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

[Darmok 34]

Burgers...Lama spit.... hehehe..

I will NOT EVER eat there!

And that Leonid is certainly a SOB... and blackmailers have a tendency to NOT keep their word!

I guess that Benedict will still have troubles with that guy!

Good work my friend

Take care

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Darmok. Well you know the burgers have spit in them, but the simcitizens of Elbow Pass don't. And now some of them are addicted! Benedict certainly seems to be leading a complicated life - I wonder if there is an entry in his black book on the mayor of Crater Lake? But I have faith that he is hatching a plan that will take care of the unsavory blackmail situation. Stay tuned!

[jacqulina 162]

lol,great updates my friend i dont think i like the burgers either lol,great story great pics

[mayormommy 8]

*Has sneaking suspicion she has missed some updates*

It's true! Those mayors! And those mayors' assistants! When will they learn to stay out of trouble?

[Benedict 3,119]

The mayors of Digby, Denby and Darby have taken the unusual decision to forgo meeting at one of their usual greasy spoons because they are concerned about eavesdroppers. They have decided to gather at mayor Dennis Darby's mansion in Digby. In all their time as mayors they have never visited Dennis's home. Darren Darby, mayor of Denby, and Diggory Denby, mayor of Darby, are waiting for Dennis in the foyer, and are staring at a piece of art that dominates the space.

"Well, now, that's quite something," Diggory finally says.
"Too bright for my tastes," comments Darren.
"I find it fascinating," Diggory confesses.

"Yes, you always were attracted to shiny objects," says Darren spitefully. "And what in hell's name is it supposed to be, anyway?"

"The future," says Dennis softly.

Startled, Diggory and Darren both spin around to face Dennis who has entered the foyer very quietly indeed.

"Yes, but is it art?" questions Darren

Eager to avoid an argument, Diggory asks Dennis a question. "The future of what?"

"Step into my office and I'll show you," says Dennis with a slightly ominous tone.

Diggory and Darren share a look. It is going to be one of those meetings.

Spread out across Dennis's desk is a sketch. The other mayors instantly recognize their towns.

"This reminds me of Benedict's rail drawings," Darren comments.

"In much more detail, of course," says Dennis witheringly.

"Well, how does this hurt Benedict?" asks Diggory.

"Notice that, while we agree to build stations in our three towns, and we agree to pay for it, we never say anything about allowing connections from Eloff."
"Clever. It also prevents an influx of demanding sims."

"Benedict isn't going to be very happy at all."

"No, he isn't. But that's his problem. We need to decide what to call our railway since it won't be connected to the network in Eloff," says Dennis.

"How about using the common letter in our town names... how about D Rail?" suggests Darren.

"'Derail'? You've got to be kidding! Are you a complete idiot?" says Dennis.

"No, not 'derail', D Rail... oh, never mind."

"What about Independent Railway of Ellis Valley?" says Diggory.

"Far too long," Darren and Dennis say together.

"Any objections to Digby Rail? It is the town in the center of the railway route," says Dennis.

"Well, it is shorter and does have a nice ring to it, but doesn't that give Digby a lot of importance?" asks Darren.

"Hardly, when there are only three stops on the whole line," says Diggory.

"We could use it as a working name while the line is being built, and vote on it later," says Dennis.

The other two mayors agree, partly because they don't want another vote so soon after the last disaster, but mainly because Dennis hasn't provided any snacks.

On their way out they stop and look at the 'art'.

"Still can't figure it out," says Darren.

"It reminds me of something," says Diggory, as they head out into the fresh air.
"Yes, the inside of your head after a night on the town in Port Sinclair!" jokes Darren as they head off in search of some lunch.

Next: Special delivery.

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Lunch, eh? Ella's burgers, perhaps?

What kind of sides come with those burgers, anyway? And that "special sauce"......

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Jacqulina. Thanks for the comment. Nobody really likes those burgers... at least not the first time...

Hi, Mayormommy. It has been a while since you stopped by, hopefully you will catch up (a large number of updates are on page 4). And one of the major influences on my CJ is The Ragged Edge, so no wonder mayors, their assistants, and the occasional simcitizen play a part in the storyline. I was also rereading Nightmare Islands - any chance that after the busy holiday season is over we'll see a new update?

Hi, Schulmanator. Most of the sims order Ella's burgers with a side of fries. So the potato industry in Elbow Pass does pretty well. So far the three D mayors have been pretty loyal to local diners - they are realtively isolationist in their policies, after all.

To all who have commented in my CJ, and those who just stop by to read updates, have a very merry Christmas!

[Benedict 3,119]

His heart pounding, the informant peers through the front door spyhole. He is relieved to see that it is just the mailman. Wiping the cold sweat from his brow he opens the door.

"Sign here for a package," says the mailman.

The informant signs his name and takes the package. Before the mailman can say good day, the front door slams shut.

The informant stares at the package for a while. He isn't expecting anything. He gives it a slight shake: no sounds, but it feels quite light. Unlikely to be an explosive, he thinks. He decides to open it. Inside is a receipt from Eloff Architecture and a scale relief model of Eloff.

Not sure what to think, he puts the model back inside the packing and goes in search of some aspirin; his head is suddenly pounding.

Next: Sex and drugs and rock and roll.

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Doh! A teaser! Now I am teased!!!

HELP!! I need closure!!!! Update soon!

[hamsterTK 93]

a mysterious map..hmm

thinking...

[jacqulina 162]

excellent work my friend love the teaser,looking forward to more

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Schulmanator. Well, the season finale is not too far away and at least one big storyline will reach closure. Feel any less teased now?

Hi, Hamster. Well, technically it is a model, although it is mysterious. Don't think too hard!

Hi, Jacqulina. Well, that's funny that my short episode (or teaser) has generated 3 responses - more than most of my loger length updates! There will be more of the story; I wonder if I should just do each one as a teaser?

[GMT 389]

*lurk*

[Benedict 3,119]

The next episode is in progress, but in the meantime, the Mayors of Ellis Valley wish all viewers a Happy New Year! And how best to celebrate than to watch the Eloff fireworks? They can be seen from miles around...

See you all in 2007!!

[jacqulina 162]

hi my friend another awesome update excellent pics allthough i am seeing them side by side instead of a line.

happy new year

[Gecko_2006 1]

Interesting perspective of the fireworks. That's a nice little region you have there. It looks great.

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Great shots! Happy 2007!

[dfnva 34]

This is a really great CJ. I like how realistic the small towns and rural areas are and your stories about the goings-on in the towns are really good too. I'll be curious to see if the rails ever get built. If it were me, I'd build some four-lane highways, though that would destroy, in some places, the rural character.

Keep up the good work!

Dan

[Zipme17 18]

Really enjoyed reading your CJ, the storyline is really funny and creative

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, GMT. Thanks for lurking

Hi, Jacqulina. Not sure why they aren't showing up the right way for you - maybe if you make your browser window narrower? Happy New Year to you, too!

Hi, Gecko_2006. It took me a while to put that region montage together... the fireworks do look a bit odd but I wanted to have a 'squared off' region view at night. Thanks for commenting.

Hi, Schumania. Thanks for the comment and I hope to see more fun stuff in your CJ in 2007. Best wishes for 2007 to the Supreme Wirdle.

Hi, dfnva. Thanks for the nice comment. The sims of Ellis Valley assure me that the railways will be built. they just seem to to be spending a lot of time in the planning stages. And I expect that, as the towns start to grow, there will be some concrete highway. But you never know, Ellis Valley can be quite an unusual place.

Hi, Zipme17. Thanks for reading - all I do is record what the sims tell and show me. They are always up to interesting things.

[Benedict 3,119]

Today we are going to visit Westonia.

Westonia is yet another sleepy rural hamlet in Ellis Valley. Let's see what is lying beneath that peaceful veneer... scandal? deceit? betrayal?

Hmmm, nothing so far, still sleepy and, er, rural. What if we look closer?

Hmmm... still nothing. Boring , in fact! Perhaps if we zoom in on the center of town. And by 'center of town' we mean 'crossroads with a few houses and a diner'.

A spectacular view of the most unexciting intersection in all of Ellis Valley. Seriously, this is a joke, right? One last close look...

Ah, whose house could this be? I believe it is the mayor's house. Westonia has a population of 119, so no mansion for the mayor. And who is the mayor, you ask? His name is Michael George*. Once upon a time Michael used to be a famous pop star. You may remember all those newspaper headlines that linked him to sex and drug scandals, not to mention the publicaiton of those incredibly unflattering pictures of him in rehab.

It has been a long time since anyone has seen Michael's name in the papers. It is in fact a long time since anyone other than the other 118 inhabitants of Westonia has seen Michael at all. He is much, much happier now that he has changed his name and forsaken the indulgent life of a famous singer. In fact, the most exciting thing Michael does these days is fire up the old barbeque!

As suspected another sleepy rural town in Ellis Valley...just more uneventful than usual.

Next: Season finale!

(* Not his real name)

[Zipme17 18]

haha, bit different to the usual updates, can't wait for the season finale!

[octaves 4]

Great update!  Keep it up!

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Dang! The one town even more boring than my hometown!

BTW, The Supreme Wirdle will send Ambassador Fox over with some donuts for Schulman Day!

[jacqulina 162]

excellent updates my friend the pics are fantastic,i like the little houses.very nice work

[dfnva 34]

Oh no... season finale??? Already?

At any rate, things are great... these little towns like Westonia are awesome, they're just like tiny hamlets in real life like I drive through in western VA.

Dan

[Darmok 34]

One word.... (well more than one in fact....)

Hehehe..... D Rail,  I wonder why the others didn't to chose that name, it's catchy it's simple it's..... hehehe.... brilliant, I just love your humor!

Happy new year my friend!

[Benedict 3,119]

Hi, Zipme17. Yes, this was one of those updates that, so far, doesn't connect with any of the main plotlines. There are quite a few of this type of episode scattered throughout the CJ, although it has been a while since I did one.

Hi, Brad_MacD. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully there'll be a lot more episodes to come.

Hi, Schulmanator. Haha, yes, this town is really boring. Hmmm, I wonder who will get those chocolates? I know I certainly don't need them after all the food I ate and all the exercise I didn't do over the holidays.

Hi, Jacqulina. Glad you like the focus on the small house. One of the aims of this CJ is to focus on the small details from the vanilla SC4 and RH that often go unnoticed.

Hi, Dan. Don't worry, only one major plotline is going to be resolved in the season finale. The sims of Ellis Valley have assured me that there is going to be even more action in Season II.

Hi, Darmok. Glad you're enjoying the humor . These sims, I tell ya, they are just hilarious. Happy New Year to you, too. Here's to seeing more of both our journals in 2007!!

[Zipme17 18]

Yea, i remember some of the earlier ones. i was always wondering what happened to sycronized tennis, lol.

[jacqulina 162]

i love all the little details my friend i am hoping for more updates