Jessica Peterson - Week 1

From Armand DeBateau's first week, you already know that once upon a time he was married to Jessica Peterson. We have had occasional glimpses of her during this round, such as last week when she made friends with Ana Patel and came visiting. 

Here is the first of a handful of Maxis-made pictures to illustrate her background story; we see her and Armand in their luxury apartment with Jess at the bar and Armand in a comfortable armchair. She has two biographies, the family one (even though it's only her), and her personal one. According to her family bio, "When Armand DeBateau demanded an heir Jessica Peterson knew it was time to leave. She just didn't want to be tied down when Belladonna Cove was so filled with romantic possibilities. Of course when she left Armand she also left his vast fortune and standing in society. Can she make her own way?"

The argument pictured here ties in with Jessica's desire to leave. 

And here she is in very modest surroundings, making herself a lunch meat sandwich. 

She is obviously worried about her (financial) future, now having to pay rent and without a wealthy man by her side.

The last Maxis-made picture shows her watching Carlos Contender, which fits her personal bio: "Some girls have all the fun and Jessica was always a little precocious. While Armand was adding up his riches, she was adding up her exploits. She's been getting closer to Carlos Contender (and his wallet). Maybe it's time to invite him over?"

Here is Jessica Peterson now, as we find her when entering the lot. Her aspiration is Fortune, and she imagines herself as Criminal Mastermind. Not exactly my favourite lifetime want, but at least she wants to work for her money and not just marry a rich Sim :-D Speaking of money, she is not quite as poor as her previous pictures suggest: a bit over 14,000 Simoleons would allow her to move to a better place, or at least improve the mobile home where she lives now.

It is the one at the back of the lot, at Main Street Mobile Homes in Belladonna Cove. The other four are rented by other Sims, but there aren't any children, in spite of the playground suggesting otherwise. 

She does not have much space, but it is enough for one person; she even has a double bed. Some of her furniture and decorations do not match very well, but unless she wishes for better stuff (or I am in the mood for it), I won't start redecorating. 

On this Monday, she starts making a list of things she wants to do: 

1) quit job at Record Store 

2) get into Criminal Career 

3) cement friendships with Carlos and Ana

4) make new friends 

5) make money 

6) make more money 

7) make a LOT of money 

She's a lousy cook (not one cooking point) and does not want to dirty her stove, so she attempts (successfully!) to make hot dogs at the communal grill between the mobile homes. Two of her fellow tenants are out there, but she is not interested in men living in such modest surroundings, and takes her plate inside to eat alone.

While Jessica was asleep, I have moved the bed to the wall to make room for a desk where Mr Humble's computer can go. It is a bit of a squeeze, but it'll do. On this Tuesday morning, Jessica is lucky with her job hunt: She can start as a pickpocket right away. 

Eager to advance and deft with her hands, she does so well on her first day that she is promoted to Bagman. As the car pool drops her off, she spots Kimberly Cordial, twin sister of her friend Samantha Cordial. So far, the two had not met, but Jessica is glad to have to chance to make another friend, and greets her. 

Also, she has heard that Kimberly was her successor in Armand's affections when she had left him, and they were even engaged until they split up after Armand had met his 3-bolt-love.

While she has a badly needed shower (it must be really dirty work, all that picking other people's pockets!), Kimberly makes herself acquainted with some of the other tenants. While she takes an instant dislike to townie Danielle Lillard - to the point of getting into a fight with her -, she gets along well with townie Bruce Rauscher.

Jessica's cooking skills have not yet improved, and so it is leftover hotdogs straight from the fridge for her and her guest. The two ladies don't seem to mind, and get along very well - every subjcet they touch in conversation is a success. "Growing up, I never thought I'd end up in a mobile home... and end up here I won't!" Jessica exclaims. Before it's time for her to go to bed, she and Kim watch some TV together. 

Overnight, some improvements have been made as per Jessica's wishes: A better fridge and stove were bought, and the book shelf is necessary for career-related skilling. 

On this Wednesday, Jessica has a day off and decides to visit Desprit Deals Clothing Stores. Not that she's "desprit" herself, but she really wants new clothes, and she has come to quite like this rather run-down part of town - it is good for her career to feel at home here as much as among the high and mighty she used to mix with when she was still with Armand. 

For fun, she learns to breakdcance from the street performer. Unfortunately, mid-lesson, a townie named Toby Riley walks by, and although I stop the lesson to make Jessica greet him, he's gone before she can do so. Do I know him? I can't remember having seen him around; he was wearing a police uniform, so maybe Jessica can contact him by calling the police... but will she want to do that, given her career? ;-)

Just as she is about to leave and calls a taxi, who should walk by but Audrey DeBateau, her ex's new wife. The women merely look at each other without saying a word.

Back home, Jessica changes into her new autumn outfit and has a nap. She spends the rest of the afternoon and evening having a meal, talking to friends on the phone and painting to get more creativity. 

The most remarkable thing that happens on Thursday is Jessica finishing her first ever painting. "I shall call it... Lady in a green dress," she thinks somewhat lamely. 

Until she is picked up for work, her day is spent at her modest home, having an equally modest meal, paying the bills (she may be a criminal, but does not want to attract attention to herself by incurring debt), talking to one or two friends on the phone, solving the crossword in today's paper and, you guessed it, painting. 

It is Friday 1:00 am when Jessica returns from work, tired but happy: She has been promoted to Bookie. 

Finally, a better car is sent to take her to and from work, and she dresses in a suitably business-like outfit. She hopes for another promotion today but loses one skill point "thanks" to a chance card, and returns home many hours later with neither promotion nor bonus. 

Saturday is a working day for Jessica, but she wants to get at least something of a weekend-y feeling and has toaster pastry for breakfast. 

Returning from work, her smile says it all: She has just been made Con Artist! 

Getting off the car is a colleague, and both she and fellow tenant Danielle Lillard sport the same business suit as Jessica. I wonder whether Danielle is in the same line of work! Anyway, the colleague is sent on her way, and Jessica deals with more important things. 

Such as eating pizza! This is, by the way, the pizza the landlady had ordered for her customary Saturday Tenants Party - taking place while Jessica and most of the other tenants were at work. She has no qualms grabbing the leftovers before anyone else can. Waste not, want not, is her motto. 

She invites her newest friend over. Kimberly Cordial joins her for some TV and a chat, with the topic of conversation turning to love, and how they both used to be in love with Armand. 

Right now, Jessica is not looking for love, but for money - who knows how she'll feel when spring comes round, or once she has proven to herself and the world that she CAN make it on her own and does not need a rich husband. 

Jessica has no living family members, and so she can't make Sunday a Family Day. But she has the day off and does not urgently need to work on her skills, and so she decides to put a nice dress on, make some Christmas cookies (it is winter) and invite her friends over. 

Ana Patel, Kimberly Cordial and Isabelle Baldwin (not pictured) soon join her for a cosy afternoon at the mobile home, chatting away, watching TV and munching on the cookies. 

With the week coming to an end, let's check on Jessica's list and see what she has achieved: 

1) quit job at Record Store - check! 

2) get into Criminal Career - check! 

3) cement friendships with Carlos and Ana - check! 

4) make new friends - check! 

5) make money - check! 

6) make more money - check! 

7) make a LOT of money - not yet, but she's not done badly, earning over 5,000 Simoleons this week. 

It was fun to see how she and Kim instantly bonded (presumably over their former love for Armand), and I suppose we'll bump into her again before the round is over, but now it is time to visit the next household on the list.