Chapter 23: Week 7 Thursday Thursday morning after Pippa and the older children have left for school and work, Sebastian and Gordon go the the library.
They finish the last of the toddler skill books and Gordon hustles off to the toy box. Sebastian spies a tourist looking lost and decides to try out his new charisma skills on the tourist. He figures that if his conversational efforts fail this time, it won't matter as much as it would if he alienates his boss or some prominent SV resident.
The tourist's name is Shen. To Sebastian's surprise and delight, Shen is remarkably easy to talk to. Soon they are chatting away like old friends and Sebastian is telling Shen things he never thought he'd dare to say to anyone.
Sebastian: I can't believe how well we're getting along! Usually people get offended by what I have to say and I wind up having to apologize all the time.
Shen: Yes, I know just what you mean. I used to be like that too.
Sebastian: You? But you're so easy to talk to!
Shen: Oh yes, now I am. But you should have known me before - I was always annoying people by telling them their mother was a llama and pointing out their flaws. But then I got SWAPped, and I never do things like that any more.
Sebastian: You got what?
Shen: SWAPped. SWAP is a self-help program. The letters stand for Sims With Awful Personalities. The program teaches Sims how to get rid of bad personality traits and get new ones.
Sebastian: Really? I've never heard of this group.
Shen: There used to be a group here - James Douglas started it, but that was before the great meteorite disaster that destroyed most of the town.
Sebastian: Oh yes, I remember hearing about that. So if someone in Sunset Valley was interested in learning more about your methods, would they have to travel to China?
Shen: Oh no, our literature explains very clearly how it's done. Would you like to have copies of the brochures?
Sebastian hesitates only slightly as he wonders what the eavesdropping Molly French will think. But he's tired of people taking a dislike to him every time he opens his mouth. He tells Shen he wants copies of all the information he has.
Shen goes on: If you SWAP your snobbishness for another trait, you will no longer be a slave to the mirror like you are now, always compelled to run and check on your appearance.
Sebastian cringes inwardly as he realizes how well Shen has him pegged.
Finally Shen says: But before you go this route, you must be very sure it's what you want. Because it will cost you.
Sebastian: Well, I don't have much money right now -
Shen interrupts: No, no, not money! I mean it will cost you in happiness points. 20,000 happiness points, to be precise. That's a lot of happiness points to give up. So take your time and think carefully before you do it. Be sure you know what traits you want.
Sebastian: I will! I know this is right for me. You're right - I am a slave to the mirror. I neglect my children and sometimes even my own needs just to look in the mirror. I'm so glad we've met! You're a true friend, Shen. Thank you so much.
That evening Pippa and Sebastian are chatting as the children play chess.
Pippa: What are those brochures and pamphlets on the table?
Sebastian tells her about Shen and the group. He omits to tell Pippa the group's full name as he doesn't think she would appreciate being called a Sim with an Awful Personality. He says: I think I'm going to try it.
Pippa: Do you think I should try it too?
Sebastian: Well, Pippa, you're just as much a slave to that mirror as I am. And I really don't think whining about life gets you very far either. Of course, it's up to you. Why don't you look at the pamphlets and see what you think?
A picture is worth a thousand words, right? What can't speak can't lie. So I won't tell you Pippa's response. I'll show you:
