Series 2; Episode 2:
BAD LUCK BURBS
John Burb was excited, not particularly mournful, about the passing of the town's defacto mayor, Mortimer Goth. After all, this was the time that his political group, the Simulation party could gain momentum.
The party was originally formed to bring into question Mortimer's ability to govern effectively, and now that he had died, the people of Pleasantview could speak freely as never before, reconsidering just how wonderful and noble Mortimer truly was. The Goth reputation had been tarnished and dirtied, and their history came into reconsideration. This was somewhat tragic, but fortunate for John. The way he saw it, the golden age of the Goth family was over, since Mortimer died without having a true heir. Sure, he had had four children, but they were all disillusioned and estranged. Indeed, the golden age of the Goths was over.
John's family, however, was as solid as a rock. Jennifer was the picture perfect wife, caring about little but fashion and fine cooking; and Lucy was simply the most likable lassie you ever did meet. Brad and Tiffany, John's parents, would be happy had they seen the idyllic vision that Burb tradition sought.
However, things were not quite as idyllic as John had wished. He had, after all, made the unfortunate decision of moving from SimCity to Pleasantview while unemployed. He barely scraped out a living doing campaign work at §37 an hour.
However, he persisted, and was successful in applying for that internship. This paid §70 per hour, however, the work days were shorter, and he was required to travel to SimCity simply to do errand work for the controller. However, the §840 bonus made Burb comfortable enough to start considering what he could do for his little girl's future. He organized an application for Smuggsworth Prep, inviting over Headmaster Vince Walter for dinner. However, Vince declined the first time, simply because the family didn't have enough money. Heartbroken, Burb chose not to pursue the subject of preparatory education for a while - not until he knew he could afford it.
Much time passed, but John was still stuck with the tedious errand work at SimCity. Why, oh why, he asked, hadn't he just stayed in SimCity? Why did he think it a smart idea to move back to Pleasantview? Sure, it was a beautiful, idyllic community, but hadn't he stopped to consider the costs? It seems that he had not.
Since her father had to spend so much time out of the house, Lucy grew into a terrific young lady, also growing tired of only having Mother for company. She became more and more social with other youths in Pleasantview, such as the Broke boys on Woodland drive, which made John angry. 'Stay away from those kids, they're no good!,' he said. But Lucy didn't stay away.
John soon found out that she was dating one of the younger of the Broke brothers, Beau. Very doubtful of the young man, especially it being that his brother, Dustin, was a petty criminal scumbag loser, John demanded that he meet Beau. His doubts remained, but he didn't stop Lucy from seeing him. Especially, given that he wanted to focus more and more on his internship.
Finally, he got his big break, when a group of lobbyists agreed to bring John on board permanently. They would support the Simulation party, under the conditions that Burb partake in their activities and ventures to the best of his ability. The thousand simoleons up front was an offer Burb couldn't refuse. To this extend, Burb thought he was selling himself out, but he had no choice. He wanted, more than anything, to get Lucy into Smuggsworth, so she wouldn't have to be a later starter like him. Any way he could, John was determined to give his daughter the best.
Big John returned to Pleasantview, and with the support of the lobbyists, declared himself campaign manager of the Simulation party. However, he didn't head straight to work. Rather, he had an old score to settle. With the help of the §5,000 he had amassed, he organized a luscious get-together with Vince Walter. John, now armed with influential charisma, was able to persuade the headmaster that his daughter should attend Smuggsworth.
More good news when Jennifer announced she was pregnant. Soon enough, a young boy joined the family. John decided to name him William, after his grandfather, William Marsh, who had moved out of the city to Old Town, where his daughter, Tiffany, met Brad Burb. Tiffany convinced Brad to live in the city with her, so she could continue her department store job, but Brad grew tired of it, moving back to old town. John named his boy William to symbolize the hectic life he had endured, living in Pleasantview but working in the city. His full name was William Burb II, and would be John's heir. Unlike what happened with Mortimer, John told himself, he would not let his heir escape him. 'You'll make me proud one day,' John said.
To accommodate the growing family, the Burbs moved to a bigger, two story house. However, this had once again drained a lot of money, and the lights didn't work. Family life around this time was hectic. As Lucy's studies multiplied, she also needed a part time job at a gas-station to support the family. Jennifer, on the other hand, was too busy tending to a very needy William.
This culminated when John Burb was elected representative of Pleasantview. He now had his own office at SimCity Council, and was once again spending much of his time out in town. He became preoccupied mostly, with bills and laws which would bring a greater free-market to Pleasantview. However, he was standing alone against the masses. Pleasantview's business was state owned, but John was determined that change. He continued to partner with Mary-Sue Pleasant, and the Simulation party became the new face of Pleasantview. The stress this added to the rest of the family cannot be underestimated. Whenever he did return home, it would mostly be to help Lucy with her studies. She also had a part time out-of-town job as a gold caddy.
Above everything else, Lucy was continuing her relationship with Beau Broke. However, John was becoming increasingly suspicious of Beau, hearing stories of wild parties and possible flings with other girls. If word of this became true, John would organize his banishment from town.
However, above all the stories, Lucy remained faithful. She announced one day that Beau was leaving for college, and she would be going with him. They moved into a dormitory together, where they began their new life.
However, the idealistic young couple were soon to be shaken. Straight after her arrival in college, Lucy's lovely mother, Jennifer, died from a heart attack, and everything changed for the Burb family. William was without a Mother, and John would have to loosen up on his work to take care of the boy. Worst of all, Lucy's introduction to University would always have an unhappy memory about it. Would her love for Beau be enough to leave this unfortunate happening behind?
But this isn't about Beau and Lucy, nor about John. For now we shall make the case in point the young boy, William, who lost something so precious at such an early age, much like Beau.
John looked at the young boy as he cried at her mother's grave. I am all he has, now, he thought. And he is all I have. You better not let me down, William. If you let me down, you'll be letting your mother down.
What will become of this shattered family? Will John and young William persevere together? How about Beau and Lucy? What if nobodies perseveres and everybody screws up? They might! - find out in future installments of the History of Pleasantview!
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