Themes: burnout, art, depression
Nero was just one of the kids in La Cage years and years ago, one of the founding members of the Bearded Vulture Club. They made their dreams come true and actually built and kept a music club that lives under their leadership to this day. They combine a passion for music and an artistic flame with a down-to-earth understanding of what people actually like. And most importantly, massive amounts of grind. Nero works on the budgets, Nero does the posters, Nero spins the records, Nero makes the deals, and when needed, Nero sweeps the floors.
The thing is, this lifestyle is DRAINING Nero. They are overstressed and overworked, using nearly all the substances known to La Cage to stay moving. Despite their incredible commitment, people are not entirely happy; the youngsters are complaining about the *boring old mainstream disco*, and no matter what Nero does, they can't satisfy everyone. Nevertheless, they WILL put on the show of a lifetime. And then they will see if the people are finally pleased.
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 A is the wealthier one - it consists of people that are sure to have food even next week but are not entirely sure if they can get medical care in times of need. All while enjoying the luxury of reliable electricity and mostly repaired windows. The people living here have at least some "power" due to their jobs, but almost everybody is afraid that their little slice of paradise will be taken from them by relocation to a different flat.
They used to be THE cool kids - organizing disco parties, performing stand-ups, and not caring about anything (or anybody) else. Now, as adults, they are in charge of the best club in La Cage (no matter what The Second Club thinks) and will do anything to make sure their guests enjoy themselves. But the upcoming few days will also force them to remember the past they would rather forget: have they grown enough to face up to what they have done or will they continue to avoid it forever?
The La Cage day to day big decisions are - at least in theory - governed by the Block Council. A “government body” of some sorts, given legitimacy (and funding) by the Coalition through the Reconstruction office. The current members supposedly do their best to improve living in the tenement. But is it really the truth or only the fear of incoming elections speaking? They have little to no actual power. People still do blame them for everything, though. Some believe the Block Council to be the way to a better tomorrow, some take it as an opportunity to make their own political ideology visible, some just love to hate the establishment.
