The Grunt-Monty Household: Week 7

Click here if you want to (re-)read Week 6.

The Grunt-Monty household still resides in the Veronaville-style residence I think suits them so well. It is, of course, one of the original Maxis-made houses from the lots & houses catalogue.

Antonio Monty (right) is 78 and has been on Permanent Platinum for three "years" - he became Celebrity Chef at the ripe age of 73. His sort-of son-in-law, Buck Grunt, is also on Permanent Platinum. He wanted to become Mayor of New Maximiliania and reached that goal already 25 "years" before turning into an Elder. I don't control these two other than making them greet other New Maximilianians walking by. 

I called Buck Antonio's "sort-of" son in law, because he is not married - not even engaged - to Beatrice, Antonio's daughter. The two of them are three-bolt-lovers and have been for a long time (since uni, I think), but neither of them has ever rolled the want to get married. Beatrice started out with the LTW of being Rock God but changed her mind inexplicably last round, when she suddenly decided she wants to become Hall of Famer. Her current job is that of MVP.

Her twin brother Benedick also still lives here. Like his sister and his father, he changed his LTW without me doing anything. Instead of wanting to have 20 best pet friends, he is now an aspiring Captain Hero, currently a SWAT leader.

Last but not least, we have Buck's half-Alien son Graham here. The teenage boy has NOT changed his LTW - he still wants to own 5 top-level businesses.

Monday is off to an interesting start when, just as the school bus for Graham and the athlets' bus for Beatrice pull up in front of the house, a Gypsy Lady appears and leaves a magic lamp for the family. It is not needed right now and put away in Benedick's bedroom.

Buck is unlucky with a chance card and gets fired. Well... he prefers the term "retired on mutual agreement".

But those who know him well can tell it affects him a lot. Nevertheless, he has reached his original LTW and remains on PP.

When Beatrice comes home, her good news make up for Buck's bad luck: She is now a Superstar.

Guests for the day are Pleasant Serva and Sarah Love (a colleague of Benedick's). They admire the artful display of paintings, plaques and photos in Antonio's bedroom.

On Tuesday morning, Antonio is the first to get up.

It's a day to celebrate, and Beatrice serves cheesecake fresh from her inventory.

The reason for the celebration? Buck is now an Elder! Strangely enough, it took him until 4:28 am for his age-transition... instead of at 6.00 pm the day before, as was expected.

Antonio is one of those good Sims who clean and tidy without anyone telling them to. In this case, I am not even all that happy about it - his son Benedick needs cleaning skill points for his career, and I'd actually like him to do all the cleaning in the house.

Graham does his homework as quickly as possible, because he then wants to go to...

...work at his shop, Graham's Greenery (formerly Inner Child Toys & Gifts).

To appear more respectable to his customers, who are all much older than the teenager, he dons his school uniform for working at the shop. (He decided that on his own - when he left the house, he was wearing jeans and t-shirt.) The shop is now at rank 6.

Late in the evening, Antonio returns from work. No colleague gets off the car with him, but he is not alone...

"It's about time, I think," Antonio says with a nostalgic sigh as he accepts his final cocktail. "I really want to see my dear wife again, it's been too long!" Antonio was 80.

Beatrice grieving her father. Little does she know that... no, wait, I'm not going to tell you yet.

On Wednesday, Hermia Capp comes to offer her condolences. The Capps and the Montys have always seen themselves as founders, and followed the events in each family closely.

Benedick has been promoted to Police Chief (still in his SWAT leader uniform here).

Graham manages to raise his shop to rank 7 and makes his Silver Badge for Restocking.

The sun has not yet risen on Thursday morning when Beatrice goes jogging.

Cousin Mercutio and his wife Sharla (Ottomas) have also heard of Antonio's death and come visiting to be there for the family.

B'Elanna Beaker, one of Graham's many half siblings, gets off the school bus with him today.

Cousins Benedick and Mercutio talk about science.

Graham's shop reaches rank 8 when he makes a sale to Björn Beaker. The lady with the red t-shirt is Ellen Freshe (nee Frost).

Friday is Benedick's day off, and he makes use of it by working on the skills needed for his next promotion.

Autumn has begun, and Beatrice and Buck are glad to have a fireplace in their bedroom on this chilly morning.

When everyone is either at work or school, Buck is happy to greet Jules Cleveland and Pablo Picaso.

Today, Meike Riley comes home from school with Graham.

Beatrice was promoted to Assistant Coach today and is accompanied by colleage Jonah Powers.

Today, Buck goes to support his son at the shop. Before the first customers arrive, he takes a little rest on the bench out on the front porch, while Graham makes sure the shop is in perfect condition.

It is Saturday, and Beatrice is not Assistant Coach anymore, but Coach.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate all those promotions. Daisy Jacquet, Romeo Monty, Cedric Cooke, Lilith Ottomas, Mercutio and Sharla Ottomas are there.

Jill Indie and Shaun Singles (son of Nervous Subject and Erin Singles) have also come over. It is a lively party, just the way I like it.

Nevertheless, Buck and Graham head to the shop to open up for the evening, and the business reaches Rank 9.

On Sunday morning, Graham indulges in some computer games. He's worked very hard both at school and at his shop every day, and it is time to let him relax a bit and be a kid.

Benedick works on his cleaning skill and is suprised to find out that the hand-made plate on the wall was once touched by a Ninja. I wonder where and when that happened!

Graham hopes to raise his first business to Rank 10 and goes to the shop later that day. He does not reach Rank 10, but makes his Gold Cash Register badge - it took him an incredible 63 transactions since his Silver Badge!!

Back home, the Grunts have come over for a family visit. Buck is happy that all is well now between him and his father, General Buzz Grunt; it wasn't always so.

Tank, Buck's older brother who married Hermia Capp, talks to Benedick.

Friend Delila O'Feefe was invited as well. She is the first to spot that some sparks from the fire place in the living room have fallen onto the rug and set it on fire.

Soon, everybody comes running to the scene.

The flames leap over across the settee and to the games table and chairs. Ripp Grunt, Buck's and Tank's brother, watches as helplessly as everybody else.

Benedick is the first to die...

...followed by Buck and Graham.

The fire is only satisfied when Beatrice is the only one left. (The party was still running - and funnily enough, the mood meter still showed "good time"!)

What a dramatic end to a week that was looking so promising! Of course I know what I am risking every time I have a Sim light the fire in a fire place, or burn a pile of leaves... but it is a risk I am prepared to take.

Will Beatrice stay in the much-too-large house all on her own? Is she going to find love again (there are several 3-bolt-men among her acquaintances), and how long until she'll reach her LTW?