Curtis and Carol ... Update: Big Picture
. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50167142311_7a59455592_k.jpg Curtis Stevens Update When we left off with Curtis, he and Susan had just failed the 112 Day Challenge. More importantly ......
Forum Discussion
Open and Closed
When we last left off … It looked like the big wigs at DHE
and Dr. O’Dorke were willing to work together for the time being.
Carol Anne and Curtis had also decided to branch out a bit
and investigate some opportunities that had opened up.
For the most part, Carol and Curtis went about their new jobs
and settled into new routines.
Carol was just tickled to be back in the art world
And Curtis was busy working at City Hall,
doing a bit of snooping, and looking around.
One afternoon, Curtis was through for the day and ready to head home,
when someone he had seen around City Hall caught up with him
on the way to his truck.
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Alexander
”Hey Curtis … Is that your truck?”
Curtis
”Yeah, it's my truck …
Why do you ask, and I have seen you around,
but don’t think we have actually met yet?’
Alexander
”Oh sorry … I’m Alexander Dixson.
And about the truck … I find a man with a truck
can often be an interesting fellow.
Oh, he may have a penchant for having a little fun now and again,
but chances are, he’s also the kind of guy that will pick up a shovel when necessary.
I have to admit … I respect that.”
Curtis
”Thanks Mr. Dixson … I guess.
It’s odd you would say that though …
Cause you really don’t strike me as the shovel type.’
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Curtis Continues
”You also have me at a bit of a loss.
I mean I recognize the name and it explains why
you have been around City Hall …
but what does any of that have to do with me?”
Alexander
”Well Curtis … Truth be told,
You have more to do with me being here than anyone else.
I heard about you and Susan, the Challenge
and the opportunities DHE took advantage of
are precisely how I found myself in Hidden Springs.”
Curtis
”Well I don’t mean to be rude,
but all that was a different time …
And if you have any kind of complaint,
there are few folks you would probably need to get in line behind.
It also looks like you and the Mayor don’t see eye to eye on some things,
and I am almost certain I cannot help you with that.”
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Alexander
”Oh no … It’s nothing like that.
I really kind of wanted to put a face to the name,
meet you, and maybe even pick your brain a little.
You and Susan started something here …
and like a lot things,
once the ball gets rolling, it’s not that easy to stop.”
Curtis
”I don’t know what story you heard,
but I kind of made a righteous mess of things.
I’m not really sure what I could possibly help you with …
And I am equally uncertain that Susan would suggest
you pay a bit of attention to anything I have to offer.”
Alexander
”Look … I may be wearing an expensive suit …
But I spent most of my time at University
fighting murphy beds, hitting keggers, playing a lot of pong
and chasing the ladies.
Although I met my lovely bride there …
I am not too sure I learned a lot.
We all have a little something to think about.
If you have a minute …
Come on and walk with me.”
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You know folks … I cannot say I know where this is going.
I think I am just going to be quiet and keep on listening.
Alexander
”And about Susan … I know the whole story,
and don’t worry about her.
Tina and I knew her parents well,
and likewise, she and my daughter grew up together.
Those two are thick as thieves.
I got the whole run-down
when Susan showed up at the house
not long after you got busted.
Susan and Christy are in France ...
said they were doing some International Studies,
but my credit card statements tend to indicate
they're doing a lot of shopping and hitting the vineyards.
Susan will be fine …
Dixson’s and Hollister’s might be new money,
but we aren’t running out of it anytime soon.”
Curtis
”I have to thank you …
I’m glad to hear Susan is doing okay.
I couldn’t get anything out of her lawyers.
I still don’t know how I could be of any help though.
I don’t have any sway with the Mayor,
and I’m not too sure I want to get in the middle anyway.”
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Alexander
”You never know …
It’s no secret I don’t like the man.
Still … I don’t live here, don’t vote here,
and don’t really have a say-so in who sits in the seat.
Between you and me, the best I can tell,
he's looking at DHE financing his retirement.
Where I might not be totally against the idea of him retiring,
I’m not interested in buying his pina-coladas when he does.
All that man sees is dollar signs …
and I’m not sure his plans are in the best interests of the community.
DHE is invested heavily here,
but we have interests all over the region,
and we aren’t necessarily interested in owning the town
or rebuilding it from the ground up.
The only things we can really advance,
and what the Mayor has been pushing,
would completely change the landscape around here.
Hidden Springs is a lovely place,
and I’m not sure that’s where things need to go.”
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For people that think Curtis may just be wandering through life …
He may be a bit more on the ball than that.
Curtis
”If I understand correctly …
DHE is already making changes around here …
More specifically at the laboratory.
I heard through the grapevine that
Liam is very upset about some of things y’all are doing now.
What light are you willing to shine on that?’
Alexander
”I’m not in the habit of discussing either
Personnel nor Proprietary issues with the general public.
Amanda Howell usually handles all that for us,
and simply because she is better at it.
All I am going to say is that Dr. O’Dorke
and DHE are on the same page after a meeting last week.
I brought in some additional personnel from Bridgeport
to help Liam address any of his concerns.
We may be aggressive, but we aren’t careless.
It wouldn't serve anyone for things to get out of control
and that would just be bad business.
Yeah … I don’t know exactly what you heard
or what Dr. O’Dorke may have exposed about our project,
but I can say I am willing to give him
a Mulligan on that, and start fresh again.”
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Alexander Continues
”I guess where all this is leading,
besides the fact I just wanted to meet you …
Has something to do with the town itself.
We are both kind of the black sheep around here,
but after seeing what you accomplished in a short time,
I would be foolish to ignore some things.
I won’t kid you; I am not the smartest man around.
I do however have a knack of picking the
right folks and putting them in the right spots,
as well as getting things done.
I saw some of the respect you and Susan put into things
when you made changes around here.
I also noticed where you applied a certain degree of balance.
I don’t know if it was intentional
or something y’all just had a knack for yourselves.
Whatever happens around here …
Amanda and I are going to need that kind of input
from the community.
If Amanda comes to talk to you,
don’t just shut the door on her …
Hear her out and see what she has to say.
Can you do that for me?’
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Curtis
”I don’t see a problem with that …
As long as it doesn’t get me in trouble with my bosses.
I’m not in a hurry to make mess of things again though,
and there are some people far more connected to the community than I am.
You may want to speak with Peter Winterly,
or even Andrew Song.
They are smart, and generally just good people.”
Alexander
”Thanks for the tip …
And I’ll look into both of those.
Also … It has been a pleasure meeting you,
and I’m glad I had the opportunity.
Good luck with everything,
and I’m sure we’ll see each other around.”
Well Friends … I would not say that was filled with gumdrops and lollipops …
But I am walking away with a different feel for DHE and Alexander Dixson.
I wanted to hate the man just because …
I might have been rushing to judgement on that one.
Thanks for stopping by … We’ll see you next time.
To Be Continued...
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o4s1KVJaVA
Happy Simming
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