The Alphaville Herald

Interview with a Sim Scorned

by Alphaville Herald on 21/04/04 at 4:22 pm

As Alphaville attempts to mirror much that can be found in reality, it may come as news to some of you that this Sim-city has even attempted to produce an equivalent to the television series “The Bachelor.” In this interview filed by our beloved pop culture guru, I.P. Lithium, we learn of one Sim’s experience on that sim production, how she tried for a chance at the golden ring, but claims she merely wound up with a “bad apple.”

I.P. Lithium: You were on The Bachelor here in Alphaville, correct?
Relina: Yes. I was on The Bachelor at Alphaville Awards. I won and was chosen by Jecht. I signed off a while. The next day when I signed on I got an evil message saying he was only on the show for publicity.
I.P. Lithium: Let’s back way up— I’m unfamiliar with all of this. I know these “Bachelor” shows are popular in real life. I had no idea one existed in Alpha’. Who ran the show; what were the Alphaville Awards? Can you tell me that?
Relina: Sure. Derek Smith ran the awards…a lot of people showed up including Mr President.
I.P. Lithium: Okay, who is Derek Smith? Is he part of a larger entertainment company or what?
Relina: Derek Smith owns Alphaville awards. Yes it’s where the annual Alphaville awards take place.
I.P. Lithium: I see.
Relina: Its a top entertainment home
I.P. Lithium: When did this take place?
Relina: Saturday Night
I.P. Lithium: The 17th.
Relina: They had a game show, The Bachelor.
I.P. Lithium: So the game show has nothing to do with the awards except the same man ran both?
Relina: Yes.
I.P. Lithium: Okay, let me ask you what sort of process you went through in order to be a contestant on the show. Also, can you just describe for those of us who don’t know, how the show works?
Relina: All I did was have to sign up. Me and five other girls did so. We went through three elimination processes…decisions made by Jecht.
I.P. Lithium: How did the elimination process work?
Relina: First round, we asked Jecht a question and then two girls were eliminated. Next we spent time with him in the hot tub and then he eliminated 2. Then he just chose the girl he wanted to marry, which was me.
I.P. Lithium: I see. What made you want to be part of this? Can you explain your motivation to me?
Relina: I wanted to marry someone. I wanted a sim companion.
I.P. Lithium: So, it was important to you?
Relina: Yes.
I.P. Lithium: So, as the process was going along, you were in the hot tub, all that jazz, you had some romance cooking? You thought this was going to be the one?
Relina: Yes I did. We were going to get married until he sent the letter saying it was all about fame.
I.P. Lithium: We’ll definitely get to that letter— I just want to understand what emotional stakes were in it for you. What might you say to people who think that finding a sim-soulmate after two questions and a night in the hot tub is no way to find a true companion?
Relina: Yes I do. I loved being on the show. I just think Jecht is a scumbag.
I.P. Lithium: “Yes you do”— now what do you mean by that? I’m not sure I follow. I was asking how you might respond to someone who thinks that such a process is a bit too shallow to expect to find a sim companion? You *do* or *don’t* agree with that position?
Relina: I disagree. The show was great. Jecht is the bad apple.
I.P. Lithium: So, the two questions and the time in the hot tub you considered enough to be able to make a commitment to someone. You were in love with Jecht and ready for the altar?
Relina: Yes, Relina- ready for the altar.
I.P. Lithium: Relina is ready for the altar, and this is where the story gets ugly. You got a note from Jecht telling you that you would not be his bride? Can you divulge the contents of that letter to me?
Relina: He wrote that the whole thing for him was an act and he thought he would get famous for doing this. He also said “we should split up” after all the hateful things.
I.P. Lithium: The “hateful things” being that he was in for publicity?
Relina: Yes, also that he thought it was “funny” and “interesting” to see the girls squirm.
I.P. Lithium: “Squirm”— by trying to entice him to fall for them? Or by dumping them? You believe that he was intent on dumping any one of them and took satisfaction in that?
Relina: Yes. I feel he enjoyed putting up the act that he was ready to get married and he enjoyed watching the girls get saddened every time one of them were kicked off. Also he said it was “funny” how he got to become famous for picking a girl…and then dumping her. I wanted to go to the press because I think he should be put out there as a public enemy.
I.P. Lithium: How did you immediately react when you received Jecht’s letter? Did you talk to him about it further? Has there been any additional contact with him?
Relina: No, there has not. I immediately started telling people. I got him kicked out of Oprah’s house.
I.P. Lithium: Has this experience changed the way you feel about The Bachelor— if asked to be a guest again, would you? More generally, how has your life and how have your hopes for finding that special sim been affected?
Relina: Yes I would be a guest again, I don’t think it was the shows fault. I think Jecht needs to be brought down. My life has changed a lot. I think I might want to start up a program where Women Sims can sue their ex-fiances. I want to work with Mr. President on that one.
I.P. Lithium: Hmmm, very interesting. May I ask a few questions to the person behind Relina, as it relates to this story?
Relina: Sure.
I.P. Lithium: Great. How long have you been playing TSO?
Relina: I started when it first came out. I stopped for a while, then I made a new account and started back up in December.
I.P. Lithium: So you’re a veteran?
Relina: Yep
I.P. Lithium: I was surprised to learn that Alpha had “The Bachelor.” Do these entertainment productions make the game fun for you— you like them a lot? Generally, do you enjoy TSO quite a bit?
Relina: Yes I do. I love how Alphaville has created a real world environment with play and game shows, etc.
I.P. Lithium: Are you a fan of the television series “The Bachelor”— was that part of the motivation for doing this?
Relina: No. I am not a fan of The RL one. I just thought a Sim one would be fun.
I.P. Lithium: Why don’t you like the real one?
Relina: I just don’t watch it much. I think its funner if you’re in the show.
I.P. Lithium: Okay. How do you view in-game relationships? How do they connect to your actual identity? In particular, did Relina’s being dumped have any effect on how you really felt? Did you really feel rejected, hurt to any degree?
Relina: No. My sim’s life is totally separate.
I.P. Lithium: So, if you met the person behind “Jecht,” do you think you’d react in any special way? Would you hold any sort of a grudge or feel it was all in fun?
Relina: No. I think Jecht needs to be shunned.
I.P. Lithium: But the person behind Jecht— no hard feelings if you bumped into him at a convention of TSO players, for instance?
Relina: I probably would act in character. My PR agent says no more questions about me…only about Jecht and Relina.
I.P. Lithium: All right, then, thanks for your time today.
[Editor's note: Jecht did not respond to The Herald's request for his comment on this story.]