Hi Mum, It's Sammy (Clone 63 - Part 10)

"I'm glad you came home early," Jericho told me. "Eddie's still home so I'd like to hold a household meeting."

"What's this about?"

"Let me get Eddie and Howie. I'd rather get this over with and have all three of you here." Jericho motioned to the couch and I collapsed on it. Jer's mood had turned rather somber, whatever the household meeting was going to be about wasn't pretty.

It wasn’t long before Howie turned up, followed by Eddie and Jericho. Eddie and Howie took seats on the couch.

Jer rubbed his neck for a moment before he finally started. “Guys, we are having a bit of a money crisis. It’s not dire yet, but I think we only have cash for at most two more mortgage payments before our funds dry up entirely.” We looked at each other. “I don’t think we need to go for drastic measures but we do need to stop buy things because they seem like a good idea and we have to stop going to the adult education courses until things are a bit better,” continued Jericho.

“Does that mean I can’t have the sweet drum kit I’ve one eye on?” asked Eddie.

Jericho shrugged. “For the moment, no. If you can earn the money for it through tips, I won’t complain. In fact, you and Sam are more than pulling your weight. You two have regular jobs. It’s mainly Howie and I that need to bring in more money.”


Howie chimed in, “I know that none of my inventions so far have been worth that much. It’s just a matter of time before I develop something cool that will be worth a lot.”

“I know, Howie, but we need something more in the meantime. I love fishing but I’ve yet to catch any of the really large valuable fish.” Jericho turned his blue eyes on Howie. “The problem is this moment in time. I have faith that eventually we’ll all do well, but we need more cash now. My plan is to try and charm more wild animals into captivity. Our parrot is actually worth a nice sum, if I can find other animals regularly, it will ease our finances quickly.”

Howie was still deep in thought about what he could do to earn some quick simoleons.  My mind suddenly flashed to the missing pets. “Damn, that’s a pity,” I muttered.

“What’s a pity?”

“There have been several missing pets reported at the station, and I had a plan to try to catch the thief. But it’s going to require a small surveillance system, and my co-workers pointed out that I can’t use police equipment. I was hoping that we could buy it but I guess it’s going to be well out of our budget. I think they cost a couple of thousand.”

“Not necessarily,” replied Howie. “We should be able to get the components for around 200 or so. I can put it together for Sammy. When he’s done, I should be able to install it somewhere else for 1500 to 2000.”

Jericho nodded, “That sounds quite reasonable. I’d heard those systems were expensive too, but it makes sense that the cost is getting them installed and working properly. Our budget can stand that, and if we can sell it again at a profit, that would work out well. I’d say, yes, we can buy that but everyone gets a say. Howie?”

Howie looked over at the pup he brought home. “I’d hate for our little guy to go missing and if he did, I’d want him found. I say yes, even if we have to go hungry a couple of days.”

“Thanks Howie. I don’t think our finances are at the ‘go hungry’ stage but it’s good to know.” Jericho turned to Eddie. “Eddie? What’s your opinion?”

“I want to know why no police equipment?”

“Our senior officer doesn’t think it’s worth police time to find the pets. But he hasn’t been the one talking to the owners and they are soon going to be ringing up to find out about their pets.” I shook my head, “I really don’t want to be telling them that their pets aren’t worth our time. Especially given they are pedigree pets. That’s why we can’t get official equipment from the police.”

“Ok, I’ll agree. And if you can sell that gear for a serious profit, can I get my drum?”

“We can’t look at spending extra money on goodies like drums until we have a few months worth of the mortgage available. Besides, Eddie, you have a guitar and a piano. Won’t they do?”

Eddie sighed. “Well, I want that drum but I can work on improving my style with the instruments we do own. Yes, I still agree, even if I have to wait for my drum.”

“Thanks guys. I appreciate it and so will several people if we can return their pets.” I got up to move closer to Jer. I felt this need to touch him. Even just my hand brushing past his was enough - the sensation was almost electric.

It must have been obvious that something had changed in our relationship. Howie and Eddie looked at each other. “So, are you guys engaged or something?” Howie finally asked.

“We are engaged,” I started. “And something more,” Jericho finished.

“Damn, totally out of circulation?”

“Totally and forever out of circulation,” Jericho replied. “I’ve found that Sam is the one true love of my life.”

“Well, congratulations. The two of you are looking very happy about it,” said Eddie.

I looked at Jer who was looking at me. “We are,” we replied simultaneously.

“By the way, Jericho. My pay is 100 short this week. We are going to the police ball, it’s apparently a job requirement.”

Eddie turned to Howie, “They get to go to the ball. Does that mean we are doomed to turn into pumpkins?”

“Probably,” replied Howie glumly.

“If it will prevent pumpkinitis, then we’ll find a way to buy you two tickets too,” promised Jericho. “That’s only another §100, and it would be nice to get out and meet more people around town. It’s not like classes which are §400 for just one or drum kits which are even more. That’s really all I wanted to talk to you guys about. Any reasonable ways to raise money fast should be considered.” Jericho gave my hand a light squeeze as he left the room.

“Hey, Howie. Where could we get the stuff you’d need to put together a security camera system?”

“Well, Sam, I think the consignment store had a boxed kit last time I was there. Probably someone bought it on SimsBay who then discovered that they couldn’t put it together properly. You have to be fairly competent with electronics to work with those kits, they are complicated as all hell.” Howie buffed his fingernails against his shirt. “I am very competent so it should be a piece of cake.”

“Before we go looking, let me ring Felipe and see if we can head over to his place to set it up.” Howie nodded. I pulled out my phone and rang Felipe.

“Hey, you home? … Yeah, we might have a security system to set up. You still be there in about 1/2 hour or so? … Good. You ok with this? … Great! See you soon.” I turned back to see that Howie was already heading out the door. Well, it was obvious that we were going out to get the equipment. Or at least try, it might not still be at the shop today. I caught up with Howie before the taxi had arrived and we went to the shop.

I could tell that this was a place that Howie frequents a lot. The cashier knows his name and Howie headed straight for a particular shelf without pausing. He grabbed a box.

“Here it is, Sammy. For a mere 200 and it’s a complete outfit. Four cameras and a central box that those cameras all record to.”

“Are the cameras water proof? Because all the pets stolen were in backyards, and it might rain before the thief crosses our path.”

“If we want to sell this kit again, we better not get the cameras wet. But they do have plastic shields to keep the worst off of the camera,” Howie replied. “I don’t think we can do better on price, so I’d recommend this.”

I nodded and Howie took his purchase to the cashier. As luck would have it, the shop had just sold a couple of Howie’s gadgets so we made a small net profit of 140. We hailed another taxi and headed off to Felipe’s house.

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Bonus Pics

So, Sam is worried about lack of money and Jer wants babies. Not surprising

Here they are finally getting engaged.

Without shirts cause who need clothes for a moment like this?

As always with Sims in love, they are extremely content with this.

Jericho did spend some time catching birds and improved the family finances a lot. Over 2,000 with 3 birds.

Sam actually has been promoted to real officer. Don't know when that will come up in the story.

I ended up not being able to save so here is the birthday party for the babies that didn't happen. You may recognise some of the guests.

Twallan, why are you stealing Goby?

Well, eventually Monica had her birthday and so I could do a sneak peak.

And this is how she'll grow up. She does show a few things from Jericho (eye shape, cheek shape) she is mostly a Sammy girl.

And when I grew Goby up, the first reaction is My God, Sims seriously can't dress themselves.

The second was - this is Sammy standing here in Jericho's skin. If it wasn't for the blue, Goby is a Sam clone.

Goby as a pirate.

Trying to keep him from looking so clonish.