Prologue
His paws ached, his back throbbed. Another day on the market, and not a single customer. It wasn't as if he didn't understand. Since Tortimer had passed away, there had been some big changes in Requiem. So big, in fact, that it was hard for certain residents to eke out a living. The reason was simple. The new mayor had transformed Requiem from a peaceful village to a violent dictatorship. From the beginning of his rule, the new mayor put into place several laws which restricted the freedoms of every villager that was not part of his regime.
The members of his regime sported colourful arm bands, each one displaying an extravagant rendering of the letter "N". The N was meant to represent one thing: Nookist.
The Nookists were feared throughout all of Requiem. They were infamous for their quick tempers and violence. The aching market vendor was constantly evading the Nookists, for he knew that the only registered store in Requiem was Nookington's. All other stores were forbidden. If someone chose to open up shop anywhere in Requiem, they would be banished for eternity. So each week, under the cover of darkness, the market vendor slid his flyers under the doors of his faithful customers, forever terrified that he would be detained by the merciless Nook.
He often questioned why he was so dedicated to opening his shop each week. Deep in his heart he knew the answer. The townspeople deserved the opportunity to choose which store they would shop at, and that simple liberty had been stripped of them. Unfortunately, if the townspeople were caught shopping anywhere but Nookington's, they would be arrested and interrogated without mercy. Which is why each week, nary a customer entered the vendor's small shop.
Life was not easy for Crazy Redd.