Themes: peace, fairness, internal struggle, division, conflict of interest
Always seemingly in opposition to their younger sibling, Barb never had quite the material luck or the education. What they did have was a deep empathy for the people around them. They could get a reasonably cushy job in the workshop, but instead, they insisted on toiling with the rank-and-file. The truth is that they would barely make ends meet without the support of their sibling. Despite their background, they cultivated many friendships and close relationships with their fellow workers, and they have tried to lobby for fairer conditions from their position as a well-respected old-guard unionist. They are not afraid to get in a fight, but despite that, they believe that everyone can just get along in peace in the end.
Recently, though, the younger, more radical guard have stopped being satisfied with Barb’s approach of dialogue but no dramatic action, pushing more strongly against the owners. While Barb may get their hands dirty with the poor and talk big, their family ties might still make them one of the bourgeoisie. What is even more difficult is that Barb has been cooperating with the Local Union Branch for years. The Union Branch that is quite clearly little more than an organised crime racket.
Everybody who lives in La Cage is mostly poor and desperate. The families and professionals living in Apartment Blocks are the ones who really try to keep some semblance of normality in their lives. The Block B consists mostly of tradesmen and people of other desirable professions. People with no exceptional wealth or status, but the ones who are good and honest at their job and are beneficial to the La Cage. Educated, but not burgeois - teacher, nurse, students, social worker or people jilted from Block A. They mostly want to stay far from the troubles and extreme ideologies (to a small degree of success) but are willing to help each other as much as they can - like a big family.
The annual Pétanque Club Final is one of the most-hyped events of the La Cage calendar! Every year, Team Blue and Team Red go head-to-head in… well, what is honestly a pretty chill match complete with good-natured competition, electing the next Club President, and a few drinks in the sunshine. Even though this year’s teams seem to be divided along slightly political lines, there’s no reason to think their wholesome friendships cannot withstand mild disagreements as they have in previous years.
The Local Union Branch is a part of the wider Union movement of Revachol. Being a local branch, they have no specialisation and cover all workers willing to unionise: and are also completely controlled by Elian and their gang. Still, for many Union is still the best platform to coordinate next steps in endless negotiations with the sweatshop owners.
A group of avid readers, discussing books, ideas and critically analysing theories and contemporary developments in economy, politics and sociology. Fiery discussions can come based on their deep analysis of the texts, deep friendships are formed and deepest hatreds come to life. What could be more important than the correct interpretation of text?
