Phoebe's World XXIV

Previously: Aahana unfortunately perished, but not before she and Phoebe shared a breathless, adrenaline-fueled final 24 hours together, in which they got drunk, performed corny karaoke, woohooed in a night club closet at 5 AM, and, finally, renewed their vows.



Look at Phoebe, sadly pushing Aisha's leftover birthday cake around on her plate without really eating it. She's killing me.


Now that Aahana's gone, literally all Phoebe does with her life is work out, and even that isn't giving her the burst of energized fulfillment it usually does.


Madeline: Listen, I know you're not officially my mother-in-law yet, but I have to intervene. I can't stand to see you this way. You have to stop before you kill yourself.


Seriously, she's about to kill herself via treadmill. Cool it on the exercising, Phoebe; you're thin as a rail already.


Oh, so you're just going to attempt to speed up your demise by sleeping on an outdoors sofa in the middle of winter instead? Cool. Cool, cool, cool. Carry on then.


Aisha tries to tempt her out of her depression with some delicious-looking minty mocha cupcakes, but Phoebe isn't having it. She's too busy mixing enough drinks to put her in a blacked-out stupor for the rest of the day.


Is that a genuine look of joy upon her face, or is she just in the midst of the aforementioned blackout and entirely unaware of what expression she's making? You decide.


Finally moving on and getting back to her job or posting drunken, sobbing confession videos to her personal SimTube account? Again, you decide.


Elliot: Mom, are you sure you want to post that video? I think the grief has taken over. You're clearly not thinking straight!

You're one to talk, Elliot. Those bags under your eyes are as dark and deep as canyons right now.


In what world does a "bomb" equate to 500,000 new followers? I guess once you hit a million with a single viral post, 500,000 seems like nothing, but I'd take this "bomb" any day.


In a final attempt to cheer Phoebe up, Jane invites her out to lunch, hoping that catching up with an old friend will improve her mood.


I'm not sure things are going very well, though. Phoebe does not look well, and that drink certainly isn't helping matters.


Oh, Jane, I forgot how much of a drink aficionado you are. I guess you must not get much of a chance to savor a good cocktail anymore, what with being a widowed mother now and all.


Speaking of being a mother, maybe seeing Jane's son, Jerome, for the first time since he was a newborn will make Phoebe smile! Look how adorable he is in his smart little vest and button-up! Jane is so proud.


Again, so cute. I almost regret kicking Jane and Joaquin out and missing the opportunity to see this little charmer grow up. I can't even imagine how unfathomably precious his toddler years must've been.


Yay! It may not be a smile, but at least Phoebe's getting into the spirit of things by playing monster rather than wallowing in self-pity alone.


Jerome is somehow aware that she could use a break or two, so he really plays up his fear for Phoebe's benefit.


I love how the framing makes it look like Phoebe is photo-bombing a pleasant, calming shot of the park's scenic landscape.


Um, okay, Nico. That sounds a little remote, but it's been a while since we've seen you, so sure!


Phoebe: Oh God, we really overdressed for this, didn't we?

To make matters even worse, Nico immediately got all cold and miserable in the rain and promptly disappeared, leaving them to fend for themselves. How rude! (In other news, when did he manage to get so swole?!? I'm kind of impressed.)


Phoebe: We're totally going to die out here, aren't we?


Aisha: Well, I just finished reading this sign, and it's not good, Mom. It basically says we're going to die out here.


Phoebe: I can't even get a cell phone signal! How am I supposed to call for an Uber to come pick us up?


Aisha: Don't worry, Mom! I'll get us out of here somehow, even if I have to use my bare hands to do it!


Aisha: Bad news, I totally wrecked my hands on those vines and turns out they just lead deeper into the jungle. Good news, I'm sure if we start shouting at the top of our lungs, someone will hear and swoop in to rescue us any second now!


One way or another, they managed to escape the dangers of the jungle and find a spa instead. Much more relaxing.


Phoebe, goddamn it! You're supposed to be taking it easy, not working up a fatal sweat on the bench press. You're misunderstanding the whole point of a spa day!


Theeeeeere you go. That's how you do it!


By "the house," do you mean your urn? Because, if so, that's pretty depressing. But, also, Phoebe is clearly desperate to see you, so we'll meet you there ASAP!


Aisha: Yep. Just sitting here having lunch with my dead mom... Nothing weird about that at all!


Look at Phoebe and Aahana flirting up a storm. It's just like old times, except Aahana is disturbingly see-through now.


Aisha: Oh my God, this is so messed up. How do I leave without making it awkward?

In addition to being disturbed by the sight of her mother as a ghost, Aisha also has unflirty as a character trait, so she's freaked out on all accounts right now.


Then the waiter had to come and mop up literally right where they were eating, which just turned the entire lunch even more uncomfortable.


Jane: Let's not sugarcoat this, okay? I know I haven't got much time left, and I was hoping you'd welcome Jerome into your home and give him a loving family when the time comes.
Phoebe: I will love him like one of my own, I promise! But I'm sure you're exaggerating. You'll be around for ages still!


Elliot: Really, kid? You call those dance moves? Let me just show you how a true dance master operates...


Elliot: There you go! Now you're getting the hang of it!


Later, Jerome further acclimates himself by playing an intense round of video games with Aisha, Madeline, and Madeline's brother, Jason.


I love seeing Sims' intense game faces. They really take this seriously!


Intense game faces, part two.


Back in familiar territory, Jane takes her role of resident bartender back up like she never left in the first place.


Elliot: Old lady down over here! Guess someone can't quite keep up with my youthful dance moves, haha!


I, uh, think it might be a little bit more than that... She doesn't look like she's getting back up. Poor Jerome! I knew it was going to happen soon - but not this soon.


Elliot: Guys, calm down! I'm sure she's just resting. She'll be back on her feet any second, right?... Right?!?


Wrong. Very wrong. Impossibly wrong. I hate to keep ending on death, but, sadly, we've reached the point where everyone's just going to keep dropping like flies with little reprieve. I wish I could be more optimistic, but it is what it is. Old age sucks.