Series 1; Episode 7: Dustin the Wind

"For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"

 - Genesis 3:19

Chapter One:

Dustin's Descent

After the death of her husband, Brandi realized that she would have to get a job. She looked through the papers, but she struggled to find one that she could manage.

There were opportunities at Sim State Hospital for nursing, but with two children to take care of, that seemed unlikely.

Was Dustin mature enough to take care of both himself, and young Beau?

To make matters worse, Brandi soon started experiencing pregnancy pains. Her third child was on the way, and she couldn't picture herself getting a job any time soon.

They had only 900 simoleons, and that wouldn't last forever.

Dustin had no choice. He would have to find work himself. His mother needed him now more than ever...

He began scouting around Pleasantview's seedy underbelly, and got into contact with a thug named Gordon King, who taught the young boy about hawking goods on the streets.

And soon enough, Dustin was out and about in town, looking for ways to acquire merchandise, meeting with Gordon and learning about the various arts - staying under the radar; spotting potential buyers, and learning how to make quick getaways.

Dustin didn't want to think what he was getting himself into. All he thought about was his sick mother, and their future.

Ask yourself. If you were in Dustin's position, would you do the same, given no other choice?

Chapter Two:

Dustin's Dilemma

Brandi soon found herself bed-ridden from her sickness for most of the day. This pregnancy was worse than the previous two, and she was relying in the support of her eldest son to take care of not only her, but Beau as well.

Beau managed by himself alright. He had taken a keen interest in music, prodding away at the Xylophone all day. This was a great help, because Dustin couldn't handle the thought of giving him endless attention, along with dealing with his sick mother, school, and working the streets.

As time went by, Dustin's life started closing in all around him. This was too much responsibility for a young teenager, and he couldn't handle it. He wanted a normal teen's life, partying; drinking; playing sports and enjoying nature.

Dustin wanted out. But his family needed him.

Chapter Three:

Dustin's Date

Dustin had begun dating a beautiful girl whom he had met at school - her name was Angela Pleasant, and they both shared a love of the outdoors. Angela was the sweetest, most well behaved girl Dustin had ever met, and she still didn't know about the dirty business he was involved in.

He was gussying himself up, because she would be coming over to his house. He was slightly nervous, but he was good at feigning confidence. Perhaps she liked boys involved in crime? Should he reveal this to her? Why hadn't he thought of this earlier? Now he was nervous.

And then Angela came over, and the first thing Dustin did was burst into tears; burying his face in her shoulder like a baby, admitting all of his struggles; the burden of his responsibilities; the hardship of his work, and his constant, haunting fear of what the future had set for him and his family. He sobbed and sobbed and sobbed, with Angela standing there, shocked, but patting him on his back.

Dustin was so incredibly embarrassed by what happened. He knew that you were never supposed to be direct with girls on a first date, and he supposed she would be so uncomfortable and uninterested in sharing his horrible life, she would look for the first opportunity to gap it.

But surprisingly, Angela stuck with Dustin.  She had never before met a boy so honest; so strong willed; yet so sensitive and humane. It was a refreshing change to find a boy who wasn't narcissistic and egotistical.

The two continued to date, with Angela coming around to his home. She was fascinated by Dustin, and all his experience in life. Dustin, in turn, was glad to have somebody who would listen, who would let him be just a kid.

Chapter Four:

Dustin's Distraction

As time went by, Angela had got to know Dustin's family, and she was determined that he learn about hers. Dustin once came to visit her grandparents, Herb and Coral Oldie, and they got along well.

But Angela realized she couldn't forever hold off the occasion when he should meet her own family, but she was afraid of what would happen if Dad learned that her boyfriend was involved in dealing illegal goods. But if she kept their relationship obscure, Dad would only become suspicious. Eventually, they decided to speak to each other over telephone.

Dustin and Daniel Pleasant didn't get along over the phone too well. Maybe Daniel was just overprotective, or perhaps he knew that he was involved in Gordon King.

However upset that Daniel didn't like him, this would not stop Dustin from seeing Angela. She was one of the only things that kept him going.

Concluding that her Dad was just being silly, Angela invited Dustin over to the household while Dad was out coaching the Llamas.

He dropped by the Pleasant household as soon as Angela told him it was safe. She said her sister, Lilith, would be there with her boyfriend, and maybe Dustin can get to know him, too. Dustin thought this would be nice, because he wanted more friends.

He was amazed by the Pleasant's home. It was like a palace to him. He had never before seen such a luxurious looking house.

The door had been open, but there seemed to be nobody there. He wondered where everybody was.

But little did he know, somebody was watching him....

He walked into the lounge, where the big screen television was turned on.

'Surprise.' said a familiar voice.

'Angela!' Dustin replied. 'You're dressed so... different'

'I'm not Angela, I'm Lilith.'

'Lilith?'

'Hasn't Angela told you about her twin sister? I guess I must not be worth mentioning. Nobody ever thinks I'm worth mentioning, not next to Angela, the angel.'

And before he knew it, he was learning all about the tragic life of Lilith; the way she had been mistreated and cast aside in favor of her sister; the way nobody ever took notice of her...

The two entered a heated conversation about the various troubles of life, and soon enough, she was making confessions - confessions to how she skipped school; snuck out; had even been arrested, and Dustin started to boast about his illegal businesses with Gordon King. Dustin felt a huge attraction building up in him that he had never felt with Angela, who seemed boring and lifeless by comparison.

And when Angela arrived back home, it was to the site of Dustin and Lilith making out.

She ran away, up into her own room and shut the door. She didn't know what to think. She had never been heartbroken before...

But something seemed to make sense; as if she should have expected this. Dad had been right all along... Dustin was a petty, criminal two-timer...

Dustin and Lilith sat down and started watching T.V, unaware that Angela was anywhere around. But Lilith had forgotten entirely about Dirk, her boyfriend, who came in, looking confused at the sight of Dustin.

'Sorry Dirk,' she said, 'I've finally found someone who understands me! Unlike you, Dustin is cool, and interesting. Go somewhere else.'

And so, Dirk Dreamer turned away. also heartbroken, but not expecting much else.

And so, the anger and frustration that had built up inside Lilith ever since she was a child had been unleashed that night; and it caused two broken hearted victims. The feelings she had for her sister and boyfriend were overridden by a desire to finally be the one who had attention, and she had seduced that out of Dustin.

And as for Dustin, his feelings towards Angela were all forgotten after meeting Lilith, who had used all her cunning to bring out his worst. What the future held for this couple; and for Dirk and Angela; they neither knew, nor cared.

Chapter 5: 
Dustin's Duty

Dustin began spending more time out of the house, going all the way over to SimCity to crunch numbers at the SimCity racetrack. 

When he wasn't getting himself involved with SimCity gangs, he was sneaking out with Lilith, partying and selling street goods. His grades began to slip even further; and Brandi became worried. She would call up homes; especially the Pleasants, in order to find out where his precious son was, but she didn't know most the time. Her sickness was getting worse, and Dustin didn't seem to be there for her anymore. She couldn't cope on her own. Why had he abandoned her?

One day, Dustin finally came home.

'Where have you been all this time, Dustin?'

'Working, so you can cope with the bills.'

'If that means you can't be here for me, then I don't want you to work! this job has consumed you!'

'Don't you understand, Mum? Pleasantview doesn't have welfare! I have no other choice!'

But Dustin wasn't doing this all for her. He wanted to live his own, teenage life; forgetting he had a bedridden mother and a baby brother. He wanted to forget all that, and escape into paradise.

But then Brandi went into labor pains, and was rushed off to Sim State Hospital.






 She never made it back. She died during childbirth, and the third Broke baby didn't make it. The factors that caused the death was lack of support, and perhaps a broken heart...

The Sim Reaper had decided that, for Dustin and Beau, losing one parent wasn't enough. But Dustin saw it differently. He was racked with guilt over the loss of his Mum, as he was too absorbed with his own foolish lifestyle to forget what was truly important.

There was no escaping it now. He was all that Beau had in the world. He would have to become his protector; his father; and his brother. It was Dustin's duty from now on.

And so, we begin a new era of the Broke family. Will Dustin rise above the vices that lay ahead in his path, and or fall victim to them? Only time will tell. After all, he won't be alone...