④

[heart_ofitall]

[ reading an article in the news, jake's expression seems to darken with every word. why are his cities such failures? and why can't he go back to help? ]

"Ohio was the only state with multiple cities in the Top 10 for poverty rates last year. Cleveland was ranked second, with Cincinnati seventh. Detroit was No. 1."

[ ... but at least his cities

Comments

1/?

[straitrockcity]

[Tony walks on in to Jake's room, grinning like an idiot (like himself in other words).]

Yo, Jake! Boss-dad wanted me t'ask if ya--

2/?

[straitrockcity]

... [Oh, you can bet he spotted that article.]

3/4

[straitrockcity]

[A little bit stunned. Trying to bring himself to words.]

4/4 DONE YAY!

[straitrockcity]

...Man, they can't say any nice shit, can they? Ain't like it's gonna get worse or anythin'.

[hoosier_state]

[Indy would probably respond with "Your cities being failures makes YOU a failure!" while Kermit-flailing past his door, but actually, Gary has a higher poverty rate than Cincinnati, but didn't make the list due to having half of the population.

Instead he'll just examine the chart and tap his chin.]

That's rather unfortunate.

[heart_ofitall]

-- Yeah. I know. It's more than just unfortunate, really.

[ He is attempting to resist the urge to slam his head into the wall repeatedly. It's pretty difficult. ]

[hoosier_state]

I know! You have a lot of work to do! And this current recession isn't helping things either, is it?

[heart_ofitall]

Yeah, I know. Not that I can, ah... can really do any work here, I guess. Ahaha... well, it would help if the economy improved a little. I don't really do anything besides sell stuff... and people aren't really buying any more, you know?

[badgerbadassus]

[ Have the resident snoop Gabe peering over your shoulder only for his smile to widen. ]

HEY! Milwaukee isn't up there anymore! [ ... Yeah. It isn't. It's still pretty high up though. ]

[heart_ofitall]

Well -- that's good for you, isn't it? Improvement is good... [ He's smiling, but it is a very shaky one. His cities seem to lack the ability to improve completely; it's a bit frustrating. ]

[badgerbadassus]

It's great for me! Improvement is always good, and it's about time -- maybe now with how things are goin' -- Milwaukee can finally get out of that never endin' cycle of gloom, ya know?

Oh...are there three of yours on there? [ He continues to look at it. ] But hey, look at the bright side - Detroit is at the top.

[heart_ofitall]

Haha, yeah -- never-ending cycle of gloom is a good way of putting it. I really can't seem to shake it off, especially not with the economy the way it is now.

[ his smile gets a little more concrete at the mention of Detroit, though. ] But at least I haven't let any of them get as bad as Detroit, that's true.

lolplayercest.

[englassed]

Hey there, Ja--aaaah, what is that?

[englassed]

Top ten poorest cities? [ he takes a quick look, and -- ]

[englassed]

Uh -- gotta go, seeya later!

[ attempting to run away now. ]

[heart_ofitall]

[ not so fast, mister. ]

I can still see you there, Nate. It's been a while since we've talked, hasn't it? Why not stay for awhile?

[devilwentdownto]

He glances over as he walks by his room, and Jake's expression causes him to pause.
Jake? Are ya alrigh'?

[heart_ofitall]

I'm -- alright. Mostly, I guess. Just a little down right now. [ he tries his best to smile. ]

[devilwentdownto]

He nods slowly.
Ya got somethin' bad in tha news didn' ya?

[heart_ofitall]

... [ he just shows will that chart. ]

Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Toledo are all my cities.