen fridge. They added the Scallion Pancake near them to show how popular it was. Then, he started to hear the buzzing and the notifications.

It was a noise he couldn't stand. The waiter arrived with his noodles, where he started to eat, thinking the taste will affect his other 4 senses. However, he turned towards the man with him at the bar, while forcing a smile. "The Leader, am I right?"

[Main Nation Ministry]

Neon District, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

"I'm not the only one who is sane. I know what you're trying to do, Leader. I know you lie to make people happy. You can't know what I think. Because I'm making sure I'm one step ahead of you. I'm making sure there is a revolution. No matter the cost."

It was raining in the middle of the night, as the Neon District was lit up to display a variety of storefronts. Some fancy on the government control, some just showing off, and some closed with rusty shutters. Palahniuk looked around the stores, trying to not stand out, since he was the only one wearing a red jacket and baseball cap. He carried around a red canvas bag, as he was looking for Roger, since he needed to get the file on Mary Chao. Roger was a bit of a struggling guy. He had a decent amount of money, but the money was mostly towards the medicine he needed for his HIV illness. Seeing it as more of a transaction, Palahniuk had came prepared by buying a good amount of medicine for Roger's treatment. He saw him in the distance, as he noticed Palahniuk as well. Palahniuk knew there were other people nearby, so he saw a storefront and saw in front of it, pretending to admire the semi-futuristic and contemporary clothes that were being displayed and were on sale. "Palahniuk, what are you-"
"Pretend to be a browser."
"What?"
"Just do it."

Roger proceeded to stand directly next to Palahniuk, until he motioned about standing on the yellow line. "You stand anywhere over it, you going to get a soldier yelling at you. You can't stand too close to the windows." Palahniuk ordered him, where he scooted back. "You got the file on Mary Chao? I need it to get towards Sallis." "I need to see if you got me the meds." Roger asked, where Palahniuk opened his bag and gave him a container of pills. "This is the same that my doctor prescribes me? How did you get it?" Roger asked. "Outside relations. Now the file?" Palahniuk asked him. Roger handed it to him, where he started to check some information about Mary Chao. All he mainly needed was her fingerprint and to make sure that she was an employee of Sallis. The information was all there. Good.

Palahniuk used his foot to shove the canvas bag full of medicine towards Roger, where he picked it up. "Make sure you stay low. They start asking questions about the pills."
"Jeez, thanks Pa-"
"Don't mention my name at all to anyone. Pretend that it was a total coincidence. You were just at the pharmacy today and gotten all of this."
"But-"
"Don't." Palahniuk said, as he immediately walked away, as Roger just stood there for a moment, before fast walking away with the bag of pills.

Palahniuk was a somewhat suspicious guy. He saw himself as more of an "independent". Though, he had every trait of anyone who would despise the Ministry and the nation for it's totalitarianism. He just did a good job at not showing it. Like Palahniuk, he was a rebel. To which resistance? Only Palahniuk knew that. Several rebels were dismantled before in the nation, but Palahniuk was still trying to make sure it was a secret.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Around The Nation, Main Nation Ministry

The nation was in the midst of pure night, where the citizens slept in their beds. The streets were empty, except for the sounds of soldiers marching down the roads. The curfew was enforced, since it was the middle of the night and any suspicious activity was punishable by arrest or death. The city lights only dim, where the forest and suburban sectors fade into darkness and shadows. The moon raises as it's new ruler, as it stands above the nation. Bright white moonlight descends upon the city.

As monsters tend to appear, all of the citizens turn to the safety of their sleep to avoid whatever terrors would lurk in the dark. And they all descend into the world of dreams...

10:04 PM

10:05 PM

10:06 PM.

...

5:58 AM.

5:59 AM.

6:00 AM.

The Hound Dog Pub, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

The morning was around, as daylight appeared through the windows of the Hound Dog Pub, making the atmosphere. Around the time that the Ministry had first enforced their rule onto the nation, one of the things they had outlawed was alcohol. It was due to it's health concerns and other misadventures that tends to follow, should one ingest too much. When prohibition happened, one figured that people would go through with it. However, like any era of history, people began rebelling against the system. And when the Ministry saw that too many people were rebelling, they decided it would be much easier to just abolish the prohibition laws. Now, many have continued to enjoy their spirits and liquors. Beer with sea salt had proven to become somewhat popular. Especially at the Hound Dog.

A radio played nearby discussing some recent news. "Authorities are somewhat baffled, when a foreign diplomat from the developing and struggling country in the Ministry of Regions named Raffia was found murdered in what appeared to be an averted terrorism plot. Raffia is being overshadowed, where Main Nation Ministry is currently distancing itself away due to the country being in a civil war on fascism and anti-fascism protesters. Both of whom have gained arms and are reportedly committing violent attacks on innocent citizens. Foreign diplomat Roger Sallis was killed on the outskirts of Main Nation Ministry beyond the borders, where major evidence has been shown that he had links with a terrorist group planning on committing a siege upon a hotel complex. Soldiers within the nation had conducted rigorous safety checks, when they determine that the attack was supposed to happen somewhere in Raffia."

"The Leader revealed that he didn't want Raffia to be caught in the nation's crossfire, especially since he denied Sallis access to the nation. Roger Sallis was said to be a harsh critic on concrete art and the concept of using religious ideas in science fiction literature, where he had his own supporters attack anyone who supports them. Several of those who were attacked by Sallis had fled to Main Nation Ministry for their safety, though some of Sallis's supporters still linger within. No further statement have been currently made about the cause of death, where detectives have determined that the killer was a professional assassin and may had been a murder for-hire."

Inside of the bar was the typical darts and pool table in the corner. The bartenders were getting suited up for customers that came for some morning cocktails. Several arrived and sat at the corner, where one man named Han Mendez sat down ordering a scotch sour cocktail, while taking about his story. Normally, some people seeing their bartenders as therapists to discuss or vent their lives, despite the fact that the bartenders don't really give a damn, even if some of them are crying into their glasses. "So I gotten my new kids to be ready for self-defense. They came from some tough lives I figured from where I got them adopted." Han explained to the bartender, as he was cleaning some highball glasses. "You hear on the news whenever we have some monster attack or something. So I been someone who learned about Krav Maga, where I wanted to have my new kids and my wife to be fighters. It help them clear their evaluation exams more easier when they learn the ranks."

Almost suddenly, a red-faced man slammed open the door, where he proceeded to sit at the bar. "I need a bottle of tequila. Like now." Chun Richards demanded, as the bartender poured him a shot. "Wife left you?"
"Damn government wouldn't give me some damn money, that's what." Chun explained. "I struggling to keep my house in the suburbs, but there is some price hike that the Ministry of Infrastructure is conducting nearly caused my house to be on foreclosure! I tried to get a loan from the government, thinking they are sympathetic, but they refused!"

"Probably a shit day for economics." the bartender said, as a reason for his bad day. "Look at the bright side. At least, you didn't end up in an exploding hotel while out on a vacation."

[Main Nation Ministry]

Tyler's Residence, Suburban District, Main Nation Ministry

"So you said you saw something down here in the middle of the night?" Arturio asked Dena Tyler as he was examining the basement of the Tyler's residence. "It was this small creature. I can't really describe it. It had this smile. And it had just black eyes with white pupils." Mrs. Tyler explained to Arturio. Arturio wasn't fully in the military force, yet. Since he was new to the military force, he was placed on a reservist section for new soldiers, until his physical capability was proven in a later training day. He was neighbors with the Tylers, where they had their home be used for foster kids. Arturio had claimed to have saw something in the middle of the night, making noise in the basement.

"My husband was out at the night for a political debate at one of the towns, where I was sleeping. I hear footsteps at the bottom of the house, where I woke up. I went to the bedrooms to see if the children were sleeping, where they were all fast asleep. I heard the noise again, as I went downstairs. I gotten a flashlight and went down the basement stairs slowly. We only used it for storage, so there was cobwebs and the sort. The noise was coming from one corner of the basement, where I shined my flashlight at it. I saw this..thing, that just scurried away and went out one of the small windows. I can't tell if it was a creature or a child." Dena Tyler explained to Arturio.

"You sure it wasn't some kid?" Arturio asked her. "I swear it was a creature or something! Marcus got home later where I told him, but he doesn't believe me. He did lock the windows below soon after."
"Look, I don't see anything that shown that anyone was down here. If you hear them again, try to contact me. If not, try to get a soldier to investigate. If it's a rabid raccoon, they just shot it up till it dies." Arturio said to her.
"Alright.. Though you think a demon has to do with this?"
"Demons are usually much bigger. Unless you dealing with a pest, I can bring a baseball bat."

After Arturio left, Dena checked below where the windows were. No scratch marks. Though was just her imagination. She checked the corner where she saw it. Nothing. As long as Marcus is near her, she feel more safe. Otherwise, there could be something in the suburban districts.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Forest Sector 11 Little Wonders Educational Facility, Forest Sector 11, Main Nation Ministry

Outside of the urban lights and in reaches that were of trees that stretched up as they tower over those that lived under them. Forests and woods in Main Nation Ministry were considered a bad omen. Not that being next to or being in them was dangerous, it was the danger of what might be found inside. That was how the demons came. It was as simple as a young man and his dog finding a portal and things gotten briefly chaotic after that. Many people went missing in the woods as well. Others know about what they saw, but the Ministry had to enforce silence. When that didn't work, amnestics were on stand-by. But people still lived here. In some rural towns within the woods, many people lived in houses that are usually made by themselves, where the military enforces checkpoints and patrols, much like any sector in Main Nation Ministry.

For life in the forest. It was tense, but still peaceful.

"Several political parties today are still going on debates on the topic of euthanasia, as several strains from within power are trying to shift current news onto important news out of the nation. We are unable to get an interview with political officials at this time, however the Leader had proclaimed that talk would be "considered pointless", claiming that the already high death rate in the nation would make the topic null." the vintage radio blurted out, as Kavon Kuza was making sure his tie was straight as he was in the teacher's lounge, brewing up some coffee. He wasn't into that much of politics, however he has been supporting the right for euthanasia as an advocate. Since the whole nation was under a state of cruel chaos, mercy was something reasonable. Here in Forest Sector 11, it was a simple community. No tall buildings or skyscrapers. Just rural houses and semi-underground public housing for those who could barely scrap an income, despite the nation providing solutions to help with jobs.

Soldiers would be still patrolling the woods like hunters. Even if the roads were made out of dirt, they still roam the sectors with their jeeps and assault rifles. Somehow they managed to set up surveillance cameras in the trees, out of all places. Well, to be fair, Main Nation Ministry does enjoy the term "overkill". At the Little Wonders Educational Facility in Forest Sector 11, another term for elementary school, the building saw better days, but since the amount of young children were low, it was good enough. It was made to resemble a traditional schoolhouse, unlike the more tallest Little Wonders Educational Facilities that go up a floor or two. Some rooms were added, like a gym, teacher's house, and of course the principal's office. Teachers would mainly be the one at the teacher's desk at certain shifts with Kavon arriving at the desk, where the kids are waiting for him. "Alright class. It's best we go over the lesson from the last math class." Kavon said, as he went over to the chalkboard to jolt down some simple numbers. Back in the more advanced educational facilities, chalkboards would be touchscreens, though Kavon was still good at writing stuff down with chalk.

"Now.. Who can tell me about what 2 + 2 is?" Kavon asked the class, where one boy raised his hand. "5!"
"No, Billy.. 2 + 2 is not 5. We gone over this."
"But-"
"We gone over this!" Kavon stated, as he remembers to make sure Billy is reminded thoroughly and he will keep a note on this on Billy's file. For the education facilities, all students and teachers have their personal information on files, which teachers are given files of their students, in turn principals have files on their teachers as well. And of course, the files of the principals are maintained by those in the Ministry of Education. The files usually contained their fingerprints, identify number, D.O.B or D.O.D depending if they are a demon, and their photo. For the amount of information he has, he usually keeps it confidential and away from the eyes of students and parents.

"Now, if you could get out your math textbooks for page 9, we can continue our lesson from last class on basic mathematics." Kavon said, until suddenly, another teacher whom Kavon recognized as Dante Wilcox ran into the classroom, terrified. "Mr. Wilcox? What are you-"
"Hide me! They fucking know!"
"Language, Mr. Wilcox! This is a classroom full of children!"
"They going to kill me!" Dante yelled, as he tried to hide into the closet in the classroom, but it was too short to fit a human being.

Then, as valkyries on fire, a flashbang is thrown through the window into the classroom. In a split second, the classroom was nothing but white, as the screams of children filled the room. Next, came the soldiers bursting through the windows and door to the classroom, as they had drawn their guns towards Dante Wilcox, where he raised his arms and hands into the air. "Dante Wilcox! You're under arrest for connections to a known illegal individual. And you are also under arrest for attending an unauthorized website as explain in the internet directive list of laws!" an elite soldier stated, as several soldiers had slammed Dante with the butts of their rifles. "This is a classroom full of children!" Kavon screamed, until the elite soldier handed Kavon a slip of paper. "Please sign here." the elite soldier stated, as he was handed a pen.

After signing, the elite soldier kept the paper. "A higher-up in the Ministry of Education had already been notified of this event. Along with the principal operating in this educational facility. The children are dismissed for the rest of the day." the elite soldier stated, as Kavon observed the children, now traumatized. Some covering their ears and eyes from the flashbangs and sudden sounds that filled the room.

"They going to put him in a box." Kavon thought.

As it turns out, which Kavon learned from the principal of the Little Wonders Education Facility in Forest Sector 11, Dante Wilcox was in contact with an illegal bookmaker and he was an user and moderator of a racial blog, promoting violence towards ethnic minorities, that the folks in the internet security have been trying to take down for a while. All Kavon was forced to do now was clean up the mess left behind as the kids the next time he attended the class were somewhat "tense".

(OOC: More glimpses into Main Nation Ministry's twisted world will be coming soon!)

[Main Nation Ministry]

Phoenix Tanning Salon, Victory Square, Main Nation Ministry

Among the many businesses that were owned by the government within Victory Square, the Phoenix Tanning Salon was one of them. While many would just reach to a beach district or at the seaside to let the sun naturally cook their skin, many sought to use ultra-violet light to get the job done easier, even if a fee is required. Even after the worries of cancers, tanning beds were still legal in Main Nation Ministry. Manuel Lopez arrived to the tanning salon, sunglasses over his eyes, as he went up to the receptionist.
"Hello, welcome to Phoenix Tanning Salon. You have an appointment for a full body tan?"
"Correct. I request a tan from here. Manuel Lopez."
"Manuel Lopez! We were expecting you. Weren't you that therapist who developed that machine for hypnosis or whatever it's called?"
"Hypnotherapy. It's for the patients that I treat at the clinic."

Manuel Lopez worked at the Matso Clinic, where he specialized in treating patients with severe phobias. Having an attribute in hypnosis, he started to use hypnotherapy on his patients, which proved to be successful. Which was why he helped make his own machine. Worked on it in his own garage and brought it to work to see if it would help. Manuel called it the "Spiralizer", since it used a traditional spiral spinning design that most people would imagine actual hypnotists would use. Even though Manuel Lopez was known for his job, his overall performance depended on what type of patient he had. And he had some patients where he wondered, he could do something different with them.

Being led to a room to change out of his clothes, Manuel kept on some trunks, as he was taken to where the tanning beds were. However, to his interests, the tanning bed that he is to lay on was new. Rather than a traditional design, the tanning bed looked like a dutch oven with several dials on the side. "What is that?" Manuel said, confused at this new type of technology. "It's a tanning bed that someone from the Ministry of Science had commissioned. It's supposed to give a more long-lasting tan than most tanning machines. And it's quicker." the receptionist explained to Manuel Lopez, as he showed some caution to the tanning bed.
"I guess I can try it out. Did other people use this?"
"Yes, of course! We hadn't gotten any complaints for anyone who used this tanning bed."
"I can try it out, then." Manuel said, flashing a grin and a sarcastic wink.

"Let me have a worker help you get all set up, first." the receptionist said. "Why not you? You seem to know what you're doing?"
"I only work at the front desk." she said with an innocent smile. "Wait here, please."
Manuel Lopez waited a minute after she left the room, where a familiar face entered the room in his surprise. "Anthony? I didn't know you work here?" Manuel said, as he walked into the room in a work uniform.

"Doctor Lopez? Don't you prefer being a little pale?" Anthony Ross said to Lopez, as he rubbed his arm. Lopez had to treat Anthony, since he had gotten a fear of death, since to suffering from cancer. The drugs made him bald, which is a visible feature that helps Manuel identify Anthony. "I heard that a good tan is good for appearances.." Manuel responded.
"I see..I will help you in." Anthony said, showing a bit of a smile, though Manuel didn't seem to notice, as Anthony lifted up the top cover of the bed. "You know how to use this thing? It's brand new."
"Oh don't worry, Doctor Lopez. It's surprisingly easy to use. It's like a microwave. You just make sure NOTHING bad happens, that's all."

Anthony Ross was a patient that Lopez was uncomfortable with during one of his hypnotherapy sessions. Especially when Manuel learned that Anthony was starting to develop psychopathic tendencies. He did alert some of his doctors, but they started to say that Anthony's behavior was being improved with some pills to keep him in check. "Anthony. If you are starting to get some unnatural thoughts, make sure to schedule an appointment with me. Some of us back in the clinic would like to still have you there." Manuel said, as he got into the tanning bed. "Oh I been having some nice thoughts indeed. Just a HAPPY one among the flowers."
"Happy, you say?"
"Yes. Happy happy." Anthony said, as he started to close the bed.

"WAIT!" Lopez shouted.

"I need googles for eye protection." Lopez said, as Anthony went over to a drawer to hand him a pair of googles for UV protection. Anthony waited till Manuel put them on, was when Lopez completely laid down on the bed, leading to Anthony to close the cover. "How long is this going to take me?" Lopez asked him, able to still speak through the tanning bed. "15 minutes. I be sure to make sure you get a nice tan in NO time, if that's ok."
"Ha. Do what you feel is best, Anthony."
"You got it, Doctor." Anthony said, as he started to adjust the settings on the side of the tanning bed. With a hand on the dial, Anthony started to crank it up higher, and higher...and higher...before he started to adjust the other controls, so everything was in a maximum. He wanted a tan. He needs to be tan. Tan is close to black. Black is charred. Charred is a tan that will never be removed.

"Anthony? It's getting a little hot in here!"
"It's normal, doctor. You want a tan after all!"

---

The receptionist left for a lunch break, where she had a slushie in her hands to drink at the desk. However, when she tried to open the door to the front desk, the door was locked. A note was visible on the door with Anthony's handwriting, "Left work early. Need a break after doing what's best. <3". Anthony wrote a heart in an abnormal red sharpie, where the receptionist started to smell smoke. Is there a fire? The receptionist immediately started to gasp.

"Lopez!" she realized, as she imagined him still inside the tanning salon. A soldier was alerted, where the Fire Control were dispatched to get rid of the flames. After managing to shut off the power to the store, some of the Fire Control went inside the store to determine the cause of ignition. In their discovery, they found a charred burned corpse of an unidentified individual, later confirmed to be Manuel Lopez from dental records. Manuel was left to be cooked alive until the machine caught on fire. Anthony Ross is currently wanted.

[Main Nation Ministry]

The Border, Hell

For the demons that arrive to Main Nation Ministry from Hell, after the whole crisis that arose and the chaos that led to, a large border had been managed to be built into Hell itself. For Hell, demons had managed to figure out a way to escape from it, wanting to flee from conditions somewhat obvious. Many people within some internal affairs in a Ministry somewhere had discussed the abnormally large amount of sinners in Hell, where they came with the conclusion that attempting to get into Heaven is somewhat bureaucratic, though it was confirmed that children under the range of 11-13 would be able to head to Heaven with ease, as long there is good behavior from them and what not.

But since Christianity meant nothing in Main Nation Ministry and that forgiveness appeared to mean nothing, there was an overcrowding of souls who were dumped into hell. In a quickie, a demon is basically a human from the surface world that has died and due to said bureaucratic system, they are unable to get to Heaven and are forced to be in hell, turned into a demon. Demons are robbed of their actual human forms and are turned into a creature, commonly based on their sins and overall life that they had lived. Though, it didn't apply to most demons, as they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. To be in their human forms, they wear "costumes", which is more of an ability that is easy to learn. A demon gets the power to be in their human form and demon form at will, though if they want to be good on the surface world, they had to be wearing a costume 24/7, unless there is special cases. And what better way to treat said problem was release the ones who can actually be good for once? Lined at the borders were demons who wish to head to the surface world to get a second life at their new life. Though, one couldn't guarantee getting a pass.

To get through the borders, there is always an inspector where he must present papers, among other things. A simple passport and entry permit. Along with some questions and a costume that demons can pass off as looking like a human. The inspector at the border station stretched a bit, before he let in the next entrant after he had a short break. "Next!" he shouts, as a young woman appears in front of him. She stood before him holding a medium-sized suitcase, wearing a large black sweater and white pants, nearly matching her long blond-white hair. What the inspector did notice was that, while her costume was convincing, her eyes were still demon-like. Her irises were red and they were like eyes from a dragon. "Present your documents!" the inspector said, being blunt.

"Here you go! I mean sure to do everything that was required." the demon said, having a soft voice of what seemed to be innocence, as she handed her documents to him. "Let's see..Lisa Talbott? Is that correct?" the inspector asked, where she nodded. He was checking the documents to make sure there wasn't an error. The in-booth scanner hasn't picked up anything suspicious yet from her suitcase, so things were looking good for Talbott. "Need to do a quick check at the database before I can let you through." The inspector has to check the database of each demon, since most of them were people that died back in the surface world and to see what landed them in Hell in first place. The problem was that the cause of death was listed with each demon, also. This let to some inspectors being uncomfortable, while reading how some demons went out dying from both painful to downright bizarre and cruel. The inspector checked for Lisa Talbott on the database, where it brought up several news articles. "You were a victim of the mass suicide of 2000?" the inspector asked her, as he was reading the articles.

"I know it's me in a compromising position, but I was under the influence of mollies. Plus, everyone else was having fun. Plus, we didn't mean to kill ourselves!" Lisa explained, where the inspector was confused. "Wait what?"
"No other demons told you? Me, along with some others died in a bit of a session I would say."
"Cause of death from all of you were asphyxiation."
"It was a different type of asphyxiation."

The inspector stood and just stared at her in disbelief, unable to comprehend the actuality of what she described. "You. You're a succubus, right?" the inspector asked her, where she nodded again. After she did, the inspector immediately approved her and gave the typical "don't cause trouble" motto, which gave Lisa a two fanged smile, as she left. Lisa Talbott didn't intent to cause trouble, really. All of her other demon friends were heading to the surface world, so she might as well. After navigating the barbed wire path towards the information booth, she opted to stay in Main Nation Ministry, where she gotten a map of the region and guide on what to do in the nation.

After going through the "bridge" to get to the surface world, where she ended up in the main building. The place looked beautiful outside, though this is the cost of living underground in Hell. She was already planning on paying a visit to one of her demon friends that she knows has already planned in Main Nation Ministry. Maybe she didn't change her mind, Lisa thought.

[Main Nation Ministry]

Eric's Auto Repairs, Labor District, Main Nation Ministry

Brain Ward drove his car to Eric's Auto Repairs, as he needed to get some new tires for his vehicle. One of the mechanics was already pulling on the chain to raise up the garage doors to let another car in, where Brain pulled his car into the garage. "Welcome to Eric's Auto Repairs! Your tires look worn. Came for a tire replacement?" the mechanic said, where he brushed his hand against his overalls, despite the lack of oil. As a matter of fact, most vehicles in Main Nation Ministry don't even run on diesel or gasoline or any fossil fuel. Due to the nation's strict environmental laws, all cars that are owned are to be electric. Sounded bad at first glance, but most people brought portable chargers and batteries to recharge their cars. You can thank the eggheads at the Ministry of Science for that.

Tyron Alvarez was having his battery get fixed up, as he was sharing a chat with the mechanic. "All of the other cryptozoologists in the Ministry of Science are trying to figure out this one new species, but all of the other scientists are saying it could be some gorilla suit. Footprints are a similar size, but it could be a creature that's lurking in one of the forest sectors."
"You think it's smart enough to fix a car? We need more mechanics in the labor district."
"Hadn't the Ministry of Labor been offering more mechanical jobs?"
"Only for factories."

For Brain, he had the mechanic fix up his tires and one of the wheel axles had to be checked, in case it was damaged. The mechanic noticed a bumper sticker on the back of Brain's car that read "Eating Fish is Murder!" along with a homemade one of "Fishburger Can BURN!" in a black market over a white sticker that you put on a shirt. "Are those vegan shoes you're wearing?" Brain asked the mechanic, where he didn't appear to know his question, as he was getting a tire out. "Nevermind.."

"I been trying to buy some cosmetics from online for my wife. The website Courage Couriers have some good prices. For a government website made with the Postal Bridage, they have some good deals. You ever use it?" Tryon asked the mechanic, as he was finishing up the battery. "Not really, I only use the computer for work purposes at home. But big on the tech stuff like you scientists."
"You can buy for anything as long as the government gets a profit." Tryon said, nonchalantly.

Back at Brain's car, a mechanic decided to ask him a question, seeing some of his bumper stickers on the rear of his car. "Hey, man. What's all this talk about Fishburger? You not a fan of the fast food joint?" the mechanic said, as Brain was digging into his wallet for chips to pay the mechanic. "You hadn't heard of the massacre of the innocent fish and snakefish that live in our oceans? The ignored genocide of a species who only want to live in the seas to be hunted down and fed to the many citizens of this nation! Absolutely disgusting is what I think!" Brain said in a zealotry manner.
"Uhhh.. Didn't they have an explosion back a year or two ago?"
"I don't know who attacked them! They had it coming when they opened up that restaurant. I tried to sue them, but the Ministry of Law said my lawsuit wasn't something that can be done!"
"But that's a government owned business. You don't want to miss with them."

"I'm not stopping until all of our animals and fellow aquatic wildfire will be saved from our own government! Take the tip. Car looks almost brand new with the tires." Brain said, as he handed the mechanic a tip, as he started his car, as he drove out of Eric's Auto Repairs. The car drove pass the large tire sign with the logo, as a soldier's jeep passed by.