Welcome to Authenti-city
As you cross the long lit up suspension bridge into Authenti-city you are greeted by what appears to be an old school town crier. He is even holding a big bell.
"Hear ye hear ye, welcome to Authenti-city, the capital city of POBIO, a country known for its intelligent and outgoing people that are all about engagement and growing the knowledge base through creation and curation."
Astounded, you watch as he continues to talk...
"There are other cities in the state, but you don't wanna waste your time in any of them. If you are going to be in a city in POBIO, you picked the right one... Authenti-city. 15 miles north of Shit-post trading post, a lot of speculators and traders end up in these parts. A lot of them are just passing through or trying to make a quick buck, but, the charm and innovation of us city folks wins over many of them.
"Then, of course, there is the Multi-tag airport just east of the city. There is a lot of traffic that doesn't really know of this city, they are mostly just passing through... there are a lot of connecting flights from multi-tag airport. A lot of people just feel like riding through to their main destination. Lot's of people flying onto Hive metropolis, or Leo mecca. Of course, there are the hitchhikers that get off here and try to hop across the border to Pal-town or to Archonville, off to the east and across the border is Stem-port and Ash-forest.
"There is something sweet though, about us city dwellers here in POBIO that live in Authenti-city. I think we are really the future of this little nation. Sure, there will always be people coming in or going back to the shit-post, or to the airport to catch their connection to wherever they would rather be, but as for me... I live here, in Authenti-city, in the proud nation of POBIO."
He looks at you. You look back and shake his hand and say "Thank you."
"You are very welcome, he replies and he looks like he is not quite done. "If this is your first visit, I hope you enjoy. If you enjoy, I hope you stay. If you stay, I hope you stay true to our city. There are all kinds in this world, but I think that you will notice that this city is full of a certain kind of all kinds. They are all genuinely what they are. All different in all kinds of ways, but all the same in just this one. They are authentically who they are and they are not afraid to show it. That is how this great city got its name after all."
You tip your hat and begin to walk away knowing that this town crier will talk all day if you keep opening your mouth. As you begin to walk away, he opens his mouth one more time.
"It is great to have you in this great city, I hope you can show us who you truly are to make this city even greater."
With that, you walked on into the city. It is a beautiful city. You stop to look at the walls. Original artwork is everywhere. Colours, vibrant and fresh. You listen for a moment. You hear music you have never heard before. The sound is so original and yet so familiar. On the corner you see a few people having a conversation. You can tell that they are passionate about what they are talking about, but you can also see that they genuinely care about each other and are showing respect for each other and their view.
As you continue on, there are kids playing with sticks and a ball, laughing a whole lot. To the right you can smell fresh baking. Mmmmmm... it smells delicious.
As you keep walking, you are now totally enthralled with this city and know that this is where you want to be. You see a sign that says 'for rent' so you head on over to inquire. You walk in the door, as it was partly open with a welcome sign swinging in the light breeze.
"Howdy," says a middle aged man in a cowboy hat. "What can I help you with?"
You let him know that you are interested in the place for rent.
"Well, it is right through those doors and it has everything you need."
You peek through the doors and see a bed, a small kitchen with a shower and a little nook over in the corner by a picture window that overlooks the busy street. It looks like home. So you ask him how to make it your home.
He smiled, "this must be your first visit." You nod. He continues with a chuckle. "You move on in, and as long as you can show us folk who have been doing our best to show all of you folk who we are, who you are... the place is yours. Ya see, we treat everything a little different over here in this city. The bills will be paid by you being you. Not by being something you think people want, not by half-assing something that you think will pass inspection. By being you, all the time. Do you think you can handle that?"
You nod. He smiled and said, "I thought you might be able to. Welcome home, welcome to Authenti-city!"
This post is for the Word of the Week contest, put on by 