Stragglers

Stragglers symbolize the emotional and sentimental strain of humanity that died after the plague. Stragglers occupy physical spaces that held significance for them in their living lives, staying there until survivors shoot them. In order for survivors to disassociate themselves from stragglers, they force themselves to detach from their past personal lives, and dehumanize straggles.

Buffalo Headquarters

Buffalo represents the return to civilization and corporate sponsorship. In the chaotic and disorderly plague, humans are quick to assemble a hierarchical system that imbues false optimism and authority. Even though main character Mark Spitz is skeptical of Buffalo’s insincere survival branding, he enjoys the comfort that orderly systems offer human societies.

Casinos

The casino signifies contemporary society’s escapist and stimulus stunting behavioral tendencies. On Mark Spitz’s Last Night, he and his childhood friend attend a casino for a weekend, hoping to escape their mediocre lives...