The Mayors of Ellis Valley - Year of the Monkey stamps are here!

[newyorkstate 6]

Looks really good! I like your use of pictures, and imagination! Very impressive and useful! That's what I want to see, and you're doing a great job! Um.. Who The.. Oh Ya! Fairly nice images! But why do they link to ImageShack?

[cityhawk 12]

I like the craziness of the mayors' stories in this CJ! The pics are good, too. Can't wait for more!

[Benedict 3,119]

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/7152/eel2.jpg

I think I just have the wrong code from imageshack, Newyorkstate. Hopefully that is fixed in this update.Who knows how crazy the mayors will get, Cityhawk, although Edna Church is going to meet one very very soon...

Episode 8 - Tot forgotten on teacher's ferry trip

It's been a while since we were in Blackbar. Remember this house? That's where the Church family lives.



Dr Church works at the nearby medical clinic. Mrs Church teaches at Blackbar Elementary. Even though it is a few minutes walk away, Mrs Church drives to work every day. As the only middle class household in the area she likes to make her point, make it well, and make it often.



Edna Church hasn't made much progress with persuading mayor Jimmy Fallon to work harder at improving things in Blackbar. So far she hasn't even been able to see the mayor in person, thanks to his over-protective secretary.

Today Edna has bigger things on her mind. She is taking her 4th grade class on a trip to Eloff, and she is trying to take care of every last detail.



Although she is generally extremely organized, Edna can't help thinking that she has forgotten something as she counts the line of pupils going on the trip.



Eloff is quite far away, so Mrs Church and the children are taking the ferry. That's the ferry, heading down the coast to the Ellis River.



Despite her organizational skills Edna has forgotten something... or rather someone...



...yes, that's little Cathy Church on that trampoline! Edna is going to be mortified when she finds out that she has left her own daughter behind...

Next: Llamas and Spas in Anessa

  Edited March 18, 2013 by Benedict  

[GaBoR 7]

Lol some Home Alone trouble for the Church family!!! Nice story...

[newyorkstate 6]

Very very great! Nice images and fabulous details! keep up!

[cityhawk 12]

With the rising prices of gasoline today, I would walk to work if I lived that close. How could Mrs. Church forget her own daughter?! Anyway, looking forward to more!

[Benedict 3,119]

Yes, Gabor, Dr Church will get a surprise when he finds Cathy waiting at home. Hopefully he hasn't planned any illicit activities while the Mrs is away...

Thanks for the comment, Newyorkstate... there are certainly a lot more stories to tell - those sims are always doing something unusual.

Cityhawk, I think Mrs Church got caught up in the excitement of going to Eloff.

[Benedict 3,119]

Episode 9 - Laughing llama disturbs denizen

 

Anessa is one of those places that everyone just drives through on their way to somewhere else. In Ellis Valley the destinations are Oxbridge and Bellamie, which are close to Eloff, and the south coast.

 

If anyone does happen to stop in Anessa it is usually here, at the Laughing Llama rest stop.

 

Despite Anessa's status as a drive-through town, some people do, unfortunately for them, have to call it home.

From above, Anessa is quite unassuming, and appears almost idyllic.

 

Of course on closer viewing, Anessa is far from peaceful. Take this house, for example. This is where Christina Duffey lives. Christina has a great job and is doing pretty well for herself. Every Tuesday the pool boy comes to scoop leaves and adjust the chemical balance of the water, and every Thursday the gardener stops by to trim the bushes and water the plants. Most people would expect Christina to be pretty happy with her middle-class life, but she's not. She has two passionate hatreds in her world. The first one is her ex-friend, Betty Whiteapple. Betty used to live across the street and kept her house looking beautiful. However, when Betty took a job in another town she needed a quick sale, and now a hillbilly family is Christina's neighbour. The hillbillies are her second passionate hatred. They don't take care of anything, and every time Christina looks out of her front window at their delapidated house she becomes very, very irritated.

 

In order to prevent herself from doing something illegal to the dump across the street, Christina is forced to spend a lot of time at the local spa. She used to go to the spa with Betty, so once Betty made it onto her list of enemies, she sought a new friend. One day she was having a facial and struck up a conversation with the woman lying next to her, Brianna Oxley. Since Christina generally spends all of her time focused on her pool, her garden, her house, the state of the neighbor's yard, and stewing over Betty's betrayal, she had no idea that the woman was, in fact, the mayor of Anessa.

 

Poor Brianna! After that initial annoying experience she tried hard to make her appointments at the spa to avoid having to listen to Christina's incessant yapping, but somehow Christina always managed to show up just as the cosmetician had applied the face pack.

After a while Brianna learned to tune out Christina's whining. In fact, the second Christina said the magic words 'hillbilly' or 'Betty Whiteapple' Brianna pretty much dozed off. Brianna managed to tune Christina out for quite some time... until Christina developed a new and, true to form, passionate dislike for the Laughing Llama Rest Stop. She complained that the Llama was 'looking' at her as she drove by, and that it just attracted way too much traffic to Anessa.

The day that Christina started harping on about the Llama was the day that Brianna wiped the mud treatment off her own face, stood up quietly and left the spa. She walked back to her house, and immediately approved a zoning ordinance for a branch of the spa... right next to the Laughing Llama.

 

These days Christina is on the hunt for a new best friend. Brianna has her fingers crossed that she won't come looking in the spa behind the Llama...

Hopefully nobody finds out that Brianna used her mayoral authority for personal satisfaction. Although in Brianna's defense, Christina is one of the most annoying people in the entire region.

Next: Big balloon rides and little black books.

[GaBoR 7]

lol funny story, poor Mayor of Anessa!!! I'll be waiting for the next update

[Benedict 3,119]

Thanks for stopping by, Gabor. The next update is a bit longer than normal as it features a bigger 'city', so it is a few days away, hopefully it will be worth the wait.

[Darmok 34]

You never know when you'll need a Llama (even a laughing one) !

Keep it up!

[Benedict 3,119]

Yeah, Darmok, llamas always come in handy! You can never have enough...

Episode 10 - Edna tours Eloff
 

When the ferry carrying Edna Church's school group arrives at Ellis Landing, the mayor's assistant, Melissa Bennett, is waiting to greet them. She has a message for Mrs Church from her husband. Dr Church has decided that he is going to drive Cathy to Eloff so that she can join the trip.
 

Relieved that everything is going to turn out fine, Edna refocuses on the school trip. Ms Bennett is being extremely helpful and has prepared a lovely overview of the western half of Ellis Island.
 

 

Ms Bennett also has a surprise in store for the children - a visit to the state fair! And even better, they are going on a balloon ride!
 

The balloon ride takes them over some of the towns in the area. The state fair is located in Oxbridge. This town got its name from the bridge which farmers used to drive cattle across from Ellis Island to the mainland to sell at market.
 

 

The town of Readbridge is situated on the western point of Ellis Island. Melissa doesn't spend much time here as the mayor has instructed her not to focus on the poorer parts of the island. Melissa does take a moment to point out to the children that the town is not named after the red color of the bridge, but after the man who built it, Harry Read.
 

 

A bit further east on the island is Uphoff. Centered around Uphoff square, this is quite a well-to-do town.
 

 

 

Melissa steers the balloon back across the West River to Quelton, a quiet little agricultural town.
 

 

Not far from Quelton is Bellamie, where Melissa grew up.
 

 

Since becoming personal assistant to the mayor she now lives in the exciting hub of the area, Eloff!
 

 

The last town on the tour is Northbridge, which is an important connection from Eloff to the Skeleton coast as well as Crater Lake. Next to Northbridge is the forest reserve of Elliswood.
 

 

Mrs Church is thoroughly impressed with the state fair, the balloon ride, Ms Bennett's knowledge of local history, and the different towns. She decides to take a risk and ask if she can meet the mayor of Oxbridge. Ms Bennett tells her very firmly and with a straight face that she can't. On seeing Edna's crushed look, Melissa smiles before pointing out that the mayor of Eloff is also the mayor of all the towns on the balloon ride, and that he will meet with the children after lunch to answer their questions about local government. This news pleases Edna, as it means she can start to put her plan into action.
 

Melissa lands the balloon in Northbridge, and after lunch there the children and Mrs Church head to Eloff by coach. Melissa once again points out Elliswood, land donated to the people by the Ellis family with the proviso that it not be developed.
 

 

Once in Eloff itself the bus driver completes a full circuit around Commerce Circle, the thriving center of the town, before heading towards the mayor's house.
 

 

The mayor's house is built next to the small forest of Westwood. Mayor Benedict Tiles enjoys the contrast of being close to the commercial activity of the town and having a beautiful tree-filled vista behind his house.
 

 

After the mayor's meeting with the children Melissa takes them on a tour of the grounds of the mansion where she has prepared a treasure hunt - the children are delighted! Edna is also delighted, and tiptoes back to the mayor's house to see if she can 'accidentally' bump into Benedict.
 

Edna doesn't know that Benedict has been watching her on his closed circuit television monitoring system from the moment she set foot in the mansion. Edna also doesn't know that Benedict has an entry in one of his little black books with her name printed neatly at the top of one of the pages. Written below her name is a single word:

 

Eliminate

Next: "Nice to meet you, mayor!"

[GaBoR 7]

wow, this is getting intense, cool update, once again you left us in a cliffhanger!!!

[Darmok 34]

Hey Benedict,

a new twist here?

we're getting a bit "Hitchcockian'!

Take care....

[mayormommy 8]

Whoa, a strange turn in the school field trip! I love the overview of the the island, lots of nice little towns.

[Benedict 3,119]

Glad to keep your interest, Gabor. Looks like Edna may get more from Mayor Benedict than she bargained for!

Hey, Darmok. Well, some of the sims' stories are petty, some are funny, some are weird and some are downright sinister! Certainly seems like Benedict is a touch paranoid as well.

I'm glad you like the overview of Ellis, Mayormommy, that jpg took the most time for this episode. Lots of towns, yes. All nice? You'll have to stay tuned to find out...

[newyorkstate 6]

Looks Great! Just impossible To Desbribe how great! Hm... Very interesting...

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull updates love the pics

[gerAndi 29]

they're really nice

expecially the last few updates

keep it!

aNdi :thumps up:

[cityhawk 12]

I love your well planned out stories and how they're becoming more intense. I also really like the overview. I can't wait for more!

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Cityhawk, welcome back. I'm glad you and Jacqulina like the overview and the stories.

Newyorkstate - thanks for the nice compliment!

Thanks for paying a visit to the Valley, Gerandi, hopefully you'll be back for more.

 

Episode 11 - Dining in Denby

 

Most Saturday afternoons in one of three small restaurants in Denby a similar scene plays itself out between three small town mayors.

 

"Hello, Mayor Diggory Denby of Darby," says Dennis.
"Hello, Mayor Dennis Darby of Digby," says Diggory.
"Hello, Mayor Darren Digby of Denby," says Dennis.
"Hello, Mayor Dennis Darby of Digby," says Darren.
"Hello, Mayor Darren Digby of Denby," says Diggory.
"Hello, Mayor Diggory Denby of Darby," says Darren.

This highly evolved verbal exchange never ceases to entertain the mayors of Digby, Denby and Darby, who usually laugh uproariously over their own hilarious banter.

What nobody in the restaurants knows is that this witty repartee is actually a competition between the three men. The winner gets to have dinner in his favorite restaurant next Saturday, and the loser has to pay this Saturday. There are three rules: the first person to greet each of the other two mayors using the correct format is the winner, the last person to do so is the loser, and the man who has just spoken must allow someone else to speak before he may speak again.

What Darren doesn't know is that Dennis always chooses the restaurant where Moll Flanders works when he wins because Darren is easily distracted by the attractive waitress. Darren almost always loses each week. What Dennis doesn't know is that Diggory lets him win every week because he hates to have to choose between the three excellent dining establishments. Darren never seems to mind paying for lunch when Moll is waiting their table.

 

What the mayors don't know is that the restaurant staff's nicknames for the trio is Dumb, Dumber and Dumberer.

What nobody other than the mayors knows is that this week the lunch time agenda is quite serious. Once the food has arrived and Moll is out of earshot (and Darren's eyeshot), Diggory begins the discussion.
"So, what are we going to about this plan that that city-slicking upstart Benedict has proposed?"

Next: Question marks.

[GaBoR 7]

Mmmmhmmm maybe those 3 ain't that dumb, Benedict seems will face some opposition, Nice Update... Cant't wait for your next update...

[Darmok 34]

LOL, you had me stuttering while reading the mayors salutations!

Hummm... the plot thickens!

I'll stay tuned!

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Ah, very sordid. I look forward to reading more.

[JoeMeister 1]

Great looking region! Keep up the great work!

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Gabor - I expect that the 'dumb' trio will be making an appearance in the future.

Hi, Darmok - yes, the plot is getting more involved, and we're only on episode 11!

Hi, Shadow-assassin - I didn't think this particular episode was all that sordid... although I suppose there was that bit about ogling the waitress...

Hi, Joemeister - thanks for stopping by, hopefully you'll be following the story as it develops.

[Spookiety 1]

Great storyline but you really need to get on the ball and start growing that city.

[Benedict 3,119]

Thanks for stopping by, Spookiety, glad you like the story. Don't worry, there will be development, but only when it is right for the sims...

 

Episode 12 - Edna eliminated?

 

Mrs Edna Church has 'accidentally' wandered away from the group of schoolchildren and is trying to peer through the windows of the mayor's house.

 

"May I help you?" asks a voice from behind her.
"Goodness gracious!" squeaks Mrs Church with fright.
"Perhaps I can help you out of the flowerbed?" Benedict politely offers.
Edna Church has the decency to blush. "I'm so sorry, somehow I got separated from the children, and I was trying to see if I could attract someone's attention."
"If you come with me to my office we can call my assistant and maybe clean the mud off your nice shoes."
"Yes, of course, thank you."
"And maybe we can have some iced tea, it is such a warm afternoon here in Eloff."
"Iced tea would be lovely!" exclaims Edna.

As they enter the mayor's office Benedict deftly slides a small black notebook into one of his jacket pockets as Edna takes a seat. Feeling that she has managed to cover up her faux pas, she decides to use the opportunity to ask the mayor a few questions while they wait for the tea.
"You have such a lovely town, Mr Tiles," Edna gushes.
"Thank you, and please, call me Benedict."
"I wish Blackbar was more like Eloff, but our mayor is next to useless when it comes to progress, all he cares about is video games..." Edna starts to drone.

At this point in the conversation, despite the coolness of his office, a bead of sweat forms on Benedict's brow. Mrs Church's blabbering fades into the background as Benedict worries about the many facts he has kept hidden from this nosey woman and her annoying school trip.

Like the fact that, despite perfect conditions and high demand, a lot of farmland is lying fallow in Eloff and the surrounding towns.

 

Like the fact that hardly anybody wants to live in the newly developed town of Newbridge (which Melissa took care to avoid flying the balloon over).

 

Like the fact that an informant has classified Edna as a highly dangerous woman who could endanger his plans.

"... I mean, really, all it would take to spruce my own town up a bit would be a few plazas and the occasional park where the kids can play." Is what Benedict hears when he comes back to reality.
"Perhaps I could have a word with Mayor Fallon," Benedict suggests, as the droplet of sweat teeters on the edge of rolling down his face.
"Oh, could you? That would be so wonderful."
Before Benedict can answer, there is a knock on the door. It is Melissa, looking for 'lost' Edna. As Edna looks away to the door Benedict quickly blots his forehead.

As Melissa leads Edna out of his office, Benedict opens his little black book.
Parks and plazas? Could she really be that na�ve? Is she really unaware of his plans? If so, his information is clearly incorrect. However, if his information is correct, she must be playing him, and two can play at that game...

Benedict thinks for a moment or two before making a small change in his notebook on Edna Church's page:

 

Eliminate?

Next: Plans.

[Darmok 34]

Very good idea to integrate undevelopped sectors into the story!

And the suspense is almost palpable!!!

What  now?

I guess we'll all have to wait won't we?

Take care (....of Edna....glp!)

[GaBoR 7]

Damn Edna woman, poor Benedict well if you can say he's a victim, more a victim of his own game!!! Great Story, Bad-Benedict you leave us again in the edge of the chair!!!!!