Interesting! I can definitely see how you thought this was in contrast to my two JoTW's. I think a successful JoTW, among the usual good aspects of a good story, makes you want to jump into the why of the situation; with that context in mind, you've absolutely hooked me.
If I had to take a stab at the meaning, it feels like the members of the town have fallen victim to nihilism. The "curse" is death but also the fear/awareness of death, which looms upon everyone in the town. They've concluded nothing matters, so when nothing matters things like class definitely don't - but instead of rejoicing in that newfound freedom they've resigned themselves to waiting for it to happen, going through the dance of life joylessly. The Journalist is unaffected, not because he is immune to death but because his mentality is different.
This could be wildly wrong from your intention, but that's what I like about a good JoTW: there's no good way to tell. +1
