Part I:

Today did not start much better than yesterday ended. I got up, I felt fine, so I checked out the neighborhood. First I did what all good criminals do – I returned to the scene of yesterday’s crime. Everything looked normal, only I was not the criminal. Perhaps this is how the LCPD take responsibility for their crimes?

Then I drove around Hove Beach. I took Roman’s advice to create my own playlist – he said that listening to local music will help me adapt to life in Liberty City, or my own music will comfort me in times of change.

The good thing about driving a taxi is that as well as speeding without much problem (which I learned yesterday), you can stop anywhere also without much problem.

I drove to the Broker docks to practice my photography. Not bad I think.

Then I drove to Bohan, where I checked out Welham Parkway – it looked OK, the usual suspects from what I could see. The only casualty today was a street light in Bohan.

Then things got interesting – I was locked out. So much for getting into the good habit of locking my doors!

I wanted to take the EL-Train to Hove Beach, but Bohan only offers services to Algonquin, so with bridges closed this was no good. I walked and relied on my sense of direction, which helped me to learn more about this depressing place. But I needed to get out in a hurry, so I did what most people do in Liberty City – I borrowed a car.

I readied my weapon, but hopefully I would not need it. Instead, my tool did the job.

I dropped the car near Steinway without a scratch, then jogged most of the way back. Not how I wanted to start today, but nobody bothered me and apparently my eyes do not deceive me, so I guess I really lucked out.

Part II:

This afternoon, I went back to tw@ to surf the ‘net, as they say. Alejandra was pleased to see me – at least somebody is.

I needed to get fresh air to clear my head, but even the quiet parts of this city are full of distractions – like the paramedics who kept turning up at Schottler for drinks and the daily newspaper.

I did not get the photograph that I wanted, so I washed the car.

Then I drove to Bohan, which looked even worse in the day than at night – you could really see why the people in this part of the city had lost their mind. Traffic everywhere, noise everywhere, prostitutes and litter everywhere. Apparently, the LCPD were watching me and waiting for me at the toll, but they did not give much chase.

This cop on the beat in Welham Parkway seemed to recognise me though. I find the LCPD response strange – sometimes they wait for you, hunting you like wolves, other times they just don’t care. It’s not easy to predict what they will do next.

After playing cat and mouse with the LCPD, I returned to Firefly Island – at least I got one good photograph today.

Part I:

I said that soon I will lay low, but not yet. Brucie asked me to jump another package – this time, a sports car. I delivered the package under the cover of night, sometimes the best way to work.

The rest of the night was like any other – uneventful. I took a drive around the streets, invested a well-earned dollar in an overpriced sugary drink, then washed the car. This is the life.

I may not have kept one promise, but I kept another – this time, the package was not a bike.

Part II:

I said that I would lay low, but not completely.

Later this morning, I awoke feeling well-rested. Hove Beach looked different – brighter, more colorful, and alive. The sun was shining and there were few clouds. Not everything looked right – maybe my eyes adjust to the light. But today felt like a different day, or perhaps I was just confused after working late.

I checked in with my contact, then I walked a few blocks to check my emails – I decided to hold out on Bruce, for now.

Do I want to know my origins and future? I will stick to the present and hope that I can make it better.

I read some interesting world news and local events – Liberty City is divided by more than just closed bridges and public transport. I began to wonder about my own divided existence.

After enough scrolling, I decided to check out Meadows Park – I recently overheard someone ask where is the best neighborhood to live in Liberty City, so I decided to find out for myself.

Meadows Park was nice. Just to drive there, I felt like a regular citizen. My photography could use some polishing, and now my bumpers too.

Little Jacob texted me – I could use the work. After I polished the bumpers, I decided to sleep this afternoon. Later I will go back to Bohan.

Part III:

Why Bohan? Why not? I read this morning that Welham Parkway is a good place to relax. I am not so sure what to expect, so I will check it out for myself.

This evening should have been a walk in the park, but it was just another chaotic moment in Liberty City.

First, I checked myself over. Apparently my eyes were not deceiving me – I felt OK, it was a nice evening.

But then it quickly started to go wrong. Doesn’t everything in this city? A police car rear-ended me as I tried to enjoy the sunet, which caused my car to hit this woman. Apparently, the police, pedestrians, and even the ambulance did not care, even when I picked up her money – unlucky for her, she should have stay home.

Then I got distracted by what just happened, when I drove into the back of this car. Does Liberty City care more about damaged cars than the injured and the dead? I don’t think so; nobody even seemed to notice, so I took my car for a respray.

About four hours later, the respray was done but so were my plans. I thought that maybe the police would be checking things out, but everything seemed normal – if that’s what you can call anything that happens in Liberty City.

I drove north to Bohan, stopping to check that I was not being tailed. Also, was the paint job off? Maybe my eyes play tricks on me.

I paid the toll and got away quickly – apparently, driving a taxi int his city seems to make you invisible to other drivers and the police. Sometimes they don’t stop for you, but they also don’t stop you when you’re in a hurry. The rules of Liberty City are interesting.

My drive through Bohan was certainly interesting. After driving by Welham Parkway and not seeing very much of anything, I drove east then south across Bohan – I certainly saw a lot there.

Pimps and hos, and tricks in rows. This lady entertained traffic. Another lady climbed into a car down the street.

But this lady tried to carjack this man, before they fought bare-knuckle in the road. The traffic get moving (very slowly!) as they walked up the street still fighting. I had seen enough of Bohan for one night, so I drove back to Hove Beach, where people seemed actually quite normal.

Taking a short walk to clear my head, I found this woman taking photographs. Apparently, I am not the only one who finds the urge to take pictures of what is happening in Liberty City. I kept out of her way – I don’t know what she was looking at exactly, but I did not want to spoil it, plus I prefer to be behind the camera than in front of it.

Before going back to the ‘palace’ to sleep, I managed to get this shot of the EL-Train – at least something was running as normal in this crazy city. Finally, I achieved something today, although maybe next time I should take less photographs – this blog is getting pretty long.

Home sweet home, I changed clothes then rested.

Perhaps checking out the neighborhood was not such a good idea after all, but I cannot deny that it was interesting.

Working for Brucie is paying good money, but soon I will lay low – maybe my work is turning heads.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other people also turning heads in Liberty City.

This morning’s package was on the move. Apparently its owner was still learning – after their unfortunate accident, all I had to do was collect. They tried to chase but could not.

I went to collect my transport, but Roman had moved it. He says that I should call him for a cab – his way to reach out, but I am sure he understands I am busy working for us. He is also not happy about me using the cab for ‘other’ business, so in future I will use other transport – just not a bike.

Pulling so many packages for Brucie, suspicion is becoming a way of life. Maybe things here in the new country will not be so different.

In this work, you have to be smart – you have to know what to do, and when to do it. It also helps to have a ‘sixth sense’ – to sense what is going on, and where your shots will land.

A job well done, no contest. Time for a quick costume change before laying low. Easier said than done in a city full of suspicion.

Fortunately, the LCPD have their hands full.

Later I collected my transport. Brucie is full of energy, but he is not always reliable.

Apparently I was parked in someone’s space – worse things have happened.

Another day, another early start. I checked correspondence – family, another life, another time for us. After my morning jog, I handled another package for Brucie. These people put up a fight; some details are best left off record.

This morning’s target was protected – its owners were already moving and handling, so I covered up just before moving in for the kill.

A job well done. Time to turn in and lay low again.

Another day, another job. It was not easy, but it paid well. First, I did my rounds to check my motor pool. This city is an interesting place; a place of contradictions full of darkness and chaos, but also beauty and light.

Not all of this city is pretty though.

After talking with my newest colleague, and watching him work out and do ‘mental gymnastics’, it was time to get the job done.

Today’s target was obviously contested. “To the victor go the spoils”.

Sometimes you have to seize the prize, and eliminate the competition. There was nobody left to challenge today’s result.

Brucie may be wrong about some things, including the job description, but today he was right about one thing – he is on my side. He kindly collected my transportation. One less loose end. Less potential to create trouble, too. After taking a cab ride back across town, the cab driver unwittingly rear-ended someone and spooked them, someone who obviously was easy to give up their ride.

No questions asked, the motor pool grows nicely.

Finally, one more errand before a casual drive back to Hove Beach and Firefly Island: New threads to change up appearances, including a new ‘coat’ for protection.

After laying low the rest of the day, it was time to take package number two. I also checked the usual correspondence – an old friend.

Sometimes, Liberty City glows – I am not sure if it is healthy, but almost it looks nice.

Sometimes you have to scope your target, circle your prey, then strike when the time is right. This time, they did not put up much fight. Another good day’s work that paid well. Time to rest, another early start tomorrow.

After yesterday’s slow start and return to reality, today was another day. Starting early, it was time to get to work while the rest of Liberty City slept.

Roman says that using the cab for ‘other business’ is bad for business, so it was necessary to drive to the depot first to do things right.

After yesterday’s successful delivery (not even a scratch, Brucie said), there is plenty more work with him.

After some interesting conversation, it was time to make the hit.

After a job well done, it was time for breakfast before laying low a while. Not in the mood to socialise, Roman’s invitation would have to wait another time. He says that we are drifting apart.

After brushing up on some Liberty City history, I went to collect the cab that I had parked some place quiet before this morning’s job. But Roman had sent another to ‘the mansion’ as a gesture, so I had to return it to the depot first. So much for being careful with the cabs!