Friends of the Jacksons

Hey there, and welcome back to MonkeeSims. Just got back from a week long vacation myself, which has it's ups and downs. Vacation is fun and all, but the longer you're gone, the less you want to get back to normal life when that time comes, and believe me...it always comes! Oh, well. No sense in complaining about it (seems like I do a lot of that here! Good thing there's less personal commentary from me and more Sims goodness!)

Last time, I really left you all hanging as I introduced the fun loving Jackson family, then took off to parts unknown. Yeah, I'm sure you've all been suffering a lot as a result! Well, suffer no more, because the story continues right here and now!

Anyhow, when we left off last time, I promised we'd get a glimpse of how things turned out when folks from the neighborhood started stopping by to visit. The first visitors to the place didn't even wait for an invite before stopping by. Yep, you guessed it - it was that lovable pair, Matt and Branson, making the neighborhood rounds.

Matt and Branson stop by for their first visit - which in most cases, is also their last.
The Jacksons were so excited to see other people at their place, Matt and Branson didn't even make it to the door before they were greeted by the family. Well, Matt almost did, but he stopped when Branson started talking to Steve "Sunshine" Jackson. Okay, Matt...it's time to shelve those jealous impulses of yours for five minutes so you can actually have a pleasant visit with the neighbors without starting trouble.

Steve: "Hey, babe! Welcome to our casa!"
The Jacksons may seem to be a bunch of carefree hippies, but they do have their domestic side, and they know how to treat guests. Leon was quick to head to the kitchen and whip up his specialty (whatever that is), partly because he wanted to impress the guests with his cooking abilities, and partly because he knew if he didn't, Steve or "Moon Dawg" would try to cook and start a fire. Luckily, the kitchen decorative scheme didn't ruin anyone's appetite.

Leon shares his dislike for "the man" with his guests.
After dinner, it was every man (or woman) for themselves, and folks went their separate ways in search of fun wherever it may be lurking. Most everyone headed off to the rec room, because hey...that's where it's at! Steve seemed most attracted to the slot machine, while "Moon Dawg" watched some weird show featuring "Marky the Sharky". I guess it doesn't matter what the actual show is...everything looks better on a big screen.

I guess if you're going to be addicted to the slots, it might as well be in the comfort of your own home.
Leon, being the grooviest dude alive, was compelled to make this known to the guests by performing a little of his "magic" at the juke box. Nobody really seemed to be paying much attention to him, but this didn't stop him. I guess Leon's philosophy is that true greatness is always recognized, even if nobody is actually paying attention to it (or something like that).

"Go, Leon...go, Leon...go, go, go Leon!"
The reason nobody noticed Leon getting his groove on was the big screen TV. The powerful lure of cartoon mania was too much to resist, even for grown adults. Or maybe the lure of the 100% pleather couch had more to do with it. Whatever the case, Matt and Steve were riveted...

Steve: "Archie the Archer? This show sucks!"
Actually, one person was sucked in by the greatness of Leon's funky disco mania - Branson! Moments later, the two were doing some crazy swinging on the dance floor, and the little "jealousy alarm" could be heard coming from Matt, who was not too far away. The dance ended, and Matt was going to slap Leon, but I canceled the action. First impressions are very important, and if that impression is in the shape of a handprint on the host's face, it's not quickly forgotten.

Branson: "Command me, oh great and powerful Disco King!"
Leon is all about peace and love, but not love involving someone else's woman, so the dance is as far as things went before Leon moved on. Matt started showering Branson with hugs and kisses, apparently a little insecure about himself when compared to Leon. It was unnecessary, though, because Branson still had eyes only for Matt...that is until about the fourth time he tried to hug her and she started shoving him away.

Matt: "Come on...let's get down and boogie!"
It was pretty obvious that Branson wasn't going to be engaging in any further public displays of affection, especially when she ditched Matt for the tiki bar, leaving him on the dance floor alone. At this point, he developed a brilliant plan to lure her back by showing her a little of his own funky groove. Well, it didn't work in the slightest, but it did give him a chance to look pretty stupid on the dance floor all by himself. Meanwhile, "Moon Dawg" mops up some dog pee in the background, while Steve carries around a tray of milk and some other stuff for no apparent reason.

Matt: "Well, I'll just show her what she's missing!"
As much fun as entertaining guests and angering people's significant others is, Leon decided it was time for him to get out of the house for a bit and hit the town. After all, you can't call up the ladies on the phone if you haven't met them yet (at least not in the Sim world you can't). Entertaining people outside your home is always more fun anyway, because then they don't break stuff or make a mess of your home. Of course, that will have to wait till next post.

Will Leon discover true love? Will he waste a lot of money he doesn't have trying to impress disinterested women? Will he meet any women at all? Will he buy some cool new silk pajamas? These questions and more shall all be answered in our next exciting installment of MonkeeSims! Be there, dudes!