Lifelines: A SC4 Storybook by RHF

[Bookworm 1]

Wow, once again, crazy ending! But you killed off Max and Emily AGAIN! Other than that, I loved it! Amazing twist!

[RadioheadFan 1]

Bookworm: I must say, they're my first characters ever to be killed twice Thanks for the comment, glad you liked the ending.

Jamie

[SC4 meister 7]

Hang on...Hold the phone....did you?  I mean...what in the...?  Ermmm, MAN, SOOOOOOOOOOOOO shoudl've TOTALY seen that one comming, but yet again, it blindsided me, awesome dude!  BTW, did I use enough emotions for ya?

[hyped_up_boy 15]

oh my, i did NOT see that one coming!  man!  i wonder how he managed to kill his wife with her pointing a magnum to his head... hm... oh well, one can only imagine... kung fu skillz... lol, can't wait for the next update

[Fairlane500 8]

?

Woah! The memoirs of a murderer? That's an interested method of writing a story, yet somehow seems to fit. I could really see this as some kind of movie plot, of course with some more action, and possibly some xploding vehicles.

But jeez, having them all killed off? Please, can the facade just be another facade in itself?

[PhilsCafe 8]

Wow, that was unexpected. It's like in 'The Sixth Sense'... another example for the subjective truth, quite philosophical. Brilliant ending Jamie. You really have a talent there...

- Phil

[Deathtoall 28]

Far out i can't believe it, that is such a great ending,you should keep this idea and publish it later on down the track!

[dhoppeii 12]

<speechless>

30 second pause

</speechless>

 

 

Not that I have that out of my system....Jamie, that was shear brilliance in writing.  I look forward to recieving signed copies of your work someday......because if you don't become a writer....I think you would have missed your calling....

[meinhosen 11]

Author: dhoppeii
Not that I have that out of my system....Jamie, that was shear brilliance in writing. I look forward to recieving signed copies of your work someday......because if you don't become a writer....I think you would have missed your calling....

quote>

 

What he said. 

 

Maybe amazing isn't the right adjective, maybe sheer brilliance isn't strong enough, but you should know at least that a Trixie nomination is very well deserved and hopefully is well earned.  Very well done.

 

 

[Nardo69 51]

Now I would call this a 180 degree turn ... like a roller coaster (meaning we reached the old metaphore again) ...

Great trick to change the perspective and to leave it open if Rebecca pointing the magnum on his head is his phantasy or if he really managed to lill her in self defense ...

some question won't never be answered ...

(I hope the question: when does the next story start? does not belong to them ...

Bernhard

PS: I change Nardo69 to Bernhard only in special CJ ...

[RadioheadFan 1]

Meister: Only 23 emotes...you've disappointed me. Thanks for the wonderful comment, hopefully you'll regain your vision back after being blindsided!

hyped_up_boy: Hehe...I live to serve! Mad kung fu skills you say? Perhaps...I guess we'll never know. Thanks for the comment!

Kyle: Hehe...I was looking forward to trying something new, what can I say? Exploding vehicles could always be included...who knows, I could rewrite them in with the groundhog being the explosives master! And an RHF story isn't an RHF story without killing someone off! Thanks for the comment as always.

Phil: Thanks. I loved The Sixth Sense, and Haley Joel Osment, although I must say his recent work has been disappointing...*cough Secondhand Lions cough* Thanks for the comment. All this encouragement is really making me think about a career in writing!

Deathtoall: Maybe...thanks for the comment!

Dan: Wow...highly flattering comment alert! Hopefully when I'm rich and famous I'll come down to Michigan and do some book signings! P.S. I was at Music World the other day with my dad, and he bought an Amboy Dukes album...after I quick listen I'm quite impressed.

meinhosen: Thanks. Winning a Trixie would be nice...I'm not lobbying though. I just think it would be pretty cool. I've actually nominated some of the very people who replied to this thread for Trixies! (you, Dan, Kyle, and Bernhard, to be specific)

Bernhard: Thanks for the comment, first of all. Yeah, once again, the story turned out to be a roller-coaster...yeah, I intentionally left it to you guys to wonder what happened with Rebecca at the end. Was it all a vision or did he finish her off there? We'll never know. And to answer that question, the next story should begin tomorrow!

All: That's right, the next story should begin tomorrow (or the day after ) It'll follow a brand-new character, who faces some challenges, makes some new friends, and ends up finding much more than he ever bargained for. Excited! Hope so!

Jamie

[oroen 0]

So here's the thing...

I haven't read this CJ since about Page 2 or 3... Why? I have absolutely no idea, especially since I really enjoyed Life on an Airplane and was looking forward to this one. I don't know how I went so long without reading your amazing writing--and that's really the only word for it. But I have now read everything here and am totally caught up--and very satisfied in a literary sense.

Here's looking forward to the next story and the same excellent writing... and I'll try to keep up to date better here.

[RadioheadFan 1]

oroen: Hey, no problem. We all get caught up with stuff sometimes. Like me this weekend...

All: I know, I know, I did it again! Promised an update at a time, and didn't deliver. But the badminton tournament I was entered in ran early into the morning, and then I slept, and just really didn't find the time. But barring a huge, unfortunate disaster, I'll update tonight.

Jamie

[Gen 0]

Well, its my first time here, isn't it special to name this journal a storybook

[Adley 0]

If it wasnt for the fact that some of the pics stop loading about 10% done or so, In spite of that, you do good work.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Gen: Hehe, perhaps not the most creative name ever, but hey, it fits doesn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Adley: Wow, no one else has reported that problem...I save all my pics in jpgs, and they're not oversized...strange. If the problem persists, feel free to contact me via PM.

All: Yay! Update time!

---

 

The Last Juror: A SimCity Adaptation

 

Chapter 1

 

Writer's Note: Before we start the story, I just want to make something clear. This story will be an adaptation of John Grisham's best-selling novel The Last Juror, with a few changes by yours truly. If you've read the book, please don't spoil it for everyone else, besides, my version is a little different! (P.S. I didn't really like the ending...) So let's get started!

 

---

 

     Brockville, New Hampshire. In my 10 years in the Harper's Bay area, I would often wonder how an Ivy League-educated New Yorker could end up in New England, of all places. It's not as if I didn't like the place, not at all. As long as the money kept pouring in I would stay. But the fact that I was spending my golden years in suburban/rural NH sickened me.

 

     The year was 1970. The northern spring had just started to appear in this late April, and the budding trees surrounded me on my drive up from the Big Apple. There obviously wasn't much to do around Brockville, but I decided to drive around for a while and see what I could find anyways.

 

     The Brockville Grain Elevator served much of the surrounding area and was of the largest in New England. With all the wheat that was produced in these parts, I could see why. There were even wheat fields right across the road! A couple nice homes had been built close by, although I don't know how they could stand the noise.

 

 

     Brockville Station was the terminus of the New Hampshire Railway Company's largest line. The tracks went out to nearby Abigail and LaChance, then branched out from there. It was a pretty nice station for out in the country...

 

 

     The Brockville Market had lots of local shops and stores, and even though it was a little cold yet for the outdoor stalls to be set up, I could imagine how busy the place must be during the nicer months.

 

 

     The huge Baltic Flour Mill employed the most people in town, miles away from second-place Apple's Powerbook plant and storage centres, with 450 jobs provided. It was also the largest non-residential building for miles around.

 

 

     And of course, St. Anthony's Parish was the focal point of culture in Brockville. It was the only church in Brockville, seeing as the only other religious building in town was a smaller version of St. Anthony's. Father Millard Dearborn's sermons often attracted quite a crowd. He was warm and friendly, with deep blue eyes and red cheeks that made him look eternally out of breath. When you've been the reverend for over 20 years, people eventually have to accept you.

 

 

     Raised in a penthouse with art and music by my rich, trendy, socialite parents, what was a city boy like myself to do around here? Besides my new job, owner of the Harper's Bay Times (which ran out of Brockville), I couldn't think of anything interesting to do in such a rinky-dink town. What had I gotten myself into?

 

---

 

     There you go! Hopefully the start wasn't too bad, and thanks for all the support. Page 11...I can't thank you guys enough.

 

Jamie

[louisville327 0]

Looks like a good start to me!

I'm sure the story won't be familiar to me, since the last John Grisham book I read was The Firm way back when it first came out.

Can't wait to see more.

[PhilsCafe 8]

Hey Jamie, great story so far. A John Grisham adaptation? Sounds interesting. And you really did a great job with the pictures that accompany the story. Beautiful setting.

Excellent update man.

Take care.

- Phil

[Fairlane500 8]

Another awesome start to a series. I commend you on the effort put into both writing, and the city building, as I truly would consider you a master of the rural setting.

[jacqulina 162]

this cj looks fantastic love the rural

[RadioheadFan 1]

louisville: Thanks. Coming from one of my favourite CJers, the compliments mean a lot. The Firm  was actually the second Grisham book I read, after A Time to Kill. I have all of his books, so that was a while back Anyways, thanks for the comment once again!

Phil: Yep, a Grisham adaptation. I thought it would be nice to sit back and let someone else do the work for a change Glad you like those pictures. Once the last few farms develop, Brockville'll be done. It's taken me about 10 hours to finish in total (terraforming, zoning, building, altering) Thanks for the comment!

Kyle: Wow, thanks! A master of the rural setting...wow. I haven't even shown you guys my favourite pic yet...you guys thought the last ones were good, wait until you see this! Glad you like the writing as well. Thanks for the comment!

Jacky: Thanks!

All: Update relatively soon. Our protagonist will take the money he's received from his parents and get a nicer place...and something will happen that'll rock the town. Wait and see!

Jamie

[SC4 meister 7]

Cool, cool, cool.  Looking sweet dude, can't wait for more!

[Nardo69 51]

Nice region and like always you added some really nice closeups of some special BATs ... buy even though it looks better you still need some help in designing railway stations ...

If you want pm me before you start the next bigger railway station. I'l give you my email then plus some advices / generall layout hints ...

The story began great - great slow. As I don't know the book I am curious how it continues ...!!

Bernhard

PS: I though this would be a perfect place to celebrate my 888th post!!!

[dhoppeii 12]

Great start to the next story Jamie.  I look forward to following yet another RHF storyline.

 

<Edit>

 

Which album did your Dad pick up?  They were definately ahead of their time....IMHO...

 

</Edit>

[RadioheadFan 1]

Meister: As always, thanks for the comment dude! Only 5 emotes this time, I feel like crying!

Bernhard: Thanks for the comment, first of all. There won't be anymore big stations for a while, but when there are, I'll be sure to let you know so I can enlist your help! The next place we're going to visit (Reilly Island, update after next) just has a small station. Once again, thanks for the comment!

Dan: I look forward to writing! (or rather, adapting ) And my dad bought Survival of the Fittest. He thought it sounded cooler than Call of the Wild 

And now, for the 2nd chapter!

---

 

Chapter 2

 

     In the following month, three big things happened that were not expected on all three counts. First of all, the founder of the Harper's Bay Times, a Mr. Edwin Caudle, died of a heart attack. This was sad news for all of the staffers, but especially for myself. Originally, I was just going to own the paper, but now, I had to write it!

 

     Mr. Caudle was fought in the First War, and he had a plate in his head. He was perfectly sane for a while, but it was believed sometime in the '50s the plate shifted, and he lost it. Mr. Caudle loved writing obituaries: long, flowing odes to Harper's Bay's citizens that had passed on. When a local celebrity died, it was often front page news.

 

     Now, it fell to me to carry on with writing the lovely and lengthy obits that Mr. Caudle was famous for, as well as the rest of the paper. I slowly warmed to the idea, but it would take a while.

 

---

 

     The second thing that happened was my purchasing of a place to live, and an extravagant one at that. For my first month in Brockville, I had been living on the 3rd floor of the Hotel Colfer, owned by a cheery little Irishman who fancied a pint or two a night at the local pub, Lockerby's.

 

 

     After being there for a while, I decided I would need a place of my own. After all, the rent was high and I definitely didn't want the money pit to run dry for a while. So, I went out house shopping. The first place looked at was a lovely 2nd-floor flat in some British-style rowhomes. The price was $101,000 or $500/month.

 

 

     It was awfully cramped, and there was an odour of moldy crumpets. Plus, the landlord was absolutely terrifying, for a 63-year old lady anyways. I quickly vetoed any chance of a purchase and ran as fast as I could to the 2nd prospect.

 

    A lovely 2-story home in Brockville's version of a suburb, it was selling at the reasonable price of $140,000. I loved the hardwood floors and light blue walls, however, I decided it was a little too big. Maybe if it was still on the market when I had a wife and 2 kids, it would've been mine, but not now.

 

 

     The third and final place I looked at was to be the final place I looked at. On the 9th floor of a high-rent condo building on the lake, the penthouse cost $400,000, very cheap for such a nice building and location.

 

 

     Within a week, all my stuff was moved in and I was delighted to be the owner of such a nice residence. Soon enough, the word was going around town that the rich, young New Yorker who had bought the paper was living in a swanky penthouse. And I liked it that way.

 

---

 

     But then, all the prior news was forgotten with the brutal rape and murder of Miss Polly Richardson. Polly lived right near me, in a British-style home with 2 young children, 8 year old Michael and 5 year old Anna.

 

 

     Widowed at 23, Polly wasn't a big partyer. She was content to stay at home, reading stories to the kids and wondering if a nice man would ever come along and sweep her off her feet. It was past midnight, and she was sleeping peacefully when the assaulter burst in.

 

     It was described as one of the worst cases the police had ever seen. I'll spare you the details, but in his drunken stupor, the attacker awoke the children, and they had to witness the terrors that followed. They ran to their neighbours house and alerted them, unbelievable considering what had just happened.

 

     Laying on her bed, gasping her last breaths, dying the painful, slow death that the killer must have planned, her last words would be remembered in Brockville for a long time.

 

     It was Danny. Danny Padgitt.

 

     And with that, Miss Polly was carried off to a better place. The town went into a frenzy. And I knew, as a journalist eager for acceptance and respect, that I would dare to report the true horrors of the oncoming events no matter what. But first, I had to go where not even the army would want to venture.

 

     Reilly Island.

 

---

 

     Your thoughts? If the content of this update offends, by all means let me know and I'll do my best to correct the offensive section. I omitted many of the more explicit details found in the book. But I wouldn't hesitate to edit the update if there were worries about the content.

 

     Thanks for the support as always, and be sure to leave a comment!

 

Jamie

[hyped_up_boy 15]

hm... i don't know if it is offensive to others, because it isnt to me... i've heard/read much worse, in much greater detail.  but awesome update rhf!  perhaps a trixie...?  i nominated you for this cj!  keep up the good work

[dhoppeii 12]

Great Read Jamie and not offensive at all....not to me at least..

[SC4 meister 7]

Wow...talk about dark...even for you.  Lovin it!  Keep at it man!  (There, I tried to compensate for the shamefull lack of emotes.  Happy now?)

[Fairlane500 8]

Wow! Quite the current of events there, and all very interesting. And the pictures, well they just go perfectly with the writing. I applaud you for all of your fine work.

[RadioheadFan 1]

hyped_up_boy: Thanks for the comment, first of all. Glad you don't think it's offensive. Thanks for the Trixie nomination, it's greatly appreciated. Once again, thanks for the comment!

Dan: Thanks!

Meister: Maybe just a little darker than normal... Glad you like everything. (19 emotes, not too bad! )

Kyle: Thanks. I won't say I don't like being applauded, because I do, so thanks again!

All: I'm having lots of fun updating this baby, so expect another one soon enough!

Jamie