SIM Series Season 2 Episode 4

“Hello?” Scott says on his Blackberry. He’s sitting in the Riverstone Kitchen. It’s the late afternoon.

“Scott!” The caller responds.

“Dr. Hacklu? Give me some good news!” Scott says.

“I wish,” Dr. Hacklu yells. “I’m here at Hipodromo Venezuela. Hey Girl is not here. I should have known better than to trust the crack whisperer Clark!”

“Keep searching,” Scott says.

“What?”

“Keep looking!” Scott says louder. “Ask around! Get more info.”

“Got it.” Dr Hacklu responds. “I hope you guys are alright with all the fires burning.”

“Don’t worry about us Doc. Just make sure you’re safe. OK? All right. Bye.”

Scott lays his phone down on the dining table. He walks over to the fridge, grabs a bottle of water and returns to his seat. The house is relatively empty. Carolyn Eaton is still in Singapore to watch The White Album race and Mike Eaton left for Flamingo Park to keep an eye on Make Me Clever.

“It’s a shame,” Mary says as she enters the Kitchen and sits next to Scott.

“What?”

“Everything,” Mary says. “Everything is so negative right now. I mean. We tried to go to Venezuela but we could only afford one ticket. Chuck and his filly are still missing. Bill left for Mexico.”

“How’d he do by the way?” Scott interrupts.

“Think Legendary won,” Mary responds. “He broke smoothly. Showed a lot of speed. Took the turn a little wide but his jockey Iago Felix steered him home.”

“To the Long Island Classic then?” Scott asks.

“Don’t know,” Mary responds. “I still haven’t spoken to Bill yet. But I mean. Even the Forum is up in arms. It used to be so helpful. Now half of it is disagreements and debates.”

“It’s healthy,” Scott responds. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinions. Plus, it’s almost always been like that mixed in with the occasional ‘I love Em and I love Huff Daddy’ thread, but a little controversy is always good.”

“Psh!” Mary says. “Controversy?”

“Yeah,” Scott says. “I mean the SIM is like a microcosm of the world. We all share the same interest, yet we all can’t get along on how to achieve those interests. There’s a governing system that makes changes and there’s players that suggest change. Some people just play, while some people are extremely active in the evolution and progression of the SIM.”

“Like what?” Mary asks.

“Like everything!” Scott says sarcastically. “Speed figures, intervals, farm amenities, fitness levels, gelding, standing bad stallions, mixed breed racing, auctions, Dave Shields retiring. There’s a bunch more, but some of that was brought on by forum debates. I think someone even debated about creating a Syndicate of racing barns that worked with each other exclusively to dominate the SIM.”

“That’s stupid,” Mary responds. “A Syndicate? Do mobsters play the SIM?”

“But seriously,” Scott says. “I think it helps the SIM progress forward and evolve.”

“Hopefully for the betterment of all players.” Mary says.

“I think it has so far,” Scott says.

“Where’s Clark,” Mary asks suddenly.

“He went to Yoga.”

“Yoga?” Mary responds as she’s laughing.

“Yeah. He’s all Hollywood now.” Scott says. “The other day, he came in with aviator shades.”

“Oh,” Mary says excitedly. “We have a new housemate moving in next week!”

“Oh yeah! Who won?”

“Tim Matthews Jr!” Mary responds. “Him and Apple Crisp were voted into the house.”

“Sweet,” Scott says as his phone begins ringing. “It’s Doc! Hello?”

“Scott!” Dr. Hacklu yells.

“Yeah?” Scott responds as he puts his Blackberry on speakerphone.

“I found her!”

“Yes!” Mary yells.

“Is that Mary?!” Dr. Hacklu says.

“Where’d you find her?” Mary asks.

“She’s not here. She’s at Colombia Racecourse,” Dr. Hacklu responds. “Apparently, she was entered in a maiden over a mile and an eighth and she won!”

“Wow!” Scott says.

“Yeah,” Dr. Hacklu continues. “I’m gonna make my way there to check her out. Make sure she’s ok.”

“That’s great!” Mary adds.

“Yeah,” Scott says. “Call us when you get there!”

“Ok! Talk you two later,” Dr. Hacklu says.

“Incredible news,” Scott says as he sets his Blackberry down. “See it’s not all negative.”

“Mostly,” Mary responds. “I said mostly.”

“And next Friday is the Louisville Derby. How can that be negative?” Scott asks.

“Whatever,” Mary responds. “It’s still negative to me.”

“No,” Scott says. “Negative was Whitney Houston’s comeback. The SIM is not negative.”

“La la la la la,” Mary says.

“And we added Tim Matthews Jr. to the house,” Scott continues. “How can that be negative?”

“La la la la la”

“Ok,” Scott says chuckling. “I give up.”

The two part ways in a friendly manner. Mary heads outside to check on a few horses. Scott begins going upstairs to his room. It’s quiet in the house for a change.

NEXT TIME ON SIM SERIES…

Tim Matthews Jr. will join the house and give up control of his filly Apple Crisp. Results will be updated for The White Album and Make Me Clever. How will the SIM vote on upcoming races? How will Dr. Hacklu fair in Colombia? What happened to Clark at Yoga? These questions and more will be answered next time!

www.simhorseracing.com