Series 1; Episode 3: Don's Depressing Downfall

1.
Changes

Don Lothario had begun eating and drinking heavily. His head was buzzing with complicated thoughts, which it didn't normally do. He wanted to drown it all out with TV dinners, pizza, chips, soda and nectar. But despite that, his thoughts did not escape him. He knew he would have to answer to them, sooner or later.

Don's life had made several drastic turns recently, and he wasn't too happy about that. He had been single, he loved to mingle, he had a condo and girls all around him. He didn't want things to change one bit.

But things seemed to have changed, ever since he tried to make a move on Bella Goth, and he regretted it. After all, Bella was the wife of Mortimer Goth – the richest and most powerful man in Pleasantview. He didn't even stop to think that Mortimer was feared and admired by all, wielding more influence than anyone else in Pleasantview.

Not only that, but Bella was going to be his Mother in-law. He had somehow found himself engaged to their daughter, Cassandra. The reason he had decided to marry her in the first place, he didn't know.

After that, his lady-friend, Dina Caliente, went and ditched him to go and date Mortimer. She still met with Don after that, but she wasn't the same woman anymore. Dina was no longer interested in nectar and WooHooing, rather love; death and "relationships". Don guessed that she had been brainwashed or lobotomized by Mortimer.

Don continued to make desperate advances on her, but she continued to refuse. Soon enough she stopped calling him, and when Dina and Mortimer's engagement was announced, Don had to mark one girl off his little black book.

Desperate, Don turned to Dina's sister, Nina. If he couldn't have one girl, he wanted to keep the other.

But things had changed between them as well. Don had tried to keep it going, but the juicy orange of their relationship had gone all rotten ever since Dina slapped him. Gone was the excitement of youth, and Nina just didn't seem interested in him anymore.


Don became more and more confused. Why did Nina not want him either? Did it have something to do with Dina moving out? Don had heard that many twin sisters are inseparable. By losing Dina, had Nina lost the spark inside her that had made Don appeal to them both? He didn't know. All he knew is that neither of the girls liked him any more, and he didn't like that. He didn't like not getting what he wanted. 

Don Lothario was not used to changes.

2.
Growing Pains

As if things weren't bad enough for Don, he constantly had to deal with Cassandra, who had begun crying like mad ever since her grandmother died in a fire.

Don Lothario, Kennedy Cox and Alex Goth

She had gone to Don for support, but he wasn't good with emotional, clingy women. She would often stay for days on end, bringing her young brother Alex. 

With an impressionable young boy around, Don found that living his regular social life was much more difficult. He couldn't screw around with his buddies and bring home babes anymore. He felt  more like a Dad, rather than his old womanizing self.

Cassandra announces she's leaving and taking Alex with her

Meanwhile, at Goth Manor, Cassandra couldn't take it anymore, living with Dina, her new stepmother. She decided to move out from Goth Manor and in with Don permanently, taking Alex with her. Mortimer had no objections to this new deal. He was happy enough to rid Goth Manor of the lot of them, although Don wasn't too pleased.

At first Don tried to look on the bright side. The idea of mad scientist's daughter and autistic little brother moving in to live with a playboy after somehow getting engaged would make a solid sitcom plot, until he realized that this wasn't a TV show but it was actually real life.

Don was having enough trouble with Cassandra living with him, let alone Alex. It was very awkward for him to be even in the same room as the boy, because he couldn't help but feel like he was now some sort of a father figure.

He didn't want to teach the boy anything. He couldn't even approach him, let alone teach him things. Alex was interested in mathematics and science, and Don was interested in pick-up art and different varieties of nectar. He had lived his life carelessly and happily, yet without any real experience to give to the young kid. He just wanted to be alone and single. Was that really too much to ask?

Occasionally Don would walk in on Alexander, wanting to communicate with him, but all he accomplished was interrupting young Alex from some strange intellectual activity relating to science or numbers that Don knew nothing about. He didn't know Alexander Goth, and he didn't understand him. They were two completely separate people, and it was Don who felt like the younger one. He didn't like any of this fathering business, and he could only put up with it for so long.

He could put up with not understanding the confusing things Alex studied...

He could put up with the confusing books he read....

or even the confusing toys he played with...

But picking out clothes was the straw that broke the camels' back. He didn't want anything to do with Alex, and probably not Cassandra for that matter, but he knew that, given the circumstances with Mortimer and Cassandra, he couldn't end the relationship. Cassandra had nothing else in life but him. 

He knew he was in trouble.

3.
The First Fire

Don and Cassandra were relaxing in the pool. He was so frustrated with his life that he commanded that she cook dinner.

Cassandra wasn't a very good cook, but she wanted to make Don happy. If she could prove that it would be worthwhile to have a wife, maybe everything could work out. 

So, she went straight to the kitchen.

But she had tried too hard, and just like her father, she let the food burn, A great fire spread across the kitchen, igniting the counter and the microwave.

Instead of calling the firefighters, Don ran straight down to extinguish it himself.

After the fire, Don, who was panting and exhausted, said,

'I guess not all women can cook!' 

Rather than feeling hurt, Cassandra smiled and hugged Don, so happy that he had finally stopped being sexist and assuming all women could cook. 

It may have been the fire, the heat or the adrenalin, but the two held each other close like they had never before...

And they went to bed together that night, with Cassandra ready for a whole new experience because they so totally did it right there.

Don should've been over the moon. He would normally be shouting 'WooHoo' at the top of his lungs right now, but something had bugged him throughout the entire event.

He felt as though he had forgotten something extreme of vital everyday importance, and in all the commotion of the fire, it would be hours later, waking up to a peacefully sleeping Cassandra, that he would remember.

...he had forgotten to wear protection.

A little stunned, he climbed out of bed and stepped out into the balcony for some fresh air, only to find somebody he really didn't feel like seeing right now. His housemaid, Kaylynn, was sitting in the tub, wanting to spend some time together. Don felt quite sapped after all the excitement with Cassandra, yet he tried to get the atmosphere started.

But he just couldn't manage it. He was troubled by his thoughts, grasping the concept that he may be a Dad. Confused, he stepped out of the spa, leaving her alone for the first time. It was now time for Don to do some serious thinking.

The Next Day... but that's another story!

Ever since his housemaid attacked him, he tried to get out from the house as much as possible. He needed to get away from all his soapy household dramas in order to clear his mind and arrange his thoughts. He began focusing more on his internship, working extra hours at Sim State hospital. 

Eventually Don became a resident doctor. He had also spent a few days trying to speak to Nina, to rekindle at least friendship, but nothing worked.

Don had a choice. Go on through life with his new 'family', or go on it alone. Perhaps this is what maturity looked like, arriving in the form of a medical suit, pregnant fiancee, and a geeky brother in-law...

Things had changed for Don Lothario.

4.
The Final Fire

Mortimer and Dina had made much progress down at Goth Manor - Dina had become an emergency medical technician and Mortimer shared much knowledge with her. 

They had even decided to take Alex's old empty room,..







 ...and turn it into a laboratory.













But, Mortimer continued to keep his eye on Don at all times, waiting for the perfect time to finish what he had started.

And that time had finally come. He still hadn't taken his revenge – revenge on the man he knew had stolen his wife and his children, everything he'd ever had. Mortimer was now without a true heir.

Fortunately, he had married Dina, who was now carrying what would become Mortimer's third child. He had consulted her much over the decision about what to do with Don Lothario. Now that Don was no longer cared about by the people of Pleasantview, they knew the town could "do without him".

Mortimer lit a fire, and stared into its endless depths. Fire, he thought. Incredible Fire. Fire had driven him out of his old home, and had driven Cassandra into the arms of Don. It had taken the life of his mother, and it had taken the life of his father. Mortimer knew his own days were numbered, but the fire inside his heart was still burning, yet to be extinguished...

\

He called up Don Lothario, and told him that he was sorry. Sorry for slandering him and accusing him of kidnapping his wife; sorry for persecuting him because of Cassandra; and that he wanted to show his appreciation for having turned his life around. He invited him over to the Goth Manor, where Dina could also show her apologies and they could have some Caliente cake and all be friends.

Wanting as many friends as he could get, Don accepted the invite and came over to the Goth Manor. 

Mortimer greeted him, asking him to sit down in the study and to wait by the fireplace. Mortimer withdrew from the room, closing the door behind him and leaving Don to stand by himself. 

The study was shadowy and haunting. He noticed that heaps of chairs were put next to the fireplace for some stupid reason. He waited for a few seconds before noticing strange, heavy cluttering noises coming from outside.

The long silence following gave him the creeps, almost as if there had been a ghost. He wanted to find out what had happened. He headed for the exit; pulling the knob, but it wouldn't budge. 

He realized, he was trapped! The exits for the study had been barricaded shut! He tried to find a way out, but there was no option. The windows wouldn't move either. 

Don didn't know how long he spent inside the study, he figured it had been at least a day. Samples of the security footage show that he had been waiting there for a very long time.


He soon passed out, and Mortimer would occasionally enter the room to ensure the fire was still burning.

When Don woke, he found that the fire had become so hot, that it was even burning the water. Unless he could find his way out, he was most certainly doomed.











 When Mortimer and Dina finally heard the sounds of pain and misery subside, they decided it was now safe to remove the barricades and hire a cleaner to sweep up the mess.

Don's remains never left the manor, but Dina and Mortimer had already forgotten about him. They had left to start a new life for themselves, leaving the past behind them as a few shattered fragments in their wake.

The fate of Mortimer Goth was sealed, forever.

Thus ends the final chapter in the first volume of this season of Doug's Declassified History of Pleasantview.

The fires in the hearts of Mortimer Goth and Don Lothario have been extinguished, and Mortimer can now accept his own passing with peace of mind. Although this marks the end of an era, it has left scars that will resonate throughout the generations to come. Both Don and Mortimer have left offspring, and the Caliente sisters will remain strong independent women. But the real legacy shall be left to Mortimer's original children – Cassandra and Alex. With the heirs of the Goth fortune scattered and divided, what will become of the greatest dynasty of Pleasantview? Only time, and meticulous research will tell.

Remember, the story of Pleasantview's history shall not only focus on a select few people. Pleasantview is a town filled with all sorts of people, all with their own stories!

That is why, next volume we shall focus on a whole new group of Pleasantview's quirky denizens, and how their own personal dramas intertwine with those of the tragic heroes and villains of this first volume.

If you liked this first volume of Season 1 of the Unauthorized Declassified History of Pleasantview, be sure to check in next time for Volume 2, and get ready to explore a whole new side of Pleasantview... if you dare!

S1E2 "Don's Depressing Downfall" Credits:

Characters are original creations of Maxis

Blog written by Douglas Wingate

Series 1; Episode 2: Cutting the Caliente Cake

Chapter One

Preparatory Matters

Nina and Dina Caliente, the twin sisters of Main Street, were enjoying the good life in their luxury 3 story condo. They were single, living through an inheritance, and searching for new thrills in life.

However, the twins really loved buying things and hosting fabulous parties, so it wasn't long before their inheritance money dried up, and they needed to find someone who could supply them with cash. Soon enough they set their sights on their neighbor, Don Lothario, bleeding him dry of whatever money he made working on his internship. He wasn't ideal, but he would have to do for now.

One uneventful day, the twins decided to pick up the phone and give him a call.

'Come play with us, Lothario,' Dina cooed, 'forever and ever,'


'and ever and ever....' Nina finished.

'That's so neat,' Don said, 'twins really do finish off each other's sentences! Well, I'd love to see you two right now, but I'm with Cassandra Goth at the moment and-.'

'Why are you with Cassandra Goth?' Nina bellowed at the mouthpiece.

'Well, it's just-' he replied,

'But she's like –' Dina cut in, 'oh my god, she's so ugs-'

 'That's not the point,' he broke through. 'Bella Goth has been missing for days, and-'

But before he could finish, Dina let out an extremely high-pitched scream of joy.

'Bella's gone?' she asked ecstatically,

'Yes, and I'm a prime suspect. The Sim State Police are outside my house right now, so-'
But Dina cut him off, 'Real sorry about that Don, but I can't talk anymore. Gotta go,' and she slammed the phone onto the receiver, and immediately began getting dressed.

'What are you-' Nina began

'No time to explain,' Dina responded. 'We have to go see Bella's husband. We should console him for his loss. Give him emotional support, don't you think?'

Nina decided she would play along, for now. After getting dressed, the twins went to the bakery, bought a cake and headed towards Goth manor. Just like her sister, Nina was smiling and excited, until she was struck with a prod of intuition. She had the strangest feeling that history was ready to repeat itself.

Chapter Two

Dina's Past

Mortimer Goth answered the door looking somber, and the twins presented him with a cake.

'This cake is for you,' Dina said. 'It's called Caliente Cake. We made it specifically for you, so you can feel better!'

'Dina? Oh, hello,' Mortimer said, as they barged inside. 'How are you? How have things been for you since Michael's death?' he said the last word with a sort of dreamy relish.

'Yeah, alright,', she said in a dry voice, looking around at Mortimer's expensive furnishings. 'things have been pretty good,' but after noticing the way Nina was looking at her, she rephrased 'Oh - I mean, oh how tough things have been since Michael's death! How could I possibly go on!'

'I understand how it feels,' Mortimer said. 'Losing a loved one is very hard, just as I have,..' and before Nina knew what was going on, the two embraced each other with hysterical sobs.

Nina felt very awkward, still holding the cake, feeling like she was watching a poor Shakespeare rehearsal. She had the feeling she was in for a long night, and she was right. Mortimer kept them up for hours talking about death and loss, and Dina sat, wide eyed, feigning interest in the topic, with Nina saying nothing. The two sat down and began talking about Bella and Michael Bachelor. 

Michael Bachelor

Michael Bachelor was Mortimer's brother in-law, and Dina's husband for a short amount of time. Michael had been much older than Dina, and he had been very rich. Nina suspected her sister had only married Michael for his money, although she could never be sure of this, and didn't want to make such accusations. It was hard for anyone to make accusations towards Dina, because she's so good at denying them, or making you feel bad about making them. Especially if you're her twin sister.

They pulled out Bella's old family album and looked at the photograph of Michael and Dina on their wedding day, a period of time in which Dina Caliente had become Dina Bachelor. 

Michael and Dina's wedding day

Nina liked to look back and reminisce on this moment, until she noticed something on the photo that made her think. She could see the shot of herself, on the far left of the photo, obviously upset about something. It took seeing the photograph to remember just how upset she had been on the night of Dina and Michael's marriage, and she couldn't help but ask herself, why had she behaved like that at her sister's wedding? Had she been sad? worried? jealous? She wasn't sure, but the photograph stayed in her mind, circling about her like one of the ghosts in the Goth Manor.

Chapter Three

Separate Ways

Her head buzzing with thoughts, Nina didn't speak to Dina on the trip back home. Things suddenly felt very detached between the twins now, which happened the last time Dina found some guy she needed 'exclusive' control over. Whenever the twins were single, they were close to each other, like twins should be. When Dina found someone to keep to herself, she became independent, self absorbed and pompous, almost forgetting that she had a sister.



Dina visited Goth Manor again later on, but Nina didn't come along this time. While Nina paced alone about the condo, pouring herself drinks, Dina and Mortimer were wining and dining away in the secrecy of the Goth estate.

As Dina began seeing Mortimer more frequently, Nina started to see changes in her behavior. She couldn't tell if she was genuinely interested in Mortimer's money, or Mortimer himself. Simply judging by the way she dressed; the way she spoke, the way she smiled, Nina knew something huge was going on between the two down at Goth Manor, but she didn't want to find out with her own eyes.

Before long, Mortimer offered Dina a glistening golden engagement ring, which was more than enough for Dina. She accepted.

Mortimer and Dina's wedding day

There was an old chapel set up in the courtyard of Goth Manor, next to the graveyard. It was built for the purpose of marrying Cassandra and Don Lothario, but ever since Bella Goth disappeared, Don had not been allowed anywhere near the Goth's property, and the marriage was postponed. Mortimer decided to use it for a private marriage. Nobody was invited.

Nina became just as hysterical as she was on Dina and Michael's wedding day. Her twin sister was no longer a constant part of her life, and that was like losing a part of herself. But what she feared the most was that Dina would somehow fall in love with Mortimer. That would be truly losing her. She tried to convince herself that the relationship would help Dina mature into a more solemn, well-rounded person.

Getting married didn't stop Dina from paying visits to Don Lothario, and Nina came along to make sure Dina didn't go doing anything stupid.

But Don appeared to enjoy Dina's company less and less. Not because she was now married, but because she talked rarely about anything except heartbreak and death, which he didn't find to be very good Sunshine 'n Spas conversation.

'Dina, you've become so dark,' he said, 'You're turning into such a... goth.'

'Maybe I am, Don,' she replied, 'maybe I am.'

Wanting a brighter life, Don began to spend more and more time with Nina alone, and the two got along very well, enjoying many activities together. It was a nice break for him. After all, he had to put up with 'goths' every day. He was being hunted by one, he was having an affair with one, and he was engaged to one. Nina was a light in the endless darkness of Don's life.

But for Don, things couldn't last this way forever. Nina didn't know he was engaged to Cassandra, and the storm brewing between the two sisters would have to unleash itself one day. 

As Don and Nina became closer, Dina just became more and more jealous, even though she herself was married to the richest man in Pleasantview. That wasn't enough for her. She didn't want Nina to have anything that she couldn't have.

One sunny day, Nina and Don arrived back at his condo after a particularly long exercise session, and they instantly began making out.

Dina, who was going for a walk, noticed them, and screamed with shock. She didn't want her sister having Don Lothario to herself!


Don turned around and saw Dina standing there, watching them, which made him panic. He didn't want to lose any of his girls, so in a desperate effort to make it up with her, Don jumped forward and tried to kiss her, but Dina pulled him off. 

That's when Nina started getting angry, and she said it was over between them. Dina then slapped Don and told them that she would be moving in with Mortimer, and Nina could keep their old condo, as well as its possessions.

Although she didn't know it, Dina had made the smart decision for once. By slapping Don Lothario in the face, she had secured her fate forever. She was now Mortimer's woman only, and she had found someone at last. Both girls had found their own paths, and Don was left without either of them, all alone except geeky Cassandra Goth for a fiancee.

Chapter Four

Epilogue/Old Demons

There was a long period of silence between the sisters after Dina moved into the Goth manor. Both girls were busy adjusting to their new lives. Dina was being taught how to live like a true Goth lady inside the mansion, which involved learning the piano. But with all of Dina's new responsibilities and training, it was nothing compared to the struggle of Nina, who was having to accept life without her twin sister.

One day, the sense of detachment became too much, and Nina decided that she should at least give Dina a call. She had never been as angry toward Dina as much as she was right now, but she missed her all the same. No matter what had happened between the two, Nina simply couldn't let go of her like that. 

She picked up the phone and dialed the number of the Goth manor. She was relieved to hear Dina answer, because she didn't want to have to talk to Mortimer.

'Hello, Dina Goth speaking.' she said

'...Hello,' Nina said.

'Hello, Nina' she responded, recognizing her voice. 'How is it going?'

But Nina couldn't summon up any words. She had a thousand things she had wanted to say to her, but she couldn't remember them. She wanted to ask her how seriously, if at all, her marriage to Mortimer was, but she couldn't do it. She couldn't ask something so blatant, not to Dina. Instead, she had a more realistic question for her:

'Dina, do you realize that Bella has disappeared?'

'Of course,' Dina said casually.

'She hasn't died,' Nina elaborated, 'she's disappeared.'

'I know.'

'So what if they found her tomorrow, and she came back to the Goth manor?' she said firmly,

'What about it?'

'What would you do?'

Dina froze, as if she suddenly understood the question.

'...She won't be coming back,' she responded bluntly.

Nina's heart leapt at the confidence with how Dina said it. Did Dina know something about Bella's disappearance? Perhaps Don had confided something in her?

'How do you know?' Nina said,

'You should know. Both of us should know.' Dina said. Nina was stunned, because she had a million ideas of what she was talking about, but not sure which was the right one.

'What are you talking about?' she stammered

'Come on Nina, don't play dumb!' she said. 'Didn't you read the newspaper? Didn't you hear what Bella was doing before she disappeared? ''Looking through Don's telescope...' she said. Dina didn't normally read the newspaper. 'And can you guess what Mortimer has been doing ever since we started dating? He's been looking through his telescope. If he's not with me, he's with his telescope. He doesn't pay any attention to his kids, Alex or Cassandra. He just stares into the skies, all night.'

Nina's heart was racing. 

'That's because he's psycho,' she said, 'everyone knows Mortimer's a psycho.'

'Oh, is he really?' Dina said with confidence, 'when will you stop being stupid, Nina? We all know about our own family's history - about our father's. We knew what kind of risk we were taking by coming here! We've endangered all of Pleasantview. They took Bella, and they will take others, but I'm not going to be persecuted the minute they suspect something's not right. If I'm Mortimer's woman, I'm safe.'

'That's a lie.' Nina said, her voice rising. 'You're only marrying Mortimer because he's the richest man in all of Pleasantview. It has nothing to do with our family.'

'Think what you want, that won't change what happened to Bella.'

Nina couldn't think up a response to this, and she couldn't think up any other possible explanation of what happened to Bella. She knew full well that Don Lothario would have to be madder than Mortimer to do anything to Bella Goth, but Dina's explanation was one she couldn't handle. How could they be involved? For what reason would they want to take Bella? She didn't want to imagine the possibilities.

'In that case,' Nina croaked, 'why don't you explain to Mortimer that Don had nothing to do with it?'

Dina laughed.

'Do you really think Mortimer would want to believe he didn't do it? Mortimer shouldn't have to worry about that now, he's old and he's sick, but he isn't through with Don. He has guaranteed that he will take revenge on Don before he dies, which will happen soon enough – with myself being the recipient of his vast fortune!'

'Take revenge on Don!!?' Nina shouted, 'but there's no proof Don had anything to do with Bella's disappearance!'

'You think that matters?' Dina smirked, 'No, Mortimer doesn't want to avenge Bella. He has a personal vendetta against Don.'

'Why!?'

'Why shouldn't he? Don is a triple-timing playboy. He's a sleazebag. He's engaged Mortimer's daughter, yet he's still getting with people like his housemaid... and with you! I've grown past that, but he hasn't!'

Nina paused.

'You still like him,' she said, even though she knew it was a weak rebuttal, 'you got jealous when you saw him with me. '

'That's what you call it?' she said, sneering, 'Jealousy? No, I just realized at that point that Don Lothario is scum. It took Mortimer to make me realize it, because Mortimer is a wonderful, brilliant man. Don Lothario is going to get what he deserves, mark my words. What goes around comes around.'

And she hung up the phone, leaving Nina alone, stunned and fearful. She had never felt so vulnerable, only half of a woman, now that her twin was gone from her life. She felt afraid of the future, and the secrets that it might reveal; but even more afraid of the past, and the forgotten facts that might be uncovered. 

Thus ends the second issue of the Declassified History of Pleasantview. We have learned of another story, involving different people, tied together by nothing but the cruel directions of fate. What will Dina and Mortimer do, now they are alone? How will Mortimer's children react? And what will become of Nina, only half the woman she once was? What on earth happened to Bella Goth?

And most of all, what will happen to Don Lothario, now that he's lost everyone in his life except Cassandra? This is the question that will be fully answered in next weeks' episode. You don't wanna miss it, because the drama has only just begun! Follow today or subscribe by e-mail.

Don't think, just do it!

S1E2 "Cutting the Caliente Cake" Credits:

Characters are original creations of Maxis

Blog written by Douglas Wingate

Snow Globe Mod photo courtesy of Numenor - the Modfather