princess going digital

[Phone dialling] (Automated Voice): Your call has been forwarded to voicemail. Please leave a message after the tone.

(Max): Hi, it’s me. Was gonna text you but thought a call was easier. No luck on the flats today…I saw like 4 in total and each one was more shite than the last. As I’ve not heard from you I assume family stuff is keeping you busy, so text or ring me when you can…ok byeee. [they hang up.]

[Max, unlocking their gate]

(???): Max?

(Max): [Startled] Fuck! Ty? You came out of nowhere!

(Ty): Sorry. Weren’t sure if it was you or not. Should’ve clocked by your hair though.

(Max): …Right. Well, what are you doing here?

(Ty): Oh well I guess I just wanted to see if you were…I mean you didn’t go to the memorial.

(Max): So?

(Ty): [Fidgeting, nervous] Look, can we go inside?I need to talk you…about Aish.

(Max): …I’m not doing this right now. You need to leave.

(Ty): Wait, please. I swear I won’t be much longer. I just need to ask you something.

(Max): Fine. One question.

(Ty): O-ok. [low, nervous] …Did you know anything about what Aish was doing before? …Like I knew about their dad, but I didn’t know they were…like I thought they were just selling a bit, but I think there was…other stuff. At the time, did anything seem off to you?

(Max): [low, weary] Jesus Christ.

(Ty): Sorry, I know it’s a lot, but I’ve had this theory for a while. Aish was mentally fucked but who isn’t? I just don’t think they killed themself.

(Max): Stop. Talking.

(Ty): [Desperate] Maxwe were the only ones that knew Aish properly. I know you two fell out but this is bigger than that! What if they got into something dangerous? There was this one guy that would pick them up sometimes for jobs and I thought that maybe--

(Max): Okay, enough!

(Ty): But--

(Max): [low, gritted teeth] –Tamir you need to stop smoking skunk. It is mashing up your brain. Sometimes people just kill themself and it’s more than disrespectful to Aish’s memory to make up some fucked-up fantasy about how they died instead of just trying to accept it and move on.

(Ty): Max I--

[DAY - MAGNOLIA STREET STATION/LENA’S CAR]

(Lena): [On the phone to AJ]…I’m not too sure… Last I heard he was working for the WC lot…Mmhm and now I’ve gotta drive back up to Copperdale tomorrow night. Maybe earlier if it’s what we suspect…Real talk I think shit’s about to hit the fan…These lot are out here applying serious pressure...Yeah I know, but I don’t have final say yet…[Noticing Max] Look, I’ve got to go but I’ll text you…give Ren my love.

[***]

[Day - Busy city street]

(Lucy): Wait babe did I tell you about Kyla?

(Jarell): No? What’s happened now?

(Lucy): Oh my days! You know how we thought she was messing with V’s work friend?

(Jarell): Yeah…

(Lucy): We were right! And she got caught by her mum!

(Jarell): Swear down?

(Lucy): Yes! When V told me I almost died, man.

[A CAR PULLS UP]

(Jarell): Rah. So the mum walked in on them?

(Lucy): Mmhm and she got straight on the phone snitch! Can you imag-

[TWO GUNSHOTS RING OUT, THE CAR SPEEDS OFF]

[SCREAMS AND SIRENS CAN BE HEARD IN THE DISTANCE]

(Estate Agent): So, what are we thinking?

(Cleo): It’s cute, isn’t it Max?

(Max): [disinterested] Mmhm. What's the rent again?

(Estate Agent): £1395 per month.

(Max): And there’s no parking?

(Estate Agent): There’s not. But there’s timed free parking on the roads nearby and the flat itself does have top of the range white goods and a brand-new dishwasher. so, it’s not a bad trade off.

(Max): …I see.

[An awkward silence falls, the agent grows nervous.]

(Estate Agent): Why don’t I give you two a moment to think? I'll head downstairs and we can reconvene in ten.

(Cleo): That'd be great. Thank you.

[The estate agent leaves]

(Cleo): What’s the problem?

(max): I dunno…it’s too…white. and the no parking thing’s shit too.

(Cleo): Babe, it's modern! your last place barely had central heating! plus, you don’t even have a car! When was the last time you drove?

(Max): Okay one: it had character, two: I might get a car in the future and three: I have friends that drive! i.e. you!

(Cleo): Max be serious. this place has great transport links and it’s double the size of your old place…is it a money thing? ‘Cause I’m happy to help you out until you’re back on your feet.

(max): No! I’m waiting on the money my old boss has for me…Also I have a job again so…

(Cleo): Excuse me?

(Max): [Sighing, quiet] I got my old job back at the dollhouse.

(Cleo): Seriously?

(Max): Cleo-

(Cleo): Max, I say this with love, but sometimes I just do not get you. you were only meant to bartend for a few months and then suddenly you’re a manager, which, like fine, okay- at least you’re being a boss bitch but now it’s gone, which must be awful I know, but instead of trying to move forward you’ve gone bloody backwards! What was the point of working your arse off in uni if you’re just gonna abandon it all?

(Max): Cleo I’ve got enough shit to deal with without you judging me on top of it. just because my life doesn’t look like you think it should, it doesn’t mean I’m not trying to do what’s fucking best for me.

(Cleo): Okay I-

(Max): -Maybe if people I cared about didn’t keep dying then I could stop for a while and properly sort my shit out but for now-

(Cleo): -Wait Max I’m sorry.I'm not trying to fight with you. it’s just- I think you deserve the world and that you shouldn’t have to settle for shitty jobs or…too white flats with no parking for your future car.

Miranda

HAIR /// @simandy

GLASSES /// @blahberry-pancake

EARRINGS /// @sentate

RINGS /// @liyahsim

OUTFIT 1 /// @rimings

OUTFIT 2 /// @sentate

Andy

HAIR /// @simcelebrity00

TOP /// @sentate

PANTS /// @gorillax3-cc

NECKLACE /// @joliebean

EARRINGS /// @joliebean

RINGS /// @christopher067

HEELS /// @sentate

Emily

HAIR /// ea lol

RINGS /// @arethabee

OUTFIT /// @madlensims

HEELS /// @sentate

Amari

HAIR /// @orchiona

RINGS /// @christopher067

EARRINGS /// @ice-creamforbreakfast

TOP /// @its-adrienpastel

SKIRT /// @rustys-cc

TIGHTS /// @helgatisha

HEELS /// @jius-sims

POSES

@helgatisha, @roselipaofficial, @atelier-saramaro

[TEN YEARS EARLIER]

(Winston): [Getting ready for bed] Don’t give me that look ‘Mara. What’s done is done.

(Amara): It was an accident, Winston. The outcome should be punishment enough.

(Winston): -It was careless. She’s always pushed her luck but now she’s gone too fucking far. If it wouldn't reflect so poorly on the family I’d leave her to her fate. 

[Amara sighs before standing up and heading towards the door]

(Winston): Darling, wait. Please listen to me. I need you and Lena to understand that Selvadorada is the last chance. For too long that girl has been wild and defiant… Like a poorly trained dog. I cannot allow her depravities to taint what I’ve worked so hard to build...what we have. If she doesn’t get her shit together we’re cutting her out. For good.

[***]

(AJ): So…What did you tell her?

(Simone): You off now?

(Max): Yep, staying with Jordan for a few days.

(Simone): [Calling out] Alright love. Have fun!

****

(Bus Announcement): Next Stop: Iverson Road.

(Girl #1 - Kiana): [Quiet] Don’t make it bait but isn’t that that Max babe we went school with?

(Girl #2 - Meena): [Loud]Really? Where?

(Girl #1): Shh man! [Subtly nodding] over there, sitting down.

(Girl #2): Sorry…I think it is you know. They look bare different.

(Girl #1): Outfit eats though. Wait! Didn’t they used to be close with Aish Desai?

(Girl #2): Oh yeah! Everyone thought they were going out at one point.

(Girl #1):  Yeah. Must’ve fell out though, cos they weren’t at Aish’s memorial or nothing.

(Girl #2): Really? I swear their mum died recently though? I’m mutuals with Danielle on insta, I remember her posting something about her stepmum…end of last year I think?

(Girl #1): Shit. Wasn’t the stepmum in prison too? That’s fucking long man imagine your mum dies in jail and then your friend passes too.

(Girl #2): God forbid. No wonder they look so miserable.

[The bus comes to a stop, Max, having overheard parts of the conversation, shoves past Meena to exit the bus]

(Girl #1): Woah! You can’t say excuse me?

[Max kisses their teeth in response]

(Lena): Me sorprende que eligieras un lugar tan público. [I'm surprised you chose such a public place.]

(Amara): Es mucho más privado de lo que parece…Y Richard dice que la comida es deliciosa. [It's much more private than it seems…and Richard says the food is delicious.]

(Lena): ¿Desde cuándo vuelves a trabajar con Richard? [Since when were you working with Richard again?]

(Amara): ¿Dije que estaba relacionado con el trabajo mija? [Did I say it was work related?]

(Lena): Mami, ¿qué es esto? ¿Te has pasado los últimos cuatro años jurando no volver a pisar la ciudad y ahora de repente estás aquí como si fuera normal? [Mum, what is this? You’ve spent the last four years vowing to never set foot in the city again and now you’re here out of the blue like it’s normal?]

(Amara): Contigo siempre son negocios. Igual que tu pa- Ejem. Te sacaré de tu miseria. Me haré cargo de la operación. Te quiero a mi lado cuando lo haga. [It’s always business with you. Just like your fa-[Off Lena’s sharp look] Ahem. I’ll put you out of your misery. I’m taking over the operation. I want you by my side when I do.]

(Lena): ¿Perdón? [Sorry?]

(Amara): Ya me has oído. Tu hermano ya no es viable, los accionistas quieren retirarse y el sueño de tu padre ha fracasado. Ahora es mi turno. Es nuestro. [You heard me. Your brother is no longer viable, the shareholders want to pull out and your father’s dream has failed. It’s my turn now. It’s ours.]

(Lena): [stunned] I…I don’t know what to say.