Locations and Sets
This section provides an overview of Midway - the fictional city in which the series is based. Regularly occuing supporting cast members are also described.
History
The series is based in Midway - a fictional city somewhere in the New England states of the USA. The settlement was founded almost 200 years ago on the edge of a lake surrounded by trees below a rocky cliff face. The natural beauty of the area attracted a great many people to the site which grew into a prosperous town (presumably mid-way between two other important locations of the time). The town expanded into a small city during the late 19th / early 20th centuries, as its population swelled to supply first logging and then manufacturing industries. Its industrial output rapidly declined in the late twentieth century and lead to high poverty and unemployment. However recent years have seen a growth in prosperity as investment from high-tech firms has rejuvenated much of the city.
Geography
Today the city is divided into three major zones (four if you count the park itself) forming a U around the lake, cliffs and trees which have remained intact as a local equivalent of Manhattan's Central Park.
Law and Order
The Midway city council are proud of their city. A committee of elected officials, with civic and business representatives, introduced policies which see to the smooth running of local affairs. One of the most popular local politicians is John Montgomery, a former academic and social reformer who is favourite to become the next mayor.
Midway University
Built on the edge of the park near Upper Midway, Midway University is a relatively new establishment which has already gained a strong local reputation - particularly in the fields of computing and technology. The faculty possess an impressive computer suite which was paid for through sponsorship from Janus Technologies. Many of the brightest students, including Max Zimmerman and Jonathon Nesmith, gain scholarships or part-time employment with the company.
The campus features three halls of residence which provide accommodation for many of the students. Tina Cooke, a lecturer in psychology, maintains a private room in the halls and acts as a surrogate big sister for many of the freshmen, such as the naive young Lisa Pierce. Ebony Jackson's father has bought her a private room in the Hilary Clinton Building, the smallest (and only all female) hall.
An onsite cafeteria/bar, the proximity of the Haven and a private gym and playing fields, all combine to promote a healthy sporting and social life among the students. The college football team - the Midway Angels - have yet to have a winning season, but their new quarterback, Josh Harding, plans to turn that around. Various organisations and clubs exist for those with other interests - some public, such as the Young Environmentalist Society supported by David N'Gowie, and some less so, such as the night-time activities of Andrew Daglish.
Little Beijing
Little Beijing is one of the most densely populated areas of Lower Midway with a vast community of Chinese, Korean and Indian immigrants, and even its own resident Tibetan monk. It is almost a city within the city with its many shops or restaurants catering to the ethnic specialities of the residents. The area has a vibrant cultural life and more than one backroom carries the smell of incense from mysterious oriental rituals.
The Haven
The lake, cliffs and trees which first attracted settlers to Midway have been maintained at the heart of the modern city. Two roads and many footpaths provide easy access to the park and its close proximity to the University make it a popular spot with the students. Much of the park has been landscaped for people to enjoy, but several areas have been left in their natural state. Of course, it is quite possible that creatures other than squirrels, bunnies and birds will take advantage of the cliff’s dark caves and the dense untended undergrowth.
Janus Technologies
Janus Technologies is a major high-tech company owned by Warwick Jackson, father of Ebony Jackson. The firm has played a major part in rejuvenating the economy of Midway and has close links with the city council and politicians such as John Montgomery. The local university has also benefited from Janus Technologies and many students, including Max Zimmerman, enjoy part-time employment to fund their education. The company is working on a major new piece of software which it hopes will end up in every home and office in Midway. Most of Mr Jackson’s energy is given to his company leaving very little time or attention for his daughter.
St Anne's
St Anne's Roman Catholic Church at the bottom of Hillside is the oldest established religious building in the city. Its stone tower, stained glass windows and ornate fixtures have inspired worshippers for centuries, although the congregation has been dwindling in recent years. The church grounds contain the largest of Midway's six graveyards and several large stone crypts. The local priest is Father Pietro Maldni. The elderly Italian has an impressive knowledge of celestial lore and is very much aware that the forces of evil have real faces. The Knights Templar, including young Andrew Daglish, use St Anne's as a staging point for their mission in Midway.
Techno-Pagans
One other group are worth mentioning even though they don’t technically have a physical presence in Midway. A group of east coast techno-pagans have an online community providing a range of occult resources and information. The group is lead by a figure known as the Grey Wizard who ensures that potentially dangerous knowledge does not fall into unsafe hands - such as the inexperienced Loki.
Lower Midway: On the west side of the park at the bottom of the cliffs, Lower Midway used to be the industrial core of the city. These days it is a dark and grimy shadow of its former self with many abandoned factories and blocks of slum housing. Some areas are better than others. Land around the city hall and administrative buildings is being renovated to attract new business. But with the seedy Downtown Mall and crowded Little Beijing district, most people prefer to stay out of Lower Midway after dark.
Upper Midway: Newer and more expensive buildings can be found the east of the city on land built on the cliff top. The lavish ‘Heights’ apartments provide the really wealthy with magnificent views of the rest of the city. Street after street of identical suburban housing stretches to the city limits with the Midway Mall and Entertainment Complex viewed as the pinnacle of urban culture by most middle class families.
Hillside: Just about everything else in the city can be found on the sweeping hill which hugs the south of the park. All manner of shops, small businesses and rented housing are dotted around Hillside, with architecture representing just about every period in the city’s history. Thomas Seymour’s home is found in a quiet street in Hillside, as is ‘Yore Antiques’ - the elite store where he finds employment and access to certain obscure items.
Transport and Communications: The city has an excellent public bus network with railway links to other major east coast cities and an airport just outside town. The city council have enthusiastically supported the advance of modern communication technology. With partnerships from Janus Technologies they have provided high speed internet access to all public schools, libraries and community centres. The city also run a cable TV channel and website to publicise and assist with any matter of local government.
Police Force: The police headquarters are based in Lower Midway. Regular patrols and close circuit cameras help keep crime to very low levels in wealthy Upper Midway. Unfortunately other districts are less well looked after with drug and gang-related crimes particularly rife in Lower Midway’s slums. Superintendent Gus Jefferson is the grizzled veteran officer in charge of the force. He is close to retirement and keen to avoid any major disasters in his remaining time. Detective Mike McGuire recently became aware that monsters exist in the city and is determined to take the fight to them.
Medical Facilities: The biggest hospital in the city is Midway Hillside General with several other clinics providing care to each community. The ER at Midway Hillside has become increasingly busy of late, but Dr McKenzie has not spotted any particular pattern in the injuries being treated and a dead body has only gone missing from the morgue that one time so far.
MAST: Two floors of the federal building near city hall contain a secret that few people know about. MAST (Monitoring Active Sub-Terrestrials) is an organisation founded on the remains of the Initiative. Rather than taking military action, MAST is charged with observing, investigating and recording supernatural activity. Even those who work for the organisation are unsure of its exact goals or the extent of its reach. The Midway division is commanded by Diane Fuentes, an Hispanic woman who follows her superiors without question and sees no need to explain her own orders to subordinates. The local analysts include Alicia Trent, Harry Black - a slightly over-weight man with very little imagination, and Debbie Simms - an earnest archivist with a passion for secrets.
Mrs Hong’s Bedsit and Laundry: With her finger on the pulse of every piece of gossip in Little Beijing, Mrs Hong is also one of its more enterprising citizens. The rented rooms of her bedsit are cheap and clean, but not much more. She expects her lodgers, including Su-Lee Aronaka, to be quiet and well behaved. No pets allowed.
Red Panda: This very fine Chinese restaurant is owned by the Kim family although most of the work is done by Jade, their western-thinking daughter. Regular diners are welcome at all hours and given respect to hold conversations in privacy. Jade’s grandfather doesn’t speak a word of English, but he does appear to be very knowledgeable about ancient superstitions. Some of the herbs hanging in his kitchen are definitely not used for cooking.
