01-10. Everyone Loves a Clown?

Get a Clue: Part 4-He's Harmless

Butler and John had a little talk with Charlie. They apologized for keeping him locked up, but he was going to spoil their little game. Did he like games? Sure, Charlie liked games. ... What game?

Butler: See, we're having a mystery weekend at the manor. The mascot's hiding from us somewhere in the house and we need to find her. Everyone on his--or her--own. A big prize is at stake. We can't have you outside in the van giving away hints about what you've seen. Know what I mean?

Charlie: Oh, right. Cause I like to hang out in front of the manor, you mean, and talk to Josey when she comes to get her fudgesicle. Not that she'd be doing much of that in all this rain though. So ... can I play? I'm good at sneaking around and stuff.

Butler: We might be able let you play. But for now, it's better that you stay here out of the way. Everyone will visit, and you can ask them about the game. How about that? Then maybe later we can let you join us--once you've learned all the clues. All right?

Charlie knew they weren't going to let him out. No way. They didn't want him playing their game. He was too good at games, and they knew that. Well, he'd just have to find his own way out of these rooms, that's all. Charlie had to think. And he did his best thinking while he was driving.

Charlie's first visitor was a little white-haired lady, Mrs. Peacock. She acted real funny. Charlie didn't think she trusted him, so he didn't say a word. He knew he shouldn't upset Mrs. Peacock--she wasn't the friendly type.

Miss White didn't look too friendly either. She was nervous and her eyes shifted around a lot. But she acted all motherly and concerned for Charlie. And she brought him food. At first Charlie didn't want to eat, but he was hungry, so he took a risk. And it was ok. He didn't get sleepy like when he'd eaten Mr Didit's apple.

Charlie really enjoyed Colonel Mike's visit. They watched TV together and laughed. But the Colonel didn't want to talk about the Mascot Hide and Seek game. Charlie got nothing new out of him. But he did notice Colonel Mike glancing at the sealed window behind Charlie's chair. Was it a way out?

Then Josey came to visit. He hadn't seen her for two days, but she was as lovely as ever. Josey had always been nice to Charlie, so he told her how mad he was about being locked up. Couldn't she help him?

Josephine: Charlie, I can't do anything right now. Why don't you just relax and when the others have calmed down, we'll, uh, let you join our game. You have to earn everyone's trust since you didn't pay to get in.

Charlie wasn't happy about that news. He didn't have any money, not even in his ice cream till. He always gave Josey her fudgesicle free of charge.

Charlie: Aw, Josey. You know me. I'm not going to spoil anyone's fun. ... Say, why don't you and I work together. I'll be on your team--but you can keep the prize.

Josephine: Let me think about it, Charlie. I like you. Honest I do.

Charlie: I think you'd do better if I was your partner. I don't like the way some of these guys play. They look a little greedy to me, Josey. What if you get hurt? I'm worried about you.

Josephine: That's so sweet of you, Charlie. You really are a doll. But ... but it's only a game. I'll be fine.

Charlie didn't agree. He was no fool, even though people thought he was. That was ok with him. He enjoyed tricking everyone. He learned a lot of secrets pretending to be the fool. In the end, Charlie outsmarted them all.

Charlie: What do you think, Tiddle? Should we sneak out of these rooms tonight? Do a little exploring? ... Yes, let's do! ... Oh no, we better keep Tattle Bear out of it. You know he'll tell on us. Can't have that, now can we?

Tiddle: Chatter, chatter! Chit, chit, giggle!

Charlie: Good idea! The Professor should be here any minute. Now you keep quiet and don't give us away, Tiddle.

Charlie moved into the bathroom next door and stood by the window. He checked the locks and the cemented casing. There was no way he could sneak out this way without making a lot of racket. He needed a key.

Peter: What are you doing, clown? Don't even think about it. There's no way out of here for you, except in a straight-jacket. I know all about you, Charlie Stalker. So might as well give in.

Charlie: Give in to you, Professor Plum? Or should I call you Doctor Prune, my favorite psychiatrist?

Peter: Well, well. Recognize me too, do you? You always knew more than you let on, didn't you, Charlie? But that's all over now. It's time we had another of our little ... chats.

01-09. We Have a Guest

Get a Clue: Part 3-Something to Hide

It was time to let the others know that they had an unwelcome guest. Butler would have kept this knowledge to himself if given a choice, but there wasn't a safe place in the mansion to hide a live man without risking discovery. Better to be upfront about the clown and hope for the best.

Butler: A word, gentlemen, if you please. Find the others and meet me in the library. I have something important to discuss ... and it can't wait.

Butler: There's been someone watching the house for several days now, for hours on end. It's quite possible that he saw the mascot arrive ... and not leave. Something had to be done about him.

Blanche: What are you saying! Not another body!

Butler: I hope you're not accusing me of murder, my dear. What happened to young Carie was certainly not my fault, I assure you. The snoop is merely being detained downstairs until we can sort things out.

Boddy: Are you sure that was wise, Mr Didit? Bringing an outsider into our midst? What if this person is the one responsible for Carie's death ... and mine.

Josephine: He's right! You've dragged a murderer into the manor! He must have gotten to Carie somehow. He'll kill us all. We're doomed!

John: If you'd seen this guy, you'd know that's bunk! The man's a clown, for crying out loud. Literally. He sells ice cream. Truth be told, we think he's been hanging around to catch glimpses of you, Josephine. He's a real loser.

Butler: Nevertheless, he might have seen something. I suggest we humor the young man. Tell him we're holding a house party. A mystery weekend, that sort of thing. And once the storm lets up, Josephine can dress in the mascot costume and pretend to leave. The clown will be a witness to the fact that Carie was only here for the fun.

Peter: Sounds like an excellent plan, given the circumstances. We just need to keep cool. Entertain the fellow and win his trust. A united front and all that.

Boddy: Well, easy for you to say keep cool. I'm the one who's walking through walls now! Don't forget that.

Michael: If you think being a ghost makes you less of a suspect for killing the mascot, you can forget it! For all we know, you went nuts and killed yourself. And now you're after us!

Patricia: Stop it! I can't take any more of this! If we don't stick together, we'll never make it through this horror!

Butler: Quite so, madame. We need clear heads and cooperation. We'll take shifts with the clown. Be alert, but don't act suspicious. Remember, for him, it's all a game.

A game! Blanche was petrified with fear. What if someone else discovered her secret? What then?

Patricia: Mirror, mirror, tell the truth. Do any of the others know? Is there danger for me now?

John told himself he was not afraid. The jewels were hidden. No one would find them. Once he was free of this mess, he could forget everything. Everything.

The rain was coming down in blinding sheets. The phones were out and the road would soon be flooded. Michael was on his own now. He retrieved the message he'd left in the mailbox. No one would be picking it up in this storm.

Josephine: Butler, I don't like the idea of putting on that costume! Carie died in it! That mascot suit might have killed her even. How do we know? We don't!

Butler: I've searched that costume thoroughly, Josephine. There's nothing at all harmful about it. You mustn't worry. I personally cleaned and sanitized the suit myself. Trust me.

Meanwhile, Boddy Black came across an unexpected and terrifying sight while floating around upstairs. Carie had returned from the dead! Her ghost was weak--not as strong as he was--but she was still very, very real.

Boddy: My god, Carie! Why did you ever come back here? Why!

Carie: Boddy, I didn't know. I mean, I thought you were dead. That is, you know, dead dead. Underground. But I had to see the manor one more time. I had to come here.

Boddy: I don't remember what happened to me, Carie. Can't you tell me? Help me!

Carie: I don't know anything! Not about you--or about me. Look at me, Boddy! Look! I'm no better off than you are. Worse. I can only leave my grave for short times, then I'm called back. I'm so weak. And so lonely.

Boddy: You don't remember what happened that night? Nothing at all? But ... I know you were there, Carie. I know that much! I remember your voice, your face.

Carie: Yes, I was there. But I only remember the screaming. It's like a nightmare, a dark frightening dream. All I know is that I had to come back. ... And now we're both dead. Why, Boddy? What's wrong with this place?

With a whispering sigh, Carie vanished as Boddy stood silent. He had no answers to Carie's questions--or his own.

What had happened? And why? What was going on at Boddy Mansion? And would the nightmare ever end?

01-08. The Best of a Bad Situation

I'm putting together another Get a Clue chapter, but I have a few outtakes of Charlie. He seems to be doing great and doesn't mind his lockup!  I have the doors set so that he can't get out, but other sims can get in. They all come to visit him.  Apparently, they don't consider him a threat of any kind ... which means they haven't read the script!

Charlie: Bruummm, bruummm! Beep, beep!


Charlie: You know what would be good right now, Colonel Mike? Popcorn. Yah, popcorn with lots of butter!


Charlie: So Josey, are you going to drop by later tonight to see me? After everyone's asleep? ... I'll wait up.


Charlie (singing): I like to move it, move it!

01-07. Carie the Mascot

Here's a little background on Carie the dead mascot. She appeared as a ghost today in regular clothes and went straight to the juice bar. Technically, she died of starvation, but that's not what my story line says. Her death was a mystery. Poison? Strangling? Electrocution? Suffocation or heart attack caused by who knows what?

I didn't take Carie into CAS because she was doomed to be a ghost--at least for a while--but I did change her last name to Addle.

Carie Addle is an Out of Towner, a Libra YA with the usual mascot traits: Jock level 8, Flirty, Great Kisser, Party Animal, Athletic, Childish, Star Quality.

01-06. Charlie the Clown

I thought I'd share a little more about Charlie Stalker the Clown. I found him on a male YA list in NRaas MC. He was an Out of Towner with no role, no LTW and no traits. I changed his last name from Starkey to Stalker. I then took him into CAS and wiped the pudding from his face, gave him a decent wardrobe (and clown outfit), and chose traits and a LTW for him.

I also gave him an expensive camera, sketch pad, kicky bag, teddy bear, toy car, and a pet sprite.

Charlie Stalker: Pisces YA. Good Sense of Humor, Photographer's Eye, Easily Impressed, Childish, and Lucky.







Charlie playing kicky bag with his sprite companion.