Mr. Jones and I - Another RHF CJ

[RadioheadFan 1]

Meister: I'm not even going to try to count this time Thanks for the comment buddy, although the comment is in a way, ironic...

Dan F.: Yeah...that's a Deadwoods school, he's made some really nice ones. Thanks!

Deathtoall: Thanks! That's what I was trying to portray

Mike: Thanks!

Cjah: There actually is a big peninsula somewhere else in the region, but it's far away. Thanks for the comment!

Master Joke: Thanks, and welcome to ST!

     A mini-tragedy has struck...my game won't load anymore! I think it's due to all my plugins (over 2 GB) therefore, I'm reformatting my plugins folder. I just started, and it's going to take a long time, but I'm working on a way around it with the story. (a disaster wiping out the whole town perhaps, with Mr. Jones and our protagonist escaping on the train) Bear with me folks, and don't hesitate to provide suggestions to help with my reformatting quest.

Jamie

 

[Fairlane500 8]

Arrgh, what a horrible thing to happen.

I know how you feel, I too had to experience a drought of SimCity for annoying reasons. Luckily I was able to recover.

 

Whatever happens, I'm sure you can make a great connection to the past story. So best of luck to you.

[Nik-nik 3]

I was just settling myself for a nice new RHF CJ (I only lurked in your other CJ's) when I read the message of yetsrday that your PC crashed. ARGH! I hope you will be able to recollect the Album directory and the city directory.

Good luck.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Kyle: Yeah...but I suppose worse things could've happened. Hopefully everyone'll like this connection I'm coming out with...thanks for the comment.

Nik-nik: Always good to see users unlurk themselves, welcome! I've begun to salvage the essentials from the STEX, there'll be more detail later.

     Time for our little story bridge...hopefully it doesn't sound too forced, I had lots of trouble coming up with something...

---

 

Chapter 3

 

     I was going to tell you more about the surrounding cities, but I unfortunately lost my diary and pictures that had documented the time. So, I'll skip right to the next part of the story...

 

     Mr. Jones was just about to divulge his dilemma when the unmistakable sounds of gunshots rang through the air. Turning my head to the entrance to the station, a man in a ski man waved around a pistol, and was running around in a crazed manner. With a quick jerk of the head, he turned his attention to us, and Mr. Jones and I made a break for it. Running into the terminal, a train was getting ready to leave the station. Signs of chaos surrounded us, and all the exits were blocked. It seemed there was only one place to go...

 

     10 minutes later, we found ourselves speeding through the countryside. I had hurriedly called my parents, and they understood the situation; I could stay with Mr. Jones for as long a period of time as I like, or I could come home ASAP. Because I was so curious as to his secret, I chose the former, for the time being...

 

---

 

     I suppose I should update you guys on the situation concerning plugins...I've got all the essentials. My plugins folder is definitely going to be trimmer and more organised than before, and I've so far downloaded all the props I need and a few BATs from Vlakhaas, SG, Deadwoods, Peg, NDEX, and other trusted creators a la Jeroni, as well as Barby's excellent lots and the NAM. That's enough to get started again per minimum, but I have exams all next week, so expect minimal output until that's done with. Thanks for the support, and be sure to expect more from me in the coming weeks/months!

 

Jamie

[RadioheadFan 1]

     No comments? Well, that's OK, considering the mini-hiatus...but I've got a new update, and although there's palm trees, no rail, and not as many BATs, I find it still maintains a high enough level of quality. Hope you enjoy!

---

 

Chapter 4

 

     The bus ride was both long and short; the trip wasn't very long in terms of linear until, but I was filled with burning anticipation, as Mr. Jones would not reveal his secret until, in his words, we were somewhere comfortable. We were on our way to the distant Grand River Valley, but on a high-speed Greyhound, it barely took any time.

 

     The few times we made eye contact, there was something different about Mr. Jones. His eyes were normally onyx pools, glimmering and shining like precious gems, hidden beneath ugly granite and bedrock, only to be gazed upon with delight, not disdain. However, the light was gone, and he appeared hollow, a shell of his former self; the onyx had faded to obsidian, chipped and cracked, like an old family heirloom receiving disappointed stares. I was having trouble putting this all together in my head when a sudden jolt caused my coffee to spill on my slacks. We had come to a stop in Parker.

 

     Parker was a small town of 1,500 people, famous for the fertile soil that drew agriculture from all over. This was a hallmark of the Grand River Valley. Parker was also the only town that had a highway leading to the south: RR-1, which transformed into Highway 1 and Highway 2, going to the east and west respectively.

 

 

     Downtown was a modest affair, with a few shops and a high-class restaurant. The fake palm trees that had been placed for the Caribana festival in July still hadn't been removed in October, and it gave the area a garish feel.

 

 

     The town was mostly middle-class, due to the high-tech organic farming companies that had moved in. We would have stayed in the town proper, but there were no inns around, so we resumed our search.

 

 

     A long trip through the countryside ensued, passing garden supply stores, small farms and the highway from which we had arrived.

 

 

 

 

     At last, we arrived at a suitable place. The Washboard Inn offered low prices, comfy beds and a renowned apple pie.

 

    

     After unpacking our bags and putting on a pot of tea, Mr. Jones was at last ready to reveal the cause of our adventure in the first place...

 

---

 

     Hopefully, this is a return to form, despite the lack of plugins. Thanks for all the support (I know, I say that every time) and I'd love to see you guys back here again!

 

Jamie

 

P.S. The new album from The Strokes, First Impressions of Earth is essential. You've gotta go out and get it, folks!

 

 

[Equilibria 16]

This is a fine way to keep this story going. The town looks quite pleasant, and the comment about the palm trees is cool. I believe, if you are tired of them, that there is a no palm trees mod on the STEX. You may already know about it. Heck, you may have written it. Anyway nice work.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Equilibria: Yeah, I know there's a No Palm Mod, I had it downloaded before I lost everything I definitely didn't write it though, that's for sure. Thanks for the comment and glad you think the story's still working out!

Jamie

[Nik-nik 3]

ooooooooooooh I hate clifhangers. What has Mr. Jones up his sleeve, who were those men waving around guns in public! X-citing.

Good luck with your exams and keep your head cool!

 

Nik-Nik

[Sisu 1]

Wow, Parker looks very colourful and idyllic. I also like your story telling. Hope we'll see more soon.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Nik-nik: Hehe...what can I say, there's nothing I love writing more than a good cliffhanger. Sorry to keep you in the dark, and thanks for the exam well-wishes. Math was extremely easy, I hope I can say the same for Science and English...

Sisu: Thanks for the comment, and I'll try to update as soon as possible.

All: No more comments eh? Ah well, maybe some more'll come in. I'm about 1/4 done the next city, and it's got some of PEG's lots, old and new. Look for it soon!

Jamie

[1dera3 29]

Oh, damn, I forgot about this! Well, almost! Heh... yeah. Great updates! I look forward to seeing loads more!



//1D3

EDIT: AWESOME! Post number 300! And now, check my sig...

[nycsc4 5,250]

wow, this looks great, i love the homes mixed in with the farm land, also good use of the fall trees.  can't wait for the next update!!

[RadioheadFan 1]

1dera3: Thanks for the comment! And the sig link... Congrats on your 300th post as well. Now you only need 2630 more to catch up to me!

nycsc4: Thanks! Everything's coming together really well, with the plugin reorganization, and the storyline...lots of good things to come. BTW, I love the quotes in your sig...gave me quite a laugh when I saw them first.

All: Like I said above, everything's coming together. I've made a cute little graveyard using PEG's tombstones and his canals Sounds like a strange combo, I know, but I happen to like it. Thanks for the support, this only encourages me further to produce work that's better and better.

Jamie

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

I see a great future novelist in you...keep up the magnificent storytelling. You don't know how much I enjoy reading stories with such intruiging detail by one of STs best writers.

[SC4 meister 7]

Great work dude, but you didn't tell me that you updated!   Anyhoo, lovin it.  sorry for the lack of emotes...it's2:17AM...  BTW, read my PM.  Meister out.  EDIT: I'm gonna be living on Dew today, lol.

[Nardo69 51]

Great Layout! I lıke how you put that village next to the road. Oh, but no RR ...

Bernhard

[1dera3 29]

Heh... I think I might have to be online while I'm asleep posting 5 times an hour...

Math error: only 2330 as of your post! Or I guess now, 2332.

I hate cliffhangers! Get on with it!

Kutgow!
(Keep Up The Good Work!)



//1D3

[sloppet 3]

those pics are outstanding RHF! Keep it UP

 

 

[RadioheadFan 1]

OK, so no more big writing, I got a new computer without a parent-imposed block on it (don't ask, they're weird like that) and was finally able to get Firefox back. If anyone knows of an extension that can get me Rich Text back, please let me know by PM! Anyways, time to reply to your comments...

Tom: Thanks! A future novelist...hey, it's one of my dreams. Maybe someday. BTW, I'm loving your new CJ!

Meister: No prob dude, it's only 9:00 and I'm too tired to count I got the PM, and replied as you know, and thanks for the comment!

Bernhard: Thanks! Don't worry, next city there'll be some rail. I promise!

1dera3: Hehehe...my bad on the math. Unfortunately, I'm too lazy to fix it right now...I'll do it later.

sloppet: Thanks!

OK, update time...we finally find out what's wrong!

------------------------------

You OK? You're kind of looking shaky... Mr. Jones was having trouble holding onto his cup, and he put it down with a frown. What I'm about to tell you, I've told no one else. I don't have much longer...I guess you were wondering why my hand was shaking so badly? Why I have to talk slower now?

Well, it hadn't really come to my mind...

I've got ALS, James.

At that moment, I dropped my mug to the floor, shattering it. Breaking out in tears, I thought I was going to die, when he began to speak again.

It's always been my dream to travel the countryside with someone very close to me. You're my best friend, James, and if there's anyone I'd want to go on this final trip with, it's you. Call your parents, I'm sure they'd understand. I don't want my last few months to be miserable.

Right away, I picked up the phone. I admired and respected my parents for letting me stay throughout my life, and still do. So, not wanting to waste any time, we packed up and headed out east, to the town of Harper.



Parker didn't have much to offer, with 5,000 people, but it was known for its hospitality and its tequila business. El Conquistador was sold all over the world, and had made many a fortune in Harper. Coming into town, we were greeted by a cemetery, and the city's reservoir.



Driving through town, we passed a quiet pond, which I assumed was the romance hotspot in town. I could imagine sitting in the moonlight, dipping my feet into the cool water...



For lunch, we went to Darby Park, named for the first CEO of El Conquistador Tequila Co. He got the town off the ground, and his memorial had tennis courts, a lovely foot court, and stunning fountains.



The town was absolutely stunning in the fall, with quaint homes and blooming trees. We ate at a single-story Cape Cod house that had been converted into a restaurant.



A sign caught our eye - it was advertising a relazing stay at the Harper Campground, and for a little extra, a trip to the Lakeside Cabin, a lovely, secluded home on an island, accessible only by seaplanes and featuring lovely hotsprings. We decided to spring for it, to make our trip all the more special. The basic campgrounds lay beside a canal, and were pretty in their own right.



The canal turned into dual streams that flowed into Harper Lake.



At last, from the secret trail off the highway, we reached the seaplane base. The anticipation was definitely killing me, and it seemed that Mr. Jones had gained a little of his vitality left. I couldn't wait for our trip to the Lakeside Cabin...



-------------------------

Well, I hope everything works out properly, I haven't used Firefox in a while! Thanks for the support and I can't wait to see your comments!

Jamie

[hyped_up_boy 15]

missed some updates... had exams... anyway, nice updates, nice recover, what's ALS?

[RadioheadFan 1]

hyped_up_boy: Don't worry about it, I just finished my exams as well Here's a link where you can find out more about ALS:

ALS Info

Hope that gives you some more information.

No more comments eh? That's OK...next city, I'll have some rail, and plenty more custom BATs and lots as I'm storming through the collections of Barby and SG. Thanks guys!

Jamie

[RadioheadFan 1]

No more comments? Ah well...I've got more time, I might as well bring the next update. Hope you enjoy!

-------------------------

Mr. Jones, I've never asked you this...did you ever have a wife?

Well, James, I did. Her name was Dolores, and we met in high school. She was a fiery redhead, but that same fire what was drove me to her. The day after graduation, we got married. We tried to have children for years and years, but we suffered miscarriage after miscarriage. Poor Dolores was heart-broken every time. On her 51st birthday, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and it spread rapidly. I spent a week at her hospital bed, holding her limp hand and praying, before she finally passed on. She was a wonderful woman.

I'm so sorry. I never knew...I'm sorry if it hurt you to tell me that.

James, my dear boy, I've accepted that fate works in mysterious ways. I became rich and famous, but I lost Dolores. I found a best friend, and now I'm stuck with ALS. Funny, isn't it? At that, we shared a sad chuckle. Glancing out the window, I saw the moon was high and full; it was time for the hot springs.

Stepping into the water was like walking on a heated cloud, immersing myself in the fluid. With a sigh, I sat on one of the natural rock seats, and slowly, sank deeper and deeper. Without noticing, my head resting on a pillow, I fell asleep at the edge...

The brilliant sunrise awoke me rapidly. Running out to the lookout tower in just my shorts, I ran up all the stairs as fast as I could. The pink sky was augmented by the intense light, all-encompassing and shining, swallowing up the darkness. It was a site to behold. I found Mr. Jones following me up, and we stood there for as long as we could, soaking up the beauty. It's still one of my favourite moments together with him.

Unfortunately, it was time to head out, so we packed up our stuff, flew back to the shore, and found the trail. We drove by some cute lakeside homes on our way back to the highway, far away from the relative hustle and bustle of Harper proper.



We passed by 2 more farming towns, full of workers who harvested the wheat, corn, beans, and especially agave this time of year.





El Conquistador had many blue agave plantations around the city, including this one, with a Spanish-style homestead.



Mr. Jones and I also passed by the mansion of the current CEO of El Conquistador, a Mr. Gonzales. His complex was designed by the famous architect Vlakhaas, for an undisclosed but certainly hefty fee.



For our last stop, we paid a visit to the spectacular Harper Mountain Lookout, framed by the monstrous mountain and the blooming trees. The region's recreation director, nicknamed Pegasus for his stables full of white horses, specially designed the lookout himself.



And with that, we headed off to our next destination, leaving Harper behind with smiles on our faces.

-------------------------

And that's the update! Hope you guys like it, I can't wait to see your comments! Thanks for everything, it really keeps me going.

Jamie

[RadioheadFan 1]

     Well, I can't say you guys are giving me much to work with...here's yet another update. 3 in 2 days, that's gotta be a record!

-------------------------

 

Chapter 7

 

     Herringdale was our next stop. On the southwest side of the mountain, it was a mostly middle-class town, with the beginning of the regional rail system and a reputation for amazing lavender fields. Also, El Conquistador had started to leave its home base, with 2 or 3 agave plantations set up in Herringdale already.

 

 

     After some searching, we found a pleasant little B&B in North Herringdale, a green and white four-square home in the shadow of the mountain.

 

 

     Our drive around had us pass by many farms of different sizes and types. There was a traditional American-style wheat farm, that made you feel like you were in the Saskatchewan heartland, minus the mountain of course.

 

 

     There were lovely purple lilies, this particular farm owned by the mega-company Barby's Produce Inc.

 

 

     Another farm owned by Barby was just up the road, this one producing cabbage. The lovely home accompanying the farm was once the summer home of Barby herself.

 

 

     The famous lavender fields were just up ahead. Gaston Meilleux had tended to the flowers for 50 years, and now his son, Phillipe, was heading up the family business.

 

 

     Finally, we came to the blue agave fields and the Spanish homes made ever so famous by El Conquistador.

 

     I must say, I don't know how the hell people could drink this much tequila.... Mr. Jones had me laughing all the way to town.

 

    

 

     We had lunch at The Spinning Wheel, a fantastic restaurant in South Herringdale.

 

 

Wanting to learn as much as I could about Mr. Jones in our limited time together, I kept the questions coming.

 

     So Sir, what was your first job?

 

     When I was 15, Macbeth had a lovely little ice cream shop, the Bella Donna. It was owned by a little old Italian lady named Carla, but she was too old and little to do the work, so her eldest son Maurizio handled everything. I applied for a job here, and was rejected as too wimpy by Maurizio, a bear of a man.

 

     But as I was leaving, Carla came down the stairs, pointed at me, and yelled in Italian at Maurizio. Seeing this huge man cower at his tiny mother was very entertaining, but I held back the laughs. 5 minutes later, I was the newest ice cream boy at the Bella Donna, much to the dissatisfaction of Maurizio.

 

     Wow...that must have been fun, Sir!

 

     Like you wouldn't believe, James. On days where no one bought the ice cream, I got the extras. Before my senior prom I ran 10 miles to be able to fit into my tux! And we doubled over, laughing.

 

     We only had one more stop to make before heading off. The Smythe House was little-known, but made the best bread you could've ever tasted. Before leaving, we had to try some. So, we went to the house and talked to Mr. Smythe about buying some of the bread. He was reluctant, but when he heard of Mr. Jones' condition, he gladly gave us 5 loaves. To this day, I have never tasted any better grain product.

 

 

     And on that note, we left Herringdale, our stomachs full and our hearts content.

 

-------------------------

 

     Well, there's the update! If some of you guys are wondering why El Conquistador is featured so prominently...well, you'll soon find out. Hopefully I'll get to see some of your comments before I head off to a party at 7:00 Thanks for the support!

 

Jamie

 

 

 

 

[SCDawg 0]

boy, they sure do love tequila up at that place don't they! LOL anyway great city! one question: whats that little round-a -bout on that street for? i'd take it out

 

[RadioheadFan 1]

SCDawg: I guess they do. I'm not sure which roundabout you're talking about, there's no NAM roundabouts in Herringdale, and definitely none pictured. I'd be happy to help if I knew what you were talking about! Just kidding, but could you make yourself a little clearer? Thanks.

All: Can't wait to see some more comments!

Jamie

[Deathtoall 28]

Great storyline RHF, i really enjoy how no detail is to little and everything is explained like your lived there. I can see this cj becomming an all time favourite for ST.

[dfnva 34]

I finally took some time and read the whole story (so far). I must say that it is well-written and very thought-provoking. If it were a movie, I think Pyramid Song by Radiohead would be great to have in the sound track as it musically accentuates the story, to me, anyhow. Looking forward to more updates.

 

Dan F

[nycsc4 5,250]

b-e-a-utiful update.  i missed a few updates, sorry about that.  i love those canals and those streams in one of your previous updates.  also i love those houses along the road and all the colorful farmland.  keep up the great work and i will be checking back.

[RadioheadFan 1]

Deathtoall: Thanks. Attention to detail is really important, with all the CJs starting to have the same custom graphics/beautiful cities, a good story and details really set CJs apart. An all time favourite...that would be something. What I'm really going for is to top Life on an Airplane, which means I have about...831 replies to go! Once again, thanks. I really appreciate the support of you and a few others who have been there since the beginning.

Dan F.: Wow, thanks! Thought-provoking is another thing I like to hear, nothing's better than stirring the pot and getting people wondering. BTW, I love the choice of Pyramid Song...good to see someone knows their Radiohead!

nycsc4: Thanks. No problem about missing the updates, everyone else did too... But hey, this one's getting some comments. I had lots of fun planning those canals, glad they amounted to something. Glad everything looks good and I can't wait to see you back here!

All: Something new from me coming up in the next update...a highway! I know, I know... The highway'll separate the rural and suburban development on the south side of the river, which is where we're at now. Hope you guys like what's in store!

Jamie

[nycsc4 5,250]

i know i just commented but i am glad to see some urban development comming to this cj.  I love freeways, my home town has lots of them, so does my cj.  can't wait to see the freeways and what the big city will look like.