Clan Douglas Dynasty (Finished)

[Schipperke]

One afternoon, just as everyone is settling in for an afternoon nap, a visitor arrives unannounced.



There is much sorrow in the Douglas household.



Grim:  The one I really want is your Dad.  It’s way past his time.



Wimsey:  Ha, ha, you’ll never get my Dad!



Wimsey:  And don’t even think about grabbing my daughter!



Grim:  (vanishes in a puff of black smoke, knowing when he’s beaten)
Wimsey:  Good riddance to him!



Holly Douglas, dead at age 98 days.

[AriaGirl77]

Ok, you are so hilarious!  I love how you write your updates in different ways, as newspaper ads and such!  So fun to read!  Keep it up!

[Schipperke]

Thanks very much, Aria.  I admit it, I am having a lot of fun with this!

[Schipperke]

The old fisherman goes out alone to the lake to catch fish as he does every night.  But his heart just isn’t in it.  He keeps thinking of his precious Holly, now gone.



He breaks down in anguish.



Alone and bereft, he mourns for his lost love.

[Schipperke]

James Douglas lies in bed, staring listlessly at the ice sculpture that is all that remains of the love of his life. 



His daughter comes to the doorway.
Wimsey:  Dad, we need to talk.
James (vaguely):  Yes, dear.  Later.
Wimsey:  Now, Dad.  Right now.
James (sighing):  What is it, Wimsey.
Wimsey:  In the living room.  Right now.



The old man slowly gets up from the bed and trudges to the other room after his daughter.
James:  Well?
Wimsey:  Dad, we all miss Mum, but it’s time to get on with life.  You need to get out of bed and stop moping.
James:  Oh, Wimsey, nothing seems to matter any more.



Wimsey:  Dad, we all love you.  And we need you.  Losing Mum is hard on all of us, but the way you’ve been acting, it’s as if we’ve lost you too.  We need to rebook the opening at the Gallery.  It’s more important now than ever - think what a wonderful memorial it will be for Mum.
James:  Oh, Wimsey, you don’t know what it’s like for me.  It’s so cold in bed without her, I hardly get any sleep.
Wimsey (trying not to roll her eyes):  Dad, the reason you’re cold at night is that you’ve been sleeping with that ice statue of Mum!
James:  But what else can I do?  I can’t put your mother’s statue in the Dynasty museum, it’s not allowed.  And I will not have your mother relegated to the back yard with the salvaged junk!
Wimsey:   Yes, Dad, I agree.  Mortimer and I have been discussing this, and we have an idea I think you’re going to like.  Now listen …

[Saltypaws]

Great addition Schipperke.  Funny how we can get screenies at just the right time, it is so cool to do that.  I really enjoy reading your story.

[Joria]

I've only just found these Dynasty stories and now I know what my new bedtime reading is going to be!  Fabulous Schip!!  I love the way you are approaching all the different ways to tell the story.  Sadly, it's time for me to leave and work on the Lee saga.  Can't wait to hear more and read all the rest of the stories!

[Schipperke]

Notice in the Sunset Valley StarPhoenix, September 10:

CALL FOR TENDERS

Builders and Architectural Designers are invited to submit designs and bids for a private gallery for the Douglas family.  Designs and bids may be dropped off at Hogan’s Diner or Douglas’s Delicious Delectables (3D) Supermarket (formerly Everfresh Delights).

[Schipperke]

The Gallery of the Mortals has been completed, and the Douglas family gather excitedly to go and inspect it.

Wimsey:  Dad, I don’t understand why you went with that Schipperke person to build this addition.  I think you should have hired one of those talented builders that advertise in Carl and Pam’s Forum.
James:  Well, daughter, I know old Schip isn’t the most accomplished builder, but she’s been taking care of us for a long time, you know.  I sort of felt I owed her. 
Wimsey:  Yes, it’s not as if anyone else is likely to hire her.  You old softie!
Christie:  I like the archway.



Mortimer:  Well, the gnomes seem to like it here.
James:  Aye, I think the wee beasties are drawn by the light.



James:  Look, Wimsey - seven alcoves, one for each of the mortals that will join our clan.  See, it’s not so bad, really?



Later -

Wimsey:  You know, this place is starting to grow on me.  Now I understand why Dad wanted Mum and me to make all those pedestals.
Mortimer:  Yes, dear.  Do you think we could go to bed now?  You’re an extremely talented sculptor, but these ice chairs are cold!



Overhead view of the Gallery  (note, some pictures were taken before the lights were changed to the table lights shown in Wimsey & Mortimer’s shot):

[Pam]

That's very clever, Schipperke!  The ice furnishings are excellent!  I'm a little confused, though.  You're calling it the Gallery of the Mortals?  Do you mean to say Immortals?  And why are there 7 alcoves if there will ultimately be 8 immortals?  Just curious. 

[Twinmum]

I like to see how people are designing their museums. Will that have more levels because ultimately, you will have six portraits of each immortal to hang (three of the founder) plus all the photos and ice sculptures. That's 45 portraits and possibly the same number of sculptures and photos!
Norma

[Schipperke]

I'm a little confused, though.  You're calling it the Gallery of the Mortals?  Do you mean to say Immortals?  And why are there 7 alcoves if there will ultimately be 8 immortals?  Just curious. 

The IMmortal Gallery is in the basement of the house, and as Twinmum has pointed out, it needs to be a lot bigger.  This gallery is for the mortal spouses, of whom there will be 7, as the last Immortal won't be able to have a spouse.  I know the Dynasty rules don't require us to commemorate the spouses in any way, but I thought my sims would be happier if there was a place for the spouses to be honoured.  As for the ice sculptures, my Gen 2 Immortal-to-Be, Wimsey, is a sculptor, and has a wish to place 100 sculptures on the lot.  They really don't have to sell her sculptures for money at this point, and I am trying to find a way to use that many sculptures!  Right now I have a bunch of them just plopped anywhere around the yard.

When I restart the game I'll post a picture of the Immortal Gallery.  It's just a big boxy space.  I'm still trying to think of some way to make it more interesting.

[curlybennett]

7 spouses? I thought generation 7 couldn't have a spouse, otherwise they can't have a child.

[Schipperke]

Here are some pictures of the Immortals' Gallery.  It was built early in the game (not much money) and is just a big warehouse-like space.  I'm trying to think of a way to make it more appealing.

1.  Showing the earliest portraits of James.  His adult and elder sculptures are in the foreground, Wimsey is in the second row, then Christie.  That flat round disc was the only sculpture I could get of Christie as a toddler before she aged up. 



2.  Christie's toddler and child paintings and photos.  Also an ice nectar rack and part of a clay nectar rack made by Wimsey.



3.  More ice sculptures.  In this household, if you want to sit in the basement drinking nectar, you have to put up with having a cold bum.



4.  There is lots of unused space.

[Schipperke]

7 spouses? I thought generation 7 couldn't have a spouse, otherwise they can't have a child.

I do believe you're right.  Oops.  Oh well, we have lots of ice sculptures and paintings to fill up alcove #7.  Thanks for pointing that out.