A Spotlight on Oliver’s Chicago
Hey there!
You’re reading a behind the scenes dive into my debut novel, Just Enough To Play The Part. Thank you so much for joining me!
— Lindsay J. Bennett
What Makes Chicago Great
I think anyone that lives or visits the city has differing opinions on this, but for me, it is a mix of the restaurant scene, the music scene, the ability to enjoy the outdoors amidst the city life, and the people. To understand how the city has changed in my book, it’s important to understand what Chicago looks like in 2026.
The restaurant scene is filled from hot dog stands (fun fact, there are apparently have more hot dog stands in Chicago than big-chain fast food restaurants. That total? Around 1800!) to high-end Michelin dining (with enough variety that we place in the Top 5 among cities in America).
Chicago’s music scene is even more impressive. We birthed house music, modern gospel, and our own take on the blues. We rank just behind New York City with the most live music venues in the US (approximately 22% are currently turning a profit — support live music at indie venues, friends!). Chicago even has a chokehold on emo music, with both the second- (Midwest emo, in fact) and third-wave having bands hailing from the city and surrounding suburbs.
For those who like to be outdoors, we have 26 miles of lakefront, 29 beaches, 600 parks, two professional baseball teams, a professional football team, and two professional soccer teams.
Have I convinced you to move here yet???
What Has Happened Since Oliver Wolcott’s Election?
Well, I can’t tell you EVERYTHING. Then you’d never read the book!
Here’s what is important to know. Oliver, he’s got a lot of ideas. He’s charismatic. He likes money. He loves beautiful women. His wife? She’s charming. And he wants the US to succeed so he can succeed. To do this? You need to make some sacrifices.
First — you have to defeat your enemies. I mean, that’s a given, right? Oliver realized that we couldn’t just SAY the US was the best, we had to fight for it.
Second — you have to make sure you can take care of your people. Three hundred forty million is a LOT of people to make sure are fed, clothed, housed, and perfect. Wouldn’t it be easier if that number were just a little lower?
Third — you have to give a little to get a little. Having an elite population of people who work hard to earn their place will help make sure everyone continues to work hard for you.
Restaurants
Unfortunately, unless you’ve earned bonuses or are one of the elites, consider those out of reach. Au Chavel? Gone. Obelix? Gone. Alinea? Actually that one still exists… but maybe not for you.
Want a coffee out with friends? Hope you have a coupon — or at least something to barter with.
I love combining flavors and creating unique dishes to nourish people. — Fern
The Music Scene
You’ll get a taste of music throughout the novel, but this is essentially gone as well. Music in this world is contained to 30 second or so clips that content creators can use to supplement their latest posts or create a viral dance craze. The little bit of live music you would get to experience? Las Vegas, baby, but that comes with risks.
It’s missing the best part — how the bass builds. You can feel it in your chest; then the guitars rise up and the notes blend together. — Sage
Outdoor Life
The Ferris wheel still stands tall in Navy Pier. Lake Michigan is just as turquoise. The Riverwalk still beckons people to amble along its path. The beach is still sandy. The sports teams? They’re gone. The parks? A little less occupied. The green space? More prominent with the loss of many buildings.
The stars had been more visible than she could ever recall a Chicago night sky being: so vivid, so bright. — Amélie
Thank you so much for joining me on a brief introduction of the world where “Just Enough To Play The Part” takes place. I hope you enjoyed!