The Fringe
Classification: Restricted
…You lack experience, Emily. You won’t win this war with the Fringe even though you took the first battle. For all his talent and power, the mighty Daniel Swift still lost in the end.” – John Templeton to Emily Swift, Spring 2021, Upstate New York
A rogue, terrorist group of Salesmen in the Empire.
In the late 1980s, a new generation of Salesmen entered the force after a population explosion of sorts (similar to the ‘baby boomers’ generation of the U.S. after World War II). Many of these new men and women didn’t assimilate well into the Salesman Empire.
At first, the new generation brought with it fresh approaches to the Empire and how things were run. In fact, there was a small Renaissance of creative ideas in the Salesman world. The old way and the new way tried to blend.
However, some of the older Salesmen were unwilling to consider making changes to the way it always had been. On the other side, some of the younger Salesmen were frustrated at their lack of power and what they saw as an outdated bureaucracy dictating the way the Empire was run.
Salesmen like Daniel Swift worked hard to bridge the gap – and often did. But the newest generation of Salesmen wasn’t ready to buckle under the older rulers of the Empire. While some worked within the system to create change, others decided to work outside of the Empire, rejecting tradition as they sought to build their own power. They began to ignore basic rules, broke laws, and over time, became increasingly violent.
These Salesmen eventually became the Fringe.
In a scene from Through the Door, Book Two in the Door to Door Paranormal Mystery Series, main character Emily Swift has caught the “interest” of the Fringe. While driving through Upstate New York’s wintry-springtime weather, she received a grave warning through her car radio.
This is the NOAA Radio Weather station. The time is now seven-fifteen. Emily Swift, the Fringe is watching you.”
My first instinct was to slam on the brakes – which I did. I slid in the road slop and lost control of the car for a moment. The SUV behind me turned the wheel hard and bounced into the curb before jerking back onto the road. The two vehicles behind him cranked the wheel and edged into the oncoming lane before swinging back into ours. My foot zoomed back to the gas pedal, and I kept moving. Traffic rebounded, and everyone got back on track as my heart stayed lodged in my throat.
Related entry: Sebastian St. Michel