Week 4, Part 7: Trollson (Prettacy)

[lakewood_bacc]

Hello, and welcome back to Lakewood: Just a BaCC. This time we'll be visiting the Trollson family, the last household in the current rotation. Last week, William Trollson (originating from a Garden of Shadows Good Genes challenge) founded a Prettacy.


In the very end of last week's rotation, William moved in the first generation spouse-to-be, Chloe Singles.

Now, William is a Pleasure sim and Chloe is Romance, but as you can see, the rotation starts off quite studious. There's a reason for that. You see, first of all, both of these two are rather career-oriented, as they both want to become Celebrity Chefs. There's a slight problem with that: there's currently only one Culinary opening in Lakewood, which is being held by Brandi Broke, and due to the nature of her challenge, Brandi can't reach the top of the career to unlock it for everyone.

So in the meanwhile, William has taken up the Business career, and I have high hopes that he might top it and thus earn a second Business District this week. That's why the whole rotation has been extended until Monday evening, so that he has the chance to try. And while he's doing that, maybe Chloe can work on that "only one opening" issue.


Apparently the rotation starts off with another "dammit Consort" moment. Though maybe this doesn't really count, as William and Chloe didn't really need that newspaper. They can't look for jobs right now, plus they're allowed to use the noticeboards at the town's Walmart.


Speaking of the Walmart, Chloe was due a trip there. She didn't have time for a makeover in the end of last rotation, plus she needed a cellphone too.




Another trademark Lakewood thing: when the townies seem to have much more interesting lives than you.


Back at home, Chloe seemed to be quite pleased with her makeover. I think the look suits her, too.


William spent a lot of the evening practicing his golf. I think we're going to be seeing a lot of this.


Last week, William founded a business (quite surprising in a BaCC, I know), Pretty Pretty Flowers, which also functions as the Prettacy family business.

Tuesday morning, William had all his skill points for the next promotion, but he needed an aspiration boost. If I want that second Business District this week, the schedule is quite tight: William needs to get five promotions in just about... five workdays.

With some luck, that can be done, but it requires platinum mood. So, William wants a Bronze flower arrangement badge, William gets a Bronze flower arrangement badge. So he headed to Pretty Pretty Flowers and got to work. Fortunately, he was about two arrangements away from the Bronze badge, so it happened quickly.


While we were there, we opened the shop for a little bit. Not long so that William's aspiration wouldn't have time to go down, but for a short while.


Apparently a short while was enough to also earn William his Gold sales badge. Well done, William!


It seems that the business had dropped in level without me noticing, possibly right in the end of last week. But, Nina here fixed that for us. Thanks Nina!


After the business session, time was a bit tight for William to make it to work, but fortunately, he did.

And I keep thinking about how he must be feeling uncomfortable in those dress pants, as all that snow gets your pantlegs all wet for the rest of the day.




As the Execuputter was free, Chloe spent the day practicing her charisma, which she's going to need in that Culinary career too. She also caught up with some friends.


In the afternoon, we found out that William had a successful day at work, as he got his promotion to level six. Congrats, William!

William: "Thanks. Just four more to go, then. Did you know, by the way, that I'm apparently too good at golf already?"

Oh?

William: "I tried to lose to my boss today, but it seems that I still accidentally won. So that's not what got me promoted, but I ended up winning the tournament, so I got a cash prize and some creativity skill."

Not too bad, for accidentally winning, I suppose.


The evening, surprisingly, saw more skilling.


Chloe was in charge of the cooking, as William was busy with his skills for the current career, plus Chloe is going to head into her dream career sooner.


Both William and Chloe wanted a car, so while they were sleeping, I acted as a car-fairy and got them one to get aspirations up.


In the morning, we found out that maybe Chloe needs to practice her Cooking skill some more. She managed to burn the toaster pastries.

Chloe: "Shut up, I just looked away for a second."



After breakfast, a quick talk about cuisine lifted William's spirits and aspiration, then it was time for work for him.


Alright, Chloe. You take care of that fun motive, and I'll go take care of some building. You two have the money, so it's time for you to do something else than sit around at home.

Chloe: "See ya."


Some time later.

Chloe: "Hello, this is Chloe Singles. I heard there's a new community lot for sale just now?"


And indeed there was. Welcome to Chloe's Quick Cookery, Lakewood's first fast food restaurant! It's the 12th community lot business in town, and as you may have guessed, a restaurant. Let's look inside, shall we?


The idea is quite simple, and to be honest, I shamelessly stole it from Lorinsv's Mesa Vista. Apparntly, you can make a business with a fast food stand (or one of the local food stands from Bon Voyage), and it comes with a cook, all you need to do is sell. You can adjust the cost, and Chloe here is doing just that.


I don't suppose that we'll actually have child customers, but I figured a fast food place should have a little play corner.


There are also toilets, and a small back room so that Chloe kick her feet up when needed. There also *ahem* may or may not be a small device sending hunger rays on our customers.




So, it's time to open up and get to work!


Well, it does seem that the food stand indeed functions as advertised: sims can buy food and then sit down and eat it. So far so good.


Oh yeah, and because this is a restaurant, our customers will also jump rope occasionally. Because of course.


Our biggest problem that first day was that the business actually ran itself better without Chloe's help than with it. Customers didn't seem to appreciate her selling efforts at all.

My usual approach is to first try to sell everyone, and if someone rejects the interaction I'll leave them alone and concentrate on the others, because those customers will likely just reject again, and on their own they might buy. Well, here even the customers who accepted the first sales interaction seemed to reject the second one. So a lot of the time Chloe would just have to leave all the customers alone and head for the back room.


After our little business session, back to home and studying it was.


It seems Consort isn't the only paper thief this family gets. Well, we don't have to recycle those papers then.


The clock strikes four, and William comes home, with another promotion. Hooray, William!


After the day, William and Chloe both needed some company, so a relaxing conversation on the couch was just what they needed.




William also had a pretty important question to Chloe.




Chloe's answer was, of course, yes. Despite her Romance aspiration, Chloe has had an engagement want locked for William for a while, and now seemed to be a good time to make that want come true. A wedding will be arranged as soon as we have time for it.


With her aspiration now in much better shape, Chloe headed back to her restaurant for more work.


It felt like a lot of work, but we finally made it to level 1. Thanks Mary Sue!


It's still not smooth sailing: even customers who've liked the place a lot will still reject Chloe. Possibly she's not that great of a saleswoman yet, or perhaps our customers are getting hangry.


Hey, I'm happy that you're all getting along and so, but the restaurant is kind of... inside?


So, Chloe got better at selling, but Mary Sue didn't really like her selling still? It's very two steps forward, one step back. Or sometimes one step forward, two steps back.


But again, as we left Mary Sue alone, she decided she did like the business after all, and we were back to level 1.


The next morning, William was again all skilled up for work, but could use an aspiration boost. Chloe knew just the thing.

Chloe: "What do you say, how about a quick date before you have to go?"

William: "You read my mind, honey."


They even got a stereo so that they could dance at home. Dates are often when I realize my sims don't have one.


We didn't have time for a dream date, but it was enough to get William in a great mood for work.


Once again, Chloe was on her own during the day. Now that I remembered that the family can now have alarms (Lakewood has not just one but two Law Enforcement positions), she took care of getting one for the car.




And of course, it was back to the restaurant. We have a lot of work ahead of us still, if we want to get to opening the Culinary position. And we do, right Chloe?

Chloe: "Uh huh. I've got time for a chat though, don't I?"

Sure, customers are again happier on their own it seems, so chat away.


Chloe, you do not get your business rank up by being rude to customers about suitcases!

Chloe: "But she's wrong!"


It's in the middle of the winter, and we're at a fast food restaurant. So of course the customers (who are adults) are outside in a water balloon fight. Oh, and this is how they are fighting it: just the two of them, side by side grinning, with no one on the opposing side throwing balloons. Well, at least they're happy, right?


Albany definitely is, lifting us to level 2.


Oh look, someone actually likes Chloe trying to sell a meal to them! I think it was around this time that I adjusted the price to be a little bit lower and the hungernator to hunger customers a little bit less, and that made things better. It may be that they were getting cranky because they were hungry.


The yard continues to be popular among the customers.


Chloe earns her Silver badge on sales, so progress is made on that too.


And it seems Albany really likes us, as it's again him who gets us to level 3. Thanks Albany! Alright, I think that's enough for today, Chloe, let's head home.


At home, Chloe chugs down some more espresso, like she's been doing at the restaurant too. In real life that amount of coffee would not be healthy – but fortunately this is the Sims.


I can see you, Consort.

Consort: "Soon you can't!"


Another successful day for William, he got promoted again.

William: "And I've made a lot of money too."

Yes, that too. I believe it was the 25,000 simoleans mark you hit there. But, most importantly, you're now at level 8, so only two more promotions to go before we get a Business District. After that, you can keep earning money as a Business Tycoon until Chloe has managed to unlock your dream career for the both of you.

William: "Alright then. I guess I know what I'm doing tonight then."

Yep, more skilling it is. Only a few more days I hope.


Chloe: "Yeah hi, it's me. Just figured I have some time to chat. My boyfriend's at it with skilling again. Might have to pull an all-nighter."

...

Chloe: "Yeah, only two more promotions to go. Maybe then he might have some time again."




Chloe did indeed need to entertain herself that night, as William's time was spent at the chessboard, the easel and the execuputter. So far he's been a pretty fast skiller though, so he didn't actually have to spend all night at them, but got to go to bed at a reasonable hour.


Friday morning, it was time for some toaster pastries again. Not burned this time. Maybe we should investi in an actual dining table at some point, so that William and Chloe wouldn't have to eat at the chess board. Well, that'll do for now, maybe next rotation.


A quick flirt to boost the spirits, and William was off to work again.


Sorry about that, Chloe. With some luck on William's part, Lakewood will reach the population of 500 soon and you'll be able to get a maid to help around the house. Several other families are quite looking forward to that.


After taking care of matters at home, it was time for Chloe to head to her restaurant to serve more customers. Here we can see two kinds of customers. Reasonable customers can be seen sitting at the podium, with food in front of them. Cranky customers, who keep rejecting Chloe (likely because they are hungry) can be seen standing up, pondering whether they should buy some food or rather not buy food but not go home either, so that they can be cranky some more.


Dina (after a lot of pondering and not buying food): "This sucks. I'm too hungry to be at this restaurant, bye."
Nothing further, your honor.


Sometimes making customers happy means playing kicky bag with them.




But still, making all customers happy at all times is not always possible. I suppose restaurants are tricky that way.


Bella: "Ooh, I love that top!"

Chloe: "Why thank you, yours is very nice too."

I seriously didn't realize I gave them the same top before I took this picture.


Coral, play nice or I'm going to have to ask you to leave! I've no idea what she has against Nina.


Ha, level 4! Thank you Bella! Only one more to go before we are where we need to be to realize Chloe's career dreams.


Back at home, Chloe had some more work to do. I've been very content that it's been winter this rotation, as the legacy tree has been dormant and hasn't needed care. Now it's spring, however, so it's time that somebody learned some gardening, and as William is at work, that someone is Chloe for the time being.


In the afternoon, we get some pretty good news. William is now on level 9 of his career! It's now Friday, so he has the weekend to work on his skills (a total of five skillpoints are needed), and on Monday he has a chance to make it to the top before the rotation ends. Excellent work William!


William: "It feels like we only see each other at mealtimes right now. I'm sorry."

Chloe: "It's okay, it shouldn't be much longer right?"

William: "It shouldn't. And now we have a weekend ahead of us, so at least I won't be at work until Monday. I do need to do a large chunk of skilling though."

Chloe: "Okay, I think I'll do some as well, and I'll probably hit the restaurant again. If I get it to level 5, I should be able to get myself in the Culinary career."

William: "Oh, so you're that close already. That's great honey. What do you think, should we try to fit a wedding in the schedule this weekend?"

Chloe: "If you think we have the time. We could try tomorrow if we feel up for it."

William: "Sounds like a plan."


William's night continued in a pretty predictable way, also after Chloe had gone to bed.

In the morning, the legacy tree needed some care, so Chloe got to it. I'd almost forgotten that I have the hacked object that allows for feeding the plants, including trees. Which can be a lifesaver early on, as otherwise it's not possible to care for trees at this point.

While she was at it, Chloe tended the rest of the garden, and earned a Bronze badge with that.

I don't suppose I need to tell you what William was doing meanwhile.

After that, it was time for a little date to boost aspirations and poke at possible last minute wants before the wedding. No such wants, but luckily no fears on Chloe's part either.


This was the first time in the week that the couple had the time for some ACR, so that's saying something. No lullabys this time.


The date was a roaring success.


And then, finally, the wedding is on. The first thing I noticed was that once again, I'd forgotten to change some brides out of their wedding dresses after their wedding, so they ended up being kind of impolite. Whoops.


Fortunately that doesn't bother sims in the slightest. And, since I invited couples, Jenny and Regan as well as Lizzie and Ajay were happy to boost the party score.


Without much further ado, our happy couple tied the knot.




Now they were officially married, and Chloe Singles became Chloe Trollson.


I had bought some chairs for the guests, as usual, but as usual, the attendance was, eh, poor-ish.
Bianca Monty: "Oh, I'm here, I'm here, almost in time!"


Lizzie: "I bumped into someone, and now I'm kind of confuzed, but this almost counts, right?"


Chloe: "Yeah, yeah, we're best friends, but I'm kind of in the middle of something here!"


Despite his lack of nice points, William is not a cake-shover, it seems.


William: "A spot of dirt, in my sink! And we're having guests!"


I don't think the guests mind, William, they're busy watching tv.


All in all, the party was a roof raiser. The hosts apparently wanted to get started with the cleaning up right away.


Sunday morning, William was up, bright and early, you guessed it, skilling. Not that he didn't skill after his wedding, too. Sorry about that, William.


Meanwhile, Chloe had work in the garden.


It also seems we have yet another newspaper thief. That's Jeff, one of our neighbors, from the Broke TPC.

Jeff: "I'm an uncontrollable rebel!"

Sure you are, Jeff.


Chloe of course used this opportunity to go to the restaurant for some work. If we're lucky, she could me making it to level 5 today.

It's a good sign that she learned to dazzle, definitely.


She of course put her new skill right into work.


Too bad it doesn't work on everyone. Of course, it'd be too easy if it did.


We had a thunderstorm, and I learned that apparently the street lamps can catch fire. They look pretty metallic to me, but well, maybe in the Sims, they aren't. In any case, the rain put the fire out almost at once.


Olive! Stop being mean to Nice Reporter! I sent Chloe to shoo Olive away, but the poor reporter fled after such harsh treatment.


But ta-da, Bianca here gave us our last required star to get to level 5! Lakewood has officially opened its second Culinary position. Bianca also offered Chloe a job in Oceanography, but she of course couldn't take it because Oceanography is not among the open careers in Lakewood at the moment. But that's very nice of you anyway, Bianca, so thank you!

Before heading home, Chloe stopped by at the Walmart, to snatch an entry level position in Culinary.

Chloe: "Finally!"


At home, William was just where we had left him.


William will be occupied for some time yet, so Chloe relaxed in a nice, hot bubble bath. She's earned it.


She also did a minor update on her look. All rotation I've been looking at her thinking something's off, then finally figured I forgot to remove the blush from her makeover. I'm usually not a big fan of blush, so I think this is much better.




An aspiration boost was once again much needed, so William and Chloe did another quick at home date.


We didn't have time for a dream date, but they seemed to enjoy it all the same.




Here's proof that William does take breaks for his needs too and not just dates. (Although the dates do help with the needs too.)

William: "Really, this is a rarity."


Chloe's first shift at work is a successful one, she's moving on up!


When Chloe returned from her late shift, William was still at it at the chessboard. Only the logic left to go before work tomorrow!


Chloe still had work to do before bed, too. The garden doesn't look after itself, you know.


Wait, is this what I think it is? Are you done?

William: "Yes, I'm done."

Wow, you didn't even need to pull an all-nighter!

William: "No, I didn't have to pull an all-nighter. I'm all done and dusted. Now all I'll need is to be in a good mood tomorrow, and some luck."

Well, to get that good mood thing accomplish, let's start by sending you to bed. Good night, sleep tight!

William: "G'night."


So, Monday morning. The moment of truth is upon us. I'm nervous, are you?

William: "No, and don't make me so. Just let me have my breakfast in peace, okay?"




Another quick date to boost the mood...


Run William, run!




Chloe had a kind of a long day at home, as she didn't have work until the evening. But this might be the last time she has to clean that bathtub for herself. She did have some time to catch up with some friends too.


There was of course also gardening to be done. And while at it, Chloe gained a Silver badge. Well done!


Finally, it's 4 pm and William arrives home. And... he did it! He topped the Business career, becoming the second Business Tycoon in Lakewood!

As we already have the required community lot businesses, this means that Lakewood has unlocked a second Business District, earned 5 SM and 5 CAS sim points. As there's still lots of space in our first Business District, Pleasant Lakes, the second one will remain virtual until we need the space.

But with this boost to our SM, we have surpassed the population of 500, which not only is the 1% mark of the challenge, but also unlocks service calls for the families. Maids, gardeners, food and groceries delivery, pet adoption, the matchmaker, we have it all! Thank you William, you have done well for your hometown!


William: "Ah! I have a secret admirer! Mwah! Mwah!"

Sweetie, that's from your wife. You've had a few nice dates lately.

William: "Well, a not so secret admirer then I suppose."


Even though William has now done his duty to the town, it doesn't mean the couple's life is now all fun and games, or that they have a lot of time together. A little bit after William comes home, it's time for Chloe to head for work.


There's not much time left, and William spends it relaxing and telling all his friends that he's now a Business Tycoon.

As the clock approaches six, it's time for William to pay the taxes, and for me to list the scores and wrap up the update. So, here we go, first the BaCC.

Playable sims: 30
SM: 14 + 5 (for second Business District) = 19
Population: 570

Households: 7

CAS sims: 3 placed / 21 + 1 (for Chloe's Quick Cookery) + 5 (for Business District) = 27 earned

Community lots: 11 + 1 (Chloe's Quick Cookery) businesses + 1 free = 13
 

Businesses:

Lakewood Recreation Center (Lizzie Davidson, level 10)
Yummy! (Regan Capp, level 9)
Curious Gadgets (Pascal Curious, level 10)
Variety Buffet (Daniel Fortunato, level 10)
Face the Music (Ajay Davidson, level 3)
Better Dressed Sims (Jenny Capp, level 1)
Club Flamingo (Nervous Curious, level 6)
It's Art (Daniel Pleasant, level 8)
Pretty Pretty Flowers (William Trollson, level 4)
The Dance District (Lizzie Davidson, level 5)
Furniturize (Daniel Fortunato, level 3)
Chloe's Quick Cookery (Chloe Trollson, level 5)

Other community lots:

Lakewood Walmart (general store)

Careers:

Business: Unlocked! / 1 taken (William Trollson, level 10)
Medical: Unlocked!
Architecture: 2 openings / 1 taken (Jenny Capp, level 8)
Culinary: 2 openings / 2 taken (Brandi Broke, level 4; Chloe Trollson, level 3)
Criminal: 1 opening / 1 taken (Regan Capp, level 6)
Music: Unlocked! / 1 taken (Ajay Davidson, level 7)
Slacker: 1 opening / 1 taken (Bella Goth, level 5)
Education: 1 opening / 1 taken (Peter Ottomas, level 1)
Artist: 1 opening / 0 taken
Dance: 1 opening / 1 taken (Lizzie Davidson, level 4)
Law Enforcement: 2 openings / 0 taken

Business Tycoons: 2 (Ajay Davidson, William Trollson)

Universities: 1 (privately funded, founded by Lizzie Davidson)
Business Districts: 1 + 1 = 2
Downtown: no

Fires: 3
Burglaries: 3
Electrocutions: 2

Taxes collected from this household: 112,000*0.05 + 20,000*0.05 (for level 4 business) + 25,000*0.05 = 7,850 simoleans*

Taxes collected total: 117,700 + 7,850 = 125,550 simoleans at 5% rate

* I round both the net worths and the results so as to make calculations and keeping track of payments easier.

Then, the legacy:

Points from last week: 1.75
This week: no change

 

Alright, I believe that's all for this time. This was the final update for week 4, so when we next visit Lakewood, it'll be the start of week 5. I hope you'll join us again, and until then, happy simming!

Comments

[skyburned]

Congrats!

I've never heard of the hungernator - sounds like a double edged sword sort of thing. I didn't realize customers at restaurants could be too hungry to eat at the restaurant either. Now that's just hysterically funny and so typically sims.

[katrisims]

Thank you! :)

Yeah the hungernator has a bit of a balance to it. On the one hand it's useful in a restaurant business, so that the customers are hungry and compelled to actually buy some food (and not just goof around). But on the other hand, if they get too hungry, they'll just leave because their motives are too low. I've had to tune it to a lower setting in both my restaurants so far.

Oh yes, leaving a restaurant because you're too hungry is just so very sims. :D

Thank you for reading and commenting! :)