[ Ray will give credit where it's due in terms of atmosphere and aesthetic, the town does -- on a very superficial level -- have that wholesome charm you'd expect to see on an old sitcom or Hallmark Christmas special, but in a way that of course only makes how jarringly out of place he (and the other 'newcomers' like him) feel all the more obvious.

And, well, vaguely ominous. ]

Somethin' to offer like what? [ He raises his eyebrow, curious. ] I was thinkin' maybe it was like somethin' outta Stepford Wives, except that still wouldn't explain how we all got here...