One thing we are really working on is providing better context to the content published here. We have recognized as of late it is not very clear that these stories, or “attractions” are in their roughest form. Though we have vague references to this fact—I mean this is Backstage, after all—the vague references are too few and far between and provide little to no insight as to what we’re actually doing back here. Backstage, that is.
These attractions are in development. Not development as in “Oh, we’re testing out final edits with our audiences.” Nay, development as in “Shit, we’re not even sure this support beam is supposed to go there!” We recognize this means Backstage is a rather unsafe environment, as you may find yourself tripping over expectations and such, but this is the reality, and you signed the waiver when you subscribed, so do not attempt to hold us liable if the cart goes off the track!
Anyhow, to address this, the prologues of our beloved attractions under construction and open to the public now include editorial notes, so that you may understand what changes are taking place and can keep up with the latest installments and updates without missing a beat. We hope this notes bring you greater enjoyment as you peruse and progress through these attractions. It is our pleasure to share our ongoing efforts with you. We want you take as much pleasure in consuming and digesting them.
Now then, our features this week share somewhat of a theme of discovery. Everyone is learning some thing, and that something is different for everyone, and some will find that something beneficial and others will find that something loathsome. Shall we find out who thinks what of what they learn?
Let’s get into it →
Process process process. That’s all anything is really. Want to write a book? Process. Want to learn to ride a bike? Process. Want to build a carnival? Process. This week was spent further refining the process. Groundskeeper has been sitting in the rewriting stage for quite some time now. This attraction has needed something to move it forward, to keep our efforts from getting bogged down in particulars. The refinement we have introduced to the revision process—namely, and entire revision workflow overhaul—is exactly the kind of thing an attraction like Groundskeeper needs.
This new process has already been introduced to House, where it was developed, and Bus Driver. Next will be A Vampire’s Vengeance. These three will benefit greatly, as they will be reassembled as they are being built. A marvelous enterprise in its inception; even more so in execution. Groundskeeper will follow suit, and then Unholy Requiem and Body Count.
And then? Well, if all goes well, we shall see Body Count come to light as a fully operational and completed attraction! I regret to announce Body Count will not be showcased Backstage. However, it is imperative this attraction be released soon, as Backstage Pass Volume III will feature a series of vignettes that will serve as addtions to the story. Stay tuned.
Have you been keeping up with our resident vampires? If so, then you’ll be pleased to discover that finally! Edgar gets some answers. Kind of.
Oh Solomon, what the fuck are you doing, Solomon? Let us travel with him on another dreamwalk and see where he lands himself this time, shall we?
In this edition of the Backstage Pass, we take you on a curious journey that included a small family, some strange shadow play, and an investigation resulting in a shocking discovery! Don’t miss The Weaving Shadows:
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An old woman risks everything to discover what became of her husband. A tale from the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique.
And here we have a new installment of Bus Driver! When we last spent time with the bus driver, he and his passengers were engrossed in the story of one Trading Outpost resident who sought to migrate from the north to a settlement in the south. You can catch up with Part XXV here. We are still engrossed in her story! But before we continue …
An editorial note: this attraction, as are each of the original attractions being released in serial here, Backstage, is in active development. As such, you will see things that may not fit with your current understanding of this world. But fear not! When such additions occur, we will faithfully address them here, in the prologue to the installment. For this update, one such addition are giant orbs. Griselda will mention them, and that is that. For your benefit, these will be explained later. When it comes time to modify this attraction, these orbs will be prominently featured in the beginning; however, little will be discussed with regard to their purpose, and their mystery will hold. As such, you are not missing out on anything as you experience this attraction in its current form. The giant orbs exist, but no one—that we know of at the moment—knows where they came from or what the fuck they do. Well, Griselda seems to know, but she won’t say much about it. Nor will the scientist.
Now then, without further ado …
"Sorry, Grizzy," said the one who interrupted her story. "Please continue."
Griselda smiled, and continued.
"I believed it was our numbers and appearance of expertise made people leave us alone. I was wrong. And I didn't learn how wrong until after the lake. But coming out of the mountain gave us an idea.
"We came out of the mountains and into a lane with piles of bodies on either side. The stench was fierce, and we had to cover our faces to block the worst of it. Flies bigger than any I have ever seen hugged close to those piles. The nasty things gorged themselves on the decaying corpses littering the area. Looking up, I saw rows of people standing on shelves cut into the mountain sides. Many had guns. Some had rockets. All of them stared.
"We reached a place where two men and two women stood guard. Well, they looked like they were lounging around, but we found out they were like toll collectors. But they did not collect from us. They would not say anything, until one of our people asked them what they were doing there.
"'We let people out,' said of the men. 'No one stops you from leaving,' he said. Our person asked, 'If we come back?' 'Give us food or ammunition and you can come back,' he said.
"They kept talking, our people asking questions about heading south. Turns out, the people in Bakersfield and around kept the ones in the pass fed. These guards kept the pass clear of infected. The lake was beyond the pass, and we learned great big monsters came from the lake, and they killed or drove off the monsters however they could.
"Most of us laughed. Monsters! Can you believe it? Well, you all can. Now. But we did not know better. I thought they wanted us not to go. To scare us. Only later did we learn of those floating orbs and their effects on the big ones." Griselda paused and glanced toward the scientist, who nodded and returned to her drink. Griselda looked at the bus driver.
"But there was no orb. Still is not. We walked to our doom and did not know it. Others asked more questions, but I did not listen. I wanted to be done with that monster nonsense and move on. It stank. The people telling us about the monsters seemed to not care. There was nothing for us in that place. We got everyone moving and left those story tellers behind."
One of the passengers, seated at a table behind the bus driver, spoke up.
"What about the bodies?"
Why yes, Griselda? What about the bodies? How did they get there? Why are they strewn around so? Why do the guards not do something about them? Did the guards put them there? Were they there from long before? If so, have the piles grown in interceding years? We have so many questions, Griselda!
Well, it seems the only way to get any answers is, of course, to come back next week!
Yes, there is so much to see and experience and who has the time for all of it? We hope you do not think we expect you to experience every single attraction. Why, we would be so pleased if you would but experience at least one, and see it all the way through to the end! If you’re following one of the attractions, which one is it? Are you able to follow more than one? If so, which one is your favorite? We would love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email, leave a comment on this post on the website, or use any of the buttons below. Until next edition!
Cordially,
Mad Alex
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