Cybercity Lawndale - Part 2

Daria and Jane were walking through the city streets when Daria commented: “Who would have thought that this used to be a decent city. Now it's full of corrupt organisations, gogo bars and gang warfare”

Jane: “Well, they did say our generation would cause the moral downfall, didn't they?”

Daria: “Yeah, in the end though, we're all part of this bent system no matter what we do”

Then they passed a big billboard with a picture of Kevin on it saying: “Speedball Champion Kevin Thompson only drinks 'MAN NECTAR!'” with the slogan “Made for men, by men” underneath the logo

Jane: “Looks like he's found a use for that hard head after all”

Daria: “That beer can crushing did come in useful for him, didn't it”

Jane: “So, what bar first?”

Daria: “How about 'Paranoia Drive'?”

Jane: “Sounds good”

They then turned down an alley and continued walking until they saw neon sign saying “Paranoia Drive” but they noticed the R in drive was broken so it read “Paranoia Dive”. They then walked down the stairs into the club. It had strobe lights flashing everywhere and classic heavy metal songs were playing. Both walked up to the bar and the bartender said: “What do you want?” with a slight attitude and Jane said: “Absinthe Brain Screw Please” and Daria said: “Just a half glass of vodka please”. Then they both leaned against the bar, observing all of the metalheads in at that moment, pondering how many of them knew the true meaning of some of the songs being played.

Then “Two Minutes to Midnight” came on and Daria said: “This is an example of a song that no metalhead can truly understand. They don't have a clue they are moshing to a song about the cold war”

Jane: “Yeah. That's why it's classic. Most 'metal' songs now are usually about breakups or violent sex”

Daria: “Well, this is a lot better than some of the crap made now”

By this time, they had turned round to get their drinks and thank the bartender before turning back round

Jane: “What an astute observation. I'm glad the 'Emo' trend disappeared though. What culture sees Slitting your wrists and being depressed as positives?”

Daria: “A stupid one. Anyway, What about the 'Gangsta' culture?”

Jane: “As far as I'm aware, They've gone underground so now it's not killing in the city streets but in the secluded car lot. Takes the edge off of the appeal, don't you think?”

Daria: “Yeah. Either way though, It's a dodo culture in the end since if they don't leave, they get shot”

Someone approached the two and said: “Why hello ladies”

Daria: “Shush Upchuck”

Man: “I have no clue who Upchuck is”

Jane: “Sorry about my friend's reaction, we had a an old classmate who was a bit of a creep”

Man: That's ok, I'm Matt”

Jane: “I'm Jane”

Daria: “And I'm Daria”

Matt: “I talk to a Daria online in my line of work”

Daria (Whispering into Matt's Ear): “Well, I'm guessing you work as a sub-employer from Illumina Corp.”

Matt: “Never thought I'd meet you in person ever”

Daria: “Well, in either case, want a drink?”

Jane: “You know each other?”

Matt: “Until this moment, only online”

Jane: “You never told me you talked to cute guys on the net”

Daria: “I don't see faces, only names. Only time I see faces is when I'm 'Dealing' with the records of that particular person and It's strictly business when we're chatting online”

Matt: “Anyway, I'll say yes to that drink. Full glass of Vodka and orange for me”

Daria ordered the drink as Matt and Jane talked: “So, Matt. Been working with Daria long?”

Matt: “At least a year now. Very good at her job. She's got 20K incoming from me as a result of her last job”

Jane: “Ah. So you've got to know her well then?”

Matt: “No. Online communications were business only. She seems nice though”

Jane: “Beware, she has a very sarcastic outlook of life. I should know since I went through high school with her, where she was often called the 'misery chick'”

Matt: “Oh, ok. How long you and Daria been living here then?”

Daria had his drink and passed it to him before saying: “All of our miserable lives. And we were born while this was still a town”

Matt: “Wow. You see any old friends of yours now?”

Daria: “Apart from Jane, I didn't really have any 'Friends', just people I knew. Kevin Thompson was stupid then I'm guessing he's not any smarter from those head injuries Speedball gives you. Then there's Mac who's a junior Speedball coach. Upchuck went on to become a billionaire and now he's got all of the women he ever wants. And I think the last I heard of Brittany, she was a cyber-prostitute”