ficwhatfic | The Price Legacy - Generation One

After Dina gets her heart broken by her boyfriend, Don recruits Marci to sneak into his place and get her things back. Marci has other plans, with the potential for serious backfire.

CONTENT WARNING: Mature language, gendered slurs, sexual innuendo, partial nudity.

After another grueling night at the bar, Marci was happy to get off her shift and go straight to bed.

And thankfully, she was no longer climbing into her old shitty twin bed.

Two months ago, Joshua invited Marci to live with him and Louis. After some lengthy conversations, they decided it was best to move onto her lot in Skyward Palms but not without a serious overhaul of her shack. For the time being, they were staying in his rented building until their new place was fully constructed.

Not only was she getting a taste of life spent in a real house again…

She was getting used to living with a partner.

Well, for the most part.

Joshua: “Marci, you told me to wake you up at this hour.”

Marci: “No, past Marci told you that. Present Marci thinks she’s an evil cunt and should fuck off and let me sleep.”

Joshua: “Do you really want to sleep in? If so, I’ll leave you alone...but this is our only day off together for the first time in two weeks, and Louis is in school right now. I thought you wanted to take advantage of all our free time.”

Marci: “Oh, now past Marci is starting to make sense. She was horny.”

Joshua: “I get the hint. I’ll let you rest.”

Marci: “Wait, I didn’t say no! Come back here…”

When Joshua settled next to her, she turned towards him and shifted into his arms. Although she was still exhausted from work, her mood lifted as they gazed into each other's eyes. Past Marci had the right idea. She managed a sleepy smile for him.

Marci: “Hi.”

Joshua: “Hi.”

Marci still couldn’t believe how lucky she got, to have found someone like Joshua. Someone who adored her. Someone who was eager to express his adoration, in any way she wanted.

Someone who drove her wild in so many unexpected ways.

After, they both drifted off for a few more hours. Marci would’ve gladly stayed right there beside him for the rest of the morning if it weren’t for her phone waking her up.

Marci got up with the intention to place her phone notifications on the ‘Do Not Disturb’ setting, but she paused when she saw who was trying to call her. She answered.

Don: “Hey, you busy?”

Marci: “Err, not at the moment.”

Don: “I might need you to come with me somewhere.”

Marci: “Why, what’s wrong?”

Don: “Dina and her boyfriend broke up.”

Ah, yes. Beckham Asher.

Bodybuilder.

Vegetarian.

Activist.

Douchebag extraordinaire.

For someone who claimed to be more socially conscious and wise than most sims, he was by far the biggest snob Marci had the displeasure of meeting - and she accidentally bumped into a Landgraab in the neighborhood. All of his activism was all a grand performance to stroke his own ego; he bragged about his diet, bragged about the different countries he visited around the globe, and openly judged your favorite film or show if it wasn’t up to par with his expectations.

And yet, for reasons beyond Marci's understanding, Dina agreed to be his girlfriend.

Nina didn’t like him.

Nina: “Have you seen his social media page? What a snoozefest! All he ever posts are selfies of himself with his shirt off! Even Don has more variety! And he has the nerve to try and tell me how to do my job and judge who I collaborate with on videos? What a joke!”

Johnny hated him.

Johnny: “I don’t understand what Dina sees in that guy! He called my humor derivative and uninspired! Screw that! And every time I see those two together, he’s constantly cutting her off or correcting everything she says! Why does she put up with him? Because he’s got muscles? Why go for a guy like that when you can have a regular joe with a good sense of humor and fashion sense? Not to name any names, but...”

Katrina wasn’t a fan, either.

Katrina: “I must admit, Beckham is an odd sort. Pleasant on the eyes but absolutely no personality. No good one, anyhow. Then again, what do you expect? Dina sets her standards so low to begin with.”

And the one time Dina took Beckham out with Don and Marci, it didn’t go as smoothly as she anticipated…

Beckham: “...volunteering with the immigration and refugee services is so rewarding! Not only are the people coming through our program so appreciative and hardworking, but you also walk away with the sense that you’ve really impacted their lives for the better. They already have a hard time leaving their homes behind to start fresh with us. There’s absolutely no reason why they have to struggle here as well. You understand their plight, don’t you?”

Don: “Actually, no. I wouldn’t understand. Why would I?”

Beckham: “I mean...isn’t it obvious?”

Don: “No. It isn’t.”

Beckham: “Well…at the very least your parents do. Or your grandparents?”

Don: “They were born here, jackass. Same with my grandparents. Hold on. What ethnicity do you think I am?”

Beckham: “I, ah…don’t want to assume...”

Don: “Oh, why stop there? Go on, take a guess. You know, since it’s so obvious.”

Then he approached Marci alone, while Dina and Don were preoccupied.

Beckham: “If you don’t mind my saying…”

Beckham: “Normally I abhor a woman doing a disservice to her body wearing the skin of dead animals, but those leather shorts are very...flattering. Though they are a little tight, aren’t they? Did you have to forgo undergarments to put those on?”

Marci: “Excuse me?”

Beckham: “Did I say something wrong?”

Marci: “You know what you did! You literally just asked me if I was wearing any fucking underwear under my shorts! Like, hello? That’s disgusting - and totally none of your business!”

Beckham: “Is it not? You wore those for a reason. You can hardly blame a man for getting curious--”

Marci: “Uh, YEAH, I can, when his girlfriend is literally right across the room and I have a boyfriend! And just so you know, I’m not wearing these to get a man’s attention! I dress for myself!”

Beckham: “Of course you do! I’m sorry if you feel weird now. That wasn’t my intention whatsoever. I only meant to pay you a compliment but my mind wandered and betrayed me. You ah, just look phenomenal in those shorts...”

Marci: “Right. Whatever.”

Marci was at a loss for words. A first for her. She told off plenty of guys in her time, but she wasn’t sure how to navigate a situation like this, where a friend’s boyfriend was obviously hitting on her. Was this worth bringing up to Dina at all, or was it just an awkward situation best swept under the rug?

Talking to Don only confirmed her instincts were on point.

Don: “He said what to you? That son of a bitch! Where is he?”

Marci: “Please don’t! I already told him off, I don’t need you making it worse.”

Don: “Marci, you can’t let him get away with that! Even I wouldn’t pull a stupid line like that out of my pocket! He should’ve just left you alone!”

Marci: “I agree, but it’s really not the worst that I’ve heard. I’m used to men making weird comments at me when they get hot and bothered. That shit he said to you, though? That was so screwed up. You should’ve hit him.”

Don: “Tell me about it. I spent at least ten minutes explaining how every person he meets with my beautiful complexion doesn't actually originate from the same place, and he nearly backpedaled himself into a ditch trying to prove how ‘woke’ he is. It would’ve been less painful if I just decked him.”

Marci: “It isn’t too late. How about it? We corner him in the men’s room, and I hold him down while you kick his teeth in?”

Don: “Don’t tempt me. Why the fuck does Dina even put up with that guy?”

Marci: “Who knows? Maybe he’s got a real big dick or something. Look, we’ll just go and tell Dina what happened. She’ll listen to us.”

After Marci and Don told Dina what happened, she confronted Beckham for herself. Minutes later, she was pulling Marci aside into the restroom area to have a private conversation.

Dina: “I talked to Beckham. He told me his side of the story. It just sounds like his questions and comments came out wrong. He tends to put his foot in his mouth sometimes. He says he tried to apologize but you brushed him off.”

Marci: “Dina, your boyfriend knew exactly what he was doing! When I told him off, he was ‘sorry if I felt weird’ and kept trying to flirt with me! That’s not an apology!”

Dina: “Are you sure he meant it that way? That just doesn’t sound like Beckham.”

Marci: “Of course it was Beckham! And what about what he said to Don? Are you just going to let him get away with that?”

Dina: “I talked to him about that too, and I promise he's going to apologize to Don...but don't you think you're overreacting?

Marci: “No! I'm not! What gives? Why would I exaggerate something like this?”

Dina: “I don’t know, Marci. Maybe it’s because you already made up your mind about him before you even met him? You just listened to everything Nina and Johnny told you and projected all that onto him!”

Marci: “I can’t believe you! What do I have to gain from lying about something like this? I don’t care who you date or don’t date, but I thought you’d want to know if some guy was being a creep to other women or making the moves on your female friends! Aren’t you concerned that everyone you know can’t stand him?”

Dina: “Marci, if you were really my friend, you would make nice with my boyfriend instead of trying to find something wrong with him all night! I told you to get back together with Josh when you guys were in trouble, remember?! So what if Beckham isn’t perfect? I finally found a great guy who likes me and doesn’t lie about who he is or what he wants! I’m not going to let you sabotage my relationship with these ridiculous complaints!”

Marci: “Dina, I don’t want to sabotage your relationship! I have zero stakes in this game! I’m just trying to tell you, this guy is trash.”

Dina: “So are you, but we put up with you, don’t we?”

Dina: “Crap, I…I didn’t mean that, I…”

Marci: “Yeah, you did. Thanks for finally saying it to my face, I guess.”

Marci went straight home and blubbered like an idiot to her boyfriend for an hour.

It was so embarrassing, crying over a petty squabble with another woman.

And the worse part? Dina never apologized. She literally chose a man over their friendship.

And of course, just as Marci predicted, that man cheated on her.

Marci: “I called it! Didn't I call it? Fucking Beckham.”

Don: “No kidding. He got caught with his pants down - literally.”

Marci: “Damn. I feel for her, but what do you want me to do about it?”

Don: “Dina left some of her things at his place, and he refuses to give them back. I just need someone to come with me and keep an ear out while I go in and grab them. And we might have to take the couch out with us. Dina claims she got it for him but isn’t sure what to do with it yet.”

Marci: “I mean, what if I don’t want to go? Can’t Nina or Kat do it?”

Don: “Nina’s too busy trying to calm her down, and Kat’s at work. What’s the big deal if you come and help me with this?”

Marci: “I really don’t want to leave you hanging, Don, but Dina still hasn’t apologized for what she said to me.”

Don: “Hey, you know as much as I do that she didn’t mean it. That was just Beckham giving her brain worms.”

Marci: “I know, but her brain worms made her catty and cruel, and I was only trying to tell her the truth about that guy. She didn’t listen to me or any of her friends, and now look at what happened.”

Don “Marci, don’t you think it’s time you guys kiss and make up?”

Marci: “Yeah, you’d really like that, wouldn’t you? Give me one good reason why I should do this - without Dina as a reason whatsoever.”

Don: “...Do it for me? Please?”

Fuck me, he said please.

Marci: “Fine. I’ll go. Only because you asked. But you’ll owe me.”

Don: “Free iced coffee from the stand for a month?”

Marci: “Nuh-uh. I want a dozen vanilla cupcakes.”

Don: “You realize they cracked down on how much food we're allowed to bring home, right?”

Marci: “Don't care. Make it happen.”

Marci hung up the phone and sighed in defeat.

Marci: “Muffin, I think I need to get better friends.”

Joshua: “Why, what’s wrong?”

Marci: “Dina’s stupid douchey boyfriend cheated on her, just as I fucking predicted, and Don’s being a weenie about going to his place alone to grab her shit. He wants me to tag along in case there’s trouble, and...something about a couch? God, I hope that was a joke. Has he seen my arms?”

Joshua: “Why did you agree to go if you didn’t want to?”

Marci: “He pulled the ‘do it for me’ line on me and sounded so pathetic, and I guess I’m a sucker for that shit now. You did this. You made me gooey and sweet, like your soft center.”

Joshua: “Honey, are you sure that’s a good idea, sneaking into his house? Isn’t her ex-boyfriend a bodybuilder? What if he tries to pick a fight with you or Don?”

Marci: “Puh-leeze, just because he lifts weights doesn’t make him tougher than me. He’s a vegetarian! He lacks my blood lust! Besides, we’re not breaking in or doing anything illegal! I’m sure Dina has a copy of his key we can use, and it shouldn’t take too long to grab her things and leave.”

Marci: “I’m sorry, I hate to leave you on our only day off together, but…”

Joshua: “Well, I suppose it’s for a good cause. It would really help Dina out.”

Marci: “I’m not doing it for her, and why are you pushing me to make up with her, too?”

Joshua: “Well, you told me she was the reason why you confessed your feelings for me. Personally I’m a little partial towards her. That’s beside the point, though. It’s still a nice gesture.”

Marci: “I guess. Well, I better go and get dressed. Don texted and said he's swinging by in twenty minutes.”

Joshua: “Be careful, Marci. And behave.”

Marci: “Josh, it’s Tuesday, and it’s almost one o’clock. What kind of trouble can we get into now?”

***

When she and Don arrived at Beckham Asher's residence, Marci stared in disgust.

Marci: “Ugh. Is it just me...”

Marci: “Or does his house even give off some serious douchebag vibes?”

Don: “I don’t know, it’s not so bad. Kinda reminds me of my old bachelor pad before I moved in with Kat.”

Marci: “(mutters) I forgot who I was talking to.”

Don: “What was that?”

Marci: “Nothing.”

Marci: “Do you even have the key to this place, or do we have to break in? I call dibs on the door! I kicked in plenty of those!”

Don: “Calm down, psycho. Dina gave me her copy. I guess he never asked for it back, and I seriously doubt he had the time to change the locks.”

Marci thought nothing could be worse than the outside, but the interior made her laugh.

Marci: “Oh yuck. It looks like a tourist trap.”

Don: “Right? The guy visits Sulani once, and he’s all, ‘My guru taught me to live your own truth is better than imitating someone else! It touched me so deeply, I got all these items from the local World Market to remind me of that special time in my life! What do you mean I have no identity of my own?’”

Marci: “Shit, you nailed his voice a little too perfectly. It gave me goosebumps. And you only spent ten minutes with the guy.”

Don: “Ten minutes was long enough, believe me, and I still want every second of that time back. I’m heading upstairs to get Dina’s things. Keep an eye out. Give me a shout if you see him.”

Since the coast was clear outside, Marci sized up the living room. She made a beeline towards the couches and his entertainment system.

For a man who had a constant hard-on for clean energy production and saving power, Beckham kept a lot of expensive gadgets in the house. The high definition flat screen was especially impressive. Marci couldn’t tell what model it was, but the television must’ve cost him a small fortune.

Really, it was such a waste of money.

They don’t make these things to withstand much pressure and abuse anymore.

Marci heard Don’s footsteps coming down the stairs. She rushed back to her designated spot at the front door.

Don: “Okay! I think I got everything, except for a pair of socks. She’s just going to have to deal without them. You ready to haul that couch out of here, or--”

Don: “Uh, what happened to the TV?”

Marci: “Damn, wouldn’t you know it, I just tripped and crashed right into it! I’m so clumsy like that! Stupid, huh?”

Don: “You…you’re lying!”

Marci: “Oh, since when can you spot the difference?”

Don: “I’ve gotten to know your tells. Your voice got higher. You broke it, didn’t you? What the fuck are you thinking?! You don’t know if he has cameras around this place!”

Marci: “Right, because mister ‘Love Your Fellow Man And Hump A Tree’ is paranoid enough to keep cameras around here. And who cares if he does? If you ask me, he had it coming!”

Don: “Marci, what happened between him and Dina is their business, not ours! If she wants to come over here and trash his place - I mean, it’s still wrong but that’s her choice! We shouldn’t get involved!”

Marci: “Don’t give me that! You hate this guy as much as I do! Why are you defending him?”

Don: “I’m not, but this isn’t a good look for you, destroying someone else's property because their ex is upset with them! We don’t know the whole story of what happened, and why risk getting in trouble without all the info?”

Marci: “Beckham cheated on Dina! Do you really need the whole story? What more do you...”

Marci: “Wait a second. I see what’s going on here. You’re sympathizing with him.”

Don: “With who, Beckham? That prick? Never!”

Marci: “No, not him. His situation. A woman coming into his home, breaking his shit after he cheats...that happened to you, didn’t it?!”

Don: “Uh...no?”

Marci: “Liar. Try again.”

Don: “Okay, it happened. A few times.”

Marci: “A few times? How many times, Don?”

Don: “...Four.”

Marci: “Wha - four? I can understand that happening to you once, maybe twice, but four?! Are you that fucking stupid? Why didn’t you learn your lesson after the first time?”

Don: “What do you want me to say, Price? I’m not proud of that, but I’m not standing here and pleading my case with you! You have to believe me though, I didn’t deserve it every single time!”

Marci: “Oh, really? Enlighten me. Which one wasn’t your fault? All four of them, right?”

Don: “I mean, there was the one time with the maid. We only did it, I don’t know, once? Twice? My point is, we had a good time, that's all. Then she gets bent out of shape when I brought another girl home, even though we weren’t exclusive. Next thing I know, she clogged my sinks and my toilet so bad, it took the plumber days to fish everything out of the pipes! She was crazy!”

Marci: “Oh, poor baby! Do you hear yourself? I’m really supposed to believe she ‘went crazy’ for no good reason? Of course, that girl got upset! You banged another slut while she was busy cleaning up after you! Who even fucks their maids?! You are such a walking sexist cliche!”

Don: “Hey! We were both single, and she looked ridiculously hot in that tiny skirt! She knew what she was about, she wore that uniform on purpose!”

Marci: “Oh my gawd, you just keep digging that hole even deeper. Go on, keep going. I love to see it.”

Don: “Go ahead and laugh, but just remember, at least I’m not a hypocrite!”

Marci: “Excuse me? How am I being a hypocrite?”

Don: “You said you weren’t any better before you got here, right? Actually, didn’t you sleep with more people than me? Face it, you’re in no position to judge. And this open arrangement you’ve got with Josh, you’re really going to stand there and tell me that isn’t fueled by your own desire to be with other people, no strings attached?”

Marci: “Unlike you, Lothario, I never had a lover accuse me of cheating! I’ve always been upfront about what I was about and what I wanted from them! Not my fault you gave off the wrong signals, or told girls what they wanted to hear! And Josh and I opened our relationship for all sorts of reasons, but it wasn’t so I can fuck any person I want at all times without his consent!”

Don: “So what, if he ever asked you to stop flirting with someone, anyone, would you do it?”

Marci: “Of course I would, dipshit! I love Josh! His feelings matter to me! And last I checked, I didn’t tell you about our arrangement just so you can use what we have together to excuse your bad behavior!”

Don: “That wasn’t what I was doing at all, I was--”

Marci: “You’re just like Dina, you know that? You claim you're more than what you seem but refuse to own your shit and turn on the people who call you out or make excuses for jerks. Some friend you are.”

Don: “Wait, hold on! Are you mad at me now? When did your fight with Dina turn into a fight with me?”

Marci: “You care so much about leaving this douchebag’s things alone, right?! Don’t you remember how creepy he was with me? Why shouldn’t he suffer a little for making your supposed best friend uncomfortable?”

Don: “Fine, you got me there. I’m sorry.”

Marci: “You should be.”

Don: “Seriously Marci, I didn’t think of it that way. What he did to you was messed up. Even I know that.”

Marci: “Don, if you really want me to believe that…why don’t you redeem yourself, have a tall glass of 'Respect Women' juice, and put your money where your mouth is?”

And that was how Marci convinced Don to break Beckham’s computer.

Don: “How did you talk me into doing this?”

Marci: “Honestly I still can’t believe it, either. Hey, when you’re done with his computer, smash up this fancy expensive stereo he’s got over here…”

On their conquest to find more breakable items around the place, Marci and Don found a little respite on the roof.

Marci: “Hey, remember how Beckham wouldn’t shut up about his stupid ‘Sharing is Caring’ plan for our neighborhood? How people could just take your bike off your lawn and use it without consequence to reduce waste and unnecessary purchases? That really excited him. Maybe we ought to practice what he preaches. I mean, he wouldn’t care if we puffed some of his stash, right?”

Don: “And even if he did, that neighborhood plan got voted in, remember? What we’re doing is perfectly legal now.”

Marci: “Oh, I almost forgot! Well, that settles it. We would just be performing our civic duty.”

The two of them sat down and fired up the machine. Whatever stash Beckham had inside, it was a different color and flavor than they were used to inhaling.

Marci was quick to try it.

Marci: “Wow…”

Don: “Is it that good?”

Marci: “I can see it...I can see past our dimension...the secret to our universe. God is a woman, and she’s controlling our every whim and action. And...is she eating spaghetti? That looks so fucking good. Oh man, I am so hungry right now.”

Don: “Alright, lay off that machine for a few minutes. Josh will kill me if I let you overdose.”

Then Don tried it.

He coughed it up immediately.

Don: “What the fuck is this batch laced with?! It’s way too strong to be the normal batch we inhale.”

Marci: “I couldn’t tell you, Donnie…”

Marci: “But I’m not leaving until it’s all gone!”

Don: “This is it. I’m going to die. I’m going to die on some shitty yuppie’s roof puffing bubbles.”

Marci: “You can leave now if you want. I’m not stopping you.”

Don: “What, and let you get wasted on your own? Just give me a moment to recover.”

Marci: “Nope! Hurry up, I’m ready to take another hit!”

After they emptied the machine, and they gradually came down from their epic high, Marci went downstairs to use the bathroom.

And broke the sink for good measure.

She found Don upstairs in Beckham’s bedroom, passed out on the bed.

Marci wasn’t looking forward to dragging him out of bed. Don was a notoriously heavy sleeper.

Marci: “Hey assface. Get up. We better go before the other assface comes home.”

Don barely budged. Actually, it looked as though he was barely breathing. She climbed on his back, grabbed both his shoulders, and gave him a firm shake.

Marci: “Hey! I know you hear me! Wake up!”

Still nothing.

It couldn’t be…but he tried to warn her that the drugs were too strong for him. Her heart sank.

Marci: “No no no no, you can’t be dead! I’ll kill you if you are! Don! Don, wake up!”

Don: “Mmmf, I’m up, I’m up--”

His sudden movement startled her. She raised her fists and smacked him.

Marci: “UGH! You jerk!”

Don: “Ow! Why are you attacking me?”

Marci: “Don’t scare me like that! I thought you overdosed!”

Don: “You thought I was dead, so you’re punching me?! Get off me!”

After he pushed her off his back, she expected him to lose his temper. Instead, he just rubbed the back of his head and laughed.

Don: “Did you have to hit me that hard? I saw stars for a second there.”

Marci: “You can’t blame me for panicking! You weren’t responding at all!”

Don: “I just sat down and shut my eyes for a minute. You know how I get when I’m high.”

Marci: “Yeah, I know, you get sleepy. I just...I don’t know. I panicked. I’m relieved now, but--”

Don: “Shit, if that’s how you express your relief, I’d hate to see what you do when you’re upset.”

Marci: “I mean it, Don. I’m glad you’re not dead.”

Don: “I’m glad I’m not dead, either. I’m in the prime of my life, babe. Come on, we better go.”

Marci: “Hey Don, wait a second. Do you think I’m trash?”

Don: “Why are you...Marci, I already told you, no, you’re not trash, but if you ask me again I’m literally going to pick you up and put you in a trash can.”

Marci: “What if Dina has a point, though? I came down hard on her about Beckham when I was no better than him a few months ago. Hell, I was worse. Beckham is an ass but at least he doesn't fight people in the street as I did. The only reason why I’m getting my shit together is that I met the right guy at the right time.”

Don: “Yeah, I hear I’m a lucky charm.”

Marci: “Not you, idiot. Don’t flatter yourself.”

Don: “I know, I was just messing. And stop putting yourself down and go talk to Dina already. She feels bad about what happened, take my word for it.”

Marci: “Why do I have to approach her when she owes me an apology?”

Don: “Because you’re both very angry, very cute, and very stubborn blondes and neither of you are going to get anywhere unless someone makes a move. May as well be you.”

Marci: “Nuh-uh. No fucking way. I’m going to die on this hill, even if it kills me.”

Don: “That… that literally makes no sense, what you just said. You are so burnt.”

Marci: “Shut up.”

Beckham: “Oh, this is just wonderful.”

Beckham’s voice startled them. He stood there with his arms crossed, glaring at them. When did he even get in? How long was he eavesdropping on them? Neither one of them heard the front door open.

Beckham: “You two better not have done anything in my bed. I would hate to burn the sheets. I like those sheets: solid hemmed sheets, a hundred percent organic, 300 thread count. Then again, I can get you both on indecency, on top of my broken items, and the home invasion.”

Marci: “Um, we can explain--”

Beckham: “Explain it to the cops! They’re waiting for you outside!”

***

Joshua told her to be careful and behave.

Marci told him he had nothing to worry about, that it was a Tuesday afternoon, that she and Don were just going to pop into Beckham’s place for a quick visit and leave.

So much for that.

Marci: “Don, I’m sorry. This is my fault. If I hadn’t broken that television or talked you into breaking everything else, then we wouldn’t be sitting in this cell right now.”

Don: “Yeah. You’re right. This is all your fault.”

Marci: “Hey! That was your cue to say, ‘No, Marci, my comrade, my best friend, my sultry partner in crime, you have nothing to be sorry about! I will gladly fall on my sword for you and give myself up to the detectives! Remember me! Send nudes if you can!’”

Don: “Nope. When the cops ask me what happened, I am absolutely throwing you under the bus to get a reduced sentence. Even titty pics can’t save you now.”

Marci: “Traitor. Just remember, snitches get stitches!”

Marci: “Seriously though, I am sorry. You just wanted to get Dina’s things and leave, and I wanted vengeance. If I hadn’t dragged you into my scheme and made you feel guilty, this never would’ve happened.”

Don: “Marci, this is me. I’m the king of bad behavior, and I’m not that easy to manipulate. No one tells me what to do unless I want to do it. I went along with your scheme because it was fun. Though you did make me feel like shit. I’ll accept your apology on that front.”

Marci: “I'll let you have it. I bad-mouthed you enough for this lifetime.”

Marci: “So! Hypothetically, if our rides refuse to come to get us and we spend some time in the slammer, what do you plan on doing?”

Don: “Get some reading done, of course.”

Marci: “Pfft. Even Johnny couldn't craft a joke that good. What do you really plan on doing?”

Don: “Well, I always said I wanted to get buff, and what better time to build up my muscle than a couple of months in prison? I can work out in the yard, do some push-ups in my cell...I’ll be a whole new man when my time is up. What about you? What are you gonna do?”

Marci: “Oh, I don’t know. I imagine they’re going to send me to an all-ladies’ facility. I can join a girl gang. No, I can run all the gangs. Assert my dominance early. Ohh, and take a few lovers. Femme lesbians in tight orange jumpsuits following my whims and sneaking off with me for a little private time outside the guards’ notice...no, wait, I’ll seduce the guards, too.”

Don: “Are you describing a personal fantasy or an episode of that gay prison show you made me watch?”

Marci: “Shhh, stop talking, you’re pulling me out of the moment…”

Cop: “Price, Lothario, you’re both free to go.”

Marci: “Oh thank God, someone posted bail.”

Cop: “No, the victim dropped all charges so we can’t hold you anymore. Your rides are waiting for you, too.”

Don was the first to get released from his cell and greet his ride.

Don: “Uh. Hey, Kit Kat. What’s up? You look…really pretty today?”

Katrina: “…Get in the car, Don.”

By the time Marci was let out and processed through the system, she was left alone with her ride.

Marci: “Hi, muffin! You uh, wouldn’t believe the day I had!”

Joshua: “We’ll talk about this when we get home.”

Crap. I knew I should've just called Johnny.

***

When they got home, they went straight to the bedroom and shut the door for a discussion. Rather, an argument. Marci saw Joshua lose his temper in the past with her ex-boyfriend, but this was the first time he was visibly upset with her and something she did.

Joshua: “You broke his television, his computer, his stereo system, the bathroom sink...and you were intoxicated when the cops came?!”

Marci: “See, when you word everything like that, it sounds worse than it actually was…”

Joshua: “Don’t joke about this, Marci! You could’ve gone to jail for the home invasion alone! At the very least, you could’ve lost your job if this went on your record! They can still fire you if they find out about the arrest!”

Marci: “Josh, it's not like we hurt anyone! That asswipe just got a taste of what happens when you don’t treat your girlfriend properly! Would you chill out and lay off me for a second?”

Joshua: “Let me get this straight. You get upset at me for getting into a fight with your ex, but the second you break into that guy’s house and trash it, I should just ‘chill out’ and say nothing? Does that make any sense to you?”

Marci: “Hey! Don’t twist my words around! That was different!”

Joshua: “You’re right. This was worse. You could’ve gotten into serious trouble if Beckham didn’t decide to drop the charges - and you dragged your friend into it! Or was it the other way around? Did Don influence you to do all of that?”

Marci: “Hah! Don, influence me? Do you hear yourself? What a joke! I hate to break it to you, but he broke just as many things as I did because I influenced him!”

Joshua: “I don’t know what’s worse, that he went along with it, that you sound proud of yourself, or that you don’t see a problem with any of this.”

Marci: “That guy deserved what he got! I’m not talking to Dina right now, but what he did to her wasn’t right! So he got a taste of vigilante justice. Why is that such a bad thing?”

Joshua: “It’s a bad thing because anything could’ve happened to you tonight! What if Beckham didn’t just call the cops? What if he had a weapon in the house and shot first before asking questions, or the cops hurt you or Don?”

Marci: “I…I don’t know, I…I guess that never occurred to me.”

Joshua: “No, it didn’t! I’m not mad just because of what you did, Marci. I’m mad because you could’ve put yourself in harm’s way, and if anything happened to you--”

There was a knock on the door. They both stopped arguing as Louis tentatively walked into the room. He looked as though he was ready to cry.

Joshua: “Louis, what’s wrong?”

Louis: “Is Marci going to leave?”

Joshua: “What are you talking about? She’s right here.”

Louis: “You guys are fighting...just like you and mom when she went away. I don’t want Marci to go, too.”

Joshua and Marci immediately tabled their conversation to calm Louis down.

Joshua: “Oh, kiddo...Marci’s not leaving. Not if she doesn’t want to. We were just talking.”

Louis: “It didn’t sound like talking. You guys were yelling.”

Joshua: “No, no, we…I was a little mad, so our conversation got heated. Sometimes adults get loud when they talk about things that upset them. I’m really sorry if we scared you. It doesn’t mean I love Marci any less, and I don’t think she loves me any less either.”

Marci: “Duh, of course I still love your dad! No doubt about it. And you and me, Louis? We’re a team now! You better believe I’m not going anywhere, little man. I would miss you too much.”

Louis: “You promise?”

Marci: “Cross my heart.”

After some time, Louis finally went back to his bedroom and left them alone to continue their discussion. That moment, the boy’s anxiety broke the tension between Joshua and Marci. It was a relief; she really didn’t like fighting with him, and he calmed down noticeably as well.

Marci: “I’m sorry, Josh. You’re right, I wasn’t thinking about the consequences, or what could’ve happened to us tonight. You know how my blood lust gets. It blind sights me.”

Joshua: “Oh, do I know that better than anyone. I guess I should be grateful Beckham was willing to turn a blind eye and let this matter go.”

Marci: “Why did he drop the charges, anyway? He was so pissed when he found me and Don. I thought for sure he was going to try and get us held overnight.”

Joshua: “Trust me, he was definitely trying to do that, but…”

Joshua: “Excuse me, are you Beckham Asher? I’m Marci’s boyfriend--”

Beckham: “Oh wow! Are you Joshua Hay? The Joshua Hay?”

Joshua: “Ah, yes. That’s me. Have we met?”

Beckham: “I wish! I consider myself one of your biggest fans, though! I attended ALL your galleries in San Myshuno a couple of years ago!”

Joshua: “Wow, really? That feels like another lifetime, honestly. I haven’t held a gallery since my son was born.”

Beckham: “I’ve been following your work since I was a freshman at Britechester! Your surrealist paintings are sublime! I wrote a dissertation on your piece ‘The Plumbob’ - the one with those glowing diamonds above the subjects’ heads getting torn to shreds? It was so symbolic of our world’s systematic toxic oppression and what little freedoms we have under our overlords! That painting? It. Changed. My. Life! I dedicated every ounce of my days being my own man and searching deep within for the truth and inner happiness despite our circumstances!”

Joshua: “I was just about to tell him that painting wasn’t so much a commentary on our world so much as it was the result of a really bad acid trip in my early twenties…”

Joshua: “Then he cut me off and asked for an autograph.”

Beckham: “Please please PLEASE sign something for me! I’ve got to take something with me to commemorate this moment!”

Joshua: “You know, I would love to give you an autograph...but first, you’ve got to do me a favor.”

Marci: “You are never going to let me live this down, are you?”

Joshua: “I intend to milk this for as long as I can.”

Marci: “Ugh. I guess you earned the right to gloat. Still, I can’t believe that idiot is a fan of yours.”

Marci: “Are you still mad at me? It’s okay if you are. I’ll understand.”

Joshua: “I was mad, but honestly? You scared me more than anything. I worried I wouldn’t be able to afford bail, or that he wouldn’t have been willing to drop the charges and let you go. It’s not a good feeling, imagining your girlfriend behind bars, not being able to help her.”

Marci: “Oh, I would’ve been fine, muffin. I’m a bad bitch, remember? I know what you mean, though. I’m sorry for making you worry. I’m just glad you arrived when you did and that I was able to dodge some serious criminal punishment.”

At first, Marci didn’t think anything of the smile creeping on his face, or how he pulled her close, until he whispered in her ear.

Joshua: “Now who said you weren’t getting punished?”

Marci: “Oh no. Should I be scared?”

Joshua: “Maybe. No - definitely.”

While Marci lied back and waited for the hammer to drop, so to speak, and the sight of her sweet boyfriend scheming sent shivers down her spine, a delicious thought occurred to her...

Maybe she ought to get in trouble more often.

***

The next day, Katrina finally talked to Don, though their conversation didn't go as smoothly as he wanted.

Don: “A week in the guest bedroom? Kat, be reasonable!”

Katrina: “I am being perfectly reasonable, considering the circumstances. You, breaking into a man’s house and breaking his household items, going to jail with that girl--”

Don: “Don’t drag Marci into this! She was just trying to help Dina out and get her stuff back! All the broken shit in his house? I did that, not her! And this guy messed around behind your daughter’s back! I thought you would be more upset about that than anything I could ever do to him!”

Katrina: “Oh, believe me, I am terribly upset on her behalf, but I do not condone the ‘eye for an eye’ philosophy! If we went around solving our problems like that, nothing would get accomplished! And you really expect me to believe that friend of yours didn’t play a part in what happened tonight? The same girl who got into a fight on her first day here?”

Katrina: “When I asked you to move in, you agreed to drop this childish behavior and act your age! I thought you were finally shaping up and turning into a proper man, but you’re sliding right back to your old habits! What’s next, Don? I come home and find another girl in bed with you? Or that you were back in jail because you got into another fight? Maybe you don’t care how everyone sees you, but I care how they see me - and my boyfriend is a reflection of me!”

Don: “Kat, I… I’m sorry--”

Katrina: “Spare me. We’re done talking about this.”

Katrina stormed out and left Don alone in the living room. Barely a minute later, Dina came in and joined him.

Dina: “Wow, Katrina really read you the riot act, didn’t she? I heard her upstairs. I’ve seen her get mad, but this is a whole new level of rage.”

Don: “At least you didn’t have to sit here and take the brunt of it. Can’t say I blame her, though. What about you? Aren’t you mad at me?”

Dina: “Mad? Don, I’m elated! You have no idea how badly Beckham broke my heart! I was so humiliated and devastated. Here I was on the couch with Nina, crying my eyes out and feeling sorry for myself, and then my mother tells me you’re in jail for hulking out at his place!”

Don: “I wouldn’t say I ‘hulked out’, as fun as that sounds…”

Dina: “I just couldn’t believe it. I thought she had it wrong, that you would’ve been the last person to take a stand like that on my behalf, since...you know, it’s you. No offense.”

Don: “None taken.”

Dina: “You really surprised me, though. What you did, it was very brave...and it’s just about the greatest thing anyone has ever done for me. You can be such a sweet guy sometimes, can’t you?”

Don: “Wow, Dina. As much as I’d love to take all the credit for my good deeds and heroism, you should actually thank Marci right now. It was her idea.”

Dina: “Marci? Really? Wait, did you ask her to go with you? And she agreed?”

Don: “She did, and she was the one who trashed his television. I tried to leave, but she twisted my arm about all the times I screwed up with women and guilted me into taking the reins from her. I don’t regret it, though. Still, keep this between us for now, okay? I just told Kat it was all me so she wouldn’t get mad at Marci.”

Dina was shocked to hear how much involvement Marci had with trashing Beckham’s place - that it was her idea in the first place. After their spectacular fight, she never expected the woman to go the extra mile for her. Maybe she only tagged along with Don for an excuse to make her ex-boyfriend’s life miserable...but something told her that wasn’t the case.

Don: “Where are you going?”

Don: “I think Marci and I are overdue for a chat. Still, I’m not taking back what I said, Don. I appreciate what you did, regardless of how it started. Thank you.”

Dina: “Heh. You’re welcome.”

***

Dina rang the doorbell. She hoped Marci was inside. Don said she wasn’t working that day, and that she was going to be home with Joshua’s son Louis. Still, there was no guarantee she was going to answer the door. Maybe she took the boy to the park, or they were out in the backyard...or maybe Marci intended to ignore the bell and wait for her to go away.

Then the door opened.

Dina thought she would know exactly what to say…

But the words caught in her throat at the sight of Marci.

Marci: “What do you want, Dina?”

Dina: “Don said you went with him to Beckham’s place.”

Marci: “I did. So what?”

Dina: “I just came to say thanks. For what you did. I know it got you into a lot of trouble.”

Marci: “Yeah, well...I didn’t do it for you. Not just for you, anyhow. I did it because he was a jerk to me and Don. Oh, right, I forgot. You don’t believe us.”

Dina: “I guess I deserve that. What was I supposed to do, though? He was my boyfriend.”

Marci: “I don’t care who he was to you, Dina. He was an asshole.”

Dina: “Marci, please, try and see things through my eyes for a second. If I came and told you that Josh was putting the moves on me, and he insisted it didn’t happen or that I misunderstood what he said, would you break up with him on the spot?”

Marci: “I wouldn’t even hesitate.”

Dina: “See, you’re just saying that.”

Marci: “No, I’m not. I love him, but if he ever made any of my friends uncomfortable and refused to own his shit, I wouldn’t want to stay with him. My friends are just as important to me, if not more. Just because you picked a man over your friend doesn’t mean all women would follow your lead.”

Dina: “I…I’m starting to understand that.”

Marci: “If you are, then why didn’t you believe me? Why did you only shut me out but still talk to Don? He talked just as much shit about Beckham as me.”

Dina: “Would you believe me if I said it’s a bad habit that I need to break? My old girlfriends weren’t like you, Marci. They constantly criticized how I dressed, how I wore my hair and makeup, who I dated, and why...hell, my own mom flirts with the boys I bring over. It’s just really hard for me to make female friends without expecting the drama or all that backstabbing.”

Marci: “I wish I could say I get it, but...I really don’t. Where I come from, I didn’t have any friends period. It didn’t matter if they were boys or girls. I was alone my whole life. All I wanted when I came out here was to make friends and build a new name for myself. I thought I was finally starting to fit in with you guys. You, Don, Johnny...hell, even Nina.”

Marci: “That clearly isn’t true, though. What really hurt, more than you cutting me off because I didn’t like your boyfriend? You still think I’m the trashy new neighbor that rolled into your neighborhood, and that I don’t have the right to be there.”

Dina: “Marci, no! That’s not true! I didn’t mean that you have to believe me! I was just...really mad and wanted to hurt you.”

Marci: “Oh, trust me. It worked. And to be honest, I don’t believe you. First, you got mad at Johnny because he lied about having money, then you call me trash the second that I say something you don’t like…and I was starting to believe you weren’t that judgmental.”

Dina: “I… I’ll admit, I played that part well in high school, but I’m trying to be different. I don’t want to be that girl anymore. I dropped all my old friends because I couldn’t do it anymore, and you’re the one who convinced me that there’s more to some people than what meets the eye. You’re the reason why Johnny and I are even friends now. I should’ve believed you when you told me Beckham was bad news. You were only trying to watch out for me. I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.”

Marci: “Well...who am I to say you should give people another chance if I don’t follow my own advice? I wish you came and talked to me sooner, but better late than never, right? And I guess I’m sorry, too.”

Dina: “You don’t have to apologize, Marci. You didn’t do anything.”

Marci: “Sure I did. I didn’t have to come down on you so damn hard. I get it isn’t easy hearing negative stuff about your boyfriend. It’s just a shame Beckham didn’t appreciate you. You deserve better than a prick like that, Dina.”

Marci: “Between you and me, what did you even see in him? It couldn’t have been his sparkling personality. Was it the hair? The muscles? The, ahem...package? It’s okay, you can tell me. I’m all ears.”

Dina: “Ew! I’m not telling you that! Believe it or not, I really liked him, and our relationship just made sense at the time. I thought he was a nice guy who wanted to make our neighborhood and our world a better place...and he still does, but clearly he sucks as a boyfriend.”

Marci: “Well, if you ask me, this breakup is a blessing in disguise! Maybe there’s another guy just waiting around the corner for you. I mean, look at me. If a cutie like Josh actually loves my crazy ass, you’ve definitely got more options than men like Beckham. Maybe someone with impeccable taste in suits. You never know.”

Dina: “Maybe you’re right, though I think I’m going to put dating on the back burner for now. I can’t stomach another relationship blowup. So...are we okay now? You and me?”

Marci: “Sure, we’re okay.”

***

AUTHOR'S NOTES

1. I almost listed this as a side story, as it doesn't exactly flow with the rest of the first generation's story or progress anything per se...but it got bigger and delved into Marci's relationship with Dina, her chemistry with Don, the spark of trouble showing with Dina and Don, the tension between Don and Kat. So, you know, it's fitting enough.

2. I put a few Easter eggs regarding Don Lothario from Sims 2 in this update: Beckham's residence is actually a reconstruction of the OG Casa Lothario, he lists four scorned lovers which was the exact number of lovers he had in the second game, and he mentions a maid who is totally Kaylynn Langerak. It was fun.

3. Beckham Asher is my own creation, and I hate him. The jailhouse, however, is not my own creation. Same with Casa Lothario. I'll list their makers here once I'm back in the game and check the credits.