Love, Bassy #14

Hey sis,

My agent called me to the bookstore on Saturday afternoon – my day off. Seems some writer took it upon herself to pen a book about me. On top of that, the author wanted me to appear and sign autographs.

 

I know there was a book about you that you stopped publication on because it said some things that weren’t true. Should I do that this time around?

I haven’t read this book, and to be honest I'm not sure if I want to, lol.  It feels pretty weird that there’s a book already.  I don’t feel like I’ve lived yet. 

Meanwhile, I spent most of Friday researching a role at the criminal complex. Verhoeven had me trying out the part of a super-hero, but I had to break up an argument that was going on while I was there. Whew! Good thing I got out of there, my fighting skills aren’t up to snuff yet. Guess I’ll be using a stunt double for the fight scenes, lol.

After work I hit The Grind for some dancing and drinks. The place was especially jumpin’ tonight. My lord, could you please tell me what’s up with that chick’s outfit???

My dance partner for the evening was Andrea Sachs. If the name sounds familiar, it should. She used to work for Miranda Priestley at Runway magazine. I’m not sure why Andrea was in her evening gown, but it wasn’t like I was properly dressed, I was still in my work costume and hadn’t had time to change. Andrea is a sweet girl and we’re friends, but I’m really not attracted to her in “that” way. She does seem to find me everywhere, though. lol

Tomorrow I’ll tell you about the Sims Choice Awards. They’ll be on TV next week.

I’m wiped. Later.

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy #13

Hey sis,

I know you’re looking at me in doctor scrubs and thinking, did I just switch careers on you? 

Actually, this is for a film role I’m researching.  I have to spend a few hours with doctors.  Apparently my boss is writing this screenplay called Vampireville.  Very fitting since this town is overrun with vampires. 

 

I got to the hospital at a quarter to two.  Ended up spending all afternoon, just soaking up the environment.  Hospitals are very busy places. 

Hey, one more thing.  I know you researched this top to bottom.  Didn’t you say grandma was a doctor?  And that she met grandpa while both were working at the hospital?  I need to borrow your notes on them just in case. 

This is my contact at the hospital, Dr. Diana Jones.  If you ask me, she’s looking a little … unwell. 

After work I did some moonlighting outside the local theater.  It’s getting a little ridiculous now.  I don’t know how many folks know me from “All My Sims,” but I only appeared in the role twice. 

Gotta go. Tomorrow’s lines are calling me.

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 12

Hey sis,

I’m sorry to hear about Satis and Sety’s problems in school, and that the principal isn’t doing anything about them.  Is it a new principal from when I was there?

You might be surprised to hear me say this but I actually think you should pull them out of school.  For a time.  Maybe switch schools.  Perhaps a change of scenery might do them a lot of good.  They’ve been thru a lot already, more than any of us will ever know about.  I said this about Neil but it applies even more to them. 

 

Anyway, today I took a nap before the latest round of parties.  This time I went to Beau Merrick’s shindig.  I was wondering why Beau was throwing a celebrity party even though he’s not famous himself.

  

I was even more surprised to see Alan Stanley, head of the studio, there.  What was he doing at Beau Merrick’s party?

“Hello, Sebastian,” he said cordially. 

I was just about to ask him when a partygoer interrupted us.  “OMG it’s Sebastian Plumb!” she exclaimed.

 

“Can I have your autograph?”

A little bemused by the whole thing, I signed it for her. 

I went to my first reading as Jon today, and went in costume.  Jon is not a very likable character.  He and his brother Peter are sleeping with the same woman.  They’re also fighting for control of their dead father’s company. 

When I was leaving the studio I spotted Matt Hamming in the parking lot with his latest piece of eye candy, the new girl Noemi Aviles.  And the paparazzo was right there to capture it on camera.  The gossip hounds around here are going to be buzzing for sure. 

There’s a rumor about my boss and her hired help, Delicia Hoover.  I’ve heard Despicable Delicia doesn’t clean anyone’s houses, she just stands there and stares.  I suppose she’s been doing some … other … cleaning behind the scenes. 

Gotta go learn tomorrow’s lines.  I have to read Jon again, this time in front of Stanley.

Love, Bassy

Response #3

Hey little bro,

You’re on “All My Sims”?  Wow, congratulations!

I’ve been mega-busy here.  I currently have 4 kids at home, and I did not see myself in this position.  But it’s something I have to live with.  Cheesebreath helps, but he’s been at his soccer games and practices and that cuts into the family time.  He’s talked about quitting his job but I don’t want him to do that. 

We’re currently looking for a new place to live.  We’ve completely outgrown our house, especially now that Sage has been born.  I don’t want to move back in with mom and dad, I just think living there would be impossible given that I have 4 kids and Halima, the live-in nanny.  And besides, now that you’re gone, Bassy, they’ve got an ‘empty nest,’ something mom calls everyday to complain about. 

I’ve just learned that the real reason Satis and Sety have been having difficulties in school is because they’ve been bullied, repeatedly.  Satis comes home crying every day because she wants to be liked and the other girls won’t talk to her.  Because Sety is more outgoing and friendly than his sister, he’s having a slightly easier time – but the kids still make fun of his accent.  Every time I go to the school I hear the same sorry excuse from the administration – “kids will be kids.” 

“You have to understand,” I pleaded to the principal, “my children were adopted from Egypt.  They’re going to have an accent, and Simlish is not their native language.” 

These are my children we’re talking about.  And they’re suffering. 

Since when did Sunset Valley become so xenophobic and provincial?  I grew up with these people, and their kids go to the same school my kids and I and my father – they go to the same school we went to.  I don’t understand.

It’s incredibly frustrating dealing with the administration, and my patience – already thin – is running thinner.  I’m “this close” to pulling them out of school altogether and educating them myself. 

I know this look is different than what you’re used to seeing.  But my agent suggested that, for my latest book signing, that I curl up my hair and stuff.  Frankly, I HATE makeup.  It makes my skin curl.  I’ll wear it but I’m not a slave to it. 

Well, I gotta go.  Got another full schedule today. I’ll be doing some house hunting, then it’s off to a book signing, and then I have to help Satis and Sety with their math homework.

Talk to you soon.  Love you to bits.

Savannah

Love, Bassy Part 11

Hey sis,

I’m finding the kitchen more and more of a refuge for my increasingly more hectic life.  Yesterday I learned to make mom’s ratatouille and renoit grapes pancakes.

 

Now that my secret appears to be out, the paparazzi are following me everywhere.  I can’t even play in front of the theater without someone taking pictures of it.

 

“I don’t know if this will make you feel any better,” my boss said,  “but I took a vacation in China recently, in an attempt to escape this, and the paparazzi followed me there and took pictures of me while I dined at the eatery in Shang Simla.  They’re ever-present.  It’s something you have to get used to.  Once you choose this life, your privacy is gone, forever.”

 

I took a deep breath.  My public awaits.

I’m just hoping that when all the lights dim and the cameras go away, that I’ll still be the same person.  Like dad was, I’m told.  There’s no way you can prepare for being famous and all that comes with it.  I mean, mom and dad told me some things – but things are different even from their time.  So much more media attention.  There’s no way that you’re not changed in some way because of all this. 

Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy – Getting the Script

Hey sis,

My phone rang just as I was opening my mail. 

“Hey, Sebastian, it’s Kris Verhoeven.  I need to talk to you.  Meet me at my apartment after work this evening.”

And with that, I had to drop my plans for attending Jessica Talon’s dinner party to go see what she wanted.

Meanwhile, Savannah, it’s getting a little bit crazy.  When goth teenage boys take photos of you with their camera phones while you’re walking outside the movie theater, then it’s a sign that you’re on your way to having your picture on posters all over.  Thing is, I don’t think I’ve done anything to warrant all of this.  I’m actually a bit weirded out by the whole thing.  I wonder if it was like this when mom and dad were doing their business. 

Verhoeven moved into a new apartment building right next to Crescent Bay, the Veranda Villas, which was a nicer penthouse with two stories.  At least she’s no longer cramped in one room now.  I had to press the call box to let her know I was in the lobby. 

“Sebastian.”

“Hello, Ms. Verhoeven.”

“Please, call me Kris.”

She then pulled out a leather-bound book from the knapsack she was carrying.

“This is the script for ‘All My Sims.’  You’re going to read for the role of Jon, who’s the manipulative, conniving brother of the main character Peter, played by Devin Ashton.  The two of you are both sleeping with Casey, played by Tiara Angelista.  I don’t write these things, I just put them together.  The whole point of acting isn’t actually reading from pieces of paper, but actually making the audience believe that you’re not an actor playing a role, but someone else entirely.”

Needless to say, I hurriedly took it home.

There’s something about actually having the script in my hands that made it final for me.  There’s a part of me that doesn’t really believe this is all happening. 

Gotta get to work.  This script is over two hundred pages and I have to memorize almost half of it.  Love, Bassy

Love, Bassy Part 10

Hey sis,

Had to pass out flyers to promote the movie and there was this, um, ‘soulful’ lady in a yellow gown.  I knew she was the opera diva, Aria Trill. 

Here’s the problem.  Aria knew who I was.  And she knew who my parents are too. 

“Those blue eyes look so familiar to me,” she said. 

I shrugged.  “How so?”

“Are you related to Nathan Plumb?”

I let out a big gulp.  “He – he’s my father.”

Aria nodded.  “Thought so.”

“Let not a word of this conversation slip through your teeth.”

Aria shook her head.  “Why not?  The resemblance is unmistakable.  I worked with your mother too.  After she left the orchestra to raise you and your sister, it wasn’t the same.  So I came over here.  Truthfully I’d like to retire to my couch but there aren’t any youngins coming up in my line of work.  Everyone’s doing that hip hop stuff.  Shakin’ and gyratin’.”

Speaking of shakin’ and gyratin’, I don’t know my boss’ secret.  She’s got a different chick on her shoulder every night.  And these aren’t plain Janes either, these are good-looking girls, some of them celebs themselves. 

I’m going to auditions a lot of the time now.  This was my 2nd audition in as many nights. I met Terence Luna, who’s a bouncer at the Bridgeport Sports Zone.  Apparently he and I are trying out for the same part.  Turns out he used to be a football player but he blew out his knee, and then turned to acting. 

Wish me luck.  GTG.  Later.

Love, Bassy