Halloween in Devout America
#26 of Maverick Hotel side content
Just a little neat in-universe report I made up, detailing the state of the spookiest time of the year in my dystopian world of Maverick Hotel. Enjoy yourselves, and have a Happy Halloween!
NOTE: To avoid shitposting and political ranting in the comments, let's all just agree that you're reading this because a) you're looking for some entertainment b) you want to read a dystopian furry story or c) the most likely of reasons, you want to read something that'll make you feel like a romantic horndog. Let's all just have fun. Alright? Alright.
Prior to the reorganization of the United States of America into a religious dictatorship, All Hallows Eve was considered one of many popular holidays celebrated by both adults and young cubs across North America. Thanks to the Satanic Panic (which were subtly supported by the growing Revenant Party during its rise to power) of the 1980s, as well as fearmongering rumors of razer blades and poison in candy bars, the role of Halloween in society came into question. Especially in 1997, when the country was officially reorganized into the Devout States of America, a nation reborn under God.
The Revenant Party and its leaders weren't stupid, however. They knew how much Halloween played an important role in the American economy during autumn. The revenue generated from costumes, candy manufacturers and sellers were vital for Devout America's growth. Thus, rather than outright ban the holiday, the National Church--and by extension, the Devout government--ultimately decided to control its influence. States, cities, and towns were instructed to place greater influence on harvest festivals than Halloween parties, as well as festivities about heritage rather than the supposed occult. Teenagers too old to trick or treat were encouraged, if not pressured, to participate in Hell House attractions, assisting their local church in portraying the consequences of burning in Hell, the debauchery of sinful lifestyles before the D.S.A. came to power, sometimes even performing plays about life within the Deviant States' territory. In fact, hell houses gradually replaced other haunted attractions all across the states during October.
Trick or treating and wearing costumes were generally allowed, on the condition said costumes mainly consisted of Biblical figures, fictional characters from DSA-made shows, historical figures, etc. Costumes of witches, wizards, zombies, vampires, werewolves, monsters, demons, demonic figures, current politicians, or Archangel officers were expressly forbidden, if not entirely outlawed.
Of course, not every citizen followed these nationwide guidelines. Depending on the region or how rural the municipalities were, the penalties for these government-mandated rules weren't always enforced. For example, Chicago and New York City heavily enforced the guidelines on the days leading up to Halloween, while the police departments within small rural towns rarely enforced them. Sometimes, it can be vice-versa. A family of tigers in a Minnesotan township could be given a hefty fine for letting their daughter dress as a ghost, while a police officer would not bat an eye at seeing teenaged Wolf furs wear tattered undead clothes. Some communities have taken the initiative to arrest entire guests attending 'unauthorized' Halloween parties.
This inconsistency regarding a seemingly innocent holiday has obviously aggravated citizens. To this day, as the protracted conflict between the Western Republic and Devout America continues onward, and the Devout government's grip on power tightens, and it is unknown whether citizens everywhere will wake up to find Halloween officially blacklisted. Yet another holiday no longer celebrated by cubs and adult furs alike.
P.S. If I had a dollar for every religious nut I encountered at my retail job, telling me Halloween was 'the Devil's holiday'...