Desert Dreamers XX
Previously: Ana reached the highest of highs by encountering her first fans and signing autographs for them... then descended to the lowest of lows when Orange Bailey-Moon tried to seduce her for press and she got sick on set, leading her to blow her performance.
Between her illness and her flop performance, Ana hasn't been feeling all that great lately, so Gracie suggests they take a day off from their work commitments and go on a luxurious spa date.
However, it turns out Gracie's idea of a relaxing day at the spa is entirely different from Ana's. There's no way she's ever going to let sickness bring her down again, so she's determined to sweat every last drop of it out of her body. She doesn't even have time to stop and chat with her mom, who once again conveniently pops up in the same place she is.
Ana: MUST! KEEP! SWEATING! MUST! MAKE! MYSELF! CLEAN! AND! PURE!
Okay, this has gone too far now. Yes, she's looking absolutely ripped, but at what cost? She looks like she can barely hold on a second longer! We have to get Gracie in here for a workout intervention before it's too late.
Ah, yes, she's finally getting it now. This is how you truly relax!
Of course, it's not a properly successful outing if she doesn't document the entire thing for her ravenous followers. Ana, you know what happened last time your fans tracked you down. Do you really want to make your current location so obvious to them?
While Ana practices lines for her next audition, Gracie ups the ante by trying to distract her with the temptation of doggy cuddles, but Ana holds steady, refusing to break character.
Later that night, Ana invites her family over for a casual summer get-together, but someone is noticeably absent.
Ana: Really? Is Mom that upset I ignored at the spa the other day? I was busy! It wasn't personal!
Gideon: Oh, you know how she is! She'll give you the silent treatment for a day or two, but then she'll welcome you back with open arms. Trust me, I've been through this rodeo once or twice myself, and we always come out stronger on the other side!
Once it's fully dark, Gracie whips out some leftover fireworks from the Humor and Hijinks Festival because she's totally qualified to do that without blowing up herself and everyone else in the process. What, Rafael, you don't believe that? What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing! Because, like I said, Gracie is totally qualified. You think she'd lie about something like that? Look at this impressive and beautiful display!
A bit of a time jump here, but cut to Ana's next acting gig. I hope the fact that it's raining again isn't giving her traumatic flashbacks to her last performance because she needs to nail this one. If she doesn't, she'll risk becoming a mockery to the entire Sim world.
Aw, fuck, she's totally buckling under the pressure, isn't she?
Costar: Seriously? You're giving me nothing to work with here!
I'm not sure if her other costar's massively pregnant belly is part of her costume or for real. Either way, though, having to suffer through all of Ana's missed takes is really doing a number on her back.
Director: Goddamn it, why did I let casting convince me to give you a second chance?!? You know what, I blame myself for this one. Never again. Never again!
Ana: Oh my god, this is it. This is the moment. I've finally outgrown my talents. What if I was never destined for the stage and this has all been a huge mistake?
I'm not sure if notoriety is exactly how she wanted to get there, but, on the bright side, at least this performance turned her into a three-star celebrity. She'll certainly be remembered now, even if only for some truly disastrous performances.
Ana: ARGGGHHHHHHHH, WHY DOES THE UNIVERSE HATE ME?!?!?!?!?
You know, I think we're going to let Ana experience the rest of this breakdown in private and see what's going on with the rest of her family, since it's certainly far less dramatic...
Excusez-moi, Alexis? A beautiful baby what now?
After that brief conversation, Rafael knew what he had to do. He immediately went to Alexis' house, where he found that there was already a beautiful bedroom set up for their new baby girl.
Rafael: Babe, why didn't you tell me?
Alexis: I don't know. I was just waiting for the right time... and then I waited a little too long. Do you hate me?
Rafael could never hate Alexis, and the second he looks into Marisol's eyes, even though she's still a little unsure about him, he knows he loves her irrevocably, too. This may not have been a part of his plan, but he's ready to take responsibility and dive headfirst into fatherhood.
Of course, he and Alexis immediately remind us they're still young at heart by taking a selfie to celebrate their big news.
Ana can't be too upset about her recent lackluster performances anymore, since she's now reached a level of fame where people are literally passing out at the mere sight of her. Seems like a bit of an extreme reaction to a b-lister, but, hey, she's not complaining.
Once the guy recovers enough to nervously ask her for a selfie, she happily indulges his request.
Mandy: OH MY GOD, ANA, HIIII!!! I TOTALLY KNOW HER! I'M FRIENDS WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS!
Disgruntled Fan: Get in line and wait your turn! I was here first, damn it!
Wow, she's now made actual physical contact with Thorne Bailey. Is this what it feels like to touch God? Hopefully, he's finally apologizing for all the bullshit his awful son has put her through.
Meanwhile, Gracie's successes may be quieter and more modest, but she's still chugging away at her journalism career while churning out more volumes of her children's series on the side.
Who would have thought? It looks like Gracie is picking up a bit of fame herself with her brilliant youth fantasy books!
Ana: I'm happy for you, honey, I promise, but I'm off to the movie set, and this time I can't let anything get in my way.
Ana has decided that if she acts like the most confident person in the room, she'll actually become the most confident person in the room. This costume is certainly helping to get her into a particularly regal mindset.
Ana: About to walk onstage and kill it! #ActingLife #PrepareMyAwards
Director: I really hope so because if it were up to me, you'd be out of here, but apparently there's an actor shortage and you continue to be my only option!
Is it just me, or is there an extreme amount of sexual tension radiating from this image? The way they're looking into each other's eyes! The lesbian subtext is strong!
Apparently, Ana's character is also in a relationship with this guy, but look at him with his silly hat. He's clearly no competition for her mysterious partner in sword-fighting. I've decided this movie is definitely about two Victorian women keeping up heterosexual appearances on the outside who are totally in love with one another on the inside. That's canon as far as I'm concerned because I'm not buying that they're dueling for this loser's attention.
Anyway, back to the homoerotic duel to the death...
Finally, Ana has proven her worth and shown this director just how amazing she can be! All along, she just needed to return to her roots: sharing steamy glances with other women.
It was truly a legend-making performance!
We close on our favorite ladies excitedly celebrating Ana's ultimate success. If this itself were a movie, the shot would be slowly zooming out while they cuddle and laugh and a cheesy but heartwarming ballad would start playing quietly before building up to an explosive climax that leads into the end credits. Even though the picture has by now faded out, Gracie and Ana will surely live happily ever after off-screen...
Or will they?
Unbeknownst to them, there's a strange phenomenon brewing in an otherwise sleepy one-horse town nearby, and though it may not concern them now, it will soon impact their lives in ways they never could have possibly imagined...
Between her illness and her flop performance, Ana hasn't been feeling all that great lately, so Gracie suggests they take a day off from their work commitments and go on a luxurious spa date.
However, it turns out Gracie's idea of a relaxing day at the spa is entirely different from Ana's. There's no way she's ever going to let sickness bring her down again, so she's determined to sweat every last drop of it out of her body. She doesn't even have time to stop and chat with her mom, who once again conveniently pops up in the same place she is.
Ana: MUST! KEEP! SWEATING! MUST! MAKE! MYSELF! CLEAN! AND! PURE!
Okay, this has gone too far now. Yes, she's looking absolutely ripped, but at what cost? She looks like she can barely hold on a second longer! We have to get Gracie in here for a workout intervention before it's too late.
Ah, yes, she's finally getting it now. This is how you truly relax!
Of course, it's not a properly successful outing if she doesn't document the entire thing for her ravenous followers. Ana, you know what happened last time your fans tracked you down. Do you really want to make your current location so obvious to them?
While Ana practices lines for her next audition, Gracie ups the ante by trying to distract her with the temptation of doggy cuddles, but Ana holds steady, refusing to break character.
Later that night, Ana invites her family over for a casual summer get-together, but someone is noticeably absent.
Ana: Really? Is Mom that upset I ignored at the spa the other day? I was busy! It wasn't personal!
Gideon: Oh, you know how she is! She'll give you the silent treatment for a day or two, but then she'll welcome you back with open arms. Trust me, I've been through this rodeo once or twice myself, and we always come out stronger on the other side!
Once it's fully dark, Gracie whips out some leftover fireworks from the Humor and Hijinks Festival because she's totally qualified to do that without blowing up herself and everyone else in the process. What, Rafael, you don't believe that? What could possibly go wrong?
Nothing! Because, like I said, Gracie is totally qualified. You think she'd lie about something like that? Look at this impressive and beautiful display!
A bit of a time jump here, but cut to Ana's next acting gig. I hope the fact that it's raining again isn't giving her traumatic flashbacks to her last performance because she needs to nail this one. If she doesn't, she'll risk becoming a mockery to the entire Sim world.
Aw, fuck, she's totally buckling under the pressure, isn't she?
Costar: Seriously? You're giving me nothing to work with here!
I'm not sure if her other costar's massively pregnant belly is part of her costume or for real. Either way, though, having to suffer through all of Ana's missed takes is really doing a number on her back.
Director: Goddamn it, why did I let casting convince me to give you a second chance?!? You know what, I blame myself for this one. Never again. Never again!
Ana: Oh my god, this is it. This is the moment. I've finally outgrown my talents. What if I was never destined for the stage and this has all been a huge mistake?
She can't even deliver a convincing slap anymore! I can't believe I'm saying it, but this is an embarrassment to the craft!
Ana: Well, I guess I'll just go die now! It was nice knowing you all. I'm sorry I let you down.
I'm not sure if notoriety is exactly how she wanted to get there, but, on the bright side, at least this performance turned her into a three-star celebrity. She'll certainly be remembered now, even if only for some truly disastrous performances.
Ana: ARGGGHHHHHHHH, WHY DOES THE UNIVERSE HATE ME?!?!?!?!?
You know, I think we're going to let Ana experience the rest of this breakdown in private and see what's going on with the rest of her family, since it's certainly far less dramatic...
Excusez-moi, Alexis? A beautiful baby what now?
Rafael: Dad, I think I made a huge mistake... Alexis and I were so caught up in the heat of the moment we forgot to use protection. Well, he's been dodging my calls lately and now I know why. He had a baby! My baby! What should I do?
Gideon: Son, almost the same exact thing happened with me and your mom when she had you, and we've been happy together ever since... so take that information and do with it what you will. I know you'll make the right choice.
After that brief conversation, Rafael knew what he had to do. He immediately went to Alexis' house, where he found that there was already a beautiful bedroom set up for their new baby girl.
Rafael: Babe, why didn't you tell me?
Alexis: I don't know. I was just waiting for the right time... and then I waited a little too long. Do you hate me?
Rafael could never hate Alexis, and the second he looks into Marisol's eyes, even though she's still a little unsure about him, he knows he loves her irrevocably, too. This may not have been a part of his plan, but he's ready to take responsibility and dive headfirst into fatherhood.
Of course, he and Alexis immediately remind us they're still young at heart by taking a selfie to celebrate their big news.
Ana can't be too upset about her recent lackluster performances anymore, since she's now reached a level of fame where people are literally passing out at the mere sight of her. Seems like a bit of an extreme reaction to a b-lister, but, hey, she's not complaining.
Once the guy recovers enough to nervously ask her for a selfie, she happily indulges his request.
Mandy: OH MY GOD, ANA, HIIII!!! I TOTALLY KNOW HER! I'M FRIENDS WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS!
Disgruntled Fan: Get in line and wait your turn! I was here first, damn it!
Ana would rather pose smugly for the paparazzi than give Mandy the time of day, which may be a little bit cruel, but Mandy's mom did deny her entry to the VIP lounge that one time, so in Ana's mind it's totally justified.
Wow, she's now made actual physical contact with Thorne Bailey. Is this what it feels like to touch God? Hopefully, he's finally apologizing for all the bullshit his awful son has put her through.
Meanwhile, Gracie's successes may be quieter and more modest, but she's still chugging away at her journalism career while churning out more volumes of her children's series on the side.
Who would have thought? It looks like Gracie is picking up a bit of fame herself with her brilliant youth fantasy books!
Ana: I'm happy for you, honey, I promise, but I'm off to the movie set, and this time I can't let anything get in my way.
Ana has decided that if she acts like the most confident person in the room, she'll actually become the most confident person in the room. This costume is certainly helping to get her into a particularly regal mindset.
Ana: About to walk onstage and kill it! #ActingLife #PrepareMyAwards
Director: I really hope so because if it were up to me, you'd be out of here, but apparently there's an actor shortage and you continue to be my only option!
Oh, baby! I love a good sword fight! Between that, the costuming, and the set, this project is absolutely screaming award bait. Time for Ana's redemption!
Is it just me, or is there an extreme amount of sexual tension radiating from this image? The way they're looking into each other's eyes! The lesbian subtext is strong!
Apparently, Ana's character is also in a relationship with this guy, but look at him with his silly hat. He's clearly no competition for her mysterious partner in sword-fighting. I've decided this movie is definitely about two Victorian women keeping up heterosexual appearances on the outside who are totally in love with one another on the inside. That's canon as far as I'm concerned because I'm not buying that they're dueling for this loser's attention.
Anyway, back to the homoerotic duel to the death...
Finally, Ana has proven her worth and shown this director just how amazing she can be! All along, she just needed to return to her roots: sharing steamy glances with other women.
It was truly a legend-making performance!
We close on our favorite ladies excitedly celebrating Ana's ultimate success. If this itself were a movie, the shot would be slowly zooming out while they cuddle and laugh and a cheesy but heartwarming ballad would start playing quietly before building up to an explosive climax that leads into the end credits. Even though the picture has by now faded out, Gracie and Ana will surely live happily ever after off-screen...
Or will they?
Unbeknownst to them, there's a strange phenomenon brewing in an otherwise sleepy one-horse town nearby, and though it may not concern them now, it will soon impact their lives in ways they never could have possibly imagined...