#monique's hacked computer

[mammahoggfromstrangetown]

Alienware PC Monique Hacked Computer

Happy 20th Birthday, Sims 2!!!

To celebrate this glorious day, I have turned the Alienware's "Everything but the Saucer" Gaming PC into a Monique's Hacked Computer.

Now if you are a dork like me, you really appreciate the animations in this game. The Alienware computer has some cool animations when it comes to playing games.

I am a newbie when it comes to modding, but I managed to keep the original animations!

Also the Alienware computer had some TRCNs so the BCONs have some labels that other modders may find useful for tuning computers.

Recently, Gummilutt updated the Monique computers' shop menu to be more dynamic so I used their version when modding the Alienware computer.

Also I recommend looking at this post from Renfree, they compiled a very nice list of computers that have been updated to Monique's Hacked Computers.

If you would like an updated Alienware computer that is updated for AL and is Monique Hacked, Download it from Simfileshare.

I want to say thank you to Gummilutt and Monique for making the code. This was a very interesting experience and I look forward to learning more about SimAntics.

[theneighborhoodchronicles-blog]

Monique's hacked computer almost gave me gray hair

I've been using the original hacked computers since the beginning and I love them.

Now, in the hood I'm playing at the moment, not only do my sims have to pay tuition fee (10'000) for college, but they also have to pay for private school.

By setting private school fees to on, the 2nd and 3rd generation kids were transfered, including memory and daily fee.

While playing the next generation, I noticed that the option 'Private School Fees ON/OFF' is not available for families living in an apartment. No problem, they just had to invite the headmaster for dinner.

But then suddenly, the last few children living in a residental home were no more transfered to private school automatically. I wondered, if I had installed something that might conflict and even feared, the hood might had gotten corrupted.

As now the first of the 5th generation kids should get transfered to private school (dad's wish), again nothing happened.

Wanting to find the problem, yesterday I created a new hood with just a mother and child family. Only files I had in my downloads folder were Monique's computer and Insimenator. Child was transferred to private school with the according memories.

For the next test, I added all kinds of hacks and mods I thought, might be causing the problem. And again, child was transferred with no problems.

Next, I used my regular downloads folder and first test was with the cheap Monique computer. Child was transferred to private school.

Then I used one of the newer hacked computers. Option for setting the private school fees to on showed, but child was not transferred.

I ended up testing all 13 computers in my downloads, that all claim to be Monique's hacked computer. NONE of them transferred the kid to private school!

[jacky93sims]

BERLIN Altbau Front Door, Modern Elegance iSimPad and Eames Chair - for The Sims 2

These are 4to2 conversions from Felixandre and Bostyny, low poly. Ipad has also a Monique Hacked version but choose only one.

DOWNLOAD DOOR DOWNLOAD IPAD AND CHAIR

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If you want to support my creations, you can send me a donation with Paypal or Ko-fi ☕ If you want to ask for a Paid Commission, HERE you can find more details. Thank you ❤️

[renfree]

TS2 Maxis Desktop Computers - Hacked Monique's version

Hi! Long time no see. I have something for you :) These are six TS2 Maxis desktops with the Hacked Monique's computer functions.

LyfeBgon Computer

PearShiny Station XTR Computer

Alienware Computer

Mr Humble's Computer

Sims 2 Life Stories Reward Computer

GlowStation 90XD Computer

Russian translation included.

Some little additions from me:

More loan's options added - $2500, $5000, $25'000, $50'000, $500'000

Playing video games now builds a Logic skill.

Download SFS | MF

Download non-logic skill version SFS | MF

Get the controller files HERE

Credits:

Huge thanks to @episims for helping me learn how to edit mods! You were a very patient teacher :)

And thanks to simler90 for the Toy and Games Mode, which code I used as a base

[nervosims]

So! I want Buck to move out of his dad's home, without working a job (or renting an apartment). So, to combat this, I've made my own little system up!

Buck earns money every successful makeover he does

It has to be a passerby on the lot (can be premade or townie)

The money increases with each badge of cosmetology he gains!

$200 for none, $500 for Bronze, $1000 for Silver

He can't give the same person a successful makeover again

The house he's saving up for is completely unfurnished, and is 15k! I think he can do it! I also doubt he's gonna get Gold any time soon, so it'll be a fun little challenge.

GRUNT: week two

[laurelchell]

Sims 2 Modding Help

I love Chaavik's version of Monique's Hacked Computer but the disabled autonomy makes my game into an unrealistic hellscape where the sims only use their computer for banking and whatever I decide to make my sims do. Is there any way to make playing, blogging, etc. autonomous again?

[motherpsyduck]

the Birgit43 one for me has the pc display/screen mirrored in game (see image below)

so I'll defo be grabbing this one by NP since the screen on theirs is not mirrored! tysm ~♡

another suggestion that i finally got down to completing, plus a little bit more to make up for lost time! this would be @aroundthesims' ibook and 3d printer sets, from their 2018 advent calendar, converted from ts4 to ts2 🥰

as promised, the ibook itself functions as a monique hacked computer, and it is repo'd to the decorative, closed version of it. the 3d printer and toys that come with it are purely decorative. polycounts & stuff are under the cut if you want them; see y'all in the new year!

DOWNLOAD: SFS | MF 🥂

credits go to @aroundthesims for the original ts4 meshes & textures, and to monique for making the original hacked computer! 🌟

ITEMS INCLUDED

3D Printed Toy Dragon (430 polys, $5, General -> Kids) 3D Printed Toy Nessie (468 polys, $5, General -> Kids) 3D Printed Toy Rocket (150 polys, $5, General -> Kids) 3D Printer (1320 polys, $199, Decorative -> Misc) iBook Deco (990 polys, $999, Decorative -> Misc) iBook Functional (1130 polys, $999, Electronics -> Computers)

remember that the functional ibook is repo'd to the deco version!!

if there are any issues that you find with this set, please don't be afraid to let me know! happy simming, and when you download this, do keep in mind,

( @4t2ccdatabase )

[kaluxsims]

More results of my Buy/Build sorting project. First up, a bunch of new colors and a second option for livingdeadgirl's Metro Chair.

This chair is originally really tiny. It even describes itself as "more of a stool". I like it, but I never use it. It doesn't look comfortable for the poor sims I make sit at Monique's hacked computer for hours. I made a bigger version, for chairness.

Or, you know...

Because I'm not sure if I'll be keeping the original tiny chair, the original is now repo'ed to my edit. If you want my recolors, you need my version.

You can get the recolors as individual files or merged with the wider chair.

Download:

Separate: SFS or MediaFire Merged: SFS or MediaFire

And another edit, while we're here. Very subtle really.

While sorting through stuff, I noticed that one corner of @deatherella's 4t2 conversion of @leaf-motif's Magnolia wardrobe was dark in some lighting and at some angles. Easy fix. I edited the normals on the tops of the dresser, wardrobe, and both sinks.

Recolors are not included! Get them here.

Download edited meshes: SFS or MediaFire

Credits: livingdeadgirl (TSR - retired) for the Metro Chair mesh and original textures, @leaf-motif for the TS4 Magnolia set mesh and textures, @deatherella for the 4t2 conversion, and maybe @kestrelteens too?

[pinka-style]

4T2 KYND Natural Touch PC

PC based on Monique Hacked Computer. Polys ♡ 624 Credits ❥ Mesh & Textures by KYND

Download here

[rubykgrant]

I had a dream that there was this sequel series to Kim Possible, her and Ron were grown up and married with kids, they had twins (since it runs in Kim's family) a boy and a girl (I don't remember what their first names were, but a running joke was one of them hyphened their last name as Stoppable-Possible, while the other did Possible-Stoppable. it was just kind of a funny bit they did, but it also helped them be put in different classes at school since S-P and P-S were sorted differently). For a while, Kim and Ron have both been staying home more to be with the kids, but they're 15 now, so the parents are stepping back into going on missions again. On one big mission, something very strange happens, and Kim goes missing...

At first, Ron is trying to run down a lot of leads with help from Wade and Monique, looking into old villains as possible culprits, but they're mostly retired now or don't fit the crime. The only people Ron can't locate are Drakken and Shego... but they were more or less reformed anyway. Ron finally realizes his kids need him to be there, so he agrees to let the GJ group keep looking for Kim. Meanwhile, the kids have been trying to look for clues on their own. They don't find their mother, but they meet another kid named Miki; a punk hacker who has been able to get into computer files even Wade doesn't know about. It points to something being shifty at GJ, so the kids don't want to tell the adults yet, in case it might hurt their mom.

Ron sort of double-downs on being an over-protective dad, he gets a job at their school as a teacher (he's certainly qualified for it, and with Mr. Barkin now as the principal, it makes for a lot of funny interactions). Miki doesn't go to their school, but meets with the twins a lot to try and figure out this weird mystery. They insist they can at least trust their dad, but Miki doesn't want to chance it... after all, they've been technically doing "illegal" stuff, and they don't want to get in trouble. Another villain, somebody new, targets Miki, trying to first bribe then threaten them into helping with some big crime event. Miki contacts the twins for help, and they have to choose between trying to rescue Miki on their own, or telling their dad what has been happening...

The twins go on a big rescue mission, and really show who's kids they are, but being inexperienced, they get caught. That's when it is revealed they DID tell their dad, they just came in first as the distraction, and now Ron saves the day! Once it all settles down, he assures Miki he won't get the kid in trouble for what has been going on. Miki admits, it isn't just the hacking they're worried about; they ran away from home, and don't want to get sent back. It wasn't a very safe situation. Ron asks where Miki has been staying, and finds out the kid has been homeless for 2 years. Ron promises to give the kid a safe place until they figure out what to do, and so- Miki moves in with Ron and the twins!

That was kinda just the two-parter opening for the series; Kim is missing, Ron is trying to find her AND take care of their twins. The twins are starting to follow in their parent's foot-steps a little, but need more practice. The character Miki is a little mysterious, but close friends with the twins, and helps them figure out some of the shady things going on regarding Kim's disappearance. A few of the classic villains are still causing trouble, but most of them are chill or even willing to help the kids. A lot of new villains show up. Besides Kim, Shego and Drakken are also missing, and it become clear that these events are probably related. So the drama, and what-not

[sonqgmi-sims]

SIMS 2: My Essential Mods/CC

Hi everyone! I figured since I have been playing Sims 2 a lot lately, I'd provide my current essentials! Will update as I try more things, but this is valid as of February 1, 2024! ♥

Links for everything are under the cut! Found throughout MTS, Tumblr and other Sims Youtubers!

If any links don't work please let me know so I can try to find replacements!

View my video here!

AFTER INSTALLING SIMS 2 (Windows 10) Sim Shadow Fix: Fixes that weird shadow box glitch! Increase Resolution Fix: Have to go into the data files and alter some things to make it compatible for Windows 10!

NEIGHBORHOOD MODS Seasons Icons In Color: Colors the Season Icons in gameplay and in neighborhood view! Easy To Decorate Camera Mod: See more of the neighborhood map that you couldn't see before! CAS MODS Widescreen CAS Fix: Fixes the UI so your sim isn't covered! There's options for every resolution! (I use 1920x1080) More CAS Columns: Adds more Columns in CAS! Just like in TS4! Evie's Equal Genetics: Equal chance for offspring to receive dominant and recessive genes! 5 Custom Genetics Haircolors: Custom recolors for the Maxis hairs! Chocolate (Brown+Black), Sandy (Brown+Blonde), Icy (White Blonde), Auburn (Brown+Red) and Caramel (Brown+Red+Blonde)!

BUILD & BUY MODS Sim Blender: The holy grail of Sims 2 Mods. Can do anything with this! ACR: Sims autonomously Woohoo, Try for Baby, Get into Relationships, etc! Great for drama & storytelling! OFB Shelf Recolors: Beautiful wood recolors for the OFB Shelves! (The OG's were kinda ugly lmfao) Stay Things Shrub: Choose which items stay after a sim moves out! Monique's Hacked Computer: Pay bills, Order clothing, etc! Object Rotator: Rotate objects on an angle! Small, Large and End Tables! Lifetime Want Chooser: Pick your sims LTW!

LIFESPAN MODS 1 Day = 1 Year (Sims): As the title says! More realistic as I consider 1 sim day a year! 1 Day = 1 Year (Pets): Same as the Sim version, but for pets!

UNIVERSITY MODS Uni After Birthday Party: Teens can throw a birthday party and before blowing out candles, the game asks if you'd like to go to college first! Semester Changes: College is now 8 days instead of 24! Faster Uni Education: 24-48 Hour semesters! There Can Only Be One Professor: 2 per major seemed much, so I like this one! Generates less NPC's for me :D Doctors Need Degrees: Depending on your sims education/grades, they can either be stuck at career level 1 or 10!

GAMEPLAY MODS No 20K Handouts: As it says :) Now my sims aren't wealthy! Extended Family Treated As Family: Always hated it when second cousins could marry. This prevents it :) Community Time Project: Time spent on community lot matches with time at the home! Memory Manipulator: Hide/adjust Sims memories without using SimPE Break Up Via Phone: End a relationship over the phone! (Going Steady, Marriage, Engagement) 50 New Lifetime Wants: Adds new LTW's to the game! OFB Adopt Teen&Townie: Adopt Babies-Teens!

PREGNANCY MODS Shorter Pet Pregnancy: Pets give birth within 1 sim day! The default seemed way too long, so this is a must :) PregRel NL+: Can't find original post so I can't remember what it does, but I found a secondary version below! PregRel Compatibility Patch: Negative reactions to baby bumps if your significant other suspects cheating! Alternate Pregnancy Controller Lite: Possibility of your sims getting a miscarriage (Only had it happen once so far!) Triplets & Quads: Allows up to 4 babies to be born at once!

DEATH MODS Death By Childbirth: Morbid, but I like this for storytelling! Select Your Cemetery: When your sim lives alone and dies, a prompt shows up to move the tombstone to any lot! Now you don't have to cram the younger generations in your home ♥

MISC MODS/HACKS Last Name Copier: Edit/Change a Sims last name without using SimPE! Baby Pet Creator: Create a puppy/kitten with stray genetics! CJ Smart EP Checker: Does nothing, but it is required if you use any of Cyjon's mods! TS1 Prank Calls: Get the same funny and scary prank calls from Sims 1!

BONUS & EXTRAS The Christian Collection: On a MTS forum post, (look for Liv Lukas's post) but ChristianLov's mods are no longer able to be found separately. This is also linked where I put the Baby Pet Creator! Sims 2 Store Content: I only use the extra cars in my game, but there's loads of new stuff!

TOOLS SimPE: Edit ages, relationships, memories, family trees, etc! Sims2Pack Clean Installer: Used to install new lots and sims into your game! Mootilda's Hood Checker: Check any custom neighborhoods for corruption! Bat Box (FFS Lot Debugger): Similar to the Sim Blender. Here's the Vase version!

[acottonsocksims2]

Here is a masterlist compiling every single university related mod that I have in my Sims 2 game. This does not include hair/clothes/makeup etc. Just my mods!

Last Updated: 6/2/23

Click "keep reading" to see the entire compiled list!

Semester Changes: Substantially changes how the university semesters work. Reduces the length of university from 24 Sim days to 8 Sim days.

Cyjon’s Debugger: Contains option to sync Sims that are made in CAS, pre-mades, or otherwise don’t have the accelerated schedule to have the Semester Changes mod immediately.

Revised Majors: All the university majors have been revised so that they are actually relevant to careers.

Later Classes: Moves all morning university classes later in the day so no class starts before noon. It complements the Semester Changes mod, as it fixes the problem where you will miss the first day of your morning class.

Loan Jar: Sims can borrow money at an interest rate that defaults to 3% per day but can be set anywhere from 1% to 9%.

Young Adults Can Enjoy Maternity (and all that): Umbrella category mod that includes: aging at university, pregnancy at university, alien pregnancy at university, adopting at university, school buses at university, and a fix for the University Greek houses. *MUST HAVE MATERNITY CLOTHES FOR YA — REFER TO BELOW LINK

Young Adult Female Maternity Outfits: Necessary for pregnancy for YA Sims.

Smarter Choice of Parent for Entering College Cinematic: Better choice of parent in the opening University move-in cinematic.

Jobs in Uni. For All: Jobs on campus - for sims and pets.

Young Adults Want and Fear Work: Young adults can have wishes and fears about work: find a job, go to work, get a promotion, etc.

Stinky Dormies & Assignments Fix: Stops the ‘Do Assignment’ interaction from advertising hygiene relief to dormie sims. Will stop dormies from doing an assignment when what they really need is a shower.

No College Time Progression On Community Lots: This mod will prevent the college timer from progressing on community college lots and allow it to progress on all residential lots. This lets your students crash nightclubs and cafés as long as they want, or, if you want your Sims to get the college experience over with - stay home!

Computer Mods: Monique’s Hacked Computer (How-To Guide), Brighter Screens, Default Replacements, University Term Paper Default

New Turn Ons: This mod adds four new turn ons/offs to the game. In addition, it fixes quite a few problems with the attraction/chemistry system.

Pets at University: This mod allows young adults and university residents to do a variety of pet related actions such as adoption, selling and buying, and having wants and fears about pets.

Townie Body Diversity: With these mods installed, whenever the game makes a new townie, it will roll a die to decide whether the townie should be fat, fit or thin.

There Can Be Only One (Professor): Game will generate one rather than two professors for each major. Gender will be random.

Young Adult Walk Fix: Removes the weird Young Adult walk.

[flowery-laser-blasts]

What does Drakken and Ron , Like to get for Shego , and Kim Christmas, Presents, Shopping Look like .?

Let me answer this in post-graduation as most of my stuff surrounds that:

I think Ron would ask Monique what Kim would like or what the latest fashion is. Ask Wade if he could hack into her computer to see recent bookmarks on terms of gift giving. Then it's all ordering it online and waiting at the door for the package.

Drakken would 'spy' on Shego. Build tiny fly sized drones to follow her when she goes out for shopping. If she stares at something longer than five seconds then it goes on the list.

He'll check her magazines. Is something circled or marked? Get it OR find an even better version... Maybe MAKE a better version!!

Shego will probably notice something is up and purposefully circle odd items to test her theory.

"Let's see what's next on your list... The collector edition DVD box set of the 14 seasons of P.A.L.S.?!? YOU HATE THAT SHOW-- right? ...Hng, guess you changed your mind after that dimension hopping fiasco. Better get her some merchandise as well then."

Basically after finding out she circled red herrings:

[jacky93sims]

Kitty Pc and Mood Posters for The Sims 2

These are 4to2 conversions from Pixelvibes and Pazsims (I lowered the polygons count). I also added a Monique Hacked version for the computer (but only choose one).

I made all the swatches for the posters.

DOWNLOAD KITTY PC DOWNLOAD MOOD POSTERS

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If you want to support my creations, you can send me a donation with Paypal or Ko-fi ☕ If you want to ask for a Paid Commission, HERE you can find more details. Thank you <3

[gummilutt]

Directory of downloads

Since Tumblr is now where I share my stuff when I do share, I suppose there will come a time when scrolling through would get tedious for you, the reader, and Origami suggested I make a directory post to make it easier for people to find what they may want. Great idea, so here we are :)

If you have problems the fastest way to reach me is through discord, my username is gummilutt. You can also find me in the discord server Sims Crafters (click for invite). DM here on tumblr on MTS will also work, but I make no promises about fast replies.

Policy is open, do what you like. A tag is always appreciated, because it is fun to see what people make with your work :)

I do not take requests, sorry :) I am however always happy to give advice on how to make something yourself, in the modding channel on SimsCrafters (invite above). If you aren't interested in learning to make what you want yourself, my advice is to use publicly available forums to post your ideas (Hacks & CC thread on MTS, ideas channel on Crafters etc), and if you are lucky a modder will see it, like it and make it.

Posing

Posebox base clone that can remember pose used

Mods

Custom memories library and object

Monique's computer update - price editing friendly

Modified Cyjon Loan Jar

Simulated sales in OFB business made optional and lot-based

Autonomous background crafting

AL Gear City window made closeable

Teleporters given age based & pet options

Updated Inge table and counter controller

Dressers require laundry Add-on for Sun & Mon Laundry Mod

Immersive pet treat giving

Optional autonomy for poker, pool and mahjong

No saturday landlord party in apartments

Landlord leaves leaf piles during autumn

Backrub gives comfort

Crystal ball computer dating service

Stuffed animal enabler and autonomy fix with traits incorporation

Teens and pregnant Sims do not drink autonomously

Towel rack dresser actions

Toddler memory nursery rhyme

Cat nip toy cleanup enabled teens/elder

Check out self on mirror enabled adult/elder

Pregnant Sim BV activity sanity - Log roll, axe throw, massage, hot spring and sauna changes

Takemizu ninja success chance raised to 75%

Uni skill scholarships lowered to 5 points

Sell lemonade want age restricted

Snuck out memory made repeatable

No autonomous cleaning of dishes/trash

Pet career wage edits

Slacker chance card edit

Debug "make harvestable" made more user friendly

No hunger decay for birds

Mod Objects and Edits

Teleporters given age-based options

Objects and recolors

H&M Banner default and recolors

Bodyshop content

Acne Taurus pantless heels

Raonjena 103 Pooklet recolor

Tutorials

Updating pre-AL pet food bowls for Midge's butler/nanny refill mod

Fixes of other peoples stuff

Simslice Beer Keg refillable and no family romance

BO's multi-key dorm door mod diagonal door add-on

Cyjon debugger menu fixed for non-english installations

Potty Fixes and Potty Use Bin mods merged for compatibility

For more of my creations I also have a library of 84 uploads over on MTS, mostly game mods with some bodyshop and the occasional lot sprinkled in. My username there is gummilutt :)

[gumnut-logic]

Five pick up and one drop off (Pick up 5)

Pick up 1 | Pick up 2 | Pick up 3 | Pick up 4 | Pick up 5

This one took a bit of wrangling, but here it is.

Monique first appeared when Scott needed a little roadside assistance.

I hope you enjoy her second appearance :D

-o-o-o-

Monique was his pickup truck and he loved her.

She had been red a long time ago, but nowadays she was more brown and just old. He did keep her maintained and she was definitely road worthy. But she was old. And when you’re old, things sometimes broke down.

Which is why Virgil Tracy, billionaire, International Rescue operative, engineer, artist, musician and coffee fan was currently lying in the weeds on the roadside under the old girl.

There was grease in his hair.

It was his fault really. He had been so busy of late; he hadn’t had time to get out to the farm and service her. And since she was no longer driven regularly, well, he had hoped, but this was inevitable.

Sorry, Grandpa.

He sighed. He wasn’t going to be able to fix this out here in the middle of nowhere country Kansas, and consequently he was stranded.

Looking at the state of the bearings involved he was lucky he had made it out here without seizing something up and coming to a very sudden stop.

“Sorry, Monique baby, but you’re not going anywhere for a while.” He sighed and reached for the rag he knew he would be needing.

“Virgil?”

He jumped.

Unfortunately, being under the car with little or no clearance, he whacked his head on the gearbox.

“Ow! John, what the-?”

“Virgil, you okay?”

His brother’s voice came from his collar comms, of course. Johnny was not standing next to the car. Though, come to think of it, Johnny would be preferable to the brother he knew he was going to have to call.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.”

“Jus’hit my head. What do you need?” Please not a rescue. He was on leave and leaving Monique on the side of the road was just wrong.

And he was working out logistics on how to get Monique into Thunderbird Two fast enough not to slow them down. But then she would be in the way and could compromise a mission, and damnit, he really didn’t want to leave her on the side of the road!

“Just checking in. You’ve been stationary in the middle of nowhere for some time now and its not like Monique has a computer I can interface with for a tech report.”

“You mean hack. My Lamborghini has not felt right since you played in her processor.”

“I needed information! You looked like you were being attacked!”

“I was being kissed, John. Clean your lenses.”

“Over the hood of your car.”

“I enjoyed it.”

“TMI, Virgil.”

Virgil couldn’t help grinning. It wasn’t often he won a verbal spar with his space brother. “I am fine, John. No kissing happening here.”

The frustrated groan from orbit only made him grin more.

“So you don’t want me to notify Gordon that you need rescuing?”

The grin vanished and it was Virgil’s turn to groan. Okay, needling John was never a successful ploy. One day he would remember that his brother was a genius and had all the answers.

A sudden banging on the side of his truck startled him enough to hit his head again. What the-?

“You okay down there, mate?”

Uh? Virgil pushed himself out from under his truck and found himself squinting up at a guy about his Dad’s age.

“Broken down?”

“Uh, yeah.” He got his feet under himself and leaning on Monique, stood up.

There was a giant black pickup truck on the other side of the road, three times the size of Monique. A sticker with flickering flame towards the rear declared ‘Burning dinos’.

“Need a hand?” The guy had a grey beard and hair, bit of a belly, and tattoo down one tanned arm.

Virgil grabbed that rag and wiped his hands best he could. “No, she’s not going anywhere, I’m afraid. Thanks for stopping, though.”

“Not a prob. Just doing the neighbourly thing.” The man frowned. “Say, are you from around here?”

“Not quite-”

“You look familiar.” The man’s frown deepened.

Uh, oh.

“You been on the HoloV?”

“Uh-“

The man peered at his face, enough for Virgil to have to take a step back and collide with Monique.

“You look a lot like one of those rescue guys. You know, the ones who fly those planes that make all that noise.”

“Well, yeah I-“

But then the guy was laughing. “Sorry, you must get that a lot.”

“Sometimes.”

“It’s not like one of those billionaires would drive something like that, is it?”

And he was gesturing at Monique.

Virgil frowned. “Well-“

“After all, I earn enough and look at my girl. She’s got everything I can afford and still she needs more.”

A glance at the black monstrosity and there was definitely no need for more. He seriously doubted the vehicle had ever done a lick of work, or in some cases, could.

He could hear his father saying it now - ‘she ain’t pretty, but she’s practical’. Dad always was function over form. Monique may be old and worn, but she’d earnt every scratch and scrape, and she wore them proudly.

“So, you doin’ her up?”

“What?”

“Your truck. She a work in progress?”

“No, she just needs some repairs. My brother will pick me up soon.” He really should call Gordon, despite the ribbing involved.

“Sure you don’t want a lift?”

“Yeah, thanks anyway.” Was it rude to hope the man would leave?

Probably.

Unfortunately, either way, he didn’t.

“So, what is it? The money?

“Excuse me?”

“The reason why you drive a broken truck.”

“Uh-“

“Just imagine if we had the money. You could fix up it up, give it a new paint job.” He arched an eyebrow at Monique. “Or buy a new one.”

“I like my truck as she is.” Bar a busted bearing or two.

The guy eyed Virgil like he had a disease. “Why?”

“She’s an heirloom.”

“I can see that.” He took a step back as if to really look at Virgil’s truck. “Is that a backyard eco-conversion?” A look of pure horror crossed the guy’s face.

“Yeah.” Dad and Grandpa had done it together back in the 2030s. Grandpa didn’t want to take the truck off the road, so the gas engine got the boot and Dad had helped him install the eco-conversion.

“You do realise an eco can’t compare to a traditional gasoline engine? My girl has six hundred horsepower under her hood. She works hard and plays hard. She can pull 15,000 pounds and not break a sweat.”

Virgil folded his arms. “Impressive.” Except for the whole burning hydrocarbons issue, deal breaker that it was. He wasn’t going to mention Monique’s specs, she was after all, more than she looked.

Besides, he could hear the sound of his girl in the distance. She could pull a lot of things.

Thunderbird Two shot into a low hover above Monique, tossing hair and grass alike, her roar all encompassing. “Hey, Virg, Johnny said you needed a lift?” Gordon’s voice bounced around as big truck guy’s jaw dropped.

“Thanks, Gordon.” Virgil turned to his companion and held out a hand. “Thanks again for stopping.”

The man’s hand was offered absently as he stared up at Virgil’s girl.

“You might want to stand back.”

He vaguely nodded and backed his way across the road to his truck.

“Gordon, grapples will do the job. It’s not far.”

“Aye, Captain.”

Virgil rolled his eyes and, pulling open Monique’s driver side door, climbed in and put on his seat belt.

The clunk of four magnetic grapples, a gentle tug, and Monique left the ground.

Virgil couldn’t help but look down at the man staring up at Virgil’s girl.

Was it wrong to enjoy the shock on the man’s face?

Probably.

-o-o-o-