Lifelines: A SC4 Storybook by RHF

[RadioheadFan 1]

dhoppe: Hey! Great to see you around here, my CJs are nothing without your insightful comments and support. And as for discovering Lifelines, better late than never! Glad you like the story and pics so far, they're only going to get better, I promise.

 

Chris: Well if it isn't my favourite mega-CJ creator/moderator/anime fan/cool guy! Thanks for the WB, and glad everything suits your fancy!

 

hyped_up_boy: Well, hopefully you'll remember to subscribe and I'll see more of your comments in the future! The story turn was caused by 2 things: the less than positive response to Newburgh Mills and the plot going in a totally different direction. Hope you like everything!

 

Traffic_Jam: Thanks!

 

gurrugkud: Glad you like Kingston. I concur, a pool and a tennis court in their yard...the Youngs are living large! And I heard on some Radiohead fansites that the songs for the new album are almost completely written and after that, pre-production will begin. I'm excited, even though I'm more into Dashboard Confessional currently...Guinea's not the only emo fan!

 

Darmok: Hehe...that was the plan. Good to see you guys aren't rushing me or anything, I'm easing my way back into activity here at ST. You take care as well, and thanks for the comment!

 

Mike: Thanks dude! Loving Cabel Bay, much better than Euphora in my opinion. Your talent when it comes to creating tropical cities may be unrivalled!

 

Quack: I had a good laugh when I read this comment! I'm a vegetarian, I only put McDonald's there because nothing else fit with the other buildings! Plus, I figured it was a likely choice for businesses that would occupy a small-town strip mall.

 

sloppet: Hmmm...I thought that if you hosted them offsite, the size limit didn't apply? I'll keep them on until they're taken off, and then I'll take some newer ones at a smaller size. Sorry for breaking the rules! *grumbles dejectedly as he walks away*

 

PhilsCafe: Thanks!

 

All: Update tomorrow, hopefully. We get a look at Max's first day at Belanger High, his dad's misfortune on the job, and Carlota's shopping trip gone horribly wrong. Thanks for all the support despite my inactivity!

 

Jamie

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

RHF!!! Wow, I haven't seen you in a while. Arefter my short two week departure from ST and your here, and back in action. I totally understand what you mean. As we grow, ther is simply not enough time for computer and not only that, RL does have some interesting perspective so I think is good to stay away from that comp for a while. (It hurts your eyes ) Anyways, a nice introductory storyline to go with the pictures.

 

Great work. I hope RL doesn't consume you too much like it already has done on me.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Tom: Hey! Good to see you, I thought you had left for good! Anyways, in response to your comment, RL has got me so entangled, it's crazy. But nothing I can't handle while giving you guys a satisfactory CJ. Thanks for the comment!

---

 

Chapter 3: Emily

 

     Max awoke Monday morning still full from the dinner the past night. He stumbled to the shower, and his routine got off to its start. Today's clothes: a vintage Puma tee, Guess jeans, and Converse all-stars in blue and white. Nothing like the height of style draped on your body to help make a good first impression. Within an hour, he was skating off to Belanger High, his new school.

 

     Belanger High's system was tailored to fit students' interests, and it worked really well. Students would take one class a day for a quarter of a semester, 8 times a year. But since Max had already half-finished 8 classes at old Jefferson High, he only had to do once class all semester: Municipal History.

 

     Room 305; I guess this is it. Max stood outside the door to his new class, took a deep breath, and stepped in. Everyone was kind of fooling around, but as soon as Mrs. Fielding, the teacher, sat down at her desk, things quieted down.

 

     Welcome, everyone to Grade 10 Municipal History. I'm Mrs. Fielding, and our first project will be one I think everyone will find interesting and enjoyable. For the first month of the class, we're going to be looking at the history of the Kingston rail systems.

 

     Excited murmurs arose from the class. Max put his hand up and asked, Are we allowed to have partners?

 

     Yes, I've already assigned them. Max, strangely enough, we have someone else in your situation in this class. Max, meet Emily Masterson. You'll be her partner.

 

     Emily was absolutely stunning: big brown eyes, shoulder-length hair, short enough not to be imposing but tall enough to command respect from men. She had a sense of coyness and humility, and shyly said, Hi.

 

     Max stood there, with mouth gaping open, until he regained his composure and said hello back. He sat down in his desk, contemplating what had just happened. Mrs. Fielding continued to recite the partners until she said, Anyways, let's get started. Our first stop today will be the Railway Museum, where we'll learn the origins of the Kingston rail program.

 

     Once the class got to the museum, they were left free to roam around; with their partners, of course. Max and Emily stopped at the exhibit for the Northern Line, although Max was having trouble paying attention to the railroads. The pictures were detailed with writing describing the scene.

 

     Max, look at this! The history of the Northern Line!

 

     Huh? Oh yeah...cool.

 

     The Kingston Railway Corp. built the Northern Line freight and passenger stations as a way of shipping crops from the surrounding farmland to the uncharted territories, where it was believed that Natives lived in small villages of less than 500 people each.

 

     In later years, the Kingston Grain Elevators and Northern Line Railyard were constructed, providing the train operators with more efficient ways to get the crops, specifically the large wheat harvest, to the outlying uncharted areas.

 

     At the end junction of the railyards, the Northern Line split and spurned the Western Line, lay through a large unnamed canyon. The continuing Northern Line was luckily placed on relatively level terrain. The area of the junction shown here sometimes supported 200,000 tonnes of assorted crops/week.

 

     The aforementioned Northern Line continued behind picturesque farmland before reaching the Kingston town limits, and going into the uncharted territories.

 

     Before they knew it, the school day was done. They had spent all day at the museum, laughing, working, and getting to know each other. At the front steps of the museum, they stood together, face-to-face.

 

     Listen, Max...

 

     Yeah?

 

     Max grew more and more nervous; after their one day together, was she already going to ask him out? Did she have the same feelings for him as he did for her? Did her heart pump the same boiling blood throughout her veins when their eyes met, like his did? Any observer could sense the raw passion and intensity of Max's longing gazes at Emily, regardless of whether she saw or not.

 

     I need your help preparing a preliminary report on the Northern Line, could you come over to my place tonight? I've seen you at your house, I'm right across the street, in the Victorian mansion.

 

     Wow, I'd love to, he replied, hiding his dismay.

 

     You're a really great guy, I'm so glad that I got such a wonderful partner. She now came across as unabashed and flirtatious, but only for a fleeting moment. She was back to shy mode in a split second, offering a whispered, I'll see you later, then quickly walking away. Was there a spark of hope for their relationship to set ablaze upon?

 

     Only time would tell.

 

---

 

     Well, there's Chapter 3 of Max's tale! Don't forget to offer up your comments, they're always appreciated and replyed to with care. Thanks for the support once again!

 

Jamie

 

 

    

[Nardo69 51]

Great story!
I like how you make a everyday store extraordinairy (whatever everyday may mean!)!

Nardo

[RadioheadFan 1]

Nardo: Thanks! I really appreciate that compliment, since that is the goal of this story specifically. Believe me, making ordinary lives seem interesting is hard, but rewarding. Ask the writers for Friends! Seriously though, I wrote this story while I was away from ST, and it's Romeo and Juliet, mixed with modern-day, mixed with my own experiences. I hope it pleases!

All: Keep those comments comin'!

Jamie

[Deathtoall 28]

Nice to see you back RHF! I can't believe i missed so much!, but i won't now! Welcome back to ST

[RadioheadFan 1]

Deathtoall: Thanks for the WB. Here's to hoping that you won't miss much more!

All: I've finished building Kingston, and at the end of the story, I'll post a city overview. Then, we'll move on to the next city in the region, which I haven't started yet, but will be named Crawford. It promises to be cool! Keep those comments coming in!

Jamie

[PhilsCafe 8]

Wow, that was amazing, the way you've, how do you say, produced tension in that situation.

And the 'history lesson' was cool...

- Phil

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

You've done another magnificent update! I really like the tree lined rail. It gives it such a natural touch.

[hyped_up_boy 15]

awesome, i really like the story.  once again, has some resemblance to by own life lol

keep it up, good to see you're updating somewhat regularly

[RadioheadFan 1]

PhilsCafe: Thanks for the comment. Glad you liked the dramatic effect I was going for, which was indeed tension. Also, thanks for the compliment of the history lesson!

 

KOSC: Thanks! I was debating whether or not to included the tree-lined rail pic because PEG's Seasonal Trees look really strange on slopes. But it turned out OK, so I put in in the update! Once again, thanks for the comment!

 

hyped_up_boy: Thanks for the comment. All these resemblances sure are interesting, and it's nice to see that the story is something you can relate to in RL. And if you call every 3 days regularly, then I guess I do update on a regular basis! This CJ will never have an update/day, it should stick around that 1:3 ratio.

 

All: The story has 5 chapters left, and they're all going to be exciting! We'll see the highs and lows of Max and of the entire Young family until the dramatic conclusion. The next story will take place in the neighbouring village of Crawford, and it's going to be similar yet different than Max's story. Can't wait to see more of your comments when I wake up in the morning!

 

Jamie

[dhoppeii 12]

Wonderful writing RHF.  You seem to have captured that teenage infatuation that we all experience at some time in our lives.  I look forward to seeing how this develops, but only 5 chapters left you say?  Well, I look forward to them none the less.  BTW, I really enjoyed the pictures as well....

[RadioheadFan 1]

D: Thanks, my friend. I'm still in that teenage infatuation stage, so it's good to hear that my writing evokes that time period. All my stories are going to be short stories, because that way, the reader never gets bored. Besides, LOAA's story was finished around page 20, and it kind of wandered aimlessly from there, so with short stories, the CJ stays fresh. Thanks for your always insightful comments!

 

All: Update tomorrow, chronicling troubles in the Young household. Chapter 4 of 8 in Laments of a Broken Heart: Love Lost in the Suburbs. I hope I see more of your wonderful comments before then!

 

Jamie

[Darmok 34]

Jamie, as always you have great storylines!
Interesting way of presenting your CJ and indeed it reminds us of that often troubled period of our life. At least for some of us .

At that time I would have loved having a working partner as cute as Emily!

Keep it up!

[RadioheadFan 1]

Darmok: First of all, thanks for the comment! Second of all, I'm glad that you also found that the story resembles your years as a teenager. Glad you like the storylines, and as for Emily, she's modeled after a girl in my class who I've been seeing for a while now. I'm one lucky guy, let me tell you that much. Once again, thanks for the comment.

 

All: Previously, I mentioned that the next story would take place in Crawford, Kingston's neighbour to the west. I've changed my mind and instead, it will take place in another farming town called Edison, in a completely different region. It should be fun! Chapter 4 tomorrow!

 

Jamie

[SC4 meister 7]

Sounding awesome!  (I would say looking awesome, but my cities look better)  But dude, do me a favor?  DON'T GIVE ME THE WHOLE BLOODY STORYLINE!  I mean, even your title gives away part of the story!  Even if you are misleading us, I prefered it when you told us nothing of what to expect, just my two cents, now, UPDATE!

[Traffic_Jam 0]

Nice work!

[jacqulina 162]

great story,excellent work,keep it coming

[RadioheadFan 1]

Meister: Hey dude! Good to see you back from camp! Thanks for the comment, and as for giving too much away...I've still got some surprises in store. Stay tuned and see what happens! (I'll ignore the better city comment for now. )

 

Traffic_Jam: Thanks!

 

Jacky: Thanks!

 

     And finally, the update! No pictures this time, sorry, but the ones I was going to use I've shown before, so hopefully you'll know what I'm talking about when I mention the specific places.

 

---

 

Chapter 4: Trouble in Paradise

 

     While Max and Emily's budding relationship flourished at the Railway Museum, chaos ran amuck with the rest of the Young household. Little did poor Max know that his dream study night with Emily would be wrecked by the day's events...

 

     Right after Max left for school, his father David drove off in his Nissan Maxima to his job as manager of the Kingston Grain Elevators. It was a 15-minute drive, one he'd made many times before, and he arrived at the grain elevators without trouble. He was greeted at the door with his customary, Hey, boss, from the security guard.

 

     However, tragedy struck as soon as he got in the door. A construction worker was fixing some machinery used to process the grain, and under his arm he carried a large steel pipe. Without knowing that David was there, he swung it around his body quickly, and it smashed against the elder Young's calf.

 

     AHHHHHHH!!!!!

 

     He fell to the floor, writhing in pain as the bone protruded from the back of his leg. Unconsciousness came in a flash, and the emergency team rushed over.

 

     Good Lord...what happened here?

 

     The guilt-stricken construction worker turned to the paramedic and started babbling.

 

     I had the pipe and I was swinging it around my body and I didn't know Mr. Young was there and it hit him and the bone went through his leg and he screamed and oh my God, what have I done?

 

     He collapsed to the floor in tears, a blubbering mess, which was understandable considering the situation. David was rushed to the hospital on Despatie Boulevard, where he was given anesthetics. They immediately cut the leg, and surgically re-fit the bone. A night spent there was definite, a week probable. As for the construction, he was ironically placed in the bed right next to David, and was being treated for trauma.

 

---

 

     After getting the children off to school and kissing her husband goodbye, Carlota set out in the Grand Caravan to the Martin Grocery Market on Martin Street. After parking the van, a crazed driver pulled into the spot beside her and opened the door with a fury, smashing the side of the van. Luckily, she had already entered the market, or that driver would have had hell to pay.

 

     Eggs, milk, pork chops, spaghetti sauce...

 

     The list seemed to go on. The Young family could really put it away, which was why going out for dinner was such a rarity. Grocery tabs could routinely run over $300.00, putting a heavy strain on the family finances each week. And Carlota, who every week had to go out and get the groceries, had a headache coming on. Today wasn't going to be the most fun day.

 

     Finally, after what felt like hours and hours on end of shopping, Carlota reached the cash register. Suddenly, the doors to the market bust open, and gun shots were heard from the end of the aisle. Screams rang through the air, and Carlota instinctively ducked.

 

     The ski-masked felon who had fired the shots was running down the aisle towards Carlota, the gun held out in front of him.

 

     You. Empty your purse.

 

     Carlota froze in terror, but did as the man said, and emptied the contents of her purse on the counter: $1000 and a tablet PC. The man swiped them, fired 2 shots into the air, and ran off with the cash and the PC.

 

     She left the groceries at the counter and stumbled to the Grand Caravan. The shaky drive home was made worse with the fact that her car phone rang with the news of David's accident at work.

 

     Carlota finally got home and pulled into the driveway. Leaning against the wall every step of the way, she opened the door and collapsed on the hardwood.

 

---

 

     Max arrived home on Cloud 10, but his mood quickly plummeted when he found his mother on the floor and a call from the hospital waiting. After talking to the doctor tending to his dad and helping his mother off the hardwood, he was faced with the terrible realization that he would have to call Emily and cancel. But could there be a chance?

 

     He thought of how he could still get something going, when it hit him; call her and reschedule for a work date at a restaurant or something. They could meet at the new Starbucks downtown! Now he couldn't wait to call and cancel, considering he was fairly sure she'd accept his invitation under the circumstances.

 

     Deep breaths, boy. You have to sound calm. Nonchalante even...

 

     For the first time in his life, Max was nervous. Then again, he had never encountered anyone like Emily. After 10 minutes of pacing in front of the mirror and talking to himself, he picked up the phone and dialed her number.

 

     Hi. Is Emily there?

 

     Emily speaking. Who is this?

 

     It's Max. Listen...I have to cancel our work session tonight, today has been absolutely horrible. My dad broke his leg at work and my mom was robbed at gunpoint at the market. I have to stay here and hold the fort.

 

     That's terrible! I totally understand, Max.

 

     Well, I was hoping we could reschedule for tomorrow. Maybe we could meet at Starbucks? Work there?

 

     ...I'd absolutely love there. 6:00 fine?

 

     Y-Y-Yeah, that's great. B-bye!

 

     Bye, Max.

 

     YES!!!

 

     He couldn't believe it! He had a date with Emily! He did it! He did it! The shock and exhilaration must've been too much, because he became the 2nd Young family member of the day to collapse on the hardwood, although it was a happy collapse. Tomorrow beckoned like the morning sunrise...

 

---

 

     Well, there's the update. Enough action for ya? I hope to see some comments, and thanks for all the support, I really appreciate it!

 

Jamie

 

 

 

    

[SC4 meister 7]

Sounding awesome dude, you are really great with storylines!  Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Slowhand 0]

.....Strange sotryline.....But oh soo cool.

It has a nice combination to it. Mr.Young is in the hospital, Carlota was robbed at gunpoint, but Max had a date with Emily. So strange! But coolio!

Do you write stories a lot? If you do, no wonder where you come up with this amazing stuff. Awesome storyline.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Meister: Thanks! Glad to see everything isn't so predictable now... Once again, thanks!

Slowhand: First of all, thanks for the comment. Second, thanks for the compliments concerning the storyline. Thirdly, yes, I do write lots of stories, writing is one of my passions. I think I have 100 short stories sitting in my closet, and at least that many songs that I've written. Glad you noticed! Thanks again.

 

All: I'd love to see some more comments, and then I can update! The long-awaited date is up next in Chapter 6 of 8.

 

Jamie

[Darmok 34]

Woah! now that is one hectic day!

But the tablet PC is no big loss! They're doomed anyway, sales are not what was expected.

You shoud write sitcoms Jamie

[PhilsCafe 8]

It's interesting how you let this look like an every-day situation. Keep it up.

- Phil

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Ouch, poor David, that gotta hurt. Keep up the great work Jamie!

[Deathtoall 28]

wow truly you are a great writer, you seriously keep me intertained, i really like your work!

[dhoppeii 12]

Yeah, I agree with Darmok.  SitCom writer would be awesome.

[Mikeaut1 261]

Great new city journal from you. So interesting to read!

[RadioheadFan 1]

Darmok: Wow, sitcoms eh? I actually have written a bunch of scripts used by our drama classes, and the teacher sent one to a friend working in the business in Toronto. So we'll see what happens! BTW, just because tablet PCs are doomed doesn't mean they're not useful! I have one myself, and it's awesome!

 

PhilsCafe: Not sure whether this is a good or a bad thing... But if it is a good thing, glad you like it. I'm trying to make the reader feel comfortable, so I guess having it seem like an everyday situation is what I wanted! Thanks for the comment!

 

KOSC: You betcha. Cast for 2 months, then crutches for one. The bone broke completely in 4 places. Thanks for the comment!

 

Deathtoall: Thanks! Glad you like my writing!

 

Dan: hehehe...you really think so? You never know...I was planning to go into law, work as a prosecutor like my dad, but maybe sitcoms is a real possibility! We'll see...

 

Mike: Thanks!

 

All: Sorry for no update recently, I'm working on some plot changes. I think you're going to like the next chapter! It won't come today, but definitely tomorrow. Thanks for your support!

 

Jamie

[sirgeoj2 1]

Very nice Radioheadfan, the pics are great, I like all the little details, and your story is wonderful!