Casablanca in the thirties was a cosmopolitan sprawl of adventurers and chancers from all corners of the planet; its Wild West feel drew many into its seedy society. The political climate to the north, mirrored by the eternal African turmoil to the south, only served to colour its atmosphere; generating business for the myriad of nightclub owners.
As totalitarian regimes replaced democracies around the world in the 2030's. The US democracy also fails. Those protesting the new regime disappear. Soon even the smallest infraction is deemed subversion.