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

[cityhawk 12]

Well, you've seemed to have portrayed today's political world quite accurately! And with that, I'm proud to announce my

2000th POST!!!!!!!!!!

in your CJ! Keep up that conspiracy story you're working with!

[choco1 4]

Fantastic story! And great intergration of simcity images to make the story even better.

Great work, keep it up!

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Darmok - it wouldn't be much fun if you didn't have to wait in suspense, now, would it? Plus I only have a vague idea of where the story is going - the sims haven't revealed all that much to me - usually just enough for an episode or two. Fortunately, just like any good soap opera, the stories seem to keep on coming.

Hi, Gabor - there's a rumor going around that if you check the label on Benedict's shirts it says 'Paranoia'. But there's also a rumour that the label in Edna's blouse says 'Trained to kill'!! I wonder if either of them is true? And I love being bad-benedict...

Hi, Cityhawk - wow, 2000 posts! Thanks for choosing Ellis Valley for number 2000. I'm glad you're enjoying the conspiracy story.

Hi, Chocolatemax - thanks for commenting. Great to hear you like the story. To be honest with you, most of the story is inspired by the in-game images, which is probably why they seem to integrate well with the narrative. This game is so amazing in its depth and details (and I'm running a vanilla CJ - not a single bat or mod in sight!!) that it should keep me busy for many episodes to come.

[Benedict 3,119]

Episode 13

Meanwhile, back in a small diner in Denby, three country mayors are squinting at a schematic that the mayor of Eloff has sent to them...

"Benedict says this will increase our towns' incomes," notes Dennis Darby, mayor of Digby.

"Maybe, but he isn't going to be the one paying for it, is he?" comments Darren Digby of Denby.

"How exactly will it bring in money?" asks Diggory Denby, mayor of Darby.
"More citizens," Dennis and Darren say at the same time.

"Oh," says Diggory in a flat voice.

There is silence as all three stare at the map. They know what 'more citizens' means. It means they will have to start providing police coverage, medical clinics, fire engines and garbage removal. It means a lot more work. A lot more work they don't want to do.

"There's more," Darren announces. "He's even taken the time to come up with artists impressions of the new stations.

"What, one for each town?" exclaims Diggory in surprise.
"Yes, here's the one for Darby," says Dennis, passing him the design.

"Looks nice enough, at least," Diggory admits.

"But where is the line going to terminate?" enquires Dennis.
Darren provides the answer. "Port Sinclair, according to Benedict's letter."

There is silence once more as all three consider the serious implications of that little fact.

Finally Dennis takes a long look at each of the other mayors. "Well, what do you think?"
In a resigned voice, Diggory says, "I think it's pretty clear what we think."
"In spite of what we all think, we should follow protocol," insists Darren, reaching into his pocket to fish out the black velvet bag.

Each mayor secretly places a white or black die in the bag and passes it around the table. Black indicates rejection of the proposal, white means acceptance. Darren nonchalantly empties the bag onto the table. The mayors stare in surprise at the white die that lies between two black dice before each slowly turns his gaze to the other mayors, looking for any telltale signs of dissent...

Next: The house by the lake.

[kant01 5]

Hey Benedict -

Great updates! Oooooh - I love dissent! And what about Edna??   Is she going to be wacked off?

Really enjoying your CJ! Love the story! Keep up the great work!

[cityhawk 12]

If those mayors don't want to provide police & fire coverage and garbage services, then why are they mayor's at all? After all, that's part of what mayor's do. They should have seen that in their job description when they applied to be mayor. Anyhow, I look forward to finding out who is dissenting.

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, kant01 - you'll have to stay tuned to find out more about Edna. Thanks for the nice comment.

Hi, cityhawk - well, normally mayors would be all about providing services, but in this part of Ellis Valley things are a little different...

[Benedict 3,119]

Episode 14

When the rich and famous tire of the big city life in Eloff, they head north to Crater Lake. With its beautiful clean water, beaches and lovely houses it is the perfect place to relax.

The Ellis Valley Geological Society gives regular guided tour of this part of the Valley. The lake is thought to have been created by a meteor millions of years ago. But enough ancient history... it is time to see what is happening in the present.

Despite his destination, Mayor Benedict is far from relaxed. It is the middle of the night and Melissa is driving him into Crater Lake proper.

"You know it's time, Benedict," Melissa says compassionately.

"Yes." Benedict's answer is terse.
"Almost there. Are you ready?" asks Benedict's loyal assistant.
Benedict smiles. "You know I am never ready for this."

They drive the rest of the way in silence.

This is their destination.

This is a typical house in a typical neighborhood, one of many beautiful homes in Crater Lake. The owner pays the taxes and utility bills on time, and there is never any disturbance on the grounds that would arouse the attention of inquisitive neighbors.

What the neighbors don't know is that, over the years, and usually under cover of darkness, many people have arrived at the house. What the neighbors also don't know is that most of the night-time guests refer to the house simply as 'The Asylum'.

Melissa pulls into the driveway of The Asylum. A light is turned on in the front hallway. Without a word, and without looking back, Benedict exits the car and walks through the front door, which closes quietly behind him.

The nightnurse greets Benedict, then directs him to the usual room.

Next: The informant.

[Darmok 34]

Hey Benedict,

While reading your post in AVR, one question popped into my mind....

What happened to Edna????

So I feverishly cliked on you CJ's link, and see that I didn't miss much. Update wise that is.

Cause your prose was sorely missed this summer.

Now..... Still wondering about her....  

**Waiting and gnawing my fingernails***

[jacqulina 162]

wow very nice work and great story cant wait for more,lovely pics too

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Darmok. Thanks for the comment, and I'm sorry you had to miss my prose! Summer was crazy, plus the sims were very very quiet, too. Never fear, I will wring this story out of them one way or another. And I am still following ARV, I love the small details you show, and how you constantly strive to do things that are different for each update. I don't know how you do it.

Hi, Jacqulina. Thanks for stopping by. I'm enjoying your journal development - definitely one of the best as far as terraforming is concerned. Ellis Valley is hand-terraformed and I have to say it was hard work, and although the result is OK, it looks totally amateurish compared with your stuff. Hopefully the story makes up for it.

I contemplated doing something special for this episode since it is the 100th post in my CJ, but the sims of Ellis Valley didn't seem that impressed, and they went about their business as usual. In fact, they were being a bit stubborn and only gave me a small glimpse into their present activities...

Episode 15

Astute observers will have noticed that, in addition to the mayors' cars, a fourth vehicle is parked outside of a certain Denby diner.

The car belongs to an informant who reports to Benedict Tiles, mayor of Eloff. After hearing the outcome of Diggory, Darren and Dennis's vote he leaves the restaurant at the first opportunity and drives at high speed back to his home on the outskirts of neighboring Digby.

Safe behind closed doors and curtained windows, he reaches for the telephone. His hands are slightly sweaty as he dials Benedict's private number. Benedict does not like to be disappointed...

Next: Filing

[cityhawk 12]

Wow, I haven't seen this CJ in over three months! I notice that b/c I made my 2000th post here, and I looked at the date of that post to see when I reached 2000 so I can see how many more posts I've made since then (over 2x more!).

Anyway, I'm glad the story is back, and nice mosaics and pics you have as well!

I look forward to more!

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Cityhawk. Thanks for making it back to Ellis Valley. Glad you are back with the story. Wow, you have been a really active poster during the last few months.

Episode 16

In Eloff, Melissa Bennett is making the most out of Mayor Benedict's absence. She doesn't have to make the trip back to Crater Lake until tomorrow, so she is catching up on her filing.

Normally Melissa hates filing, but today is going to be different. It all starts when she accidentally drops one of the files and loose pages go flying everywhere.

Normally Melissa is well-spoken, but today she curses like a Port Sinclair sailor. She hates dropping files more than she hates filing them.

And normally Melissa does her filing as quickly and efficiently as possible. But today the notes and plans laid out on the loose sheets from this particular file have caught her attention. Today things are going to be quite different indeed.

Melissa, not even aware what she is doing at first, sits down in the Mayor's chair and spreads the plans out across his neatly kept desk.

The first diagram is marked EllisRail.

Even though she is from the tiny village of Bellamie, Melissa is a savvy young woman when it comes to town planning. She sees right away that Benedict has made sure that Eloff will be the main crossing point for the east-west and north-south rail lines. Although this plan has been in development for Eloff for months, and she has been in all the meetings, she is surprised to see that even Bellamie will be connected to the network!

The next map, coded El-el, has Melissa stumped until she realizes that the notes that go with it are under the desk.

Benedict's notes are abbreviated, but Melissa is used to deciphering his shorthand. 'El' refers to Eloff, and, based on the schematic, the 'el' must refer to elevated rail. But the network is much more expansive than anything the mayor discussed with his transit and budget advisor at the last executive meeting. And the two stubs to the east referred to as EM and WM... they must be connections to Elmouth and Westmouth! Now how on earth has Benedict managed to convince Gavin Ellis and Sue Ellen Ewing to allow Eloff's system to extend into their towns.

The final page is labeled 'Circles', which is odd, since there is only one circle in Eloff.

Sure enough, the center of Eloff, Commerce Circle, is highlighted. But the other two roads don't even exist. Benedict's notes refer to 'Station Circle' and 'Eloff Circle'. And both extend well beyond the current city limits.

And even if Benedict had approval to build all of this, the city budget is in no state to pay for it.

She suddenly focuses on the fact that she has been rifling through official documents, and starts to put everything back in the folder. She is about to leave the office when she happens to glance at the mayor's in tray. A folder marked 'Projects' that should be filed in the filing cabinet in her office is sitting there. She picks it up on her way out when a tree blowing in a sudden gust of wind taps against the window, startling her. And she drops the file. And pages fall on the floor and underneath the desk. And there is more nautical language. And Melissa can't help noticing the word 'Rail Contract' on one of the documents. She sits at the desk again, reading carefully but quickly. It is the final version of the contract for bringing rail to Eloff and the surrounding towns, and it has to be couriered back to the developers today. And Benedict won't be back until tomorrow.

The contract looks legal, and appears to be correct (aside from the station at Bellamie). Melissa pauses for a few moments, then makes a decision. If this contract is late the cost will almost definitely be drastically increased, and there will be questions from city council about the mayor's competence. She has signed Benedict's name hundreds of times on memos and letters that he has approved. She picks up the mayor's sterling silver fountain pen and forges his signature on the contract, before tucking it into an envelope marked 'Urgent - for immediate delivery'. Feeling a small thrill of power she decides to worry about the other plans after she drops this off at the courier's office.

As she is addressing the envelope, the telephone on the mayor's desk starts ringing...

Next: A sneak peek!

[jacqulina 162]

hi benedict you are welcome i enjoyed my visits,and thankyou very much for the nice comment about my terraforming,yes it takes a long time to get the results i get,but dont pull yourself down your terraforming is great,but your building is far better than mine im in a rut at the moment with where to continue i am much better at sculptering the terrain lol but i wont give in.everyone does there best my friend and i for one love looking at everyones work.i love your story.great farms i like your roads,i love your maps showing all the areas.wonderfull work and pics

[Benedict 3,119]

Wow, Jacqulina, that is quite a speech from you!! Thanks as always for stopping by and for your positive comments.

The next update is in the works, so hopefully that will appear next week.

In the meantime, here is a peek into the future....

[Schulmanator 5,815]

I am eager to see what you have for the next update

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Schulmanator. Thanks for stopping by. And the story continues...

Episode 17

In Eloff...

Melissa looks at the phone, thinking that it is very odd for it to be ringing when all calls to the mayor go through her own desk. She picks up the ringing phone and before she can say, "Mayor Benedict's office," a gruff voice says, "The plan is in jeopardy," then the line goes dead. Melissa shakes her head in disbelief. Another prank caller! He must have dialed randomly and been lucky enough to get straight to the mayor's desk. She picks up her envelope and walks back to her desk. As she is looking for her keys he phone begins to ring. She eyes it warily, then picks up the receiver...

In Digby...

The informant stares in disbelief at the phone, which has suddenly gone dead. Already nervous about calling Benedict with bad news, paranoia takes over. He drops to the floor, worried about a possible assailant. Suddenly there is a loud rapping on the front door...

In Crater Lake...

It has been a long and stressful night. Benedict has not slept at all. He finds these monthly visits to the Asylum exhausting, but this one is particularly difficult because it happens be his anniversary...

In Denby...

"I have an idea," says Dennis. "There's a way we can turn this to our advantage, and let Benedict think he has the upper hand."

"Are you sure we can afford to double-cross Benedict?" asks Darren.

"The question is: can we afford not to..."

Next: Charity begins at home.

[Benedict 3,119]

Episode 18

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, Crater Lake used to be Benedict's favorite place in all of Ellis Valley.

His favorite part of Crater Lake used to be the southshore.

And his favorite memory of Crater Lake used to be his wedding. The marriage ceremony took place in this house of worship...

...the reception at the beach...

...and the wedding night at the West family cottage.

But now Crater Lake is Benedict's least favorite place to be. Now, once a month, he is forced to make the emotional journey to the Asylum.

Here he is forced to relive those brief happy moments he and his bride spent together. And here he is forced to deal with the reality of the present. And the very real insanity of his wife, Charity.

This visit, the anniversary of his wedding, is particularly hard on Benedict, but he has endured the secretive night drive, the day with Charity and her psychiatrist, and is now ready to go back to Eloff. He is in the process of making the call to his office in Eloff when the nurse interrupts him. "Mr Tiles, the mayor would like a few words." Benedict's face turns white. The Asylum is supposed to operate outside of the mayor's influence! Shocked into silence, he allows the nurse to direct him to the door where a car is waiting to take him to see the mayor of Crater Lake...

Next: Burgers.

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Doh! Another cliffhanger!!!! :-) Excellent update!

[jacqulina 162]

hi my friend,you are welcome,i like the ideas you are having,great housing you have done,i like the curvy streets,crater lake is looking fantastic,great beach there and a reception too,very nice work and pics,awwwwwww the story had some sad bits it was great though

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Schulmanator. Well, if you have been following the story you'll know that many episodes end in a bit of a cliffhanger. I'll let you in on a little secret, though... at least one major storyline will be concluded in the season finale!

Hi, Jacqulina. Yes, there are going to be some sad parts to the story, this is a soap opera after all! However, I don't know that I feel all that sorry for Benedict - he seems a little mentally unstable himself at times.

Welcome to Elbow Pass, yet another seemingly sleepy rural town in Ellis Valley.

There are two main roads in town, High Pass and Low Pass. And the junction of the two roads is quite a busy intersection. It is a perfect location for a Laughing Llama franchise.

The mayor of Elbow Pass, Ella Bowes-Lyon, runs the Laughing Llama. Elbow Pass has less than a thousand simcitizens, so Ella easily manages the town as well as her franchise. The franchise does very well. So well that Ella can afford to drive around in a sporty pink Mitsubishi.

At lunchtime the Laughing Llama gets very busy. Ella's Laughing Burgers are famed throughout the region.

The only problem Ella has with her franchise is the mess it creates when it decides to spit.

The nasty loogies the building hocks up every now and again make a mess on the roads and create dangerous driving conditions.

Unfortunately Ella can't predict when the Llama will spit, or where the spit will land.

So she is always ready with a bucket and shovel to clean up the road. Everyone thinks she is a fantastic mayor for performing such an unpleasant task.

What nobody knows is that Ella uses small amounts of the Llama spit in her burgers! The spit holds the meat together better than anything she has ever tried. And the burgers only taste a tiny bit strange.

What Ella doesn't know is that the secret to her success is the Llama spit - it is somewhat addictive, and keeps her customers coming back for more.

Another thing that Ella doesn't know is that on certain nights the Llama's eyes glow a slightly evil shade of red. She might think twice about using spit in her cooking if she ever noticed this, but she only works the lunch shift. Anyone who has noticed it just thinks they are those warning lights for low-flying aircraft.

I wonder what they really signify?

Next: The telephone only rings twice

[jacqulina 162]

hi my friend,great city tile pic there its starting to grow well,i love the laughing llama lol,very nice pics they sure go great with the story,very nice update and pics,the night pic especially

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Ewwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is the Llama named Llarry by any chance?

[GMT 389]

great story. really like reading here.

good pics to present work aswell!

waiting for more

[hamsterTK 93]

lol thats really gnarly

I knew someone who stuck maple syrup in ground beef so itd form into patties. that was interesting...

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Jaqulina, thanks for the comment. Well, this whole story is inspired by the small things that I notice in the game - I was shocked the first time I saw the tourist trap spitting on the road. And of course it had to make it into the story.

Hi, Schulmanator. The sims didn't tell me if the Llama has a name (I don't think they even know if it is male of female). Apparently Ella has been known to call it "Cash Cow", but only when she thinks it isn't listening...

Hi, GMT. I'm glad you're still reading! The summer hiatus was unplanned, but things are back on track so there should be regular updates over the holiday season.

Hi, HamsterTK. Gnarly is the right word for it! I can't imagine being addicted to llama spit burgers!!!

[Benedict 3,119]

Meanwhile at the mayor's office in Eloff...

Melissa picks up the receiver, but it immediately goes dead. She is starting to feel a little bit paranoid. She shakes her head, working for the mayor of Eloff must be starting to get to her. Fortunately it is lunchtime, and some good fast food will take her mind off the odd events of recent days. Melissa knows a great place nearby.

Deppiesse's Diner serves hamburgers that are almost as tasty as Ella's Burgers, but not quite.

On her way out of the office she remembers to pick up the package of documents concerning the plans for Eloff so she can mail it. No doubt Benedict will be calling in the afternoon to arrange his return trip.

Just as she is about to close her office door the telephone rings again! Now thoroughly sick of phantom callers, Melissa (only slightly influenced by her growling stomach) decides to let the answer machine pick up the call.

With the mayor's secretary out for lunch and running errands, there is nobody to hear Benedict's message...

In fact, with Benedict away and not due to be picked up until after dark, Melissa has decided to take an extended lunch break and go shopping just off Commerce Circle. Shopping is Melissa's weakness (well, that and snooping through the mayor's desk back in episode 16).

I wonder what Benedict wants so urgently? Let's hope that shopping doesn't turn out to be Melissa's downfall as well as her weakness...

Next: The cemetery.

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Hm.....I know shopping is many a lady's weakness. Wonder what she's up to now...

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Schulmanator. I am not quite sure what Melissa is up to... I lost track of her after she went into one of those little shops. And she used to be such a reliable assistant, I have no idea what has got into her!

[Benedict 3,119]

Meanwhile in the resort town of Crater Lake...

Benedict has resigned himself to the fact that the mayor of Crater Lake has discovered his secret. The fact that he has kept his insane wife locked away for so many years will not sit well with the citizens of Eloff and the surrounding towns... Benedict can feel his world slowly unraveling as he waits for the mayor.

Finally the mayor is ready, and Benedict steps into his office.

"Hello, Benedict," says the mayor of Crater Lake with a smug grin.

"What do you want, Leonid?" growls Benedict, who is in no mood for games.

"Tut, tut, Benedict. Someone's in a foul temper today. I suggest you start by addressing me by my correct title when you're in my office."

"Hello, Mayor Brezhnev, how may I be of assistance?" Benedict says through clenched teeth.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it? Now, two things have come to my attention. One, you have your crazy wife locked away in the Asylum..."

"So?" interjects Benedict.

"... and two, you have plans to run the north-south rail line through Crater Lake," finishes Leonid.

"I fail to see the connection."

"The connection is that the plan includes only one station for Crater Lake."

"That's correct, I believe you agreed to the plan," Benedict says.

"Plans change."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"How so?"

"I'll stop beating around the bush. You will fund a second station in Crater Lake and I will keep your wife's condition a secret," Leonid offers.

Benedict knows he has no choice. "Very well. Is that all?"

"Yes, thank you. Please see yourself out."

Benedict resists the temptation to slam the door behind him. He pauses to make a phone call to Melissa to pick him up - not much point in waiting until dark now that the cat's out of the bag. The fact that his assistant does not answer the phone and he has to leave her a message does not improve his mood one little bit.

Benedict cannot bring himself to sit at the Mayor Brezhnev's house to wait for Melissa, so he decides to take a walk in the hope that it will clear his mind. He wanders away from the mayor's house, walks past the holiday mansions of South Crater Lake, past the house of worship, and comes to stand at the edge of the graveyard.

After staring at the tombstones for several minutes, Benedict has an idea...

Next: Derailment.