The Broke Legacy: Gen 4.6. (Part 1 of 3)

[simgaroop]

Previous update: Gen 4.5.





For as long as Tim remembered, they did everything together.




Hobbes was more than a cousin, he was his best friend.




Since they were allowed to go out on their own, they spent every Saturday afternoon at Downtown.




Tim couldn't find better friends than Marsha and Hobbes.
He was also close to Calvin, but sometimes his cousin's laid-back attitude got on his nerves.
Hobbes and Marsha had serious plans for their future. Hobbes was going to study Business at La Fiesta Tech.
Marsha wanted to be a nurse and to raise a nice family with a solid education at College.
Tim wasn't sure what he wanted to do with his life yet. He wasn't even sure what he was good at.
The only thing he knew was that he wanted to build a stable economical situation for his family.
The Brokes were rich, sure, but Tim was aware that money has to be taken care of.
The more he had on the vault, the happier his future family would be.




Marsha and Tim had left behind those days in which she'd stalk him non-stop.
Her childhood crush disappeared as soon as she grew up into a lovely lady.
And they were now very close friends. They could talk about anything when they were together.




Deep inside, Tim wished they'd become something more.




But things were fine just the way they were, or at least, that's what Tim thought.
So, he kept his feelings as a secret until it was too late.




"Check this out, Tim! I'm gonna make a strike!"




"Aughhh! Man! That was so close! Tim? Could you give me a hand over here?"




"Tim?"




It seems like Tim wasn't the only one who kept his feelings for Marsha hidden.
When Hobbes told Marsha that he loved her, everyone was shocked.
But Marsha had also developed feelings for the shy half-alien over the years, so she accepted his proposal to go steady.




Tim's heart had been broken that day.
He feared he'd never be able to love a girl as much as he loved Marsha.




Since then, things had gotten worse for Tim.
The sight of Marsha and Hobbes together was enough to drive him mad with jealousy.




And after that night at the Bowling alley, he couldn't take it anymore.




"Tim?! What's wrong?!"




*Gasp*




"Tim? What's wrong, Honey?"
"It's nothing Mom... don't worry..."
"Your father said you entered the house like a tornado, not looking at anyone and on the verge of tears... Did you fight with Hobbes and Marsha?"
"No... I... I don't want to talk about it, right now..."
"All right, but remember we are all here to listen as soon as you feel ready to do so..."
"Yeah... thanks..."




Tim hadn't left the house in two weeks.
He didn't want to see them together.
It just hurt too much...




But there was someone who eventually got tired of seeing him drowning in self-pity.
She had to do something about it.
"Hey, Helena! You are blocking the screen!"




"You've seen that episode twice, Tim. Along with every single episode of every single TV series for two weeks! You can't spend the rest of your life in front of the television!"
"Oh, just watch me do it..."
"You are never going to get over Marsha if you act like this!"




"How... how did you...?"
"Duh! You told Rose Mary and me about your plans of confessing your feelings to Marsha!"
"Oh... right..."
"It's a pity that she fell in love with Hobbes but... come on, Tim! There are plenty of girls that would die to date you!"
"Yeah... the same ones who think I'm so gross..."




"Ok, that's it! We are going out!"
"What? But I don't want to..."
"No excuses! I'm gonna take you to the best club in Downtown!"
"I don't dance..."
"Well, there's always a first time for everything! Come on! It'll be fun!"




Helena took him to the Lulu Lounge, a popular dance club among the college students.




At first, Tim felt completely awkward among the older visitors.
He was just 14, after all.
He had been admitted to the place only because Helena was an amazing liar and was friends with the security crowd.




But soon enough he began to enjoy the music and the bright lights.
This place was so different from the arcades or the bowling alley.
And he wasn't THAT bad at dancing!




"So, what do you think? Are you having fun, Tim?"
"Yeah, this place is quite nice... albeit different."




"Oh, just you wait until we go to Crypt O'Night Club! That place is awesome!"
Tim wasn't sure if he'd be able to fit with the crowd that frequented the Dancing Clubs.
But he could at least thank Helena, for she had been able to make him forget about Marsha.
At least for a little while...

________________________________




No one could ever imagine that the General Buzz Grunt and the half-alien Cosmo Broke would become friends one day.
But time changes everything, and it's able to wash away even the deepest grudges.




"Buck told me that your grandson has been studying a lot lately... isn't he a bit young to take the exams for College?"
"Of course, Grunt."
"Then..."
"Well, I guess all my studying habits have influenced my family over the years..."




"I always loved to read about everything. I was a very curious child, just like Tim.
I'm sure he'll make a good job at the Strangetown Academy."




"The Private School? Wow... I've heard that it's very difficult to get in... not to mention expensive..."




"That's why Tim spent a long time convincing his father. Neither Puck nor Wanda went to Private School, so they think it's not important to go to a fancy school. They both did just fine at College with their public school studies, after all."
"Yeah, I don't understand the appeal of those schools. I was able to home-school my children just fine... I'm sure Ripp's awful grades were just a way to make me angry."
"Well, I went to Strangetown Academy and had a nice time there. The extra-curricular activities were quite complete. So I can see why Tim would want to go there."




"Puck eventually accepted and invited the Headmaster over. My grandson was thrilled, and I think that's the reason Puck gave in. Tim had been a bit depressed these last few weeks..."




"So, how did it go?"
"Oh, the Headmaster was impressed with Wanda's roast, not to mention Puck's smooth people skills. He not only accepted Tim, but also Helena and Rose Mary. The girls aren't precisely excited by this news, especially Rosie..."
"Yeah, that means she won't go to school with Buck anymore..."




"Speaking of... how are your sons doing?"




"Just fine, Broke. Tank and Kristen are still together and although at first I had my doubts about her, I'm now sure that she's the right woman for my son."




"I miss Tank. He was the only one I could talk to about anything... but I guess he won't be moving back anytime soon."




"Ripp found a job as a Deep Sea Excavator and moved away to Tikki Island.
I guess his dream of leaving this "boring town" as he always said finally came true."




"I also miss him. The house is just too... quiet without his loud voice and his sloppy habits.
I often find myself in his old room, as if that were enough to bring him back.
But I know that won't happen... he's never coming back..."




"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Grunt..."




"No matter how far he goes... a son always come back.
His link to his family would always tie him to this town.
You'll see Ripp again; I'm sure about that..."




"I hope you are right, Broke.
Well... that only leaves me with Buck.
Don't get me wrong, I love to have him around.
But most of the time he's just... so quiet.
I barely notice when he's at home.




We try to spend time together now and then.
Most nights, we watch TV.
Or more exactly, Buck tries to watch TV while I complain about the lousy shows.
Kids these days! So many reality shows! So many sexual movies! No wonder this world is so tainted now!"




Perhaps that's why we settled for the Yum Yum Channel.
Sure, there's no plot or drama in those shows, but at least they are clean from the filth from today!




Quiet as always, Buck didn't complain about my channel of choice.
And he eventually began to enjoy it.




So much that he now tries the recipes he watches every day.
And just the other day, he told me he wanted to be a professional chef, like the people on TV."




"Oh, so that's why he quit his job at Wanda's Beauty Salon..."
"Yeah, no offense, Broke, but that wasn't a real job for my son. We Grunts weren't made for that kind of things..."




"Not that I completely agree with his current job at the SimBurger restaurant, but he seems happy."




"Just the other day, he made a Baked Alaska for dessert. I think he's got a gift for cooking.
Perhaps he got it from his mother..."




"The rest of the time, he's locked inside his room studying and doing his homework..."




"I'm really dreading the moment they'll retire me, Broke. I know the people at the Base are still angry at me for my failure at Takemizu Village.
Our friendship is not doing wonders for my position either..."
"Buzz..."
"I don't care about them anymore. The only thing that worries me is how bored I'll be when I retire... I've already read all the books at home twice. I even read those cheap novels Ripp used to hide under his bed..."
"So that means you already read my memories, Grunt?"
"Not yet, Cosmo... I'm still not ready for that..."
"Take your time, my friend..."

_________________________________________




Rose Mary worked as a sound engineer at the Midnight Flows Café.
Although she was quite busy on the weekends, when people crowded around the small karaoke machine (and therefore she had to adjust it constantly), on school days she got quite bored.
"Testing... one, two, three..."




The place was desert.
There was really no point on adjusting the sound of a karaoke machine that wouldn't be used at all that night.




Well, almost...
It was at nights like this one when she was granted permission by her boss to use the karaoke machine as much as she wanted.
Surrounded by the empty tables of the Café, Rose Mary often dreamed of being the star of a huge concert.




So immersed was she in her dreams, that she didn't notice the lone customer who was watching her.




... until he took a spare mic and joined her song.




"Hey, Babe! That was awesome! You've really got the music inside you!"
"Oh... thank you..."




"Actually, you are just what I was looking for..."
"And that is..."
"What do you think about joining the greatest rock band in the History of Music?"

The boy took Rose Mary hand. Her first impulse was to push him away, but his hand was so rough, and the energy that flowed between them in that moment was so... intense, that she didn't move. She just couldn't...

"Come with me, I'll tell you everything..."




The boy introduced himself as Dawson Thayer, a 18-year-old student from Weirdsquare.
"The folks at Weirdsquare are just too stuck up to enjoy quality music, and that's why I moved here. My parents were so angry at me, but to Hell with them! No one is going to stop my dream of becoming a Rock God."




Dawson invited Rose Mary to join his music band, "The Llama-Ramas". He'd already found a drummer, but he still needed a bass player and a singer.
He was absolutely pleased when Rose Mary told him she played the bass.




"Well then, let's toast for the freaking best rock band in the history! We are going to rock Strangetown, babe!"




"I'll see you next Friday at my place, Rosie. Don't be late..."




When he placed his hand over her cheek, she felt goose bumps all over her body.
Dawson was so different from other boys she'd met. So loud... so straightforward.
And she found herself so attracted to that...

_________________________




Tim was very nervous during his first day at Strangetown Academy.
It'd be weird to ride a bus and not see Marsha and Hobbes waiting for him at their usual seat.
But that was precisely the reason he had begged his parents to enroll him at the private school.
If he wanted to forget about Marsha, he had to get away from them.




Rose Mary wasn't as happy as her brother.
The fact that her schedule would be completely different from Buck's was what worried her the most.
They hadn't seen each other as frequently as they did in the past. Between their jobs and her rehearsals with Dawson, there was little time for them.
On the plus side, she hoped the people at the Academie Le Tour Conservatory would be more open to admit her if she got good grades at a prestigious school like this one.




And Helena... she couldn't care less.
She was currently pissed at the Academy's dressing code.
The Headmaster had told her that she wouldn't be allowed to keep shaving her head.
She definitely wasn't looking forward to growing back her hair.
Not to mention the hideous uniform!




Well, at least her several "friends" found the schoolgirl look quite sexy.




Especially when they took her outfit off...




Despite her love for painting, Helena had discovered a new form of art.
After watching Wanda perform great make-overs on her many clients, Helena got interested.




So, she convinced her suitors to become the "canvas" to her new way of artistic expression.
She called it, "Sim Art".




Therefore, the results of her make-overs were a bit... odd, to say the least.




Well... at least the "canvas" seemed to like it, though.




Despite her new hobbie, Helena wasn't going to forget her other, nightly pastimes.
So, she took Tim to Crypto'Night Club the following night.
Surrounded by kids of his age, Tim felt more self-conscious than ever.
His clothes, his silly pink hat and his stupid freckles.
He was a freak compared to the nice dressed teens around him.




And it seemed like Helena wouldn't be able to pay much attention to him that night.




Tim tried to dance along the complicated Smuttle steps, but he just felt ridiculous.




"Hey, Tim! There are a couple of beauties over there, and they have been checking you out the whole night. Why don't you go over there to say hello?"




Feeling a bit more confident by Helena's words, Tim looked around...




Only to realize that Helena was talking about them.
The nicest girls at Strangetown Academy, not to mention the richest.
Opal Turner was just... gorgeous and popular.
There was no way she'd pay attention to him.




Embarrassed, Tim went to the bar and sat down.
This was so stupid! What was Helena thinking?
Opal Turner! What a joke! Sure, he had a itsy-bitsy crush on her, but so did the rest of the school.
The mere thought of someday becoming Mr. Tim Turner was enough to make him laugh out loud.
Except he wasn't in the mood for that... he just wanted to go home.




"Why so down, cutie? Here... it's on the house."
Helena made a false ID for the both of them a few ways before.
It was a wonder how come no one suspected he was just 14... He just looked, so childish!
But Hell! Here he was, and the lovely bartender thought he was 18.
And he just couldn't refuse a drink from a lovely girl... perhaps the only one who'd think he's cute besides his mother.




Tim had never tasted alcohol before that night, but nonetheless, he drank the clear liquid in record time.
It tasted horrible... but he soon felt a warm sensation inside his chest.
And his head felt so light... so soft...
He felt so relaxed... and giddy.
Like if he wanted to sing out loud.
And that's what he did.




Before he knew it, he was singing a silly rap song he had composed as a kid in the middle of the dancing square.
When he was younger, he used to write stupid poems and games with Calvin. They were both known as the class clowns at Elementary School.
Well, here was Tim making a fool out of himself a few years later, but in that moment he didn't care.
There was no way he could go lower than he was at the moment, right?




And amazingly enough, once he was done, the people around the square began to cheer and clap.
They had really liked his silly performance!




And when Opal Turner approached him, Tim thought he was in the middle of a dream.
"Oh my! That was so cute and funny! You've got talent! I'm Opal and I think I've seen you around school, right?"
"Yeah, my name is Tim..."
"Cute name! Wanna dance with me?"




And that's how Tim and Opal became friends.

_____________________________________




"So, they finally got rid of me, Broke. Forty years of constant work at the Military and I get a lousy medal, a monthly check and they forget about me. I... I just don't know what to do with my life now..."




"And it's not like I'm a useless! I'm still strong! I could kick the ass of all the sissies at the Base anytime!"




"I understand, Buzz. When I retired from the SimPharmaceutical, I thought I'd go crazy. Luckily, my daughter-in-law Eighty took charge of my unfinished research and she calls me every day for my opinion. And I've been doing a bit of work at my lab..."
"So you're still inventing crazy stuff, heh?"




"It was a present for my grandson's 15th birthday."




"A thinking cap. It doubles the activity of your neuronal waves to improve the learning abilities of the user. Tim's been using it to study acting and comedy books. He's taken a sudden interest in being a comedian."
"An odd choice for a kid, don't you think?"
"Well, as long as he's happy... how are your sons? Have you gotten news from Ripp?"
"Not since that postcard from MawiHawi... I hope he's all right."




"And I wish he'd come back for Tank's wedding, but I know that's impossible. I'm not even sure that he got my letter with the news of his engagement."




"Oh! Nice move, Broke. Remind me... where did you learn to play chess?"




"My father used to play it, but I really learned it at La Fiesta Teach. My best friend back then, Andromeda Curious, taught me."
"Curious... as in..."
"The Scientists, right. Their successors have followed their research for generations. My great-nephew, Saturn, and his son are currently living in their old house."




"Speaking of that Broke... I... I finally read your memories."
"Oh, really?! And..."
"Well... ever since I finished them, I've been stargazing again. Last time I did that was when I was part of the Anti-Graslaxian squad. Our research didn't reach any conclusive data about the life of your species so; your book has opened my eyes in many ways. It's way different than what we all thought back then..."




"Yes, it's different. I remember being so shocked when I first got into the Graslaxian Mothership."
"I think I finally understand why you do that... the abducting of humans and all that..."
"I'm glad you are finally seeing things from our point of view, Buzz. And I admit I also understand your position..."
"You mean the Army?"
"Yes. For years I thought you were our Enemy and that your hate was irrational. But... before I met you... before I learned the story of Buck Strong... I already realized why you were so afraid of us."




"Our methods to Pollinate humans are violent and traumatic. That's why we use drugs to erase the vessel's memories... When I was in the ship, I often failed my pollinization practices. The method is also dangerous... one mistake could lead to the human's death."




"But above that is the fact that most of the vessels are abducted on force. Most of them are taken away from their homes, making their families suffer. Some of them don't even return to Earth, for they die during the procedure. All of them end in our hands through lies and manipulation. The Graslaxians are desperate to save their race, so they don't mind doing such horrible things for their cause..."




"Sure, the P.T.'s make sure that only the right vessels are abducted. Those who need a family. Those who wish for company. Those who have a great thirst for knowledge..."




"My father never held a grudge against P.T. Smith, for I was the greatest gift someone could give a man as lonely as he was. But... but what of those whose families are shattered by the abduction? Like my own son, Andrew...




Like Puck, who I manipulated when he was just a kid just so he would carry Helena one day.




The Graslaxian cause is right... but the method is wrong. If only there was a way to do this without installing fear among the humans... that'll be the day we'll be truly accepted by your race, Buzz. Ever since I returned from the ship, after being a witness of the horrors humans suffer on board, I tried to do anything to pay back what you've done for us. My medical research... my inventions... anything to clean our name..."
"I think you've done enough, Broke. I'm also not proud of the stuff we did at the Army, so I hope my sons and their children are able to clean our name too."
"And they'll succeed... I'm sure of that..."

________________________________




It all started with an odd craving for chocolate sundaes.




Mixed with morning sickness and nausea, it was enough to make Wanda wonder if what she already dismissed as impossible was actually coming true.




Tim was the one who noticed her odd behavior... and the first one to put her suspicions into words.
"You are pregnant, right?"




"I... I don't really know, Tim. I'm almost 50... I'm too old to bear a child..."




Wanda asked Tim to not tell anybody until she got a pregnancy test.
The young boy soon found out that it was harder to keep that promise than he expected.
As he had lunch with Helena at a local café, he barely paid attention to what she was saying.




"All right, Tim. Will you pay attention to me, or not? Man! You are mind sure is out of sinchrony today!"
"I... I'm sorry..."
"I asume you are so distracted that you haven't noticed Opal checking you out this whole time, right?"




"What?!"




Helena was right, for Opal was sitting at the next table.
She hadn't taken her eyes away from Tim.
The boy felt a hot blush tint his cheeks.




"When are you going to ask her out, Tim? It's obvious that she's got a crush on you."
"That's ridiculous... I..."




"Why? I know about these things, Tim."
"It's just that I... I don't feel ready for that..."
"Ready for what? Oh! Don't tell me you are still waiting for Marsha! You know that's not going to happen... at least not now! Come on! Live the present, kid!"




And that's what Tim did the following weeks.
Between the pregnancy secret and his inability to forget about Marsha, Tim did everything to keep his mind busy.




He spent a long time at the Lulu Lounge and met a lot of people.




And he also earned an extra Simoleon or two working as a DJ some nights.




He wasn't still the best dancer, though...




But what he did the best was to act in front of people.
He had already put together a small comedy routine. He improvised some jokes and songs and he imitated some of the most popular celebrities from SimCity.
His act was soon well known around the usual clients at Lulu Lounge.








He truly enjoyed acting.
It was in those moments when he truly felt himself. He forgot about his insecurities and just... became someone else.
Someone confident and smart. Someone who could have any girl he wanted...
Except for one.




The owner of the Lounge eventually proposed him to become part of the club.
He'd be paid a generous fee each weekend to perform in front of the clients.
Tim just couldn't believe his luck!
"Prepare a good routine for next Saturday, Broke. And look your best! If my clients enjoy your show, I might hire you for more nights!"




Tim made sure his show would be the best he had done.
But he also needed to dress better, so with the extra money he had earned from his acting tips and his job as a movie critic at Strangetown Academy's newspaper, he went to the new clothing store at Downtown for a new outfit.












And just as he was paying, he bumped into two familiar faces.
"Hey Tim! What a surprise! It's been forever!"




"H... Hi, Marsha..."
"What are you doing here? Duh! Dumb question, I know. It's just that you never were the kind of guy who likes to go shopping, right?"
"Right. It's just that I need some better clothes for my new job and..."
"New job?"




Tim told Marsha and Hobbes about his new position at the Lulu Lounge.
"That's awesome, cousin! I'm sure you are going to do it great!"
"When are you going to do your first show?"
"Next Saturday..."




"We will be there, Tim."
"But you don't like to go to those clubs..."
"Come on! We wouldn't miss it for anything! Besides, you'll need your friends to support you, right?"
"Well..."




"Oh, it's late! Hobbes and I got tickets for "Simderella"... Man, Tim! If only we'd known we'd find you here..."
"It's all right, Marsha. I'm a bit busy..."
"Well, we'll go some place fun after you win your audience next Saturday! I know you'll do it just right!"
"Thanks..."




"Let's go, Hobbes..."- said Marsha as she kissed her boyfriend lightly- "See you next Saturday, Tim!"
"Bye..."

Despite feeling his heart ache a little at the sight of the girl he'd never have, he also felt... happy. Because for a moment, Hobbes and Marsha had been the friends Tim missed so much. Perhaps he'd been so jealous of Hobbes that he didn't realize that they were still as good friends as always. Perhaps it was time to let those negative feelings go and move on, to get back his friends.




And to his good luck, he bumped precisely into the best way to move on as he was leaving the store.
"Hey, Tim!"




"Hi, Opal!"
"Oh, Jane from the Lulu Lounge told me about your gig next Saturday! Congratulations!"
"Thank you..."
"I'm sure you'll be the best! I've seen you act every single weekend and I just looove your jokes!"




This was it, though Tim. It was now or never.
"H... hey, Opal. I... I was wondering...if you'd like to go out with me next Friday... sure... if you can... and want to... and..."




"Oh... of course I'd love to go on a date with you! I've been waiting for you to ask me forever!"




"Yes!"

____________________________

Click here to go to PART 2

Comments

[simgaroop.livejournal.com]

Actually, that Opal Turner thing came out by chance. That's her name in the game and she's the girl Tim liked when I had him scoop the room at CryptONight Club (I was actually going for the hat girl in a red coat, but Tim thinks she's disgusting).

Naturally, the joke just wrote itself when I was doing this update! :D

Yup, the drama is coming up in the next part, especially from Rose Mary's point of view. But the REAL drama will appear by the beginning of Gen 5 :).

[music-simbol.livejournal.com]

Oooh, always a fan of drama! Why do I have the feeling the "REAL" drama has to do with the arrival of gen 5? Hmmm.....

[music-simbol.livejournal.com]

Oh, and btw, the teaser pic says "4.3" instead of 4.6. Just an fyi.