this is less of a complaint and more of an educational lecture: when you write "PS" to leave a little addendum to the end of a note, that's short for "post script", eg, "after the text". postscripts became customary in the days of handwriting and then typewriters because it was really hard to go back up into a finished letter and insert more text before computers, so if you had any additional thoughts or corrections, you had to add them at the bottom.
ok i told you that so i can tell you this: when you have a second post script, the acronym is PPS, not PSS. PPS stands for post-post-script. post-script-script doesn't really make any sense in this context. you can just keep adding Ps to make each additional thought even more post, if you want. and plenty of antique letter writers with ADHD certainly did.
thinking about Udai and how post-timeskip he seems settled where he is in terms of life and volleyball and the distinctly monstrous glint in his eye when he learns that he's awakened new little giants and inspired players that he might never even know and that he's had an impact and just -when is a monster not a monster? false question a monster is always a monster even when its asleep
A tremendous thank you to everyone reading, whether you’ve been with me from the start, or are a new follower catching up, or anything and everything in between.
I’m finally answering any and all questions about this story, so if there’s something you’re curious about that isn’t covered below the cut, send me an ask!
As many have already successfully deduced, the true story this has been based on is what’s known as “The Galapagos Affair.”
I first heard this story recounted on a true crime podcast. When listening to this completely ridiculous, stranger-than-fiction story I could see so many scenes playing out in my mind in the Sims. The release of the Island Living EP made the idea seem even more feasible, and it wasn’t long after I finished my Island Living play-through that I decided to head back to Sulani and retell the story that had been living in my head rent-free as best I could with the Sims as my medium. Almost 3 years later, here we are. ☺️
Of course, from the beginning I've had to lean into certain changes to fit my retelling into the scope of the Sims. Sara’s best friend Fleck the raccoon, in reality, was a donkey (above). The Countess, or rather, Baroness, never carried her signature whip (not that CC objects or poses aren’t available for that, I just wasn’t up to the adventure of sourcing them for my game 😅), and there wasn’t any talk of death by pufferfish in real life. (Thank goodness we got both chickens and canning in game with the release of Cottage Living or I really would have had to deviate from the true story.)
I changed names, too, so it wasn’t too easy for anyone to Google and spoil the ending for themselves or others. I chose to include the character of the Selvadoradian (read: Ecuadorian) guide who gets written out of the hotel company party, but missed the opportunity to include the overlooked Ecuadorian teenager hired on by Doctor Roder (real name: Ritter) to help them settle into their new surroundings, as I did not learn of him until getting my hands on Dore’s book shortly after beginning my series. (And here I thought I’d done my research...) Out of a desperate need for some comic relief, I dialed up the eccentric in “eccentric millionaire” and made Captain “call me Allan” Wolcott (Hancock) a real character. I’d like to think I did a good job making Sara Dach in Dore Strauch’s likeness, but certainly took my liberties with everyone else. CAS isn’t my strong suit.
It honestly feels a bit weird to share these photos, perhaps because I’ve kept the true story inspiration under wraps for the better part of 3 years, but also because they’re real people. With the exception of the Baroness (and arguably perhaps, to a lesser degree, Doctor Ritter), I don’t think any of these people would have necessarily chosen to step into the spotlight that was thrust upon them (though both surviving women did go on to choose to remain in that spotlight in order to tell their own respective versions of events).
I’m obviously quite unsure of what any one of them would make of having their story fictionalized via screenshots of a life simulation video game posted to a social media platform in the 21st century... 😄 But I’d like to think I've done right by them by exploring their at-times ridiculous words and actions with empathy (yes, even for you, Friedrich) and not charging in with clear-cut hero and villain portrayals based on whatever I might think happened.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Galapagos Affair, there are loads of short and to the point articles out there (some linked below). You might also be interested in watching the documentary (starring the inimitable Cate Blanchett as the voice of Dore) which features a lot of archival footage, news clippings, journal entries, missives, and photos. If you’re really keen, you may even want to read one or both of the survivor’s books. Dore’s book is fairly dense, and focuses exclusively on the events of the Galapagos Affair. Margret’s is a quicker read, though it goes into a lot more detail into everyday life and homemaking on a remote island and also covers their life on the island over the following decades. And of course their retellings of both key and mundane events differ quite a bit. Both are certainly worth exploring!
Articles
The Empress of the Galápagos Islands, Smithsonian Institution Archives Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
The Gruesome History of the Galapagos Islands' Nietzsche-Fueled Homesteader Death Showdown, Gizmodo
The Galapagos Affair, ThoughtCo
Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: the Saga of the Empress of the Galapagos, HuffPost
Podcasts
My Favorite Murder: 129 - Coincidence Island [story beginning at 53:10] I no longer subscribe to or generally recommend this podcast but this one from the archives—where I first heard this story—is still an enjoyable, if not super well researched, listen.
Do Go On: 173 - The Baroness of Floreana Island [story beginning at 5:35] This is a podcast I do listen to and recommend and, if you can believe it, there’s even a cheeky little Sims reference in this episode! (You might also check out their prequel episode 170 - The Essex and the Real Life Moby Dick about earlier happenings on the island of Floreana.)
Video
Satan Came to Eden: The Galapagos Affair Available to buy or rent on Apple TV or to stream via Kanopy / your local library and definitely not anywhere else
Books
Satan Came to Eden: A Survivor’s Account of “The Galapagos Affair” by Dore Strauch, Available on Bookshop.org and definitely not anywhere else
Floreana: A Woman’s Pilgrimage to the Galapagos by Margret Wittmer, Available on ThriftBooks
One question, does Kitten have a real name or is is kept vague enough for Obi-Wan to keep dreaming?
Hello!
Thank you so much. I am so proud of that story and am overjoyed at the response it has gotten.
To your question: No. Kitten does not have a name.
That whole ending scene with the dream was completely unplanned but as soon as I started writing it, I just knew exactly what was happening. Honestly one of the strangest writing experiences I've ever had.
The name just came out with the rest of the words, and while I never really wondered what her real name was, I did wonder how Obi-Wan started calling her that, and, well, this is as good a place as any so...
Obi-Wan sat sideways in his green chair in the corner, his feet up on the cushion, staring unblinkingly down at the gently snoozing bundle in his arms.
She was so unbearably perfect.
A gift he could never have dreamed to ask for.
"Are you going to start crying again?" Satine asked from the doorway, her tone teasing and smile bright.
"You're supposed to be sleeping, my love," he replied, pointedly ignoring her (possibly accurate) accusation.
"I missed you," she breathed, walking across the room to the chair and standing over Obi-Wan's shoulder, her eyes gazing down at the creature in his arms while her fingers combed through his hair, "both of you."
"We missed you too," he smiled, leaning into her touch, nuzzling against her.
"You look so cozy," she whispered, placing a kiss to the top of his head, "curled up here like cats."
