It was a small town, which looked more like a wasteland than the leaflet brochures in various shops and markets assured them it would be. It was just down the highway yet a numinous feeling resonated off the walls of every house, building and market within a fifty meter radius, however it wasn’t always like this. It was nuanced by all the corrupt injustices that took place within every crevice of the town. Whether it was the shady deals between the rich and haughty men. Or the corrupt police or government officials, that would come and go, then disappear like dust blown away by the wind. On the surface it was brimming with unparalleled radiance yet in reality it would swallow them leaving nothing but an empty wasteland.

Two men simultaneously reached the outside of a gate from an abandoned store. Both wore a three piece suit common amongst the populace. The two men seemed ordinary in the perspective of the populace which incorporated shady deals between the money-hungry and corruption polluting the city. However their peculiarity piqued the interest of those working in steel-mills or coal mines. In their perspective one man, exuded unprecedented vitality which would subsequently make them quiver in awe; his blazer was golden brown, his waistcoat was brown and he had a golden brown tie with mixtures of black that he wore on top of his standard white shirt comprised of 100% cotton. He wore only the finest suits with the finest leather; he had slick blonde hair running down the right side of his forehead, a puffy face which accentuated the countless meals he ate under luxury, his almost perfect look was what made commoners suspect him the most.

It had started to rain, the incessant pitter-patter of the rain hitting the floor left water marks. Each gathered the moonlights radiance onto the silhouette standing beside the enigmatic man with the golden suit. As each speck of light accumulated onto this silhouette, a man became visible, wearing a common rental suit found in all the tailor stores consisting of a dark brown blazer a black waist coat and a red tie. Both men wore pocket handkerchiefs however out of the two only one man wore an embroidered handkerchief with elaborate designs. The monotonous humming that ensued was quickly rendered mute, the men simultaneously made they first steps to the inside of the gate. They left the light and firm outer area into a dark and decrepit room and as the first man entered so did the other like a moth to a flame.

The humidity grew as they reached the entrance. Subsequently they begun climbing over broken pillars and as they both walked through countless rooms, over dirty glass bottles they both came to a halt. There they saw a door and as the man with the golden brown suit opened it a searing amount of light emerged almost engulfing the both of them completely.

This room was the complete antithesis of the other; it had golden pillars supporting the glistening ceiling, beautiful tables covered in the finest cloth the bar was in full swing containing the finest champagne considered taboo to those inside the law. It was a utopia for those who could afford it; in these backstreet clubs delved the twisted nature of politics and greed as all the supercilious men were brainwashed at the sight of money. The two men sat at a table in the front, opposite to it a stage that was neatly kept tidy. The waitress had the prescience to serve two drinks before they were seated. They were served with a pina colada with a lemon slice that sat precariously on the side of the glass. As both men introduced themselves to the rest, the crowd began to rustle amongst themselves ‘Gatsby and Toby’ murmured the crowd. Toby wasn’t well-known however Gatsby was notorious and as the band’s smooth jazz slowly faded out, the limelight shone onto the crowds new entertainment.

Most of the men that they talked to wore three piece suits in a mixture of colours and had a hat or beret. Toby was the man in the rental suit and although he did not speak much his gluttony spoke for him. It far exceeded many of the crowd’s expectations and with each taste of the succulent meat presented before him his mouth cried out in happiness and inadvertently attracted many eyes. The meat was fat and juicy and lavished with superficial decorations, cherries minted leaves, truly the perfect meal to forget all the harsh realities the world bestows upon you. Toby eagerly awaited the riveting performance Gatsby promised him although this was just a preamble of things to be expected in order to lure Toby into his domain. Jazz oozed from the combination of the: piano, drums and vibraphone whilst the bass was playing in the background. Sounds unheard of before, enthused only the night sky as the ambience of the room was as thick as butter, as the lights dimmed both men had already left. Toby left with an ethereal experience thinking it was his last, however Gatsby knew it was not the end as Toby’s quixotic nature was slipping away.

As the rose began to show its thorns. Toby believed this facade was a paradise, isolated from all the suffocation from the rules. However, is there such a idyllic place without rules that is immune to suffering?

And there they stay, amidst their own night skies; boats beating against the shore, searching, swaying towards each other, waiting for their odyssey to begin, sinking slowly, as their own anchors scrape against the seabed.