Lifelines: A SC4 Storybook by RHF

[hyped_up_boy 15]

aaahhh!!! i missed so many updates!  omg!  this story was awesooommee!  wonderful ending!  i honestly thought they died in the end... omg!!  um... good work.

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Amazing Ending! Oh and Congrats on Page 5!

[SC4 meister 7]

AWESOME!  Always got something up your sleeve eh RHF?  Great writing dude!  Sweet as always!  BTW: KOSC(do I understand from your sig that you are leaving!?!) didn't start this page properly so...

 

                             Welcome to page 5!

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Date: 9/19/2005 11:25:13 PM Author: SC4 meister

AWESOME!  Always got something up your sleeve eh RHF?  Great writing dude!  Sweet as always!  BTW: KOSC(do I understand from your sig that you are leaving!?!) didn't start this page properly so...

Welcome to page 7!

quote>

Well....I came back...just today...wait one moment (fixes to have no sig) and Its only page 5 dude.

[SC4 meister 7]

(Sorry for clogging up your CJ RHF, but I think you can forgive me)  That's odd, it says page 7 for me.  But then...I've been having this problem, go figure.  BTW: WB DUDE!  PM me when ya have that CJ up and running man!  I can't wait!(Sorry RHF, that wasn't a plug...it was...me trusting that we are good enough friends that you won't call it a plug)

[simslover 0]

Great CJ and story, RHF!

[PhilsCafe 8]

Amazing, what a surprising happy end. Max & Emily must have arrived in heaven...

- Phil

[Bookworm 1]

Wow. Just wow! That's really beautiful RHF! I love it! You write so well... I'm suprised you ended it nicely after all. May Max and Emily have a long, happy marrage (and maybe they could have a camo in your next story

[RadioheadFan 1]

Fairlane: A classic RHF twist eh? Sounds like a slogan to me! Thanks for the comment and I'll make sure that the happy couple receives your well-wishes.

hyped_up_boy: Thanks! Hope you like the next one as much as you liked this one!

Tom: Thanks! And for everyone, here's an official welcome to page 5!!!

Meister: Thanks dude! Of course, I couldn't have done it without help

KOSC: lol...continue your discussion, I don't mind!

Meister: No worries, I don't mind the clogging, or the plug...*looks away, mutters to himself* What were we talking about again?

simslover: Thanks for the comment and the signature link!

Phil: Perhaps, perhaps. I suppose we'll never know, unless of course I include them in the next story...

Bookwork: Thanks. Glad to see you're happy. And I've been thinking about giving them a cameo...you never know!

All: Update tonight! Hope you're all excited!

Jamie

 

[Nardo69 51]

Jamie, wow ...

As I said Rollercoaster - just before it goes down it goes up ... the slowest moments are just before it gos down speeding up to the max ...

Great work!

Nardo

[RadioheadFan 1]

Nardo: Hehehe...you've put into words the effect I like to have on readers. Thanks for the constant support, I love your comments!

All: Only the converting to .jpgs is left and then the first update of the new story can be posted!

Jamie

[RadioheadFan 1]

     Well, I suppose it's time to begin the new story! Hope you all like it...

---

 

The Journal Of Jeb McGuire

 

Chapter 1

 

     Dear Journal,

 

     Jeb here. This is the first entry into my journal, which I have decided to keep as I travel across the region of the St. Jacques River Valley. But more on that later.

 

     This is my hometown of Gloucester, population 901. Not much to do around here, but there's always a healthy supply of fresh produce from the surrounding farms.

 

 

     Downtown doesn't really have much to do, but it includes the staples of small-town life: the post office, the general store, and the hospital.

 

 

     See that cottage beside the library? That's my house. I live there (or rather, lived there) with my wife, Rebecca.

 

 

     I work at the post office, as the head mail clerk. I make sure that all the carriers are doing their job right, and that all the mail is getting where it's supposed to be. Not the most lucrative job, but it pays the bills. That building with the dome on top is my home 8 hours a day, 6 days a week.

 

 

     Sure, my life may seem perfect on paper. So can you imagine my surprise when I walk in the front door after a hard Monday at work and spot my wife, kissing another man? Not the nicest thing to see after hours of tolerating bumbling dropouts who can't add 2+2. Within 24 hours, I was gone.

 

     For the time, I went to live with my best friends Max and Emily Young, who had moved to Gloucester 4 years ago seeking the simple life after their wedding. Both were 26 years old, just like myself and Rebecca. They welcomed me into their rowhome with open arms.

 

 

     After quitting my job at the post office, I spent some time thinking about what I wanted to pursue in life. I was always interested in writing, so I decided to become an author. Max came up with the idea to write a book about travelling around the region, and thus, you have this journal. With my bags packed, my Dakota truck loaded and the hugs and kisses over with, I set out. I promised Max to keep in touch.

 

     No sooner had I gotten out of town when I encountered trouble associated with my broken window. The window on the passenger's side is smashed, and easy to get through if you're small enough. So while I was driving along the highway at a slow speed, a chirruping noise reaches the car, and I turn my head to look out the window.

 

     OWWW! My FACE! A groundhog had scampered through the window, and was now occupying my face, like it had Sticky Tack on its fingers and was stuck to my cheeks.

 

     With much effort, I managed to pull him off my face, and calm him down. Pulled over on the gravel shoulder of the road, I decided that with a little training, he wouldn't be such a bad pet. He was christened Crazy Legs, for he never stopped moving and his legs seemed to have a mind of their now. Let me tell you, it wasn't fun driving for 30 minutes with a furry rodent on top of my head. I swear, I still have claw marks on my forehead.

 

     Even with Crazy Legs annoying me, I still enjoyed the surroundings. All kinds of crops lined the highway, and I stopped a couple of times to take it in:

 

 

 

     Soon, I found myself gone from Gloucester, and into the countryside. Who knew what adventures awaited me further on my journey? I'd have to find out.

 

---

 

    Hope you guys like this new story, and I hope I get to see those awesome comments I love! Thanks for all the support, which has helped us get all the way to page 5!

 

Jamie

 

 

 

 

[Fairlane500 8]

Excellent start to a new story, though, I would say quite typical in suburbia, but surely not in a small community. Though, I do have one thing you need to clarify, you have a sane person working in a post office?!

 

I do love the way you make your small towns appear, they just seem so real, as if you could truly take a trip to visit them.

 

I see you incorporated Max and Emily into the story, a great tribute to their monumentous life so far. I also noticed that groundhog, sounds like Caddyshack all over again, though maybe a bit more spasmodic, and slightly less sinister.

[Bookworm 1]

Amzing! Great job, RHF... A really captivating story AND a Max and Emily cameo! Maybe you should have cameos of the previous starring characters in each story. Anyway, it's really great so far, can't wait for the RHF style to kick in...

[SC4 meister 7]

Date: 9/20/2005 8:44:43 PM Author: Fairlane500

Excellent start to a new story, though, I would say quite typical in suburbia, but surely not in a small community. Though, I do have one thing you need to clarify, you have a sane person working in a post office?!

quote>

Well, as you saw, he quit, I'm sure, had he stayed, he wouldn't have been sane much longer.  RHF: Great start dude, looks sweet, and sounds great, ROFL@ the groundhog,   Nice touch, can't wait for more.

[Superchan 23]

looks cool.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Fairlane: Thanks for the comment. As Meister said later, I'm sure if he'd stayed, he wouldn't have been sane much longer Glad you like Gloucester. I really like this town, it's kind of like a satellite town to McNamara County-Briar Junction, the big city in the region with around 20,000 people. All the farms give it the rural feel, but it has a very urban core with the rowhomes and such. As for the storyline, yeah, I felt I owed Max and Emily because they had given you guys so much entertainment. And the groundhog part was fun to write, and I did gather a little bit of inspiration from Caddyshack, but just a touch. Once again, thanks for the comment!

Bookwork: First of all, thanks for the comment! Secondly, that's a really good idea, I think I'll use that. I love it when you guys get your creative juices flowing and help me out! And who knows, I'm trying to keep this story on the lighter, funnier side, but maybe I'll send some darkness in at some point...

Meister: Thanks for the comment dude! That funny little anecdote brought a smile to my face, is the post office really that bad? Glad you liked the groundhog tidbit, and I'll be sure to bring you more ASAP!

P.S. Do you have to have a smiley in every post?

All: Thanks for all the support, tomorrow I'll try to get Chapter 2 out there!

Jamie

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Great looking town. The amount of detail is amazing.

[Micah 16]

Great work, great update, and fantastic storyline!

[Darmok 34]

Great start RHF, I like the groundhog bit!

What will happen now?...stay tuned...

BTW My favorite pic is the one just below the phrase Even whith Crazy legs annoying me...

Keep it up!

[SC4 meister 7]

Date: 9/20/2005 9:26:09 PM Author: RadioheadFan

Meister: Thanks for the comment dude! That funny little anecdote brought a smile to my face, is the 1: post office really that bad? Glad you liked the groundhog tidbit, and I'll be sure to bring you more ASAP!

2.S. Do you have to have a smiley in every post?

1: Yes, however, there are a few people who are VERY nice, and quite sane, though they are usualy a lil different from the rest of us.

2: Yes, I do, however I do notice that you have no lack of them also.

3:Where's the next update eh?

4:Keep up the awesome work!

[hyped_up_boy 15]

great start to the story, and its wonderful to see the characters from the previous story having a part in this one.  keep up the good work.

[Deathtoall 28]

Edit, accident please delete this post. Thanks Deathtoall

[Deathtoall 28]

OMG, i just read three cahpters then and you had some great cliffhangers! I think it's only true that Max and Emily got married! I loved that hedgehog to. Nice new starting. I can't express my enjoyment and sorrow and happiness and and and and....... I love this! You are seriously going to be a writer some day!

Lovin' it all

 

P.S Where did you get that nice little house next to the library, the one with the dormers! It is beautiful

[PhilsCafe 8]

Great start to this story, Jamie. A light-hearted beginning is what we need after the shock of the accident and reanimation of Max & Emily. And also to let them appear in this story was a brilliant idea.

I love the small town feel of that town, btw. Very nice pictures...

- Phil

[Bookworm 1]

Gasp! Someone's acually using one of my ideas! But when that darkness comes in this time, I'll be ready...
BTW, why do you keep calling me 'Bookwork'?

[RadioheadFan 1]

     Hey guys! Just wanted to apologize for no update last night, my Internet's a little wacky at times. I'll answer your comments and update after school, but for now, how about an updated region pic?

 

     I'll see you guys tonight!

 

Jamie

 

P.S. Sorry Bookworm...my fingers go faster than my head sometimes. Hopefully you're not mad or anything sorry once again!

[Nardo69 51]

Hmmm ... the slowest moments are just before it goes down speeding up to the max ... rollercoaster, yeah, that really hits it ...
Again a story out of the normal anormality ... let's see where it leads...

Great farms anyway! My favourite is the last one. And ncie regionshot too!

Take care, Jamie!!!

Nardo

[dhoppeii 12]

Great looking small town you got there Jamie and nice tie in with the previous story.  Loved the bit about the groundhog....got little chuckle out of that one.  I'll be looking forward to following the travels of Jeb.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Tom: Thanks. I always try to include lots of detail in my pictures and cities in general.

Micah: Thanks! Always good to see new faces here in Lifelines!

Darmok: Thanks! I like that groundhog bit too! Glad you liked the update and all, thanks for commenting!

1. Hehe...

2. All of them eh? And I have to have the obligatory ducky beside my name at the end of my posts!

3. Right now!

4. Thanks!

hyped_up_boy: Thanks. Glad you like the start of the story. I'll try to keep the good work up!

Deathtoall (second post) : Hehe...thanks for all those nice comment! Hopefully I will be a writer someday, that would be pretty cool! Thanks for the comment!

Phil: Thanks. You're probably right, a little light-heartedness was definitely required...glad you like Gloucester and its pics.

Bookworm: Why, do your ideas not get used often? As for the Bookwork thing, already addressed that.

Nardo: Thanks for the comment! Glad you like the farms and region shot!

Dan: Thanks! Glad you liked the groundhog bit, and once again, thanks for the comment!

     And now, chapter 2!

---

Chapter 2

     Dear Journal,     

     After leaving Gloucester, I drove for 30 minutes until I reached Warrick, population 2,384.

http://img287.imageshack.us/img287/7136/warrickcountyapr12231127421765.jpg align=baseline>

     With Crazy Legs jumping about in the passenger seat, I drove through scenic farmland, humming along with the radio to George Strait and Shania Twain. Wheat, apples, and hay lined the highway, and I thought of all the food I could've eaten from the very fields I was staring into.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6219/warrickcountyapr12231127421807.jpg align=baseline>

     Looking to my right, I saw an abandoned barn that practically begged to be looked at. I peered inside, but nothing seemed to inhabit the deserted farmhouse. Oh well, sometimes risks don't pay off with interesting occurrences.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7858/warrickcountyapr12231127421835.jpg align=baseline>

     I was staying at the Warrick Inn, the tallest building downtown. From my 7th floor suite, I could see clear to the county boundaries, and with my trusty binoculars, the outer edges of Gloucester. Max and Emily's townhouse rose from the streets, and I remember all our good times together, as well as reminding myself I had to e-mail him with material.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/446/warrickcountyapr12231127421895.jpg align=baseline>

     I had left Crazy Legs in the car for the 5 minutes I was gone, and we set out again exploring the town. Warrick is based on a simple grid, and stretches out a bit on cul-de-sacs where many houses like mine emulate the suburbs of big cities. The griddy area is full of rowhomes and offices, and the nightclub scene is thriving, with partyers coming all the way from far-away Briar Junction to get their groove on.

     First, I headed south, and passed some brick 3-story apartments, similar to some back home.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6795/warrickcountyapr12231127421933.jpg align=baseline>

     Going down Meadowlane Street, I passed by mock tudor homes and cottages just like my former home in Gloucester. I remarked to myself, These homes must have cost a ton. In the centre of the cul-de-sac, Crazy Legs must have spotted a squirrel or something, because he tried to jump out my window. My efforts to stop him were rewarded with a faceful of groundhog. Not nice.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8641/warrickcountyapr12231127421964.jpg align=baseline>

     Heading back up to downtown, I marveled at some beautiful, gigantic mansions. Noblemen, even kings would be proud to call these palaces home, and right beside them, a lovely little park with a gazebo, and a school.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5492/warrickcountyapr12231127422181.jpg align=baseline>

     Going north now, past my hotel, I stopped and went inside the Aldeburgh Library, which contains one of the largest collections of medieval literature in the country. It was donated to the library by a famous historian from Warrick, and they came along with the beautiful maple tree on the grounds.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5940/warrickcountyapr12231127422212.jpg align=baseline>

     Further north now, almost out of town, I reached the most dense part of Warrick, and of the whole region. The town encouraged a vibrant, thriving nightlife, and young people flocked to the lofts the town offered. The clubs are located in the basements of the apartment buildings, and it is rumoured that more Bacardi is consumed per capita here than anywhere else in North America. Not that I would have anything to do with that...

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8417/warrickcountyapr12231127422248.jpg align=baseline>

     It was getting dark, and the traffic was already pouring in. Heading back to my hotel with Crazy Legs in my arms, I was stopped by a large man in uniform. No pets inside the hotel, he exclaimed. I slumped back to my car, and leaned dejectedly against it. Once Muscleman had left, a pretty woman, also in uniform, snuck out the door and whispered, Come with me. I was obliged to follow.

     Bringing me in through the back of the building, we rode on the service elevator to the last floor. After letting me in my room, she cooed, So cute, how could I not let you in?, petting Crazy Legs. With a wink and an exit, she continued, And the groundhog's cute too. I fell back onto my back, wondering what had just happened. Opening my hand, I saw an e-mail address. Score! I fell right to sleep, because it had been a long, and I mean long, day.

---

     I awoke to the morning sun pouring in the window, Crazy Legs at the foot of the bed, and a fervor for getting back on my journey. Slipping out of my suite and back onto the service elevator, I scampered out the back door and got into my car. With Brad Paisley blaring, I drove out towards the farms on the north end of town.

     Just like home, crops grew every which way. Just take a look:

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/3271/warrickcountyapr12231127422298.jpg align=baseline>

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/7533/warrickcountyapr12231127422364.jpg align=baseline>

     Leaving Warrick behind, the sun lighting up the backseat and a smile on my face, Crazy Legs and I headed on our next adventure.

---

     Thanks for all the support once again, and all those comments always bring a smile to my face, keep them coming!

Jamie