Mount Vernon

Between the hundreds of acres of corn that make up Iowa lies a speck of flickering lights named Mount Vernon. Built in the shadows of Cedar Rapids, Mount Vernon is not unlike any other small Iowa town hoisted up by farmers with corn sprouting up on every possible plot of land, housing developments appearing overnight to appease the rich businessman, and of course, the best high school in the state. However, Mount Vernon is not nearly as nice and quaint as it may seem. In this sleepy town time appears to crawl as advancement ceases to exist and everyone merely survives. Through the citizens of Mount Vernon the surrounding corn is shown for what it truly is, a trap, a jail for everyone unfortunate enough to be stuck living in it. Driving into Mount Vernon reveals a lively downtown wonderland with family restaurants on every corner, and bars with their bright flashing beer promotions in the windows tempting every man and woman to enter and enjoy a cool beer. These bars raise farmers on pedestals of alcohol induced happiness to attempt to suppress the complications mother nature throws their way. From raging floods, to dust filled droughts farmers meticulously tend to their land and livestock with a stubborn unwillingness to allow nature to have its way. Day in and day out rugged boots plow through mud filled pastures chasing down a stubborn ewe, or repairing yet another broken fence. The farmers pride rules them and forces them to stay in their own bubble oblivious to the world outside of corn and livestock. It is this pride that restricts farmers from ever leaving the corn that has gripped them so tightly. While citizens of other towns go out, travel, enjoy a nice long break from work, farmers have to stay home and milk the cows, repair the newest broken fence, or harvest the crops. It is nearly impossible for a farmer with livestock to ever escape their home, because their home can’t survive without them. Farmers of course aren’t the only citizens that are