The Langerak Lunatics, failed, move to graveyard

[MarianT]

I seem to have ... mislaid Deuce. I made the mistake of trying to send her out on SimPort. When I opened the game again, she had vanished from the household. Right now I'm trying to figure out if I can re-create her. If I can't do that, I'll have to send this to the graveyard.

[ratchie]

Oh no! I hope you can find her.

Rachel

[MarianT]

I managed to get her back into the household -- or rather a copy of her without her skills and career and relationships. Now I just have to ask Metro if that's okay. Moral of the story -- don't SimPort your heir.

[ratchie]

Fingers crossed that you are allowed to continue.

Rachel

[MarianT]

It didn’t take Deuce long to build up a reputation as an entertaining acrobat. Her first performance was in the park, where she handled the torches quite competently.



A couple of days later, she showed up at the coffeehouse. People applauded enthusiastically even though Deuce’s performance on the ball was a bit shaky. But so few performers came to Lunar Lakes that no one noticed her mistakes.



   Between her acts, Deuce practiced pool. She might be making progress as an acrobat, but she wasn’t picking up tips. She figured that when she couldn’t turn herself into a pretzel anymore, she could always hustle pool.



   Kaylynn, meanwhile, was exploring the catacombs, hoping to have a great story to sell to the Lunar Lakes Moonbeam.

[MarianT]

Part Two, Chapter Nine

   One evening, Deuce achieved her peak level as an athlete. She could still rack up a few hours in strength and cardio training, but as far as her job was concerned, there was no more room for improvement.



   Feeling very pleased with herself, Deuce went off to audition for a gig, only to be turned down. Twice. So she decided to make a tour of Sim world, performing for tips in each memorial park. Her first stop was Hidden Springs.



   She was the only person in the park, so she decided to move over to Twinbrook.



   Twinbrook was also deserted. Perhaps there were people in Sunset Valley, thought Deuce. After all, almost everyone, herself included, had an ancestor who had lived there.



   Finally, there were people sitting in the park. Reading. Showing no interest in an incredibly talented acrobat.



   In disgust, Deuce went home. That evening an idea came to her. Of course no one would notice her if she was dressed in purple. She might as well put on camouflage and blend in with the trees. She changed into her favorite color, orange, and went to Riverview.



   No one was there to see her, but Deuce felt much better about herself and went back to the proprietor who had rejected her. This time she bent over backwards and got the gig.



   But as an acrobat, not a singer. “A word of advice,” said the proprietor. “Don’t ever quit your day job, and if you want to perform here again, stay away from the karaoke machine.”

   Deuce didn’t think she was that bad. Okay, so there were a couple of times she’d missed the high notes and she’d wandered away a bit from the track, not to mention spacing out on the second verse, but it was better than most performances she’d heard.



   Meanwhile, Kaylynn was growing up. She was named most popular at graduation and graduated with highest honor.



   She was still determined to get that story about the zombie bears underneath the mausoleum. “The truth is in there,” she told the editor of the Moonbeam. “As soon as you move me up from Paper Girl, I’ll write something that will double your circulation.”

[ratchie]

So pleased to see the Langeraks back,I missed them. I can only imagine what Deuce sounded like when she was singing.

Rachel

[MarianT]

Haha! Let's just say I put the sound on mute before the cats could attack the computer. Sorry I took so long with the update; I was working on the Wishmaster Challenge.

[MarianT]

Part Two, Chapter Ten

   Today has been one of the happiest days of Deuce’s life. For a long time she has had to put her romance with Alfredo Inman on hold because she didn’t know where he lived and whether she would be able to marry him. But today, she found him in residence at the Hirsch household. To Alfredo’s astonishment, she finally decided to kiss him.



   And what could he say but yes when she suggested going steady?



Leaving him, Deuce felt as if she was walking into a strong wind blowing her back to him. “I guess I really was swept off my feet,” she said.



   Not to be outdone by her sister, Kaylynn decided to embark on romance as well. She invited the singer Brandt Castellano over, and soon discovered that his astrological sign was compatible with hers. They settled down to observe their constellations, but something went wrong. Kaylynn didn’t know what happened, but Brandt said he had to go and just rushed off. She felt like it would go down in history as the worst date ever.



   The next day Brandt called to explain. He’d been summoned to do an emergency Sing-a-gram, he said. Would she forgive him and meet him at the karaoke bar? “Sure,” said Kaylynn, “as long as you don’t expect me to sing.”

   One thing led to another, and Kaylynn suddenly found herself agreeing to get married.



   Meanwhile, Una has been practicing her pool shots. “I don’t know what the gnome is supposed to do,” she told Deuce, “but as soon as he does something, I’ll start making the money for you to buy some property.”



   “Mom, you don’t need to worry,” said Deuce. “I already own both the Performance Park and the coffeehouse. But if it makes you happy to keep practicing, go ahead. You can also join me and Dad the next time he shows up.”

[MarianT]

Chapter Eleven

   From the society column of the Lunar Lakes Moonbeam:

   “A little bird has told us that the bachelorette party of the century went down at the home of celebrity K…L…, author of Zombie Bears. The first sign that this party would be different was when it was raided by two policemen, insisting they’d been called by the neighbors because the party was too dull.



   “The bride-to-be’s cousin decided to liven things up with a little nectar. You’re supposed to pour it into glasses, dear, not spray it on someone’s skin.





   “The bride-to-be had a malfunction, not of her wardrobe, but of a necessary appliance.



   “The mother-of-the-bride-to-be showed up in an unusual outfit.



Apparently, she felt overdressed, however.



   “The bride-to-be and her fiancé (noted singer B…C…) disappeared for a while, and when they returned, claimed they had been ‘doing research’ for K…L…’s next book.



   “But the big surprise of the night (actually the next morning) was not what came out of a cake.



Who is this mystery teen? Watch this column for answers.”

[ratchie]

Oooh mystery I like it. Is his name Bam Bam.

Rachel

[GdMinerva]

Who is this mystery teen? Watch this column for answers.”

Seems like doing "research" had some unpredictable consequences

GD

[MarianT]

Part Two,Chapter Twelve

   From the obituary page of the Lunar Lakes Moonbeam:

“Our community mourns the parting of Una Langerak, its most famous sculptress and beloved mother of rising acrobat Deuce and talented novelist Kaylynn. She is also survived by her brother, Dr. Boris Langerak, and grandson Alton. Una died at the age of 104.



“A graduate of Celestial Community High School and its valedictorian,



Una took to sculpting early, working in every medium from metal to ice.



“Not many people know that she was also an avid bird-fancier, collecting even the rare spotted sixam as well as the humble parakeet.



“She was happily married for many years to Marcelo James, who pre-deceased her. Donations in her memory may be made to Kleptomaniacs Anonymous.”



   From the society column of the Lunar Lakes Moonbeam:

“Kaylynn Langerak and Brandt Castellano exchanged wedding vows in a quiet ceremony today at the bride’s home.”

[ratchie]

Farewell Una and thank you.

Rachel

[MarianT]

Part Two, Chapter Thirteen

   Every performer goes through a period when nothing goes right. Deuce started off one performance by explaining that her mother had just died and she still felt terrible. As a method for getting your audience in the mood, it leaves something to be desired.



   However, that’s probably not as bad as the performance in which a member of the audience actually does die. It’s hard to compete for attention and drama with the Grim Reaper.



   Deuce finally got on track. She purchased a new stage set and added the circle of fire to her routine.



   Her love life is going well, too. She’s best friends now with her future father-in-law and has found the courage to ask for his son’s hand in marriage. She attended a party at her future home, but had to leave for a performance before she could do much exploring.



   After Brandt got a new wardrobe (this is his before picture), he decided to go into styling and do something about all those Lunar Lakes residents who dress like they’re still living in Sunset Valley.



   He and Kaylynn took some time to add to their family.



One thing followed another…



…and Kaylynn gave birth to a baby boy, Jasper.



   Alton moved into a new room upstairs and spent some time putting together his duds for the prom. He’ll make someone a wonderful husband someday, being brave, nurturing, lucky, and a bookworm. Add natural cook (or maybe great kisser), and what more could a girl want? (Note:  all the animals who have provided Alton’s clothing died of old age after a full and happy life.)