The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Schipperke]

Exploring the World of Sims, part II

Diary Entry Continues

I discovered I had a talent for riding.  Of course, my tiny lot was too small for me to keep a 4-legged horse, but my steed Pegasus and I got on very well.



I visited my father in his glade frequently, but the journey was fraught with danger, and I understood why he didn't want me to travel to his homeland unless I was certain I was ready to stay.



I met many interesting people.

Olivia taught me about astronomy



This strange fellow wanted me to rub his tummy.



My boss taught me to play dominoes as we discussed military strategy.



And, of course, I tried everything.  The more exciting, the bigger thrill, the better.  Rock climbing, everest-style:



This gadget gave me an electrifying experience:



Bull-riding!



But the biggest thrill of all came one evening when I was relaxing in the hot tub.  I had been looking forward to a little rest and relaxation.  But Doreen arrived to visit, and she had other ideas:





Woohoo!!! Waaay better than a mechanical bull!

It was almost time for me to tell my father what I wanted to do.  I sat down to meditate. 



The stray cat kept wanting me to take its picture, but I continued meditating all night, hoping for enlightenment.  Morning arrived and I was still unsure.  I decided to return to Payne's Glade and talk to my father.

[ratchie]

Ben Oliver certainly leads a full life. I wonder what he will have to say to his father. By the way is Ben Olivers last name Payne like his father. It is probably just me but I love that is initals could spell Bop.

Rachel

[Dextra2]

Wow, Olllie does all kinds of cool things! Lucky, lucky man/sim/hybrid.

[Schipperke]

Ben Oliver certainly leads a full life. I wonder what he will have to say to his father. By the way is Ben Olivers last name Payne like his father. It is probably just me but I love that is initals could spell Bop.

Rachel

Actually, his last name is Oliver.  BOP never occurred to me, but I do like it!  However, his initials presently spell BO, which I have been considering in terms of future story developments. 

Wow, Olllie does all kinds of cool things! Lucky, lucky man/sim/hybrid.

Oliver and I are both lucky in having such wonderful readers!  Thank you very much for your comments - the support is much appreciated.

[Louise56]

Oliver does lead a exciting life!
I can't wait for the talk between father and son.

[Schipperke]

Oliver does lead a exciting life!
I can't wait for the talk between father and son.

Oh, what we've had so far is really basically prologue, Louise!  This is just Oliver getting used to living in the world of Sims, and building up his skills.  The real excitement is yet to come.  At least, I'm hoping that what's to come will be exciting. 

As always, I appreciate your feedback.  Thanks very much for reading.

[Schipperke]

The Decision

Diary Entry

This journey back and forth was gruelling!  I didn't mind making a few sacrifices, but why did people have to keep shooting arrows at me?



I knew my father left the glade frequently on his missions of mercy, but somehow he always seemed to know when I was coming and he would be there waiting to welcome me.  I couldn't quite bring myself to call him "Dad" - his somewhat old-fashioned manner and clothing seemed to demand a more formal type of title.

As always, he was glad to see me.  And like the Good fellow he was, he immediately wanted to brighten my day.



I told him of all the skills I had learned and the other things I had done.

"Excellent, my boy!" he exclaimed, beaming.  "It sounds like you have learned most of the skills available to you in the world of Sims.  Are you now ready to make the long trip to my homeland?  There are many more skills for you to learn there.  As I told you, everyone will be your friend and you will find it a most idyllic place to live."

I asked what would happen if I chose to return to the world of Sims after visiting my father's homeland.


 
He said regretfully, "As you know, the trip is long and arduous.  I am able to journey safely because of my nature.  My kind has built-in protection against the dangers of the trip.  Ordinary Sims would never be able to survive the journey - those few who have tried, have all perished.  You are a hybrid - you have some of my genetics, but half of your inheritance is Sim.  I've consulted with the elders and I'm afraid the consensus is that you should not attempt the trip more than once.  What that means is that if you go there, you would not be able to return to the world of Sims.  Still, there is more than enough in my world to keep you busy and interested for the rest of your lifetime."

I just wasn't sure I was ready to make that kind of final decision.  I told him of my attempt to find enlightenment in meditation and my failure.

"Sometimes it just takes a while," he said.  "Why don't you try meditating here in the glade?  I think the peaceful atmosphere of this place may help you find an answer."

So I sat down to meditate.  Soon I found myself deeper in the meditative state than ever before.  I felt blissful, carefree, as if I might just float away.



Images crowded into my mind.  Things I had seen, read, imagined.  Suddenly I knew what I wanted to do!  I opened my eyes as the wonderment and joy flooded through me.



The answer, when it hit me, was so obvious it felt as if it had been there in front of me all along.  I stood up and faced my father.

"I want to be like Nameless," I told him.  "I want to help make the world a safe and good place.  Send me on a mission!  Let me fight the bad guys!  I'll scare 'em, all right!"



He didn't say, but I think he was pleased with my decision.  He told me of a community that had just been discovered.  "It's called Monte Vista," he said.  "A very pretty town, from what I hear.  I don't know of any immediate threats to the town.  But there have been rumours, people worrying about the town attracting criminal activity.  Possibly organized crime.  As I say, there are no immediate problems that I know of.  But it would be very useful to have someone 'on the ground' as it were, keeping an eye on things.  How does that sound?"

I was a little disappointed that he didn't have a dangerous mission for me to jump right into, but I agreed to go to Monte Vista and be Mr Payne's undercover man.



"Excellent," he said.  "Your job with the military will be the perfect cover, and will give you access to the whole town.  You can move into the barracks.  Now, as far as most people are concerned, you will be just an ordinary recruit.  Only two people will know of your undercover mission.  Your boss, of course, and our Science expert, who is very good and will help you in any way possible.  Any questions?"

I couldn't think of anything to ask, so he said, "Well, if you think of something you want to ask, you can always come back for a visit.  You know I'm always glad to see you.  Now, I can give you whatever traits you want.  Of course, Good is already one of your traits, and that one can't be changed - it's part of your nature.  So what other four traits would you like?"

I chose Brave -



Flirty and Great Kisser -



My father rolled his eyes a bit at that.  I thought I heard him mutter something about "young men and their hormones" but he didn't try to change my mind, just went ahead and gave me those two traits.
"And for your final trait?" he asked.

I told him to give me Commitment Issues.

His jaw dropped.  "Commitment Issues?!" he exclaimed.  "Why on earth do you want that trait?"

I reminded him that Nameless' career as a spy and fighter of evil had ended when he decided to get married and raise a family.  It seemed to me that having a family made a man want to settle down and not take risks.  Having Commitment Issues would keep me from falling into that trap.

My father shook his head, but he had to admit there was something to what I was saying.  "Oh well, we can always change it later, anyway," he said, and gave me the trait.

I thanked him and snapped out, "Recruit Oliver reporting for duty, sir!"  I saluted him smartly:



Then I departed for my new home and - I hoped - new adventures.

[Louise56]

A flirty great kisser? That sound very interesting,
I can't wait for his adventures in Monte Vista!

[ratchie]

The forums very own James Bond how creative and unique. I didn't want to say before but I had an inking with the phrase the names Oliver,Ben Oliver.

Does this make Payne Q?

Can't wait to meet some Oliver(Bond) girls.

Rachel

[Schipperke]

The forums very own James Bond how creative and unique. I didn't want to say before but I had an inking with the phrase the names Oliver,Ben Oliver.

Yes!  Oliver is sort of, kind of modelled after James Bond.  Not that he really resembles Bond in any way, of course, but I wish I could have found a way to give him Roger Moore's chin dimple.  And he's not entirely Bond - I think he's also part Maxwell Smart. 

Of course, the James Bond character was at least partly modelled after a real-life Canadian spy named William Stephenson, who played a big role in undercover ops in WWII.  True fact.  So I kind of like the idea that Oliver is following in the footsteps of an eminent Canadian before him.

Now, dear friends, I need your help on something.  As we know, spies always have numbers or code names to identify them.  Bond, of course, was 007, the double-0 indicating that he was licensed to kill.  Sims, being much more civilized than humans, haven't invented killing weapons, so Oliver can't be licensed to kill.  Licensed to kiss, perhaps, but I'm not sure that's an official designation.

So I'd appreciate your feedback and suggestions on a code name for Oliver.  I have several ideas:  (i) Intrepid, which was William Stephenson's code name; (ii) BO, Oliver's initials.  That one tickles my funny bone, but I think it would have suited slobby Nameless better than Oliver; (iii) In the first season of the Mole, this statement was made by Audren: 

5. The true meaning of life is 73. 73 is the 21st prime number. If you switch the digits, it becomes 37, the 12th prime number. The factors of 21 are 7 and 3.  In Binary, 73 is a palindrome. (1001001) Of the 7 binary digits that represent 73, 3 are ones. Such a set of coincedences cannot have been left up to chance. It is clearly a sign from the heavens that 73 is the meaning of life!

  I don't claim to understand all that, but if 73 is such a significant number, perhaps that could be Oliver's code name.

Other suggestions would be welcome.

Does this make Payne Q?

Wasn't Q the scientist?  I'm pretty sure he was.  And we will have a scientist.  I think Bond's boss was M.  I guess Mr Payne would fit that role, although whoever winds up as Oliver's boss in Monte Vista will be his immediate superior.

Can't wait to meet some Oliver(Bond) girls.

I don't think you'll have to wait too long! 

[Dextra2]

073. That is just plain cool.And I wonder what Oliver girl's be like. And how will Leo deal with a brother? That's a good question.

[ratchie]

You are right Q was the inventor bloke. My suggestion is that Ben is known as BO73.

Rachel

[Dextra2]

My suggestion is that Ben is known as BO73.

I take back what I said about 073. BO73 is WAY cooler!

[Beezy]

How about Glade or CAS? They were both places he visited. I like Glade.

[Schipperke]

How about Glade or CAS? They were both places he visited. I like Glade.

I like Glade too, and it's an idea I hadn't thought of.  Thanks, Corey.  And thanks to Dextra and Ratchie for the feedback.

It's hard to decide.  I really like BO73, but Glade has something that I like too.  Guess I'm going to put off making this decision a little longer.