At the crack of dawn on a blizzardy New Year’s Eve, Dwight Echols arrives at his shop in Copperdale, just as he’s done numerous times over the last few months since purchasing it. Dwight started his shop, D’s Flowers & Jewelry, with only 589 simoleons left in his pocket after buying the building and covering the shop’s build-out.
Since then, Dwight has been relying on the proceeds from his early, less skillful creations to cover the costs of building up inventory for his shop. As a level 8 gemologist, he now can craft more valuable pieces, translating to increased revenue for reinvestment in his business. After much effort, he has finally created enough inventory to open his shop, although it’s still approximately a week away from becoming a reality.
During this period, Dwight perseveres by making sacrifices and trimming expenses wherever possible. His meals consist of inexpensive cold cuts and sandwiches, and every waking moment is devoted to his entrepreneurial dream. The lack of a social life drives him to seek companionship online, engaging in conversations through internet forums. And when it comes to rest, he forgoes the travel time back to his apartment, opting instead to sleep on the showroom floor, in a sleeping bag.
In addition to his crystal creations, Dwight plans to sell his unique flower arrangements. He acquired this skill during an elective while attending university and has become quite proficient. Currently, he’s a level seven florist.
Dwight is planning his inventory displays when his shop door bursts open, and a woman, out of breath and red-faced, comes barging in.
Brianna: Oh, good! You’re open. I need a last-minute gift for a co-worker.
Dwight regrets forgetting to lock the door. He’s going to have to let this woman down easily.
Dwight: Sorry, ma’am. I’m not quite open yet.
Brianna: *slightly insulted* Ma’am? Do I look old enough to be a ma’am?
Dwight wants to kick himself for forgetting that northern women hate to be called ‘ma’am.’
Dwight: Not at all. Sorry about that. *embarrassed chuckle* Blame my Southern upbringing. Back home, every woman is called ma’am.
Brianna: It’s okay. Sorry to bother you. I didn’t realize you weren’t open for business yet.
The woman turns and heads out the door. Dwight reprimands himself in his head once again, ‘What the hell are you doing, man? Are you going to turn this woman away? You have stuff to sell, so sell it!”
Dwight: Uh, miss! One moment.
She stops just outside the door and turns to look at him, hopeful.
Dwight: You’re here now. Maybe I can help you find the perfect gift.
Brianna: Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience you or get you in trouble with your boss.
Dwight: It’s no trouble. I’m the owner. Name’s Dwight – Dwight Echols.
Brianna: So that’s what the ‘D’ stands for. Nice to meet you, Dwight. I’m Bri.
Dwight: Well, Bri, feel free to look around and let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.
Brianna: Thanks, I appreciate it.
Bri begins looking around. Dwight turns and almost faints from embarrassment when he sees his sleeping bag still on the floor. She can’t help but notice.
Brianna: So, you sleep here too?
Dwight: At times. Creating is time-consuming, and grabbing some z’s here keeps me close to my work. It saves me the time it takes to pack myself up and –
Dwight stops and realizes that he’s chatting out of nervousness. His response doesn’t require a long explanation.
Brianna: No judgment here.
Bri walks around the shop, checking out what Dwight has to offer.
Brianna: So you make the flower arrangements, too?
Dwight: I make almost everything you see here.
Bri checks the price on a few items.
Brianna: Impressive, but I’m afraid your items are too high quality and expensive to give to a co-worker I barely know.
Dwight: Understood. I’ll take that as a compliment. I can make something custom for your co-worker if you like. I have lower-quality metals and gems upstairs in my workshop, or maybe a simple flower arrangement will do.
Bri ignores the second suggestion because the first one is much more compelling.
Brianna: A custom item? That might still be a bit much for her, but I’d consider something custom for myself.
Dwight: Well, can I show you what I’m working on? If you have time, it sounds like you’re in a hurry.
Brianna: Upstairs?
Her tone indicates how shady the suggestion sounds. Dwight certainly doesn’t mean to make her uncomfortable.
Dwight: On second thought, I can grab it and bring –
Her eyes light up with interest, and Dwight can almost see the exact moment she decides to take him up on his offer.
Brianna: I’m curious to see what goes into creating some of this stuff.
Dwight: Okay, cool. Come on up!
Bri follows Dwight halfway up before stopping suddenly.
Brianna: You’re not bringing me up here to murder me, are you? I’ve heard about that new technology that can turn sim ashes into diamonds.
Dwight: True, but I assure you it’s cheaper to purchase diamonds, and that process takes more work than I have time for.
Brianna: Oh
Dwight: *reassuring chuckle* Don’t worry. You’re safe with me.
Bri climbs the rest of the stairs and looks around.
Dwight: *to his smart speaker* Lin-Z, play my ‘favs’ list.
Bri starts bobbing her head as soon as she hears the first song.
Brianna: Oh, you’re up here jamming! I love this song.
Dwight: Same here
Dwight walks over to his table and begins gathering his tools. Bri walks over to watch.
Brianna: So, what are you working on?
Dwight: This is going to be a set of dangling botanical earrings.
Brianna: That sounds interesting. I’d like to see the finished product. How long does it usually take?
Dwight: About an hour or so. Stay as long as you like. I could use the company.
Bri calculates the hour it would take him to finish and considers her plans for the day. She decides that watching Dwight work is much more interesting than some boring office New Year’s Eve/ Retirement party. She’ll get to the party when she gets there.
She’s suddenly conscious of herself standing there, breathing down Dwight’s neck. She’s sure that her proximity will impede his work, so Bri turns and walks away while swaying her hips to the next song on Dwight’s playlist, another favorite.
Brianna: I’m going over here to be nosy.
Dwight: Make yourself at home. I have nothing to hide.
Bri makes her way to the bookshelf and spots a piece of paper sticking out of one of the books. Without thinking, she pulls it out.
Brianna: I hope this wasn’t serving as a bookmark or something.
Dwight is unbothered. He continues diligently working as Bri looks closely at the sheet.
Brianna: Hmmm, a report card – from Foxbury University. So, you went to college?
Dwight: I did and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts.
Brianna: Cool. Good grades, too! I went to Britechester for one semester, landed a bomb internship – which led to my current job, and dropped out.
Dwight: So what do you do?
Brianna: I work as a Food Critic for the San Myshuno Times.
Dwight: Uh oh! I’d be terrified to cook for a critic.
Brianna: No need to be. Some well-known critics couldn’t boil water. I’m one of them.
Bri replaces the report card as best she can and turns back to see Dwight’s progress. He works quickly and is very good with his hands.
Brianna: So, when do you plan on opening?
Dwight: I have a few more shelves to fill. I figure it will take at least a week.
Bri sits down on the couch and thinks about what Dwight has said.
Brianna: Can I offer you a suggestion?
Dwight: Sure
Brianna: If you specialized in custom jewelry, you wouldn’t have to worry about filling your shelves. You’d only need enough to show how good the quality is.
Dwight: That’s not a bad idea because the longer I wait to open, the more money I lose.
Brianna: See? That’s a shame.
Bri pulls out her phone to check her social media accounts.
Brianna: Are you on Social Bunny or SimTube?
Dwight: I am, but I’m guilty of neglecting my accounts. When I find the time, I plan to start updating them again.
Brianna: It might be an excellent way to get the word out about your business.
Dwight: True! *slight pause* Uh, excuse my rudeness. Would you like something to drink? There’s an extra seltzer water there in my lunch bag.
Brianna: Actually, I am a little thirsty.
Dwight: It’s there if you want it.
Bri walks over and grabs a grapefruit seltzer from the bag.
Brianna: Thanks, I appreciate it.
Dwight: You’re welcome.
After a few moments, Dwight puts down his tools.
Dwight: Alright, all done!
Bri walks over, takes a look, and lets out an audible gasp.
Brianna: Oh my Watcher – Dwight! They’re beautiful and in my favorite colors.
Dwight: Then you should have them.
Brianna: What? There’s no way. Those have to be worth at least 1000 simoleons. I couldn’t possibly –
Dwight: Consider it payment for the sound business advice you gave me.
Brianna: I couldn’t. It’s too much.
Dwight: Well, at least try them on.
Bri picks up the beautiful pair of earrings, puts them on, and instantly falls in love.
Brianna: Aw, Dwight. I almost wouldn’t believe you made these if you hadn’t made them before my eyes.
Dwight: I’ll take that as a compliment, too.
Brianna: I have to have them, but I insist on paying you for them. I’ll meet you at the register.
Bri has judged right; those earrings could sell for over 1000 simoleons. But in his eyes, they now belong to her, and there’s no way he’s charging her full price for them. Having her here today is payment enough, but he tries to settle on a price she’d accept.
Dwight fumbles around upstairs a moment before finally joining Bri downstairs. She agrees to his deflated price and pays him.
Brianna: Thanks Dwight. I’ve taken enough of your time. I still need to find a gift and head to my office party.
Bri turns to leave. Dwight hesitates, then rushes over before she makes it to the door. He clears the nerves from his throat.
Dwight: Before you leave, I wanted to ask one thing.
Bri stops and faces him.
Brianna: What’s that?
Dwight pulls out a rose he was saving for one of his flower arrangements and presents it to Bri.
Dwight: I know this might sound odd because you just met me. But I was hoping you’d allow me to take you to dinner. I mean, I’d understand if you –
Bri stops him mid-sentence and accepts the rose.
Brianna: That’s so sweet. Of course, I’d love to.
Dwight can’t believe his luck. Was that a ‘yes’?
Dwight: Really?
He doesn’t mean to sound so unsure of himself, but he’s never exactly had women beating down his door.
Brianna: Yes. I was hoping you’d ask to avoid me stopping by every day until you did.
Dwight can’t believe his ears. He stands there staring at Bri, admiring her beauty, feeling completely dumbfounded.
Brianna: Look me up on Social Bunny under Brianna Blu. So will I see you soon?
Dwight: Yes – very soon.
She turns to leave again.
Dwight: Thanks for stopping by –
Dwight keeps the last part to himself, ‘and changing my life forever.’
The End
Thanks for reading this short Banks Dynasty Interlude featuring my new character, Dwight, and Dub’s cousin, Brianna. And thanks to EA for the game code, making this short story possible.
A more generic version of Dwight’s shop is available here: Glitz Flowers & Jewelry
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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