[Hyde POV]
"The VW is finished."
I stood beside the VW after buffing it out. I have wet sanded it, and buffed it with buffing compound after the paint.
{After Restoration – 1971 Volkswagen Beetle}
Overall Condition: EXCELLENT (A)
Full cosmetic and mechanical restoration using modern 2025 tools and parts, hidden to maintain 1977 appearance.
ENGINE – Condition: A
Fan belt: Replaced with serpentine-grade, high-strength belt
Engine oil: Modern synthetic, fully topped off
Transmission fluid: Fresh synthetic
Valve lash: Perfectly adjusted
Spark plugs: Modern high-energy plugs
Carbs: Cleaned, tuned with precision carb kit
Cooling: Shroud and tins polished; fins cleared of dust
Note: Runs smoothly, idle perfect, excellent throttle response
FUEL SYSTEM – Condition: A
Dual Solex carbs fully cleaned and tuned
Fuel strainer replaced
IGNITION – Condition: A
Points tuned for optimal spark
Timing perfectly set with 2025 diagnostic accuracy
BODY – Condition: A
Full rust treatment completed, surface rust removed
Undercarriage undercoated for long-term protection
Panels straightened and aligned
PAINT – Condition: SHOW-GRADE
Color: Sky Blue
Primer + 3-coat basecoat + 3-coat 2K clear coat
High-gloss finish far superior to 1977 factory quality
Low VOC, DIY-Pro quality
Fabric interior repaired with fabric sprayer; no cracks or wear visible
Expected lifespan 10–15 years even under heavy use
{Current Value (1977): $1,950}
"Nice." I muttered with excitement. The oils made it feel like a new car. It was a really great VW Beetle and I think the price could reach two thousand to the right collector.
Overall, I spent 700 dollars on the car. If I got it sold for 1950, that would mean a 1250 dollars profit.
The new owner would get a car that felt brand new too, so it wasn't like I was over inflating the value of the car.
And the profit, I need to share it with Eric and Red too.
Eric since he did all the cleaning and detailing work for the interior. Red worked on the car while I was gone. And they helped with the body work too.
Maybe I could give them 200 bucks each.
"One car done." I said with excitement. "The potential buyer will come tomorrow. Now, let's move on to the next car."
The Impala. A stock 1965 Impala with a 327 cubic inch V8.
The interior was fine, a bit dirty, but overall okay. The paint was mismatched in several panels. There was no rust, so it was nice.
I was checking the engine of the car I bought from Vaughn when the system notification sounded.
{Episode: The Velvet Rope. Starting in 10 minutes.}
"Huh…"
By this time, I have already given up on trying to have time to prepare. All I could do was 'winging' it now.
I couldn't even check the synopsis on the internet since my internet was down right now.
The system suddenly went crazy.
[-Major plot change. Confusing storyline.]
[-Opening the episode in front of the autoshop would be too sudden.
-Adding an episode in between.
-Searching for plots.]
"Huh?" I was confused.
[-Found 3 minor subplots. Adding into a complete episode. Adding new character: Victoria Wheeler]
"Wait. What?" I am dumbfounded now.
The system then compiled an episode for me to watch.
It started with Red and Kitty discussing his unemployment. Kitty asked him what he could do while he waited to get a job. He said he would try working as a mechanic to keep the family afloat.
I wasn't around when it all happened, so I didn't know.
Then, Kelso and Eric went to give Victoria her fridge. I saw firsthand how Kelso flirted with her, and Eric warned him I would get mad.
It cuts to the scene where Jackie and Donna were trying to hang out with Victoria, which made Eric feel embarrassed since he became part of the girl's group.
Then, when I hung out with Victoria, she told me about Kelso. The system didn't include the part where I told Victoria to tell Jackie about it.
It cuts straight to the consequences. With punching Kelso's arm in the basement and telling him I would make sure he wouldn't forget he has a girlfriend.
It cuts to a scene where I held a paint brush and stood next to Kelso's van.
The next day, Red found the autoshop alone. Kitty came to visit him and they talked about spending money on the shop when they needed to be saving and budgeting.
At the same time, Kelso and Laurie started flirting again.
'I didn't know that happened. He must've been keeping it a secret since he thought I would do something to him.'
But then, the van rolled into the shot of the driveway. The Jackie artwork, with the dialogue, "Micheal, You're a dirty dirty dog" could be seen through the sliding door in the kitchen, which has a direct view of the driveway.
Laurie told him to meet her tonight at her bedroom to finish what I interrupted. Kelso turned around giggling as Laurie flirted with him and left.
He saw the artwork and yelled in horror.
Then, he started messing with me, wanting to get me back. The episode ended with him locking my door from the outside and laughing madly as I screamed to let me out.
It also added the part where I unhooked the hinges– not showing the cordless screwdriver, and chasing after him madly.
The episode ended as Red decided to open the store. To take a risk on himself.
[Episode 5: New Girl
Rating: 7.7/10.
Rating point earned: 7.7]
"Nice. My build mode time has run low. I couldn't be lazy if I didn't have it." I smiled in excitement.
I was done with the engine, now I got under the car.
I jotted down the appraisal details on a piece of paper for Red to see the diagnosis. That's why I was under the hood, to check the flaws.
On my system panel, it said;
{Vehicle Appraisal}
Vehicle: 1965 Chevrolet Impala (B-Body)
Color: Factory Black (heavily faded)
Exterior Condition: Patch-repaired panels with mismatched touch-up paint. Severe oxidation. Uneven gloss. Visually poor.
Mileage: 101,630 miles
Engine: 327ci Small-Block V8
Transmission: Powerglide Automatic
Body Condition:
Straight frame. No structural rust.
Minor surface corrosion only at seams and under trim.
Multiple old paint touch-ups using different enamel types, resulting in a blotchy, uneven appearance.
Underbody:
Factory undercoating partially intact.
Surface rust present but contained.
Drain holes clogged; moisture trapped in several areas.
Mechanical Assessment:
The vehicle runs and drives reliably.
However, multiple age-related failures detected:
Front suspension rubber bushings degraded and partially collapsed
Rear trailing arm bushings hardened and cracked
Brake lines externally corroded.
Steering linkage worn; excessive play at center link
Oil seepage at pan gasket and rear main seal
Exhaust hangers weakened; minor exhaust leak present
{Expend assessment list}
"It will be quite hard."
To fix it in 1977 would require a lot of hard labor. Especially the bushing part. A car mechanic shop would defer these types of work to other shops to avoid the harsh difficulty level.
"Well, if I used the shop press, I can do what other mechanics took 4-5 hours to fix in just 10 minutes." I muttered with a smile.
My tools would help me fix all of the damages in the car overnight. The carburetor needs cleaning too.
I focused on the last part of the appraisal.
{Current value: 450 dollars.}
Red suddenly pulled me from under the car by pulling the creeper.
"Steven. How's it looking?" He asked with a smile.
"Managable." I replied curtly.
"Good." Red said and turned to Kitty, expecting support, but she had a look of disbelief instead.
"That's it? That's how you discuss whether the car is good or not?! Are you even serious in doing this business?!"
I guess Kitty has second doubts now that Red has changed the storefront to Forman and Sons Auto Shop.
Red was startled, and he immediately cleared his throat and changed the way he conducted himself.
"Steven. We need more information. Specific ones."
I took off my gloves and handed him a notepad.
"Here. I've written it all down."
Red smiled and turned to Kitty smugly. "See. We're being professional."
Kitty sighed and ran towards me, patting my arm to comfort me, "You poor boy. Being bullied into work when a young man like you should be spending Friday night with your friends. Why don't you get home, get cleaned up? I've put aside some food for your dinner."
"Sweet." I said simply.
"Steven. The bushel… that will need a lot of work." Red said seriously, then he grinned at me. "Sounds like a fun job for you to do on the weekends."
"Oh Red. Stop it. He's been working hard all week already, I've barely seen him around the house." Kitty said with a motherly tone. "Let him have some fun."
"He can have fun. Hitting the metal for hours with a hammer. Setting it on fire. Cursing at god for his fate."
I smirked and said, "That does sound like fun. I usually did that anyway. Now, I can get paid for it."
[favorability +2]
My total favorability was 109. Now, it climbed to 111.
The scene focused more on Red and Kitty rather than me. The recording ended, and I went back home after Mrs Forman insisted I get some rest.
"I wanted to paint my car tonight though." I muttered sadly.
Now that I've seen what the VW looks like, the paint job I did on Nova looked quite shitty. So I decided to repaint it in a metallic green color. I've seen the color on a 74' Nova SS on the internet and thought it looked really good.
But, I would do two tone colors instead of just one metallic green. The hood, and the top half would be painted a metallic black color.
I appraised my Nova with the system appraisal, and found the value was 2300 dollars with the modifications I've made. I wonder if I could get it to 2500 with the new paint job.
Also, for a guy running a car flip, my car couldn't look shabby since the customer would lose their trust in the car I've fixed up.
When I came home, all of my friends were in the basement.
"Hey! Look who decides to join us!" Eric said gleefully. "The ambitious, entrepreneurial, conspiracy theorist who loved the government."
I grimaced and said, "I don't love the government. I love money."
Jackie gasped and said, "Steven. I love money too."
"We're not the same Jackie. I'm poor, so I earn my money. You're born with a golden spoon in your mouth." I said, a little annoyed.
Jackie made a mocking head shake and ignored me.
I sat down on my chair as they were all playing monopoly. Fez was in his underwear for some reason.
"Why are you naked?" I asked.
Fez replied, "We're playing strip monopoly."
Kelso laughed and added, "Yeah. But we're all targeting Fez."
"So you want to see Fez naked?" I said teasingly.
Kelso was taken aback and he stammered. "What? NO! Stop being weird!"
I went to take a shower and change my clothes. I wore a blue paisley shirt with minimal pattern and a vest since it was pretty cold.
Suddenly, Donna opened the basement door abruptly and entered the space frantically.
"All right, it's official. My parents are FREAKS!" She shouted.
She asked, "Which one of you is my boyfriend again?"
Eric raised his hands up high, although he was still focusing on the monopoly board. It wasn't the first time she burst into the basement and complained about her parents, so we were numb by it now.
"Right. It's you." She stepped over the couch and sat next to Eric. "You're taking me out of this stinkin' town tonight!"
"Wait, Donna, don't you wanna know why Fez is in his undies?" I teased.
"No." Donna replied flatly.
"It is a really crazy story." Fez said, seemingly excited to share. He only needed Donna's attention for a bit, but she wouldn't give it to him.
"Oh, oh, you know what? I'll tell you a crazy story. It all started, like, four minutes ago… I walked into the living room, and they were doing yoga."
"Hmm?" I was confused as to why the screen paused. Then, I realized they were doing a flashback scene.
Donna recounted the event in real life, and it was quite simple compared to the actual flashback.
"My mom said my dad's chakras were out of whack, so she's trying to align it. I asked them why can't they be normal, but they told me to leave because I was BRUISING their AURAS!"
"AND THEN! MY DAD TOLD ME THEY WERE EXPLORING TANTRIC SEX TOO! They made me picture them naked! God, I'm so disturbed by it!"
"Ouch. Okay, Donna, I think we need to take you out for some dirty bad fun." Eric said, and the recording resumed.
Donna rapidly tried to calm herself. "Thank you, Eric."
Fez grinned and interjected as he couldn't wait anymore, "Oh, you want dirty bad fun? Listen to this. I came here fully clothed."
Kelso interjected Fez, which made him a little sad.
" Oh! No, no, I know. There's this new club that opened in Chicago. It's supposed to be like, like, the hottest spot this side of Studio 54."
"My God, you guys, that's perfect." Donna exclaimed happily, finally breathing in relief.
"No, no, Michael, we can't go." Jackie tapped Kelso's shoulder to gain his attention. "My parents are gonna be out late tonight, and… We have to study." She added hintingly.
"Study? Aw, what a gyp. I'm going to the club." Kelso laughed, not catching on.
"No. No, no, Michael, you're coming over to my house tonight and we're gonna…," She did bunny air quotes, ""Study.""
Kelso became frustrated. "Fine!" He shouted. "I never get to do anything fun!" He whined.
"God, you're dumb." I said with disappointment.
"I guess that's why I've gotta go study." Kelso added, pointing at Jackie angrily. Jackie threw her hands up in the air in exasperation.
I laughed and said, "Forman. The club sounds great. But I'm not going."
"Huh? Why?" Donna interjected.
"Well… It's a disco, right? I wouldn't be caught dead in a disco club." I muttered with a cheeky grin.
"Man, you're lame now. Where is the teen rebel we all know and love?" Eric grimaced and said sarcastically.
"Don't you want to get out there, protest against the government for making you work 60 hours a week?" Donna added, trying to convince me. "Be like John Lennon and his wife?"
"John Lennon and Yoko Ono have maids changing their sheets… while they are protesting against the government.. It's just PR. The government would never show true protesters in the media, as they are afraid of the effect they are going to make."
Everyone was stunned as they heard that. Fez broke the tension by saying, "My nipples are cold."
Everyone turned to him and burst into laughter.
The scene recording ended. My character's favorability meter didn't move at all here.
I remembered the episode as Donna entered the basement and Kelso telling everyone about the club.
I think this was the episode where the guys stood out the club and tried to get in all night.
Although I was curious what the 1970s club would look like, I didn't want to beg for a chance to go inside. That wasn't my style.
"Hyde, are you sure you're not going?" Fez asked pitifully as he wore his shirt again.
"Yeah. Also Fez, don't you feel a little cheap as you're wearing the clothes back? Shame, self-loating… wondering where the money is?"
"Hey! I'm not a hooker. I took off my clothes for fun!" Fez shouted angrily.
I chuckled and said, "I'm just kidding Fez."
"Great." He smiled. "Also, can I borrow your cologne?"
"No. You're going to use half of the bottle." I rejected him.
"Pleaseee!" He begged.
"No." I replied decisively.
They went to Chicago, and I went to the shop in secret again.
To paint my car body was quite simple. Just scuff up the old paint, put etching primer on it, let it dry for 1-2 hours till the primer becomes tacky, and then paint it.
'However, since it's a two tone job, I need to cover up one part of the car first. The primer will dry completely, so I need to scuff it again before doing the second color.'
It was all about trial and error now. Since my cost was cheap, I could do it more confidently.
To paint the car in two tones in a single stage paint job, it would cost me 10 bucks for the primer, 20 bucks for the black paint, 30 bucks for the green paint.
Adding masking paper, tapes, the sand paper, and heating to dry the car, my cost would be lower than 80 bucks.
I used the system to scuff up the paint and mask everything since I was lazy in doing it. It took 4 seconds out of build mode, so in real life, it would take me 4 hours just prepping the car.
The car didn't have any body work done, or needed, so the process was easier.
"Maybe the {Artist} title helped me with the painting too. Since I did it really smoothly for the first time."
I laid down the primer. Then, I put it in build mode to let it dry slightly. Then, also using Build Mode, I laid the tapes for the two tone barrier, and plastic covering on the lower half of the car.
I mixed the paint myself using the ratio Eastwood suggested, and painted the first top half in the black metallic.
After three coats of paint, which took me 3 hours, I put it in build mode to dry slightly and changed the covering to the top half to paint the lower half.
I painted the lower half in green metallic paint. I whistled slightly as I saw how great the paint turned out.
To remove the masking tape and let the car dry, I put it in build mode for 72 seconds.
That's three days of curing before doing the initial buff. I would have to wait 30 days before polishing it, but right now, it already looks really awesome.
[Value: 2300 → 3200
Paint Quality: High Quality Single Stage]
"Nice." I muttered with excitement.
It was a stock Nova, so I was quite surprised with the new value. Not that I want to sell it or anything, but I was feeling quite good when I saw the numbers went up.
I put away the paint booth in my system space and parked my Nova in the other bay. Then, I went to the Impala to fix it up.
I wanted to do the bushings today. Just popped it out from the control arm before the new bushing arrived.
"Steven! Have you seen Micheal?!" Jackie asked.
I was surprised when the camera was on me again. I didn't think I would get any more screen time for the episode.
"He didn't go to your house?" I asked with confusion.
Jackie shook her head and said angrily, "He didn't come! I've been waiting for hours, but he didn't come!"
"Maybe he went with the others to the club." Jackie had a sudden realization and talked to herself.
She turned to me again and said, "Steven. What should I do right now?"
I grimaced and said, "I don't know. Do it yourself like any normal person would."
"What?" Jackie was taken aback, her face blushed.
"Yeah. Light up some candles. Listen to some albums. You know, like Donna does when she does it herself."
"Eww– What?! Ewwww…" Jackie grimaced, feeling disgusted.
I ignored her and worked on the Impala. Since the camera was only showing the Impala, not the other car or the paint booth.
Jackie said, "I'm not going to do that. Since everyone's gone, I guess I'll have to hang out with you for the rest of the night."
"Wait." I froze in shock. "No. Jackie. Go. Home!" I said firmly.
She ignored me and sat on the chair nearby. Crossing her arms and shaking one of her legs, she began talking… and talking… and talking…
I slammed my head on the car hood slowly as I heard her talk.