STAGING ROOM

You have not entered the City.

This appears to be the place where people become the sort of people who are allowed to enter the City.

Equipment lockers line both walls. Several other visitors are tightening straps, checking unfamiliar pieces of hardware, and displaying the particular facial expression of people who have just signed something they did not read.

Ahead, an enormous open gateway frames the skyline.

It is significantly larger than the website led you to believe.

A small illuminated sign beside the door reads:

PLEASE COMPLETE ORIENTATION BEFORE ENTERING.

Someone has written underneath it:

THE CITY WILL KNOW IF YOU LIE.

Someone else has crossed that out and written:

NO IT FUCKING WON'T. STOP SCARING THE VISITORS.

The second handwriting appears considerably newer.