Tag: Sunsets on Britannia

After Dark – 8 – Big Al’s Cafe – 1 – General Information

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Not much to look at from the outside, but don’t let that fool you. Big Al’s Cafe is by far the City’s best eatery, loved by businessmen, lawyers, bankers and tourists alike – good luck finding a seat at lunch time.

– Good Food Guide, 2291   
Name:Big Al’s Cafe
Type:Cafe / restaurant
Owner:Alfron “Big Al” Preston
Opened:2269
Closed:2305 (36 years)

Big Al’s Cafe was a greasy spoon, later turned restaurant, situated down Wood Street just off Cheapside in the City of London. It was opened in 2269 under the name Al’s Cafe by Alfron Preston who went on to become known as Big Al, updating the name to Big Al’s Cafe.

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13.0 – The Magline Four

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Year: 2292

“Well, that’s bullshit,” Mark said as he had his arm around Portia who was wiping away the tears in her eyes. “Kicking us out with no notice. Just like that.” He snapped his fingers together and then abruptly kicked a crate that was on the sidewalk. “We might as well be this box and let The Shew stamp down on us. It’s what she did anyway.” Mark drifted away from the group and started stamping down on the plastic crate until Gaz came over and put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. 

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12.0 – The Magline Four

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Year: 2292

Brigan, Portia, Mark and Gaz went into Dawson’s office. It was a large room, converted from one of the old ticket halls left over from the London Underground days. It was entirely too large for one person. Dawson’s excuse for needing an office so large was the makeshift museum he had developed within.

Dawson collected memorabilia from both the Magline and the old London Underground which he had on display pedestals and hanging from walls around the room. His prize item was a very regularly polished front slice of the 1992 stock Central Line train which was behind his desk filling floor to ceiling giving the rather easy-going man an imposing first impression. 

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11.0 – The Magline Four

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Year: 2292

“Not long now ‘till another shift is finished” said Brigan to his colleagues. 

“You’re wishing your life away with that attitude, Brig” replied Portia. 

“And what a life it is, cleaning up dust, dirt and rats from a dead billionaire’s vanity project” Mark shouted from further down the tunnel. 

The three of them started to laugh, just as Gaz appeared from around the corner. 

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After Dark – 7 – Cloud Mall – 1 – General Information

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The shopping revolution has arrived, no more browsing bland web pages. Socialise with friends, try before you buy and be anyone you want. All from the comfort of your own home.

– Asher Cohen on the Cloud Mall experience – talk show, Tech Talk   
Name:Cloud Mall
Type:VR Shopping Centre
Owner:Cohen Property Group
Opened:2063 (UK)
2064 (Other countries)
Developed:2053 – 2063

Cloud Mall was an online virtual reality shopping and social centre that was developed by Asher Cohen as part of the Cohen Property Group from 2053 to 2063, opening in the UK in Q4 of 2063 and in select other countries in Q4 2064. Despite initial technical issues the UK opening was a major success and attracted more visitors than even the most ambitious of Cohen’s predictions. 

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World Building – 6 – Evolution of Online Shopping in the UK

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In the 2020s the high street in the UK saw a significant decline in footfall as online shopping became ever more popular. Some companies tried to counter this trend by using shops as a means of providing experiences, as opposed to shopping. Samsung KX was one example, the shop wasn’t designed for products to be purchased, but as a showcase of Samsung product excellence.  

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World Building – 5 – The UK High Street, From Physical to Digital

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The early 21st Century saw a dramatic shift from buying products from high street shops to utilising the internet. Many companies tried to transfer their sales to an online platform but struggled to compete while simultaneously owning physical shops. Despite some attempts to keep the high street alive, the inevitable take over by the internet meant that most shops were closing, with the exception of restaurants, take-away, supermarkets and vehicle repair garages among a few other specialist businesses. 

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World Building – 4 – Philanthropy and Housing

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After the controversial development of the first small city apartment by Hackney Council in 2046, there was a spark in housing projects by notable philanthropists. One such project was started by Richard Maxim, a billionaire who had made his fortune through the successful purchase and transition of various high street brands to the internet. 

Upon seeing the levels of homelessness on the streets of London, Maxim decided to commission a private enquiry into the causes of the problem and the best solution to reverse it. As expected, the high levels of homelessness were not the result of any singular issue, but a wider societal problem. 

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