A Distraction (Big Brother)

[hazelnut]

I'm glad people are still reading after the break.  Thanks .


Week 9

Of course, having decided that the housemates are now going to begin each week with a skill class, the next skill on my list is one that doesn’t have classes.  So I buy them a sculpting station each, wait until everyone’s awake, fed and showered and then tell them to sculpt.  I don’t think it was deliberate, but somehow the men all end up using the indoor stations while the women are out on the balcony.

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They carry on until boredom or more pressing needs intervene.  Lea, Sara and all three of the men finish their sculptures.  The others abandon theirs partway through but everyone has at least one point in sculpting by lunchtime.  Then I move the completed sculptures and wait.

In case sculpting in itself isn’t sufficiently appealing, the garden has acquired two sandpits – childish Alys may have left the house but most of my adult Sims have enjoyed building sandcastles.

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You can probably guess how well that worked out  .

India’s obviously decided to make it up with Lea after their slanging match in the bathroom.  Unfortunately, as usual, she goes for the flirty rather than the friendly approach.

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Lea’s not impressed and tells her so in no uncertain terms.

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I don't think she's very happy with me either  .  She starts to storm off but then, in true HoH fashion, she changes her mind and stops for a nap on the sofa.

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Flu’s definitely becoming more sociable.  He has quite a long chat with Lea…

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…which ends badly when they disagree about writing.  Then, an hour or two later, India shows that she is, in fact, capable of normal non-romantic conversation.

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But then Terry interrupts the discussion.

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For some reason, she starts talking about houses instead of books.  Doesn’t she know what’s important in life?   Fluellen suddenly realises he needs to go the loo, leaving India to deal with the boredom alone.

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Wednesday night arrives and no-one’s done any more sculpting.  I don’t really want this week’s HoH to depend on that one enforced session on Monday morning, so the sculpting stations and sandpits stay in place and Lea gets moved back out into the main part of the house.  For good measure, the TV, video games console, computer and stereo all go into family inventory.  Perhaps that’ll stop the queuing and complaints outside the HoH suite.

It doesn’t encourage them to sculpt, though.

Of course, extending the skilling period means longer without proper food – although I don’t know why Sara chose to eat someone’s abandoned bowl of soup instead of getting a new one out of the fridge.  I know she’s eco-friendly but eating dodgy leftovers instead of throwing them away is taking it a bit too far.

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India is still pursuing Grim.

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Amazingly, it doesn’t lead to a fight this time.

In other news, Flu has developed the ability to throw rubber ducks though walls.

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No wonder they’re laughing so much.  Lea seems remarkably unamused, though.

And finally, on Thursday evening, Sara (who has now recovered from her food poisoning) picks up a chisel.

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I’d forgotten that she’s a savvy sculptor.

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(Notice India and Lea in the background, by the way.  Their relationship isn’t quite as bad as India’s with Grim but it’s catching up fast.)

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Sara was already narrowly in the lead this week; now she quickly reaches level 3 and becomes the new Head of House.  I let her carry on anyway – she’s enjoying herself and I want to see whether she can pick up another sculpting point.

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As it turns out, other needs get in the way and she doesn’t quite finish the sculpture.

I have to start a parallel tie-break file to decide who’s up for elimination this week.  Sara has completely neutral relationships with everyone.  Even with enforced interactions, the margins are narrow – but India and Simon emerge as the two she likes slightly less than the others.

With the luxury suite back in use, we’re back to the traffic jams in the corridors.

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(And what was that about?  “You’re really bugging me”?)

Lea and India’s relationship continues to grow more complicated…

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…as does the triangle of Terry, India and Fluellen.

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And, in perhaps the most astonishing development of the week, someone actually maxes a skill!

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The notification pops up while Di is playing in the swimming pool on Saturday morning.  She’s reached level 10 of athletic.


Voting time rolls around again.  I was going to have an indoor vote again this week but, with only half of the contestants remaining, they look rather lost in the seating area.  The balcony is more the right size.

Sara, as Head of House, goes first but has a surprising announcement.

“I’m sorry, I just can’t choose.  It was bad enough deciding which two of you should be sitting there.  Chatting online the past few days has made me realise that I really don’t know anyone here well enough.  I’m abstaining.”

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The others all have a definite preference  and Simon is eliminated by three votes to two.

India’s delighted.

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Simon takes it well.  After all, India’s his closest friend on the show.  He’s generous enough to be happy for her.  He wishes her luck, hugs her goodbye, calls for a taxi and is whisked away into the city.

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Once again, the vote was entirely down to India – all of Simon’s relationships were at almost exactly the same level (slightly green).  The one exception was with India herself – they’ve become good friends this week.

Sara’s actually made a friend online – a townie, Jeromy Xu-Castle, and she’s also at a high acquaintance level with Rafael Striker.  I really couldn’t get her to decide between India and Simon, despite playing for ages in another file with needs static.  Abstaining seemed the only sensible option.


Skills update at the end of week 9

Diana: athletic 10, cooking 2, guitar 3, logic 1, painting 2, mixology 1, sculpting 1
Sara: athletic 6, cooking 5, drums 3, painting 3, social networking 2, mixology 1, sculpting 3
Lea: athletic 6, science 5, cooking 3, drums 2, painting 2, handiness 1, mixology 2, sculpting 1
Fluellen: athletic 4, cooking 4, science 3, handiness 2, painting 1, mixology 1, sculpting 2
Simon: athletic 4, cooking 4, painting 3, mixology 1, sculpting 2
Teresa: athletic 3, cooking 1, mixology 1, sculpting
Grim: athletic 2, cooking 3, handiness 2, painting 1, mixology 1, sculpting 1
India: cooking 1, mixology 1, sculpting 1

[PeregrineTook]

With Ro going last time, I was terrified that my second favorite, India, was going to go this week.  Glad to see that wasn't the case.
It was kind of amusing to read (though probably less fun for you playing through it) that Sara really had no preference.  Good thing the others picked well  ;=)

[chetanhaobijam]

Good thing, India didn't leave the house. I was afraid of that. Now, I kinda wish she built up some good relationships and some skills so she keep staying in the house. Good luck to her . And congrats to Diana for maxing the athletic skill   . Looking forward for next update.

Sent from my Micromax A94 using Tapatalk

[hazelnut]

With Ro going last time, I was terrified that my second favorite, India, was going to go this week.  Glad to see that wasn't the case.

Good thing, India didn't leave the house. I was afraid of that. Now, I kinda wish she built up some good relationships and some skills so she keep staying in the house. Good luck to her .

I never know from week to week what will happen with India - her relationships are so much more extreme than the others'.  I can see her being up for elimination quite often but probably getting away with it, depending on who else is nominated.

It was kind of amusing to read (though probably less fun for you playing through it) that Sara really had no preference.  Good thing the others picked well  ;=)

Much as I like Sara, I kind of hope she gets eliminated soon.  Terry's the only housemate she has any kind of relationship with and their bar isn't that far into the green.  I'm getting a little tired of starting up tie-break files just for her.

Week 9 was pretty annoying to play all round.  I actually played through twice: the first time, I didn't make them sculpt and nobody did, all week.  Rather than carry on for a second week with another skill, or do without a HoH and put everyone up for eviction, I decided to go back to the beginning, with the sandpits (not that they helped) and telling them to sculpt once.

[starlives]

So good to see you back
Great screenshots as always.  I was rather sorry to see both Ro and Simon leave as they were both interesting characters.  Surprised to see how low India's skill points are - I guess she is too busy flirting.  At this point I really have no idea who is likely to win.  Do you find that their Lifetime Wishes have any affect on the way they behave?
Will be watching developments with interest.
"I’ve been taking part in a building contest over at MTS" - I'm intrigues - What is MTS?

[hazelnut]

So good to see you back
Great screenshots as always.  I was rather sorry to see both Ro and Simon leave as they were both interesting characters.  Surprised to see how low India's skill points are - I guess she is too busy flirting.  At this point I really have no idea who is likely to win.  Do you find that their Lifetime Wishes have any affect on the way they behave?
Will be watching developments with interest.

Thank you

I'll miss both of them as well.  Sometimes it's almost overwhelmingly tempting to intervene to help my favourites - but the whole point of this is to let the Sims get on with it and accept whatever happens .

I don't think LTWs have much effect, if any (although, to be honest, I've forgotten what most of them are).

I think this version of India is too busy with her social life to bother with skilling.  It's odd, because India Mk1 had about a dozen maxed skills and at least some points in almost everything.

"I’ve been taking part in a building contest over at MTS" - I'm intrigues - What is MTS?

MTS is Mod the Sims.  I was competing in the Build A Resort Contest, which has just finished.

[hazelnut]

Week 10

And yet again, the next skill on my list is one with no classes: martial arts.  I wonder about forcing them to skill again but eventually decide I’ll just put out a few training dummies and a couple of board breakers and wait to see what happens.

In fact, the first thing that happens is nothing to do with Sim Fu: an unexpected visitor turns up at the gates just after midnight.

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Since he can’t get through them to abduct anyone, the alien gives up and flies off again long before the housemates are awake.

Unsurprisingly, it’s athletic Diana who is first to notice the new skilling objects.

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She seems quite tentative at first but then starts to get into it.

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Meanwhile, it’s business as usual outdoors.  The hot tub is broken for the umpteenth time and India and Grim are arguing.

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Di carries on trying to learn her new skill.  Who knew that a simple wooden post could be such a tricky opponent?

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It looks as though Lea could do with some martial arts training.  I suppose it’s just her clumsiness but this screenshot looks remarkably like Grim brushing past and nearly knocking her down the stairs:

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By late Monday afternoon, Di has acquired a new outfit to show off.

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Nobody else is showing the slightest interest in the training dummies, although life in the BB house is surprisingly peaceful this week, so maybe some sort of zen influence is leaking out.  Those noted hotheads Grim, India and Lea actually manage to have a civilised group conversation.

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On Tuesday afternoon, Di picks up her second martial arts point…

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…and as the light fades on Wednesday, she starts working on a third.

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She’s interrupted by some of the others but goes back to training with one of the indoor dummies after the rest are in bed.

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Eventually, she realises that she really does need to go to bed too – but it’s OK.  This week’s Head of House title is in the bag.

Di is definitely a supporter of Girl Power – her nominees for eviction this week are the two remaining men, Grim and Fluellen.

They respond by sitting down with Sara to eat week-old pancakes from the newly-restored big fridge  .

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This is particularly mad since Sara has just produced by far the best-quality meal of the game so far, a very nice pumpkin pie.

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An hour or so later, Lea collapses on the floor despite not being HoH.  What's going on?  Then I remember – she’s also eaten some of those pancakes  .

Despite my fears of a major epidemic of food poisoning, everyone’s OK (give or take the odd upchucking session) and the rest of the week passes quietly.

Sunday is Leisure Day (again) and the weather is perfect.  All of the remaining housemates head out to the pool after breakfast…

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…and they spend the rest of the day swimming, diving and having breath-holding contests.

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At five o’clock, I have to order them out of the water for this week’s vote: the women passing judgement on the men.  Maybe it’s just me projecting my own feelings but the Sims do look rather uncomfortable.

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It’s almost unanimous – only Di wants Flu to go.  Grim shrugs, then makes a spectacular exit.

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Phones and estate agents are for mere mortals.

“Where did he go?”

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Normally, Grim likes his world’s dim bleakness – but sometimes you just have to hurry indoors, conjure up a comfy chair (he has picked up a few interior design tips from his time in the BB house) and settle in front of the telly to enjoy everyone else’s reactions  .

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[Magz from Oz]

Grim's entries and exits are always spectacular.  Great update hazelnut.

[hazelnut]

Grim's entries and exits are always spectacular.  Great update hazelnut.

Thanks


Week 11

After The Island, I was rather hesitant about including gardening in this game.  On the other hand, it should be fine if it’s combined with another skill.  Shouldn’t it?

Once they’ve got over the suddenness of Grim’s departure, the others pile into taxis and head off into the city again.  First stop, the supermarket, for a fishing class.

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Then, despite complaints that they’re hungry and tired, they’re ‘encouraged’ into the subway for a trip across town and a gardening class at the science lab.

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At last, with the rudiments of two new skills learned, they’re allowed back home.

Everyone’s up late the following morning and the new additions to the garden are already looking a little tired by the time anyone’s outside to see them.

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Not that that makes much difference – as usual, socialising and trying to break into the Head of House suite are far more important than skill-building.

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By the end of the week, the plants are looking very sad indeed (although the fish are probably happy about being undisturbed).

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And so we’re into week 11a – I refuse to mess up my numbering system by acknowledging that it’s actually the twelfth week – and the first back-up skill.  Since the travelling took so long last week, they all teleport to City Hall for a charisma class.  Although, come to think of it, it might have been a good idea  to tell them to change into their everyday clothes first.

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At least charisma is a skill they can practise without any effort.  They just carry on chatting…

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…and arguing…

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…as usual.

Maybe because of the two recent trips into Bridgeport, Flu seems to be missing the outside world.  Like his half-brother a few weeks ago, he’s taken to staring out of windows, although he seems far more upset.  Sage just looked thoughtful; Flu looks miserable.

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Wednesday night arrives and the new Head of House is… Fluellen?!  How did that happen?  I thought India would be a shoo-in.  But no: Sara doesn’t seem to have made any progress at all since the class, all of the others are at level 2 and Flu has somehow reached a high level 3, despite all of the window-gazing.  He settles happily into his new quarters.

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Lea and Sara are up for eviction this week.  It’s pretty obvious which way India will vote but who will the others choose?

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In fact, it’s another split decision, which means it’s all down to Flu’s casting vote… and Sara is eliminated.

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Like Grim, she’s not interested in moving into the city for the rest of the series.  The surrounding hills with their unspoilt woodland are far more appealing.  She sets off to explore the area…

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…and finds the ideal holiday location for a shy, eco-friendly Sim.

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[PeregrineTook]

It's so funny how resistant your Sims are to skilling!
I'm so glad Indy is still around  :=)

[KRae]

I like your idea of sending them to a class at the beginning of the week. I tried one of these challenges quite some time ago, and skilling resistance is par for the course.

[hazelnut]

It's so funny how resistant your Sims are to skilling!
I'm so glad Indy is still around  :=)

I'm not sure whether I find it funny or infuriating 

I like your idea of sending them to a class at the beginning of the week. I tried one of these challenges quite some time ago, and skilling resistance is par for the course.

I think it's helping but I'm not entirely sure.  In fact, I'm currently carrying out a little experiment in Week 12 of the game.

[hazelnut]

Week 12

Week 12 is another musical week.  And we all know what that means: even less enthusiasm than usual for learning skills.  Actually, come to think of it, I don't believe that's possible. 

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It starts with everyone going to the theatre for a class, but since I’m not sure how much the classes are helping, I send Di, Lea and India to learn bass, while it’s piano for Flu and Terry.  Let's see whether that influences their behaviour.  If this one goes into a second week, they’ll attend a class in the other instrument.

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At midnight, the new skilling objects appear – and are ignored, as usual, while the Sims stand around chatting…

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…and the house gets into a mess.

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For some reason, they’re much more reluctant to clean up quick meals than the proper food they eat between skilling periods – and it’s been worse since Grim left, of course.

Wednesday night rolls around without anyone making progress in their new instrumental skills, to my distinct lack of surprise.  But then, on Thursday morning, Lea (who went to a bass class, remember) sits down at the piano and starts to pick out a tune.

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The others gather round to watch and listen…

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..as Lea gains her first piano point and becomes Head of House for the third time.

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She nominates India and Fluellen for eviction.  Flu goes back to staring out of windows, making no effort at all to work on his relationships.  India, as usual, is far more active socially…

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…although it’s not always positive…

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…and berating the ignorance of the Head of House is definitely a bad idea.  (And completely wrong.  Have you looked at everyone’s skill levels, India?)

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It’s voting time again.  Lea, predictably, wants to eliminate India.  Equally predictably, Di wants her to stay.  So it’s all down to Terry.  This could be interesting – she and India were friends a week or two back but have tended to argue recently.  Her relationship with Flu has also had its ups and downs.  Where do things stand at the moment?

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I thought this would be a close decision but, as it turns out,  Terry has a clear preference – and votes India off the show.  (Sorry, Pippin and Chet.)

India hugs her best friend goodbye

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But Di’s not going to let it go at that.  She’s been rolling wishes to kiss India since Week 3 and today is her last chance.

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I think they’re embarrassing Lea.  Or maybe she’s just seen something interesting on the other side of the garden.  India’s happy…

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…and returns the kiss, stylishly.

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(I love Terry’s reaction .)

Then she reluctantly pulls out her phone and calls for a taxi.

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Skills update at the end of week 12

Diana: athletic 10, cooking 4, guitar 3, logic 1, painting 2, mixology 1, sculpting 1, martial arts 2, fishing 1, gardening 1, charisma 3, bass 1
Lea: athletic 7, science 5, cooking 3, drums 2, painting 2, handiness 1, mixology 2, sculpting 1, fishing 1, gardening 1, charisma 2, bass 1, piano 1
Fluellen: athletic 5, cooking 5, science 4, handiness 2, painting 1, mixology 1, sculpting 2, fishing 1, gardening 1, charisma 3, piano 1
Teresa: athletic 4, cooking 2, mixology 1, sculpting 1, fishing 1, gardening 1, charisma 2, piano 1
India: cooking 1, mixology 1, sculpting 1, fishing 1, gardening 1, charisma 2, bass 1

[PeregrineTook]

Well, with the relational roller coaster that is India, I can't say I'm surprised she is leaving.  In fact, I'm mildly surprised she made it this far...

[starlives]

Sorry I have not commented recently but I have been reading.
Week 10: Brilliant shot of Grim's bleak world. How did you get the shot of the housemates projected on to his TV screen?
Week 11: Good to see Flu getting a turn as HoH.  Will a Loser end up as the Winner I wonder!
Week 12: India's farewell to Di was just brilliant - all the shots are great but the one showing Terry's reaction is just priceless!
I took a look at your entries in the recent MTS competition and they are fantastic - what a brilliant builder you are.  I especially loved the Slip Inn.  So so real.  I love building too and it is one the reasons I have stayed playing Sims 3 and not moving on to Sims 4.