The three day Memorial Day weekend is often considered the official start of Summer, for the convenience of the calendar. But for many, this year was pretty screwed up, with winter transitioning into summer with no spring seemingly in between. But because Lyre and Animalia were only a day's travel away from Las Vegas, and Las Vegas itself within the Greater Mojave Desert, it was already hitting 100 °F temperatures, making late May already feel like mid-July.
"I remember this one time when Las Vegas payed me per square yard to rip out my grass to replace it with gravel because 'we're in a drought.'." commented Shyra on the temperature one time, which was more believable than the claim she made when talking to Polly, "Hot?! It doesn't get Hot anymore. The climates' changed. When I was a girl, we had to sleep outdoors in swimwear to prevent heatstroke at night."
Fortunately, Animalia was the source of Entrepreneurship for many people. While a lot of it was for products for either "safe sex" or expecting mothers, one guy came up with a really creative service for Animalians and humans who couldn't handle the heat. He created a service that was a kind of a cross between a sauna and an industrial food freezer found in many restaurants. No sooner did he open his new business that it was stampeded by artic Animalians and humans, prompting him to expand his business more rapidly than anyone ever though possible for new business owners. It was a little concerning when the IRS payed a visit for an explanation, but he was able to fashion one.
"When you live in a desert, and especially if you're an arctic terrain Animalian, any means of keeping cool is welcome." he said, during when the investigation became a Headline News Interview of the "avalanche success" of a new "boom business", as the term was coined to describe an entrepreneur coming up with the right idea in the right place at the right time.
"Usually such jumps in income means criminal world connections," said the IRS agent who was the one behind most of the investigations for income jumps in Animalia. "But fortunately it's just because of the high demand for his service in the area."
"Don't worry, I'm saving up my money for the winter months, when my new idea is not in demand, and not just wasting it on the 'high life'." said the owner of the new Ice Haus business.
---
Memorial Day weekend was also when many "cold-blooded" Animalians began 'basking' outdoors in the summer heat. However, due to the fact that most of them did their basking nearly naked at best, the rising complaints of peeping toms sparked a development of new street lights that had both security cameras and drone jamming technology installed. Fortunately these were the ones that only affected home/casual use drones, not military grade drone technology. The military also began installing "invisible" trackers to make sure that no military grade drone technology ended up in the hands of the black market.
Also, because Memorial Day was typically associated with the military, there were plans to include an urban 'combat' obstacle course that got really creative with their weapons and made it acceptable for all ages. For those between the ages of 7 and 16, the "military grade firearms" were actually squirt guns made to look like military grade firearms loaded with liquid dye cartridges that were easy to wash off of fur or clothes, while the "military grade grenades" were water balloons filled with the same liquid dye and designed to look like real grenades.
For those that were more mature (16+), the weapons and grenades were a bit more realistic, using paintball paint in realistic "bullets" that were launched by disposable gas cartridges made to look like real live ammunition. The bullets were designed to break apart on impact, spread the paint, and really sting but not be lethal.
The grenades were based off of sting ball grenades, but the rubber pellets were replaced with smaller paintballs than were used in standard paintball guns. They still had the surprising bang and the stinging, but the only real injuries were to the ego.
Red Team and Blue Team, as they were typically divided into were known due to the color of the dye they used, often were assigned the roles of Protagonist Team and Antagonist team. This did leave a question that one reporter wanted answered, that the GGAC (the guys at least) were able to explain easily.
"The number of atrocities committed by the Nazis in WWII made them be the first person to be A-O.K. for fodder in video games." said Tom, "While Video Game Terrorists became the Video Game Nazis of the 21st century, due in no small part to the events of 9-11."
"The only video game enemy that has both of those beat out for 'overuse' are the video game zombies," said Jerry as Red Team and Blue team took their places to begin their next 'mission', "While mercenaries hold honorable mention."
"Fighting the wars of others for your paycheck?" said Yumi, who was on Blue team (holding Protagonist team for this mission) at the time, "In Japanese culture, there is no more dishonorable profession than mercenaries."
"I see." said the reporter, not knowing what else to say.
---
Some people were more fortunate than others on Memorial day, so to speak.
"You're actually in luck, Louise." said one Horizon scientist, "The Costa Rican drug lord's menagerie should be here by June 10th at the very latest, and according to the menagerie manifest, there is a mated ribbon seal pair with an adolescent male among the animals coming in."
"Really?" said Louise, not expecting that.
"It would appear that drug lords will spare no expense to get rare animals for their menageries." said the scientist, again disgusted at what organized crime would do with their money.
"I can wait until you start dating him," said Fran, having read the bondmate guide, "There is a mandatory minimum of two dates between Animalian and human before seriously committing."
---
Others were having a bit more trouble with Memorial day. With the sixth of June being the official unveiling of Project Dinotopia, and the song to commemorate the unveiling being "Roll back the rock" as sung by Little Richard