Chapter Two
To my amazement, when the door to the darkened limo opened, I was in my own front yard. “What in the world…” I began.
“Grab a bag, and pack it, and make it quick. Your life as you know it is effectively over, do you understand?”
“Ah, no” I hedged.
“My name is Big Tony, and I’m here to save your life. But we don’t have much time, so grab your bare essentials and let’s get this show on the road.”
Of course, there was no way I was going to willingly get into that vehicle again with those thugs. He obviously understood that, and decided that telling me a bit of the truth to get me moving was better than the kidnapping feat he had undertaken in the middle of downtown Willow Springs. By now the cops were probably on their way anyway, and so I was trying to borrow time.
“Look, I knew your mother, long long ago. She was a beautiful dame, had me wrapped right around her finger. Problem was, she fell into the wrong crowd. My crowd. Turns out criminals didn’t really take too kindly to pranksters and mischief makers, even ones as lovely as she was. It wasn’t long before there was a price on her head. She freaked out when she heard, understandably, and went right over my head, to Mr. Corleone, the Family Boss. “
“She made a deal with the devil, so to speak. Mr. Corleone told her he would bid her freedom and save her life from all of her enemies, if she could prove herself worthy to him first. Before her death she was to fulfill a list of dynasty qualifications, pretty strict, but not undoable.”
“But, she didn’t do it, did she?”
“No, and that’s why I’m here. I want to give you the chance to do what she couldn’t. Think of it like the witness protection program. Because your mother’s debts were never paid, they will come looking for you. I want to help you.”
“How, why?”
“Like I said, I had a soft spot for your mother. May she rest in peace. Look, just smoogle “Immortal Dynasty rules” on your computer and you can read all about it. But we really have to get going!
So, even though I was immensely confused and terrified out of my mind, I did what he said. I went to Carl and Pam’s Sims Forum and began to read about the Immortal Dynasty Challenge. I had to print out the rules to take with me and read in the limo. I didn’t bother to grab anything else, other than a few photos. Big Tony told me I would have a whole new wardrobe when I got there. Wherever there would be.
Turns out, I ended up in a whole new world. Or so it seems to me. In spite of all the flowery talk of my mom, I was unceremoniously dumped out in the middle of the barren desert. I had been wiped clean of all my skills, inventory, and family and friends. I really was starting over. Also, I wasn’t a teenager anymore. I had grown up quickly, and was now a young adult. Where was Big Tony? Would I ever see him again? In spite of the circumstances, I have to admit, I was a
little attracted to him.
Ugg, all this stress was giving me a headache! And I was hearing voices.
Watcher: *Waves hello* “You aren’t insane, although you are very creative, which is often confused with the former. You are a genius, as well. So surely you can put two and two together, and figure out that I am the Watcher that your mom told you about. The All Seer. The Sim Goddess. I can be a little bossy, but I will always have your best interests at heart. I will also always have my nose in your business, but you’ll get used to that.”
I think at that point I was in shock. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t speak, even if I had tried. So, while I let all this new information sink in to my fatigued brain, I headed to the Rattlesnake, to get to know some sims in the neighborhood.
Turns out, most of them were quite drab and boring. Which for some reason made me
tense.Watcher: “I believe it’s because you’ve realized you’re attracted to danger. Well, I’m sorry, but Big Tony is gone, long gone,
capisce? Now don’t make enemies on your first day out. Go to the girls room and calm yourself down in the mirror. Then get back out there and be nice!”
So I did. Beginning a long habit of jumping when she spoke, and doing her bidding around the clock. But again, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Being in the bar reminded me of my dream to become a Mixologist, but after studying the lengthy dynasty challenge rules, I had decided against that. I didn’t want to fail where my mom had. I wouldn’t be afraid to have helpers, for one thing. I thought about inviting the Landgraabs to move in, I had heard they could be very helpful, but I thought I’d keep looking. Maybe for someone a
tad younger.
I
I met this softie on my first night in town. I had to remember not to give anyone my real name. From now on I was to be known as
Adeline Ciara, in honor of my mom. It’s a pity the Shameless name won’t carry on, but I still hope to do my mom proud. Anyway, the softie was Giancarlo something or other. He said he was in the Astronaut career, and he was so needy and clingy, like a puppy, that I moved him in right away. Turns out he had a brother Harold, too, and I would need a built in gardener/handyman/chef so voila. Win/Win.
Also, I was going to try a safer, easier career than my mom had. I had always been very creative, so it seemed a natural choice for me to go to work as a painter. I got to practicing right away in my spare time at home, and thanks to the new connections I had acquired recently, I had a good head start when I went to work.
Watcher: “You know, that little softie has a mad crush on you”.
Adeline: “No way! He knows I don’t have time for stuff like that, I am a sim on a mission. I explained all the rules to him when they moved in. Furthermore, he is too dang
nice!Watcher: “Maybe so, but it looks like he’s working on not being quite so soft anymore. Besides, what good is it to live forever if you don’t have a family to live for?”
Adeline: “Hmm. Good point. But give me some time to think about it Watcher. This is an important decision that I’d like to make myself.”
Watcher: “That I can do. I suppose.”
Watcher: “Harold, I really appreciate all the work you do around here, but I kind of moved you in for another reason, as well.”
Harold: “I’m afraid to ask.”
Watcher: “Well, don’t be, this task will be very fun for you, and will help fill up our neighborhood homes with real live sims, not the ghosts that I’ve heard tend to take over.”
Harold: “Well, I’m not really a romantic kind of sim, but with a little persuasion I’m sure I could be!”
Watcher: “That’s the kind of enthusiasm I was looking for. Now get out there and meet some chicks. Er, sims.”
Harold: “Look, I know you really like her, and so far she really likes you too, as a friend. But you don’t want to get stuck in that friend zone. Watcher explained to me how much fun this whole Immortal Dynasty helper thing could be, and I am jumping in with both feet. You should really do the same! Do whatever you have to do to get your girl!
Giancarlo: Sigh. “Ok, I guess”.
Watcher: “Good for you, Giancarlo! I know you are working very hard to overcome your natural tendencies to be lazy and gluttonous. Nothing you can do about being too nice, I don’t think. I’m sure Adeline will see your strong will and be very impressed. And if she’s not, well, let’s just say I can help her along a bit if need be.”
Giancarlo: “Thanks Watcher. It’s just so hard to get myself off the sofa, I have all I can do just getting up and going to work in the mornings. But Adeline is so beautiful, and she really is within my grasp. If I can convince her I’ll be a good sim husband, a great sim dad, a good provider…”
Watcher: “All you needed was a little incentive, Gian. I’ll leave you to your self- improvement and go check on your brother.
Watcher: “Oh. Good picking, Harold. Wait, isn’t she married? Ugg. Don’t let her husband find out. Next time pick someone without a wedding band. I’ll, uh, just leave you two alone then. Go, make those nooboos.”
Bella: “Wha? Is that…oh no, not the Watcher again. She is horrible at this you know, Harold. Don’t get your hopes up about any immortal thingamajig, ok? I hear she means well, but, you know. She tends to take on more than she can chew."
Harold: “Eh, she’s all right. Fifth time’s the charm, right Watcher?”
Watcher: “Yeah, that’s what they say.” Cough. “Anyways…I’m off to check on my founder before I turn in for the night. Have fun you two.”
Watcher: “Squeeee”
Adeline: “You are too old for such nonsense chatter, Watcher. Turns out the ol’ softie is tougher than I thought, and he’s so sweet. I just couldn’t brush him off any longer. I mean he’s no Big Tony…but life is short.
Watcher: *Singing* “Love is in the air, everywhere I look around…”
