Libertine

The world is falling apart.

Everyone sees it. It's the 2010s, and with an increasing number of environmental threats, wars, and genocides, you'd have to be in a coma not to see where this is going. America, where you, John, your story takes place, is heading that way on its own.

Why not give it a little push?

Let's skip ahead a bit. Let's suppose that somehow, the world manages to keep itself together for a few more years. Let's suppose it's 2015, and political corruption has invaded every aspect of society. Most law enforcement agencies are completely incapable of holding cities together. You could get away with anything, at this point.

How? Let's take a step back a couple years. 2013, as it were. You come into a large sum of money, back when currency was the currency of the realm. You bought a mansion. You have servants. It's like living in France, pre-revolution. It's good to be on top.

Skip ahead, back to 2015. It got a little too much like the French Revolution, a bit too quickly. Beheadings, revolts, riots, the whole big fucking sha-bang. So, being smart, you hire guards. You stockpile. You turn your servants into slaves. You expand. You become the owner of your own little fiefdom.

Word had it, though, that a rebel group that has been gaining a lot of support is planning on raiding your castle, as it were. It's unlikely you'll be able to fight them off. Being the libertine you are, you decide to go out with a bang.