"I hope you have a very good reason to drag me out of bed by the cold light of a Willow Creek morning" said Jeremy Saint, rubbing his tired eyes.
"I have a very good reason, darling" replied his girlfriend Barbara. She pointed to a shop across the road. "There it is...our shop. I know you've been very busy at work the last couple of weeks but I worked with the decorators, electricians and plumbers and...well...there it is: Complete at last. Let me show you around inside."
Once inside Jeremy was taken aback by how colourful, vibrant looking and impressive it all looked. It looked very trendy even without fully clothes mannequins. It was the layout more than anything else that impressed Jeremy. There were posters and pictures not just of fashionable models but also pop and movie stars as well. What appeared as random clutter was actually all part of the artistry on display in the shop: It wasn't just selling clothes, it was an artistic display as well.
"Wow...you've gone to town on the design!" said Jeremy, taking it all in.
"Of course, sweetie! Do you like it?" Barbara replied.
"Yeah...I mean, I'm a bit of a square when it comes to fashion but this. You've brought that Carnival Street..."
"You mean, Carnaby Street"
"Yeah, that British street with all the hip shops on it...you've done that but put it in Sim City!"
"That was the plan!" said Barbara with pride.
"From the looks of it, every penny we raised is on show here. Well done!" said Jeremy with pride.
"And I have you to thank for it all" said Barbara, caressing his cheek lovingly. "You believed in me, my idea and you got your business contacts to come through." she was touched, and close to tears at this point that her man had made this possible.
"Well, it looks like the only thing missing here are some actual clothes" said Jeremy, nodding towards the undressed mannequins.
"Oh the stock is in the storeroom right now...that's the next big task: Creating outfit combos. In a couple of days we'll be ready to open."
"Well, I'd be absolutely hopeless at that task." said Jeremy with an apologetic shrug of his shoulders. "Now can you spare the time to join me in some breakfast? I'm starving!"
Barbara laughed. She'd been so nervous with anticipation at showing the boutique to Jeremy she'd forgotten to give either of them any breakfast. There was a café not too far away so they retired to there for some much needed food.
After some nourishment, Jeremy went to work and Barbara headed back to the boutique. She took a diversion to a nearby park to clear her head of all the excitement and nervous tension of being responsible for a business: Only yesterday did she hand in her notice at Hamburgerman. The park was tranquil and peaceful.
Her quiet contemplation was interrupted by a large Great Dane dog, which came up to her and started to sniff her hand. Then it licked it.
"Hey! You soppy dog...that tickles!" said Barbara, giggling. A young woman came running up to her looking shocked.
"Down, Scooby! Down! Cut that out you silly pooch!" said the young woman who looked barely out of her teens and who wore thick lensed glasses. "You have to excuse my dog...he looks big but he's a big old friendly dog who's frightened of his own shadow."
"That's OK, he seems lovely." said Barbara, patting the big dog.
The girl looked at Barbara quizzically. "I'm sure we've met before" she said.
"I think we have too...and it was here as well. I'd been doing some market research for this shop I was opening and I think me...or at least my friend I was doing the research with...stopped to ask for your opinions on fashion."
"That's it!" said the girl. "I remember Scooby was acting up then as well." she said, reassuringly patting the dog. "I'm not a big one for fashion; I leave that stuff for two of my best friends. Yes, I remember meeting you and your friend: Velma's my name"
"Barbara...and I'm pleased to announce the shop opens in two days!" she said with a broad smile.
"I'll be sure to let Fred and Daphne...my two friends...know." said Velma.
"It's called 'Pack's Clothing', number 4, Magnolia Promenade" said Barbara, wishing she'd made some business cards or flyers for moments like these.
"Pack's Clothing...got it!" said Velma. Barbara gave one last pat of the dog and headed back to the boutique.
There she made her very first business call from the shop phone: To Suzy Kent, Barbara's unofficial fashion advisor. She needed her presence and input as she'd helped choose the stock that was to be sold and now it was a matter of working out what the mannequins should be dressed in. Barbara met Suzy outside the shop.
"So...this is it?" said Suzy on arrival. "Wow...this is....fab with a capital 'F'!" she said, wide eyed with excitement. "Wow, the colours! This is absolutely with it!"
"Thank you" said Barbara. "But there's so much still to be done: Choosing the outfits for the displays, ordering more stock and publicity...I need to get the word out there."
"Well, flyers would be a good thing to have. Get some printed...I know some good print shops that can do them...and get them out there. Get hold of some helpers who are enthusiastic and can help spread the word." said Suzy.
"Do you know anyone who's enthusiastic, outgoing and not afraid to approach strangers to tell them about the shop?" asked Barbara.
"Well..." began Suzy. "As a matter of fact I do and he's walking this way now"
"Hello ladies!" said the oddly dressed man who had a smooth, familiar voice.
"Bakko Jang!" said Suzy. "Dare I ask why you're dressed as a hot dog and wearing tights?"
"Gotta earn those bucks somehow..." replied Bakko. "Gigs aren't easy to come by at the moment so I'm doing a publicity stunt for the local diner"
"Bakko..." said Barbara. "We just might have a publicity job for you and you won't have to wear a silly costume..."
"So I'll print some leaflets, Bakko's going to do some street publicity and you're going to give a write up in your column for the boutique...this is all coming together so fast!" said Barbara.
"I'm detecting some nerves, Babs" said Suzy.
"The butterflies are making merry havoc in my stomach right now!" replied Barbara.
"You've got this" said Suzy, reassuringly. "Now let's talk outfits. This season: Hemlines up, bright colours, low heels, boots, boots and more boots. For the guys, bright coloured shirts, bold prints, turtlenecks and Cuban heels"
"I've got that...those suppliers you put me in touch with are sending me so much fab gear!"
They worked all the way through morning planning the opening before both decided to have a working lunch...in a fun locale. The Waterside Warble was a favourite.
"I think we've earned a celebratory drink" said Suzy.
"Isn't it a bit early? Oh hang it! Let's live a little!" replied Barbara.
"Here's to Pack's Clothing...and the great success it will be!" said Suzy, raising her glass of wine to toast the venture.
"Sante!" said Barbara in French. "And here's to my friends and beloved boyfriend...may he be spared mountains of paperwork today...with whom I could not have come this far!"
"Here's to Jeremy!" said Suzy. A nervous looking woman came to sit with them at the bar. Suzy noticed what she was wearing: A mismatched light blue blouse and cut off jeans. Suzy gave Barbara a nudge in the ribs.
"Why not, subtly, tell her about the boutique?" Suzy whispered. "It looks like she needs a few pointers"
"Me? Erm, I couldn't! Couldn't you do it this time....so I can watch and learn!" replied a shaky Barbara.
"You need more sass about you, Babs" said Suzy. "Hello there, I'm Suzy Kent from 'Hey Wow' magazine...can you spare just a minute of your time?"
The woman looked startled but nodded yes. Suzy then proceeded to tell her about the new boutique but in a way that didn't out and out criticise her current wardrobe choice but emphasised the need to keep up with trends. Barbara scribbled down the name and address of the shop and passed it to the woman.
"Thanks. I might pop around later this week." she said as she put it in her handbag.
After the lady went to sit, alone, on one of the bar's sofas Suzy said to Barbara. "Maybe she won't come to the boutique, maybe she will. My guess is she will; she's looking for a guy"
"How can you tell that?" said Barbara, incredulously.
"Ah, this is where my powers of deduction come in!" said Suzy with a wink. "She's come here...alone...and is looking at every man who walks in here. Now a visit to the boutique and you could instil some confidence in her. I think she'll come."
Barbara checked the time on the bar clock. "My goodness! The time! Jeremy will be home soon! Once again, Suz, thanks for all your help."
Back home, Barbara had just enough time to rustle up some cheese on toast before Jeremy got in. A simple meal, but one he was fond of.
"Hi honey, I'm home...dang, I love the way that sounds!" said Jeremy as he entered the house. "Hmmmmm, that smells good and I'm ravenous: Mr Gotcha had us work through the lunch break today but forgot to order any food in."
"Rescue from hunger is at hand" Barbara replied.
They grabbed a serving each and sat down. Jeremy didn't want to talk about his work; he was bubbling with enthusiasm about the boutique. "So are you ready for opening?" he asked.
"Two days time...I want to get some flyers and maybe posters done to publicise the shop" she replied. Jeremy nodded. "But, yeah, the big day will be Thursday."
Jeremy ate his dinner with gusto...like a man who's had to live without food on a desert island who's just been rescued. "This is so good" he said. "You know, I think we should celebrate the boutique....if you've got the energy, that is."
"Oh yeah, what do you have in mind?" asked Barbara, she rested her chin on her hand and looked with interest at her boyfriend.
"The traditional way: Let's head to the Blue Velvet" he said.
"I like the way you think" she replied.
"Do you know..." said Jeremy as he and Barbara danced together "...this is where my life in Sim City began for me; all those months ago"
"Hi Jeremy, hi Barbara"
"Hi Suzy" said Jeremy as she entered the nightclub. "This is the hub. Oh, hi Bakko"
"Hey Jeremy my man!"
"You've come a long way since then, eh?" said Barbara.
"I was a naïve button down square from Crested Butte at the beginning of this year. I was in the mailroom, single, no friends, no romance on the horizon...and now...you're starting your own incredible journey. Hey, nice moves Julia!"
"Why thank you, Jeremy" Julia nodded in reply.
"What I'm saying is that with all the wild things that are going on, we have a hub. Our home, our street, our community and here's where we come to unwind; together. Action, how was your trip away with Katherine?"
"Cool man, real cool"
"Glad to hear it. Aha, I wondered where our buddies at the end of the street had gotten to: Propping up the bar I see. Liberty talking about rocket vectors, Travis trying that stupid peanut trick and failing, Summer lighting up the room....and then there's you, Babs, the brightest star in my life."
"Mwah! I love you, Barbara"
"I love you too, Jeremy"
"Hello, big boy...fancy seeing you here" said a tipsy Eliza Pancakes.
"Erm....actually, Barbara and me were just leaving, Eliza. Weren't we?" said Jeremy, awkwardly.
"Yes! We've both got early starts" said Barbara, pretending to yawn.
Later, back home, Jeremy and Barbara took a moment together before entering. "Sorry about having to bail on the club so soon but, trust me, you don't want a drunk Eliza Pancakes hanging around you." he said.
"I think I was ready to leave anyway" replied Barbara.
"Were you? Feeling tired? I'm not surprised after all the effort you've put into getting the boutique ready these last couple of weeks" said Jeremy.
"Oh no, I've got just enough energy left for one more thing to make the evening perfect" said Barbara, batting her eyelashes at him.
"Really, what did you have in mind....oooooohhhh I get it!" said Jeremy as the penny dropped.
"Let me slip into something....more exotic" she said, walking seductively into the house. Jeremy soon followed.
In the bedroom, Barbara changed into her most sensual lingerie and Jeremy...well, he had some nice pyjamas to wear. "Oh those won't stay on you for long, lover!" she said before slipping under the sheets.
