Marcos was a poor man a bored man living paycheck to paycheck just so he can see the sun tomorrow. He managed to save some money, though not very much life for him was hard and the cheapness of his employers certainly didn't help that but today was.. Different. Marcos was leaning against a brick wall enclosing a barber shop the lights had lost all their heat hours ago yet here he still remained. He had no desire to go home, cause he'd most likely fall asleep, which would mean the cycle of his miserable life would repeat once more, so he held out, wishing to enjoy the small moment of peace where he could breathe without it feeling like each breathe only heightened his stress. But that moment didn't last long, it started out quiet at first the sound of.. Static quietly moved within his ears, it was so faint he mistaked it for the sound of a lamp post, but that assumption was rapidly disproven as the noise got louder and louder before suddenly..
Hello, hello, hello! Goodness! Quite a late hour to be resting against a wall! My feet would be killing me!
A chiper voice called out to him. Marcos slightly annoyed that his peace was disturbed slowly turned towards the voice, there he saw him. Metal appendages painted brown, a tan suit with black slacks that look as if they were freshly bought and atop of the madness a radio matching the color of their appendages sitting atop their head. Marcos's eyes went wide, confused at the sight before him he mutters.
The stranger infront of him reaches out his hand and shakes Marcos's hand.
My name is Radio! Local harbringer of entertainment! I couldn't help notice how tired you look! How bored you look! Etc! I wanted to come over here and get the scoop!
The scoop..? Are you some kind of reporter?
Heavens no! Apologies for my disruptive wording! I just wanted to come check up on you is all!
Check up on a stranger..?
Their voice starts to flaten sounding more calm and sincere.
Each and everyday I come out here and just see miserable states, people walking about looking like every day is the worst day of their lives.. If I'm honest it.. It breaks my heart to see the world so gray and hopeless, we are creatures of curiosty and discovery never in a millions years would I think we'd end up looking so dull..
Their voice picks back up again sounding chiper.
But that's why I came over here! I wanna help, I wanna make things just a little bit easier, give you something to take the focus off of the bland and gray!
Marcos is silent for a moment, he initially wanted to tell the odd stranger to buzz off but, after all he's been through the idea of something taking his mind off of the stress didn't sound too terible.
Okay.. Then what is it? What will take my focus of the "bland and gray" and don't you dare pull out some kind of drug, because I'm too broke to buy whatever you'd offer anyway.
My friend don't seem so hostile! My way of helping is as legal as a traffic light!
The stranger then takes Marcos's hand and drags him across the street, they quickly walk.. Actually more like jog a couple of blocks away until the stranger suddenly let's go of Marcos. Marcos rubbing his wrists states.
Whatever you have better be good since you had to mess up my wrist..
The stranger turns to him.
Sorry my friend! I'm just so absolutely excited to welcome you in!
The stranger doesn't reply he instead walks forward opening the door to a building they had been standing outside of all this time, as they open the door jazz fills Marcos's ears, sounds of coins and levers being cranked as people laugh in big crowds.
Welcome to my casino! Your break away from reality!
Marcos is hesitant at first but he then look at Radio he doesn't know why but he can feel them smiling behind that mask, a smile that washes away his fear, he doesn't understand it, but he no longer cares, for a faint moment a smirk pierces his face as he walk inside the building.
Once inside Marcos is hit with flashing lights, sounds that seem to always play right, jazz flooding every square inch as large parties of people gather around tables throwing poker chips as if they were paperweight. He feels nervous but in a good way, the way a child getting ready to ride a rollercoaster would feel, a smile begin spreading across his face as he looks at everything.
Radio says walking to his side placing his hand on Marcos's shoulder.
This place never sleeps and all you need to start is a dollar!
Marcos doesn't even hesitate he pulls out a raggedy wallet hosting a small amount of dollar bills, but he doesn't care he simply says
Radio points to an area with a big flashly sign saying CHIPS, Marcos almost instantly flys over but before he does he turns to Radio.
Radio perks his head up a little bit.
Marcos doesn't know why but he can feel Radio's smile growing wider as he says.
With that the man walks away trapped in a web he had no clue existed.
