Q: Why is Montbray set in Missouri?

A: The reason it’s in Missouri actually comes down to historical context.

Q: What historical context?

A: Well, Missouri is part of the Rust Belt, but more importantly, it was home to the headquarters of McDonnell Douglas. This isn’t something most people notice unless they’re into military history. McDonnell Aircraft was founded in 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri, by James Smith McDonnell. It became a legendary American aerospace manufacturer, producing military jets like the F-4 Phantom II and spacecraft like Mercury and Gemini. In 1967, it merged with Douglas Aircraft to become McDonnell Douglas. The original McDonnell Douglas plant is still in St. Louis, now part of Boeing. Inspired by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, they also established Factum Works there.

Q: So there’s a real reason behind it?

A: Exactly. The Montbray setting is based on that. The city grew around the military-industrial sector, flourishing through World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. The story even establishes that McDonnell Douglas was essentially the city’s lifeline. After the Cold War, poor policies hit Montbray hard, and when Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas, the factory was eventually closed.

Q: And now the city is bankrupt, right?

A: Correct. Decades of poor management left the city unable to collect enough taxes. It kept issuing bonds to stay afloat, and eventually, bankruptcy was inevitable. Montbray maintained a Detroit-style tax system, failing to pull revenue from surrounding suburbs while continuing to rely on bonds. That’s what pushed the city into bankruptcy.

Q: Are there any companies besides military contractors?

A: Prince Steel runs the largest steel mill in Montbray, but they hardly pay any taxes. Their headquarters are in Monroe, outside Montbray, and they’ve lobbied to reduce their tax burden. Like many other companies in Montbray, they contribute very little to city revenue. Prince Steel is private, smaller than U.S. Steel or Nucor, and employs about 18,500 people. Its impact on the national GDP is negligible.

Q: I heard the police have a bad reputation too?

A: That’s true. Three decades of corruption left MMPD infamous. Even thirty years ago, police accepted bribes from brothels and other businesses. With the city’s bankruptcy, manpower is so low that petty crimes like theft, assault, and prostitution often go unresolved within 24 hours. The department focuses only on gangs and major bank robberies. Forensics equipment and personnel are practically nonexistent, so even serious crimes like or murder sometimes get dismissed quickly.

Q: So MMPD isn’t trustworthy at all?

A: Exactly. It’s the least trusted institution in the city.

Q: Could this lead to bigger incidents?

A: Absolutely. If the mayor pressures the police to “solve” crimes, MMPD sometimes targets low-income neighborhoods, planting evidence or using force to pin crimes on innocent people. This bias and framing have even sparked protests in earlier storylines.

Q: And there’s a mayoral election coming up?

A: Yes. It’s between Miranda Brown, representing progressive interests, and Robert Henderson, representing the suburban elite and conservative factions.

Q: I heard there’s no mafia in Montbray?

A: That’s right. There’s no traditional mafia. Instead, biker gangs control the criminal underworld. Biker gangs are actually more dangerous than the mafia in this city. The Helldivers, in particular, are just below the Hells Angels in threat level.

Q: Are there other gangs?

A: There are street gangs, but most live under the dominance of the biker gangs. They secretly hope the Helldivers collapse, as federal authorities are already targeting them. But even if the Helldivers fall, another biker gang—or possibly an Eastern European Bratva group—could rise. It’s a cycle of corruption and crime.

Q: Is the fall of Wagner Firearms similar?

A: Yes. After Wagner Firearms collapsed, Prince Steel emerged. The problem is that if Prince Steel fails, another predatory company could take its place. It’s an endless cycle.

Q: I heard Montbray has its own pizza style?

A: Yep. Montbray-Style Deep-Dish Pizza is a high-calorie, ultra-greasy pizza. Frequent consumption could seriously impact heart health. Proceed at your own Montbray-style risk. You need a generous deep-dish pan, a pizza cutter or slicer, and an oven. Coat the pan heavily with oil, press the dough in, pour tomato sauce generously, layer thick cheese, add pepperoni and optional toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives, and jalapeños. Bake. The oil fries the dough from below, creating a crispy, savory texture. Pre-slice before serving and eat straight from the pan. More oil and cheese equals maximum Montbray indulgence, but maybe not daily.

Q: So Montbray has its own food culture?

A: Exactly. But even with its unique culture, the city’s decline is evident.

Q: Do the surrounding suburbs pay taxes to Montbray?

A: Nope. Detroit-style taxation means they don’t contribute at all. That’s another key reason for the city’s bankruptcy.

Q: Seems like a city with no easy answers.

A: Exactly. Residents can’t afford to leave, so they just make do with what’s left.

You can find the complete Montbray series via the link below 🔗📚

• Montbray Universe