This choice: Let's start things off a bit differently, shall we? • Go Back... The light of morning sun passed through the trees along the road, creating a cathedral of greens and golds. Gia Montanelli hadn’t been in a real church since she was 14, but these sort of long drives served the same purpose for her. Gave her a lot of time to contemplate life, and think about the sins and regrets of her past.
Right now, that regret was taking up smoking in the first place. Gia had decided to take this assignment two weeks after she quit smoking. Not a good idea. She took another piece of gum and crammed it into her mouth. Looking for a distraction, she fumbled with the radio, trying to find a local station. She was old, she still listened to the radio, so sue her. Only one station came in clearly, and it was a rich, deep, husky woman’s voice.
Alright listeners, it looks like it’s going to be another gorgeous day out there, with clear blue skies and sunshine. The wind is coming in at a steady 8 mph from the north-east giving us another warm and beautiful day. So, get outside and enjoy the weather.
Gia fumbled with her employee ID one last time. She was a down-on-her-luck ex-private eye here to take a job in the mountain town of Abercrombie, Colorado. And nothing else. The mountain road wound around an oxbow lake, where she could look down on the bright red recreational boats and little pier where people fished.
-we got all kinds of fun for you this weekend sponsored by VDG Investments and we’ll be broadcasting to you live on site. But first you could win a chance to show your Abercrombie pride–
Gia took another piece of gum.
As she made her way into town, the biggest thing that stood out was that everything was new. She had been to places on the ups, and new developments before. But everything was new. The houses, the businesses, the street lights. Hell, the roads didn’t even have enough time to get any wear on them. Gia was pretty sure the oldest thing on these streets was her shitty car. Scratch that–the oldest thing on these streets was Gia.
”--growing up in Abercrombie I never thought it’d be like this. Back then I had to leave town to have a hope of a broadcasting career. Now the developments are going up so fast I was able to come back home to bring YOU the news of everything Abercrombie. When it comes to Abercrombie news, traffic and weather, Remember: if it’s not Marnie, it’s not worth knowing–”
Gia didn’t talk to the realtor who rented her the apartment for more then 15 minutes. She was confident in her ability to find her way, she paid in cash. She got her key. She got her place in a nice apartment building with a pool, and a weight room, and a communal dining area where everyone got a little balcony with a barbecue on it. It was the kind of place Gia didn’t feel like she belonged.
"--Are you going to barbecue this weekend? I could go for barbecue this weekend. It’s the first nice day of summer!”
Gia switched off the radio. She picked up her stuff, loaded into a cardboard box (she traveled light), and headed up to her room. On her way in, she spied a chunky blonde woman stepping out of her apartment, who saw Gia, and ducked back inside. Gia put her box down, immediately suspicious. She was in such a hurry to duck back inside being spotted she didn’t even close the door. Gia drew a little closer until she heard.
“Zach, get dressed! We have neighbors!”
“Wha-really??”
Gia suddenly felt a little embarrassed for being so suspicious. The chunky blonde lady came out in a hurry.
“Hi! Are you,” She eyes Gia’s box excitedly. “Moving in?”
“...yeah. Yeah I am.” Gia said cautiously.
“Sorry, sorry, I know this must seem intrusive, but you’re our first neighbor here and it’s been so long, we didn’t think we’d ever get any!”
“First neighbors…you just moved in?”
“No, no…” She circled a finger gesturing at…everything. “We’re the only people living in this building…at least we think so.”
Gia chewed on that one, and her gum. “Well, isn’t that something? How long have you been living here?”
“Like, a year almost.” She gushed. At that point, and equally chunky man in cargo shorts and a zelda t-shirt that fit 50 pounds ago made his way into the hallway finally. Judging by his features, and height, and even matching hair, Gia assumed this was the young girl’s brother.
“I’m Alice, and this is my husband Zach.” She introduced the two of them. She clung to his arm while he offered a handshake, which Gia took. “Gia.”
“Need help with your stuff?” He offered.
“I got it.” Gia insisted, picking up the box.
“I get it, you’re probably tired after moving.” Zach said apologetically. Gia looked the two blonde couch potatoes over, critically.
“You two are bored out of your skulls living like this huh?”
“No–” Alice defended them a little too quickly. “I mean...It’s not like there’s not stuff to do around here, or to hang out with people it’s just…it’s kind of creepy living in this place all by yourself.”
“...oh yeah? What do you have to do around here?”
“Just this weekend the town is having a free film festival, barbecue contest, and a highland festival.”
“Huh…you people know how live it up out here, huh?” Gia joked.
“Give it time.” Alice said looking…drained. She sighed. “You’ll get used to her…I mean it.”
—
Author’s Note: In order to get a better response to Young and Hungry and What it can be, this interactive is going to have a slightly different format. Rather than following one character around, the perspective of Young and Hungry should flip from one character to another as we explore Abercrombie and its secrets. The emphasis here is that Abercrombie is a weird place, and uncovering why. Its okay if narratives end up focusing on fewer characters as they emerge, but try to keep the POV character dynamic, but most of all, contribute and have fun.
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