The Caliente Sisters: Week 1

Once upon a time in Pleasantview, a loving husband and wife had twin girls. The family's name was Caliente, and they called their girls Dina and Nina.

Nina (the redhead) and Dina (the blonde) had a perfectly normal childhood.

They both grew up into beautiful women, and Dina went on to marry Michael Bachelor, brother of Bella (who married into the Goth family).

After the deaths of their parents and Dina's husband, the sisters bought a house from their inheritance and moved in together. Unfortunately, they soon became victim of a burglary.

Seeing as Dina was something like a distant relative to the Goth family (through her late husband), they went to visit the Goths when they learned that Dina's sister-in-law Bella had mysteriously disappeared. And much to Mortimer's surprise, he felt himself falling for the beautiful young woman who had so much grief of her own to deal with. But was it love for Mortimer the man, or Mortimer the RICH man, that made Dina start a relationship with him? 

Their household bio says: "Was it just coincidence that the Caliente sisters arrived on the eve of Bella's disappearance? And is their interest in Mortimer physical... or fiscal?"
This is where the Maxis-made pictures end.

Here are Dina and Nina as we find them when the game starts, on the roof terrace of their house. According to Maxis, Dina "has a mind of her own, but she is quick to disagree. She likes chocolate and dreams of making it big." She is a Fortune Sim with the lifetime want of becoming Chief of Staff. Her twin sister Nina's bio reads: "Deeply connected to her Mediterranean roots, Nina likes exercise and bread pudding." (What bread pudding and exercise have to do with Mediterranean roots is beyond me - but that's Maxis for you.) Nina's aspiration is Romance, and we will talk about her lifetime want later.

The house is situated in a quarter of similar looking modern townhouses.

The open-plan ground floor has a lounge area with a TV, and on the other side of the staircase a kitchen, breakfast bar and small dining table. There is also a workout machine for Nina, who loves to exercise according to Maxis.

Two bedrooms and one bathroom (the only one in the house) are on the upper floor. One of the bedrooms only has a single bed. Looking at their clothes, I think Dina with her low-cut figure-hugging black mini dress is more the type for the animal print bedcovers, while Nina with her sporty look seems more suited to the single room.

The roof terrace has a hot tub, bar and deck chairs - all seems set for romance, or at least a fun party. With no more than 1,040 Simoleons on their joint bank account and both unemployed, the sisters will have to watch their spending.

Right on this Monday morning, Mortimer comes visiting on his own accord.

He is largely ignored, though, as the girls start to work on their lifetime wants right away, looking for jobs. To this end, a cheap desk and chair are set up, and the computer courtesy by Mr. Humble is used. Neither Nina nor Dina find jobs in the careers they want, though. By the way, the urn on the side table contains the ashes of Dina's husband Michael Bachelor, whose sister Bella went on to marry Mortimer Goth. I place the urn in Dina's inventory and plan to have her take it to the cemetery at some stage.

First, though, Dina greets Lucy Burb, who we have only last week seen growing up to a teenager.

Mortimer spends nearly the entire evening in the hot tub on the roof, hoping for Dina to join him. She has not one single wish about him, though, and so I let the sisters get on with things.

When they have retreated to their respective bedrooms, a burglar sneaks up to the house - it's a different one to the man who came to "visit" the Burbs last week. A whole gang of them must be roaming Pleasantview! And apparently, the Caliente sisters' house is of particular interest - even the Maxis-made pictures showed a burglar.

Dina calls the police, and they arrive instantly, flashing lights, siren blaring and all.

Unfortunately, the burglar got away with the exercise device.

When Nina becomes aware of the burglary on Tuesday morning, she is distressed at first - but then she thinks, what if...? Yes, indeed - becoming a Criminal Mastermind (as per her lifetime want) is one way to deal with crime in this town: By controlling it, she won't be a victim again! Good job then that she can start work as a pickpocket later this morning.

While she's out, Dina does a spot of housework, watches the cooking channel and pays the bills. The sisters are now down to 361 Simoleons - not a good situation. Dirk Dreamer walks by and is warmly greeted by Dina.

Nina comes to the rescue money-wise: She has been promoted to bagman (or woman) and brings home not only the day's wage, but also a bonus. She turns on her heel and heads off to her night shift as a bagman straight away.

In the face of beautiful Dina, Dirk obviously wishes he'd be a man already and not just a teenager. "Dina and Dirk... it sounds perfect..." he sighs over the bowl of Mac & Cheese - which is the only thing his hostess offers him: food, a chat and nothing else for you here, young man!

Dina's job hunt is successful on Wednesday: She starts as an Emergency Medical Technician and can't help but remark to the paper boy: "Aren't I cutting a dashing figure in my overalls?" She is, isn't she!

Nina has the day off and uses it to acquire creativity in view of her next promotion. An easel is set up on the small balcony off her bedroom, but it takes her a while to get that first point: Every time she picks up her paint brush, either the phone rings or someone to be greeted walks by; first Checo Ramirez...

...and then Lilith Pleasant.

Dina returns from work with a promotion to Paramedic.

She now needs logic, and so her promotion bonus is used for a cheap telescope. The ladies have also invested in two more dining chairs (they often have guests) plus a better toilet and shower, making their combined wages and bonus money dwindle to 459 Simoleons.

The sisters' friend Brandi Broke comes visiting on her own accord, and soon afterwards, Herb Oldie walks by.

The hot tub only has room for four, and Herb as the last to join the impromptu party can only look on. Lilith exclaims: "Wouldn't it be great if someone would serve us ice creams here," but her hostess does not take the hint. Dina is already in bed, tired after an early start and the first day on the new job.

Not much happens on Thursday. Dina is happy about the way their careers are going, and raises a toast: "Here's to us, sis! We're not doing half bad, are we!" Nina agrees, of course, even though their financial situation is far from good just yet.

Denise Jacquet walks by and is greeted. Later, both Nina and Dina go to work, leaving their guest to her own devices.

Friday brings two promotions: First Nina is made Bookie...

...and then Dina returns as a qualified Nurse. On top of her wage and bonus, she also gained 5,000 Simoleons through a chance card - and all that before sunrise! With a healthy balance of just above 10,000 Simoleons, the sisters can afford a better fridge and oven.

Brandi comes over again. She is best friends with both sisters.

"Hello, I'm Gilbert Jacquet. My Mum was your guest yesterday and told me what good neighbours you are." To be honest, I find that hard to believe - neither Nina nor Dina spent any considerable amount of time with Denise; instead they left her on her own when they went to work. But who knows; maybe Madame Jacquet sees a potential girlfriend or even wife for her son in one of the Mademoiselles Caliente.

After Gilbert has had one of Dina's home-made hamburgers and felt pretty much the focus of attention as the only man with three ladies at the table, he quite enjoys a good soak in the hot tub with only Brandi for company, while the sisters have already gone to bed. 

When Nina goes to work on Saturday morning, for the first time this season she needs a coat. She wants to go on a date and thinks of kissing, but I'm afraid work and skilling take up nearly all her time right now.

Dina has a surprise visit from Mortimer, the man she professes to love (among others). But it is not a pleasant surprise - somehow he heard about her and her sister frequently having male guests, and he is clearly not amused. He leaves in a huff. (Of course, what really happened is that I had Dina look through the telescope during the day, and she "spied" on Mortimer. And Dina has not seen anyone romantically all of this week, so she is really quite innocent.)

Nina is promoted to Con Artist.

She has Sunday off and decides to do something about the sisters' dire wardrobe situation. 330 Main Street is not far away, and she heads for the boutique as soon as the taxi drops her off.

After she has chosen several outfits for herself and her sister, she greets Darren Dreamer and has a look around for other residents of Pleasantview she might get to know.

But nobody else of interest is there, and she is soon back home, where she greets passers-by Coral Oldie.

Nina returns from work just in time to greet Christian Love.

The sisters now have clothes better suited for the colder season.

Dina still needs to work on her skills, and since it is only Nina who wishes for a date, I have her meet up with Don Lothario at Club Dante.

Their date starts off by gossiping about Lilith Pleasant.

Things get more steamy eventually, with much kissing and making out. Malcolm Landgraab pretends not to notice.

Meanwhile, Dina finally has enough aspiration points for the Thinking Cap. "Wow! I never knew THAT about cleaning!" she exclaims :-)            

This was an interesting week with the Caliente sisters. Nina was the only one to have any proper romantic interaction; Dina had to work harder at her career. Both made friends, though, and their finances are now in much better shape. None of them has any 3-bolt attractions. Will Nina and Don further pursue their relationship? What about Dina and Mortimer?