Windsor Park: A City in Crisis Chapter 3

“All students please make you way to the auditorium… This assembly is mandatory.”

“You know Lacey, Mom and Dad are going to kill you when they get back…” said the younger brown-haired boy walking alongside his sister.

“Me? Ok, Michal, and who set fire to the science lab for the third time this year?” Lacey shot back, an annoyed look across her face. The look was not uncommon on the girl’s face, but her younger brother was quite used to it.

“Hey, better fire damage than pounding the head cheerleader of your squad. And how did you manage to turn a pompom into a deadly weapon?” Andy stated, turning away from his blonde-haired sister as the unlocked their adjacent lockers. “I can’t even begin to figure out that one.”

“At least they didn’t call Julie. You know she’d never let us stay home alone if she found out. I swear she’s like Mom on steroids or something…” Lacey continued, the tone in her voice finally normal after the duo’s trip to the principal’s office.

“Um…. About that, I kinda overheard the secretary on the phone with the hospital with what sounded vaguely like a dying howler monkey while you were screaming at the principal. I think we are totally screwed.”

In unison, they slammed their locker doors, and began walking again.

“So, how many days did she give you?” he continued. “I’m out for a month. Again.”

“Um… well, she didn’t say I was suspended….” Lacey muttered, “More like expelled.”

“Yep… you’re dead. When’s the funeral?” Michal sighed, as the two teenagers made their way out of the high school’s front doors.



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“Killing another howler monkey by phone again I see?” Justin said, as he flopped down on the worn-down leather sofa. “How bad did they screw up?”

“That clear who we’re talking about? Well, let’s put it this way, the principal made it more than clear that my assassin sister and mad scientist brother are no longer welcome at the high school.” Julie said with a sigh, clearly stressed with her siblings’ actions.

“Oh, come on, it can’t be that bad. What did Lacey do, kill someone? Or did Michal blow up the school?” Justin asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Actually, she tried to shove a pom-pom down some girl’s throat, after punching her in the nose and kicking her in the stomach. Oh, and Michal set fire to yet another science lab, this time with a Bunsen burner, some rubbing alcohol, and apparently his lab partner’s backpack…” Julie blurted out, her face blank.

“Uh… well… never mind…” Justin quietly replied. “I’m guessing you want me to help sibling-sit you’re pyro brother and psycho sister tonight?”

“Yeah, Mom and Dad are out of town again. Maybe we can talk Andy into it as well,” said Julie, trying desperately to change the subject, as her stomach let out a large growl. “Ready for lunch?”

“Andy is probably waiting for us outside. Let’s go…” said Justin, grabbing the two’s coats and pagers as they made way to the front entrance of the hospital.



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“You’re kidding me? Dude, seriously Jules, your sister is tough for a cheerleader.” Andy laughed, as he finished his slice of cake.

“I’m thinking a shock collar would be a good investment for my parents. Thank god the other girl’s parents aren’t pressing charges…” Julie laughed, “Probably afraid my brother will incinerate their house or something.”



At this, Justin began to laugh, and consequently choke on his Pepsi. As the bubbly soda shot out of his nose, his two companions quickly started laughing and moved as far away as the could in the small sitting area of the deli.

“Ews! Cola boogies!” Andy laughed in mock horror.

Julie, sticking out her tongue and already looking away, quickly stopped laughing as her attention was drawn to the small flat-panel on the wall.

“Hey, guys… shut up…” she voiced to the two laughing men behind her, as she raised her finger to point to the muted television. “Hey Miss Senna? Can you turn that up?”

As the short, middle aged Asian woman turned up the television, the entire patronage in the small restaurant quieted.

“…watching BBC News.

Making international headlines tonight, ISC officials today announced an early closing of the Windsor Park Simlympics.



During a press conference at ISC HQ, the President of the ISC had this to say:

“Thank you for coming. It’s with great sadness that I announce the postponement of the Windsor Park December Simlympics. We’ve been forced to postpone the games due to certain issues that have come up in the metropolitan area of Windsor Park. We here at the ISC held an emergency meeting this morning and concluded that we cannot put the safety of athletes at risk, and accordingly, we have asked all nations and cities to immediately bring their respective athletes home.

We plan on immediately continuing the Windsor Park events as soon as these underlying issues have been dealt with. We give our thanks Windsor Park for its gracious hosting, and look forward to continuing the games soon.”

This proves as another blow to the city, as the metro deals with a major rise in crime, including bizarre cases of domestic violence and what many are calling unprovoked riots in the streets. Adding further injury to the city is the continued medical epidemic hitting hospitals across the city. Many fear that a new, vicious strain of influenza may be to blame. As of this time, we are unable to reach the CDC, ME, or Mayor’s office for comment.

Many specialists believe the mixture of these strange events may be to blame for the sudden pull out of the ISC from the city. All we here at the news desk can tell you, are that these actions have left many scratching their heads.

In financial news….”

Turning their attention away from the television in unison, they all looked at each other with a slight confusion on their faces, with the rest of the restaurant mirroring their reactions.

“You know, when I was at the airport, I remember seeing a few Simlympics buses parked there. They were with some security touting some serious firepower. I guess that explains it…” Andy said, paraphrasing his experience at the airport.

“Well, it’s odd though… We haven’t seen any influenza cases at all in the ER today. In fact, we haven’t really seen any at all this year.” Justin added, scratching the side of his head with his index finger.

“Yeah, and we’ve been really slow all day. I wonder where the news is getting their info from?” Julie questioned, as she folded her arms and looked off into the street outside.

“CRAP!” Justin suddenly exclaimed, jumping up from the table and throwing on his jacket, “Julie, we have to go! We’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now! Thanks for lunch Andy, see you tonight after we pick up Julie’s munchkin siblings. It’s your turn to pick the movie!”

“Later!” Julie called back, as the two ran out the door into light drizzle of rain, leaving their friend standing there.

“Damn it!” Andy muttered to the empty chairs in front of him, “They left me with the bill…. the bastards.” Standing up and looking to the watch on his left wrist, he continued, “Well, time to go meet with my editor.”

As he handed his credit card over to the small, Olympian shop owner everyone referred to as ‘Miss Senna’, all that could be heard in the small café was chatter over something as big as the Simlympics being suspended.


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