Journal Log 5 - City of No Leaves
The sun blinded me. I fell out of bed, if I can call it that. The stairs were creaky and rising sun could be seen climbing beneath the doors of the dimly lit hallway.
Inhuman yells could be heard throughout the tired city and static echoed across the plaza.
Subjects of the masked unity herded some sentient sheep against a wall, demanding to show their business permits.
I wandered for a while, looking for a job, somewhere, anywhere.
When the sun balanced on the peak of the clouds, megaphones softly demanded our presence at the ration distribution center.
I thought I would be used to it by now.
Every day something more horrible than the lasts happens.
A citizen was thrown out for fumbling his sid number and hasn't been seen around town again.
Another man only spoke German, he was electrocuted four times by batons of steel, he slumped down to the ground and blood dripped from his collar.
Today, a nearly deaf lady came. Asian I think. She asked for information four times and couldn't get out of the line. The gun was only cocked once. I looked away.
I can see my ribcage when I look down and the "rations" hurt my stomach. They're fixed. I know it. I've seen it before in the camps, and there is nothing I can do.
Even the books are nothing but propaganda.
Leuthen on Strategy
I am compiling this for present and future efforts
1. Don't suck up to the CCA. They are be frightening, but they take their sadistic joy from torturing those vying for their favor.
2. Get to the ration line first, follow the patterns of the broadcasts and time it. Get through as competently as possible.
3. Enter District Six through the subways. Get a flashlight. If there is no flashlight, follow the walls.
4. Don't give your name out quickly. This is the easiest way to get turned in.
5. Never contact NOVA unless you need them, unless you want to be thrown into a cold cell and forgotten about. When something serious happens, try to charm the officer and hope for the best.
6. Never talk about cigarettes in public. Never talk about them to anyone, period. Smoke alone.
7. Recognize who are here to stay and who are bound for relocation to the nether, avoid the latter.
8. Share rooms, save tokens. Accept loyalists only and hope the Civil Protection groups you in with them.
9. Only gamble with the closest of friends.
10. Don't drink alcohol, too risky. The dumpsters get searched for that stuff anyway, and people aren't gonna go down for a crime they didn't commit.