The Bad Drugs:

[A need-based economy]

Another hectic week begins for the citizens of Arista as winter approaches. There have been no out-of-the-ordinary rise or fall in stock prices as of late, and a recent report has shown a general trend of improvement in the education of our youth, given the results of recent test scores which are compared bi-annually.
Every three months, winter hits the Pale City, and residents find themselves changing up their routines to get through the occasional snowstorm, which results in heavy loads of traffic along NW Avenue toward the business sector. Meteorologists have a difficult job in this region, constantly working to analyze the weather patterns and provide citizens an accurate account of what they are to expect. Studies show, however, that most individuals and households have adapted well to the seasonal shift that occurs. Only 3% of the population is affected in such a way as to require serious medical attention.
The next holiday season is right around the corner, and tourists can expect a change in colors around the city, although normally there are few. The Grand Monolith, which sees little pedestrian activity during the year, will be surrounded by a multitude of merchants setting up during this time. Those who are not familiar with it will see that it bears a simple message, etched into the concrete base of the structure:

THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE.
THERE WILL BE NO ABSOLUTION.










Maybe one day
you and I will realize
in our respective turmoil
that we are still here. All this time.
Through toughened bones and weakened resolve
The years we've sat by fading into the background noise of some other, prettier pain.
And we'll realize that together, we don't need happiness, just headphones.