If someone's grown up in the (eastern part?) of the state, the not-very-veiled subtext is quite entertaining with the typical HN cynical bit flipped on.

I agree. This is very weird but also a very subtle and good comment.

Cape-affiliated person here. Currently dealing with multiple issues. There is a powerful coterie of real estate agents, lawyers and regional government members here. The environment is invoked like a playing card to create battles of financial starvation and just as easily overlooked when it would interfere with players' plans. One must be very aware of neighbors' affiliations. It's all sport for the 1%, but families who inherited their parents' properties struggle to hang on to them.