1.3 Love, and Such

To celebrate my “citizenship”, if you will, I decided to go to the Casino. Luckily I also ran into Jasmine.

She didn’t recognize me at first.

“Hi, Jasmine, it’s me Bluebeard. Marcus Bluebeard to be exact.”

She chuckled. “Well, Marcus, it’s good to see you are doing well.”

“I can’t thank you enough for your kindness. Would you like to go win some money with me?” I smiled.

“I would love to, but I was out for my jog, and need to get back to my husband and daughter. We should all get together for dinner soon.”

“Right, um, sounds good.” I said, trying to hide a slight disappointment. “See you around.”

Jasmine was not only the nicest Sim I had met, but she was also very pretty.

I didn’t let the fact that Jasmine was happily married get me down.  I went inside and put a coin in the slot machine.

I was not expecting the outcome:

JACKPOT!!!!!!!

WOW! That was awesome! Goodbye tent! Hello new house!

It isn’t much, but it’s a great start. I even was able to get some furniture from the Consignment shop.  The timing was perfect too, Spring decided to frost one more time.

***

Job…check

House…check

Things are looking great.

Mr. Sosa kept me busy, and I didn’t mind a bit.

One evening after work, I thought I would check out the town beach. I guess I picked a bad night, because it was very dark.

About that time I heard footsteps behind me. I was getting nervous. My heartbeat quickened.

I turned around…

“Hi. I’m Pandora.” she said.

And suddenly my heart started beating even faster.

“Hhhhii. My name is Marcus.”

“Yes, I know. I just moved here,too. I’m a fortune-teller. Come with me. I’ll tell you your fortune.”

I followed her around the corner. It didn’t sound like I had much of a choice.

Her caravan awaited.

I sat at a table with a crystal ball.

She sat across from me. There was enough light in the room for me to be smitten. Pandora was beautiful.

She stared into the ball, waving her hands over it.

There were a lot of “Hhmm”s and “I see”s. She said a few things about wealth and health, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her.

Wait. What did she say about love?

“I said, you will fall in love with a stranger.” she repeated.

“Whoa, can you read minds too?” I asked.

“Not that I’m aware of.” she giggled. “I’m just very good at reading facial expressions. You weren’t listening were you?”

“Yeah…I may have been a little distracted…by your beauty.” I said.

Wow! Did I really say that out loud?! 

She blushed.

I tried to snap out of it. “How much do I owe you for the fortune-telling?”

“No, there’s no charge tonight. My fortune was to find you and give you a reading.”

“Well, then, thank you.”

“Good night.” she blushed again.

“Good night.” I replied.

It rained the next day.

No matter how hard I tried, I could not quit thinking about Pandora.

So my fortune was that I would fall in love with a stranger. I’m new here. Isn’t everyone technically a stranger?

Now that I’ve met Pandora, is she a stranger?

What was that bit about it was her fortune to find me?

Then I went out on a limb and decided, Pandora might be my stranger.

After work, I rushed home and cleaned up. I stopped by the store for some fresh flowers and went to the mysterious caravan.

I went inside. Pandora came out from behind a curtain.

I didn’t hesitate. I handed her the flowers.

“How did you know red is my favorite color?”

Before I knew it, we were gazing into each other’s eyes.

And that’s when we kissed.

“I think you are my stranger.” I said.

“I hope so.”she replied.

***

Pandora and I spend a lot of time together.

Something I enjoy very much. Don’t worry, the bench is a little uncomfortable, but I am quite the gentleman.

***

I loved Pandora. She was smart, funny, kind, and gorgeous.

I asked her to meet me in the park one evening after work.

I didn’t even go to the house to change clothes.

I greeted her with a kiss.

My hands were shaking.

I got down on one knee.

I fumbled for the box in my pocket.

“Pandora. Please make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me?”

“Oh, Marcus! Yes!!!”

***

It was the big day.

I got to the park a little early to get things in order.

As I looked at Pandora standing in front of me, I knew my life was definitely on the right track.

“Pandora, I might know anything about my past, but I know that I want you to be my future.”

“Marcus, I can’t imagine my future without you…and I checked.”

Everyone chuckled.

We may have lost track of the time.

Man, I really hope I don’t wake up…

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1.2 Decisions

It was the first day of Spring, although with the snow still covering the ground, you wouldn’t know it.

Unfortunately, I had not had a rush of memories and the crisp Spring air confirmed yesterday had not been a dream. I still knew nothing about who I was. Perhaps a trip to the library for some research might help.

I started leafing through books around the library. The town I was camping in, for lack of better words, was called “Lucky Palms”.

There were many, many book regarding alien encounters. I almost laughed out loud.  Aliens! How silly.

Back in the corner, I saw a computer. Maybe that could help speed my search…

Apparently, I’ve used a computer before. My fingers flew across the keyboard.

Regardless of my words per minute, I eventually found…nothing.

My eyes hurt. My head hurt. It was time to get out of the library.

It was the first day of spring, maybe a nice stroll through the park was in order.

As I approached the park, I was pleasantly surprised that there was a festival going on. I was about to enjoy the festivities when some lady started calling, well, I guess, me.

“Bluebeard! Bluebeard! Wait a second!”

“I have some great news for you”she said.

“Ok, I do love great news…”

“Ha! You’re a funny one! Listen. The word around town is you woke up. Is it true?”

And she thinks I’m the funny one?

“Yes, I believe that’s right”,I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Well, I work at the bistro, right up the road from your…um…tent. My boss wanted me to find you and see if you wanted some work.”

“Wow, really? That would be awesome.” I replied.

“Here let’s call him and see when you can start.” She pulled out  her phone, addressed the person on the other phone and handed it to me.

“So, when can you start Bluebeard?”

“Well sir, I can be there in 20 minutes.”

“Sounds good.” And he hung up.

“I can’t thank you enough. Everyone has been so kind to me.”

“It’s what we do! Plus, rumor has it, you’re single”, she winked at me, turned and walked away.

Of course I’m single! I woke up in a tent, by myself, with no recollection of who I am. 

 I checked my ring finger for a band indention, just to be sure.

I snapped out of my daze and started a light jog toward the Bistro.

I was the new dishwasher. Not bad. Mr. Sosa, was my boss. He hired me knowing I didn’t have any type of Identification.

“Look, Bluebeard, I’ll pay you cash tonight. You’re off tomorrow. There should be enough cash for you to go to City Hall and register as a resident, plus a little extra. You are staying in Lucky Palms, right?”

“Honestly, Mr. Sosa, I haven’t thought about it. I guess I’ve been so wrapped up in who I was, that I haven’t decided what I’m going to do.”

“Well figure it out. Good night.”

“Thank you again, good night.”

It rained all night. I was glad I had a tent. The rain was rather relaxing and I slept well.

When I woke the next morning, the rest of the winter’s snow had melted.

 Mr. Sosa let me eat dinner at the Bistro, but I was already hungry, so, I decided to go to the Diner for some breakfast before City Hall opened.

I had a lot to think about on my walk. I was pretty sure I was going to stay here. I mean, what were my options, really? I didn’t think packing my tent and wandering to the next city would do any good. Plus the people here were very friendly and generous. I am still a young man, but I do want to settle down and have a family. What better place than where I am?

Before I knew it, I was at the Diner.

Breakfast was great.

As I was leaving, a gentleman in a lab coat approached me.

“You must be Bluebeard.”

“I think that’s me.” I chuckled. “At least that’s what everyone seems to want to call me.”

“Yes, well you can call me Omar. I’m the head Scientist at the Lucky Palms Science Facility. I was wondering if any of your memory had returned.”

“No sir, it hasn’t.”

“Well, here’s my card. If you want, my team and I can run some tests.”

I involuntarily shuttered at the word tests.

That was weird.

I took the card.

“Thank you. I will keep this in mind.”

We said our Good Byes, and I was on my way to register as a Lucky Palm-ian.

Once in the building, the receptionist gave me directions to the correct department. I walked into a small office with a chairs placed in front of a desk. Behind the desk sat an older man.

“Hello.” he greeted.

“Hi. I’m here to register as a resident.”

“Ah, yes. Good decision Bluebeard. Lucky Palms is a wonderful community. Now then, what is your first name?”

“I don’t really know. Everyone, including you, calls me Bluebeard.”

“Sorry to jump on the boat there.” he said apologetically.

“No, it’s ok. I don’t mind Bluebeard, although, it isn’t much of a first name. Now I see why parents name you, this is a tough decision. Hmmm….how about John?”

“My name’s John. Not that you can’t use it, just thought you should know.”

“Ok…”, I thought for a moment. “What about Marcus?”

“Marcus Bluebeard. Sounds good. Now, about the land your tent is set on.”

He pulled out a map. This plot is about 2 acres, on the outskirts of town.  If you would like to stay there, I’ll add it to your registration price, or you can have a look at the map, and choose another plot.”

“No,sir, I like the plot.”

“Alright, that will be $75, and we’ll be all done.”

$75?! Is that all?!

I gladly gave him the money.

“Just take these to room 132 on the other side of the building. They will give you an ID card. Good luck!”

I did as instructed. 30 minutes later, I had an ID card.

Everyone, meet Marcus Bluebeard!!!