
The empty late night bus squeezes along the narrow neon-lit terraced streets. Traffic lights are obsolete nowadays, their light is swallowed by the much brighter neon lights and signs which were introduced to replace the old-fashioned ‘normal’ street lighting. Roads are now a free-for-all for any permitted vehicle; if they’re allowed, there’s no restrictions. An automated advertising stand alternates between the bus timetable and one of the new ‘public service announcements’.
Vehicles will be next to ‘turn’ neon, once the traffic lights have been decommissioned.
Main roads and motorways are closed; where neon lighting hasn’t yet been introduced curfews remain in place. In non-neon areas, residents must be home or indoors by 10pm summertime, 5pm winter, whereas those who live in the new neon-zones have certain freedoms. Non-neon vehicles, except buses, remain banned.
Neon-zone residents have a duty to report the shadow-lurkers. Anybody found walking within the shadowed areas will be considered a lurker, so report lurkers from your own home. Lurkers will be arrested immediately when caught and have their privileges revoked.
Working together, and within these guidelines will mean that we will soon eradicate the darkness.
We are working with you and for you. We hope that you are also with us. Together, we can change to a brighter future.
It’s almost 10.
I’d better get back quickly. They seem to be casting more shadows, these neon lights.
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