The dark green awning blocks the sunlight, and the dirty, oil-stained tarpaulin almost blends into the dirty ground of the port. Among the noisy voices were tired sailors, dock workers taking a break, and ordinary citizens greedy for cheap and fresh seafood.
This is the 'old place' written on the mayor's schedule. The owl-shaped map of Barton City, the port seafood restaurant on the left ear, may be more appropriately called a dining shed.
Anthony took off his formal clothes, rolled up his sleeves, and sat among a group of civilians and workers. Apart from his somewhat white skin, he was not too conspicuous. What stood out was Zach, who was well-dressed, fairer-skinned, and had a straight face.
The two people sitting in front of a small round table piled with crabs were silent to each other, looking in different directions.
This isn't a boring game of 'whoever speaks first loses', it's the first time two friends have their own minds and don't want to talk for a moment. It was the silence that continued after the awkward meeting between two people who had already met with their own worries.
The embarrassment came from the fact that Anthony didn't know Zach would come alone and ordered a table full of crabs and beer for Benjamin. This is what happened.
The conversation was about to begin after all. Zach twitched his lips and put aside the thoughts of Toledo and Papa Midnight from the Sabbat... a bunch of 'trivial matters'. He turned his gaze to Anthony opposite, but he was piled high with crab shells. He stopped and pursed his lips, "It's a waste."
"Waste it, waste it." Anthony took a deep breath and responded. He readjusted his expression, put aside some 'trivial matters' in his mind, and was ready to speak properly.
Zach suddenly raised his eyebrows, and he remembered something, "Don't you know Benjamin is leaving Barton temporarily?" What he meant was to go to the Republic.
Anthony tugged at the corners of his lips, "I know you won't go to the Republic." He waved his hands irritably, "Don't try to talk to me, I'm just staring at Grande." He looked past the crab shell. Glancing at Zach, "Don't think I don't know what you are doing recently!"
Zach spread his hands and smiled, "We have never hidden it." Zach would not admit it. The mayor is paying attention to Grande's movements. Does he need a reason...
Zach pushed aside the unsightly human food. "Then do you know where Benjamin went?"
Anthony snorted and grabbed a crab leg, "James also asked for leave, let's go together. That's to go to Newton." The shining silver pliers clamped on the thick crab leg, 'click' , a momentary impatience flashed across Anthony's face, "Humph, Newton's Comic Con."
"Oh?" Zach was a little curious and looked at Anthony. "You also know about Comic Con? New hobby? Why didn't I know?"
"Tsk!" Anthony clicked his tongue and tore the crab shell impatiently. "At this time every year, there are a bunch of 'enthusiastic citizens' in Barton who send petitions to the mayor's office, asking Barton to also host a comic show."
Zach curled his lips, and the vampire's mood improved slightly. This is a simple and beautiful little thing in a complicated reality. Zach, who was not in a good mood at this time, needed this little idealistic thing to purify his mood. Why? Because there are such a group of "enthusiastic citizens" in Barton who are dedicated to making Barton their ideal hometown.
Speaking of these 'concerned citizens'. Of course we know which group of people they are. Moreover, there is a relationship between the characters like this - David, the shapeshifter who was bitten to death by Alpha at the beginning of the year, Fitz, Coulson, James, Grande, the director and mayor of Cologne (Volume 1).
Perhaps Anthony would not have wasted time paying attention to the petitions of these 'enthusiastic citizens'. Now, I have to pay attention.
"But seriously." Zach decided to use this topic as a way to lighten the mood. "Why hasn't Patton done a comic-con?"
Anthony's eating habits were not very good, and he glanced at Zach ferociously, "Do you really want to know? Is this what you want to talk to me about? Fighting for Comic Con for those otakus?"
Zach shook his head. He said honestly, "What I'm going to say next is very heavy. This is just a casual chat to relax my mind."
Anthony twitched his lips and snorted calmly, "I agree. It's up to you. To answer you, there is no venue. Barton lacks a venue that can host large-scale events."
Zach didn't pay attention to Anthony's 'agree', which obviously meant that Anthony also had something heavy to say to Zach! On the point of relaxing, the two of them reached an agreement, and now they should relax well, "Isn't it missing? Isn't the stadium in Back Bay, Liszt, okay?"
Anthony shook his head, "Back Bay? Huh! Do you know how much time it took for Back Bay to transform from a small activity center to a federally recognized stadium! The last thing you need is to put a bunch of puppets in it. Toys turned into exhibition halls!”
Zach blinked. Did Anthony mean to maintain the iconic significance of Back Bay? No, what Anthony was talking about was how difficult it is to cultivate a city's icon.
"Liszt, haha." Anthony shook his head and sneered while pulling at the crab shell, "Why didn't you say Becky."
I don’t know if you still remember the conversation between Quest’s brother and the young couple who had been sent to the central part of the Federation by Novo, “I’m tired of the things on Lister Street, I want something new. Want to take risks." (Volume 4)
"You want to say..." Zach thought for a moment, "Liszt, it's already..." Zach thought about the words, "saturated."
Anthony nodded directly. Becky is an example. This once center of Barton began to decline after being saturated. The established impression made it filled with nighttime neon, alcohol, and cheap pleasures.
Speaking of which, it seems that it's time for Liszt to introduce new things, otherwise he will follow the same path as Becky. But Mayor Anthony obviously doesn’t think so, and the reason is very simple—
The development of Beqi was originally based around the train station. The location of the transportation center meant that it needed to provide enough entertainment for the flow of people, so there were a large number of bars, clubs, hotels...
Now when we say Beqi is in decline, does that mean that compared with other places in Barton, which has gradually become urbanized, is Beqi really in decline? No, on the contrary, Barton is where the richest nightlife takes place! So much so that the city government had to force changes to provide a suitable youth living atmosphere for Repte High School...
When it comes to city planning based on function, Beqi is about entertainment and Liszt is about commerce.
"Comic Expo is too niche for entertainment. It's risky for business." Anthony shook his head, "It's more in line with culture. Barton doesn't even have its own historical and cultural street. Where can I find one for them?" This place holds a comic convention!”
So in Anthony's eyes, this is an urban development problem.
Zach curled his lips, which was considered as comfort, and also as a transition to the main topic, "I really don't know if there is a place at Comic Expo. But you talk about Barton's own history and culture." Zach raised his eyebrows, "Soon. There will be a place to use it, a museum, an exhibition, a memorial hall." Zach looked at Anthony with an obvious smile, "Mayor, you are already making plans."
Know what Zach is talking about
Barton’s history and culture? The Hermann factory, which is about to be closed, is full of memories of the Patton era. It would be a pity not to use it anymore.
Well, before I get to the point, the comic show where relaxing is a good topic is a good topic. (..)