Generation 1: The College Years

Preston Wellington came from humble beginnings. His mother had abandoned him as a baby and he had spent his childhood being shuffled from one foster home to another. He wasn't a bad child, just extremely full of life. Nothing was too high, too far or too off-limits. His foster parents always adored him but just couldn't afford the doctor's bills that came with him. A broken collar bone, three broken arms, ribs cracked twice...there was always an ambulance ready when Preston was around.
But he was grown now. His last foster mother had helped him get a schlorship for orphaned children and he was breaking out on his own. University started in just two days and he was ready for it.
The days before classes started were filled with excitement as new students arrived for the first time and the older ones returned. During the days, you could hear the horns of the Professors old broken-in cars honking at the newer ones that parents had bought to bribe their children into attending. During the nights, dorms were lit up with partying young adults enjoying their first tastes of freedom. Preston, who had always had his freedom in a sense, was now responsible for himself as well. This allowed him much more time to do what he wanted and during those first few nights, he raced to join the other kids.

But once classes started, he fell right into line. Preston studied hard not only for his grades but also for his life. He never got less than an A in any of his classes and always aced his mid-terms. His social life was put on hold, but he always seemed to be in the third floor study area anytime Alison was in her room. Just in case she decided to walk down to the cafeteria or needed to brush her teeth.

He did allow himself a little time for fun. Especially after writing term papers. He was embarrassed to tell anyone but he was addicted to a computer game. Not a game like most men liked, but a girlie game. He controlled the lives of these little simulated people. Told them when to eat, sleep, and kiss. In a sense, he played God for this little computer world. Maybe he felt his own life wasn't being helped out by a higher force and he needed to know one was there.

About mid way through his Sophmore year, Preston decided he needed to get going on life studies. He wanted to make sure when he graduated that he was REALLY ready to be on his own. So he went out to the campus lounge and found they were looking for a bassist. Now Preston had never touched a guitar, much less played one. But they took him for his charm and gave him a shot. After a couple of weeks, he was able to play on the lounge stage with the band and actually get paid for it.

With the money he earned on stage, he bought a used florist's bench and started learning how to arrange the flowers. Pretty soon he was bringing in the big bucks from his custom made snap dragon arrangements. All the kids were wanting them, something up not falling asleep while writing their term papers.

Preston earned enough money from his snap dragons to buy a robotics bench. He started out making little toy robots but soon came up with a more advanced robot. Making sure to stay in the college market, he programmed it to bring back food when it's owner got hungry. It was an instant hit and sales around campus skyrocketted.

Too soon, his years at University were over. Preston had done good, graduating with honors for maintaining a 4.0 throughout his four years. With two gold badges, he felt ready to make it on his own in the world. It was a good thing too because he wasn't given much choice. Two weeks after graduation, his 23rd birthday came and it was time to move on.