Listed below are all my original Oz locations that appear in my mega-
crossover
Jedi in Oz. If you've read Baum's books (and maybe those by Thompson and
Neill), most
existing Oz locations will be familiar.
There are four countries of Oz: Gillikin (North), Munchkin (East), Quadling
(South),
Winkie (West). Emerald City is located in the center. The Deadly Desert surrounds Oz
– and
keeps out invaders and most Ozites in. There are neighboring magical lands, e.g.,
Ev,
Scoodlers, Ix, the Vegetable Kingdom, et.al.
Then there are the many locales within Emerald City and individual countries:
Bunnybury, Utensia, the Tin Woodman's castle, the Scarecrow's corn tower, Ozma's
palace,
Kuttinklips, Hammerheads, etc. If you need a refresher on what's where and who's who
in Oz,
check out Wikipedia's main Oz
entry.
From there are links to some major Oz fan and fact sites.
Now, as for my original places...
I wanted this story to be more inclusive than Baum's Oz books. Let's face it, those
books
were written before World War I, and we've come a long way from the "Tottenhots" and
other
demeaning, derogatory images of non-WASPs. Although my vision of Oz is basically
similar to
Baum's, I've endeavored to make it more multicultural, multi-generational, a little
more in
tune with the 21st Century. My invented places will appear somewhat mundane and
familiar to
the reader, places that many of us frequent (like Starbucks or Target), but they all
have
that magical edge.
Please note as of this update, only those marked with an asterisk (*) will
be used
as settings in various parts of the story. The rest will be merely mentioned but not
seen.
The Jade Pagoda
Only Chinese restaurant in all Oz. Flagship eatery is in town, with branches in all
Oz
countries. They deliver!
OZ-Mart
Mass merchandiser with stores all
over. Well,
what do you think it's like? Not exactly Wal-Mart but more akin to Target.
*Mendel's
Modeled after Indy's Shapiro's deli and cafeteria. Mendel's offers authentic kosher
goodies
and luscious baked goods. Try the cheesecake or pastrami sandwich. Maybe a big bowl
of
chicken soup with matzo balls. Fast and friendly service. If you're lucky, you might
catch
Eli Mendel serenading his customers.
Gulikers
Posh upscale department store on par with Bergdorf Goodman or Nordstrom.
Hemeyer's
Specialty grocery a la Trader Joe's. (Indy residents, take note: This is really
on par
with the old Atlas supermarket. There's even a "Sid" sitting in the manager's
office!)
*J4
Day spa, salon, high fashion and more. Actually a merger of Jenny Jump's Style Shop
and Jana
Jazzine's Salon.
*Lunamae
Coffeehouse akin to Starbucks. They have stores all over Oz, just like Starbucks.
Shambala
Eclectic Ethnic dining. Semi-casual.
*Caprice
Superfine, very upscale dining. Better wear your formal duds – and know which
fork to
use.
*The Lumberyard
Actually on the outskirts of town. An old lumberyard renovated into a shopping,
dining,
gathering place. Very popular with Oz's leading citizens, especially Ozma and the
Wizard.
Mariabella
Not your average pizza joint. This is pizza extraordinaire. Dozens of locations all
over Oz,
but the flagship store is located in The Lumberyard. Free (Hey, everything in Oz is
free!)
delivery and take-out.
Speedy's
Just your typical fast food joint – or is it? Locations all over Oz. The usual
burgers &
fries served with a twist. Think Mickey Dee's but the food is so much better!
*Pastoria Centre
Performing arts center located in heart of Emerald City.
Has
outdoor concert facilities in all four countries. Home of the Oz Symphony, OZ Opera,
Oz
Repertory Theater, and Oz Dance Company.
*Lindens End
In Winkie Country. Sprawling estate & home which once belonged to Major Spikeblade.
My
heroine, Maddie Tasou, now lives there.
*Gotoma's Valley
Also in Winkie Country, near Lindens End. Well, I am including all the
Dinosaur &
Land Before Time gang, so they need a place to live once they get to Oz.
Goodheart Farms
Located in heart of Winkie Country. Provides much of that area's foodstuffs. Land is
magical: Crops can grow in as little as three days! No pests, no weeds, no "runt"
crops!
Hens lay dozens of eggs. Cows give gallons of milk at a time. We're
talking
mega-producing plants and livestock.
*Crystal Swamp
Located in Quadling Country, it may initially appear like your ordinary swamp
– cypress
trees, water, typical wetlands creatures – but it is different. I'll give
only one
hint: The Spanish moss hanging from the trees are crystal. Of course this is
Oz, and
even a swamp has wondrous qualities.
*WOZ-FM & OZTV
The only radio and TV stations in all OZ. The cool thing is you can wish for your
favorite
show or music, and it appears. Want to listen to just oldie 1950's rock? 80's punk
or 90's
techno? A jazz fan? Want to watch I LOVE LUCY or LAW & ORDER reruns all day? Need to
catch
up on your soaps? You got it! Commercial free, too.
Of course, both carry their own original programming, e.g., "A Munchkin Home
Companion" and
"Jack Pumpkinhead Presents..."(sort of like Masterpiece Theatre). "This Week in Oz"
is a
weekly news show like "60 Minutes", anchored by the Scarecrow and Wogglebug. Then
there's
"All OZ Considered" every afternoon at 4.
*The Two Tunnels
These are the only direct underground routes to OZ from the outside world, and they
change
positions every three days. One must access those tunnels on the right days or else
he or
she will end up in middle of the Deadly Desert. Of course, one on the outside has to
know
where the tunnels are located – and get past the secret entrance. There's a
code to
break...
You've already read about the rail tunnel, and there is another one accessed by
foot, but I
won't tell much about it – Yet!
That's all I have for now. As the story progresses, I may have more original places
which
will be added to this list soon.
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