Dunbar’s
A department store on the southeast corner of Rockvil Centre, described in-game as a “venerable shop” specializing in “fashions for both sexes.”^[raw/src/rockvil.zil] Over the five decades of the simulation, Dunbar’s transforms from an upscale but accessible department store into an exclusive boutique for the Church elite, tracking the consolidation of wealth and power in Rockvil.
Exterior and Access
Dunbar’s is located at the southeast corner of Rockvil Centre. In 2041, entering is straightforward — the player walks southeast from the plaza. The store is open from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (game time 600 to 1260). Outside those hours, it’s closed.
By 2071, entry requires a security checkpoint:
“A security guard stops you at the doorway, scrutinizing you with a haughty sneer. ‘Do you have an appointment?’”
This is score event 122 (1 point). The guard demands an appointment and a name, then declares no such appointment exists before leading Perry “firmly away from the building.” Perry — a former customer — is no longer welcome.
Interior Description by Decade
2041
“You have entered an upscale department store, crowded despite its rather steep prices.”
2051
“You have entered a swank department store, an elegant boutique with a wealthy clientele.”
The store has shifted from “upscale” to “swank.” The clientele is explicitly “wealthy.” The clothes are “quite stylish, and virtually all out of your price range.”^[raw/src/rockvil.zil] The middle class is being priced out.
2061
“You have entered a very swank department store, catering exclusively to the wealthy elite.”
The language has escalated from “swank” to “very swank.” The clientele is now “exclusively” the wealthy elite. The clothing racks tell a stark story of social stratification:
“The clothes in the few racks near you are mostly in the drab browns and olives worn by the lower classes. Over in the restricted areas of the store, you can spot racks laden with stylish clothes in the violets and golds favored by Churchmen and other landowners.”
The store is now physically segregated — the lower-class clothing (browns and olives) is near the entrance, while the Church-elite clothing (violets and golds) is in “restricted areas.” The color coding is a visual indicator of caste: drab for the masses, vibrant for the powerful.
2071
The store requires an appointment. Inside, it “caters exclusively to the wealthy elite.” Racks still show the drab/church-class divide. The restricted area is inaccessible. Dunbar’s has become a fortress of privilege.
Buying Clothes
The player can buy clothes at Dunbar’s. In 2041, Perry selects “a brightly colored myalon sweater that fits you perfectly.”^[raw/src/rockvil.zil] In later decades, he must settle for “a thin, imitation wool vest” after “wincing at the prices.”^[raw/src/rockvil.zil] The degradation of available merchandise — from durable myalon to imitation wool — mirrors the broader resource scarcity.
A clerk removes anti-theft tags, and the item costs 120 credits regardless of decade. The TOO-POOR routine checks whether Perry can afford it.
Score Events
| Score ID | Description | Points | Decade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | Need appointment to get into Dunbar’s | 1 | 2071 |
The Arc
Dunbar’s trajectory parallels The Coachman:
- 2041: Upscale but accessible → crowding despite high prices
- 2051: Swank, wealthy clientele → Perry can’t afford anything
- 2061: Very swank, elite-only → physical segregation of classes
- 2071: Appointment-only → Perry is denied entry entirely
Like The Coachman, Dunbar’s doesn’t fail — it gets richer and more exclusive. The problem is that Perry — and everyone like him — gets left behind.
Related Pages
- Rockvil Centre — the plaza where Dunbar’s is located
- The Coachman — another establishment following the same arc of exclusion
- Rockvil — the city as a whole
- City Hall — the crumbling government building across the plaza
- Main & Kennedy — the commercial district nearby