Yeah, I'm sorry for the delay. There was a problem with my Internet connection that just got fixed.
I've got an announcement to make:
Killer789 offered himself to make a "Decline of Liberty" movie (yes, a
movie), using the VC and LC studios made by ceedj (the creator of popular Machinima series, "PEDS", and also a member of these forums). Let's all thank him and wish him luck on this huge endeavor.
Music and CrimeOutside Ocean View Hospital – Washington Beach, Vice City - Autumn 2001
Sunday – 3:30 PMClaude is standing outside the hospital looking at a sign. He’s eating a hot dog he just got at Washington Mall where he bought the shoes, grey cargo pants and blue shirt he’s now wearing.
Claude: “This hospital is huge. I better finish this thing before going inside.”
Claude is done eating the hot dog and goes inside the hospital.
Reception, Ocean View Hospital – Washington Beach, Vice City - Autumn 2001
Sunday – 3:32 PMClaude goes near one of the nurses at the reception. She’s typing something on a computer.
Claude: “Excuse me, where can I find a patient called...”
Claude takes out a piece of paper from his pocket and reads it...
Claude: “... Paul Ackart? I’ve heard Dr. Chavez is taking care of him.”
Nurse: “Are you a family member?”
Claude thinks for a second...
Claude: “Yes, I’m his... cousin...”
Nurse: “His cousin? And why can’t you remember his name?”
Claude thinks...
Claude: “Well, you know, he lives in England and I’ve never met him... dad sent me here...”
The nurse doesn’t look convinced at all.
Nurse: “Oh well... I’m going to retire soon anyway so I’ll just pretend I’ve believed in your stupid story... just try harder next time, ok? Dr. Chavez wanted to give you something...”
The nurse types something on the computer. A piece of paper comes out from a printer. The nurse grabs the paper and gives it to Claude.
Nurse: “... this is your bill. You can pay right here with a credit card or you can also take one of those blue forms on your left and pay at the Robina Bank in Little Havana.”
Claude takes a look at the bill...
Claude (shocked): “FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS??!! WHAT THE HELL??!!”
Nurse: “Your... ehm... ‘cousin’ was in a pretty bad shape.”
Claude: “For Christ’s sake! Fifty grand?!?!”
Nurse: “You can’t put a price on your cousin’s health, can you?”
Claude: “Ok, ok… can I see him?”
Nurse: “Of course, but after seeing your reaction, I hope you don’t kill him...”
Claude: “Don’t worry, he’s not the one I’m going to kill for this...”
Nurse: “Yeah, whatever. Room 502. Take the elevator on the red section and please, don’t do anything stupid... at least not here!”
Claude walks to the red section and takes the elevator to the 5th floor.
Claude (thinking): “sh*t! Ray should pay for this! He brought him here!!”
Claude arrives to his destination. He leaves the elevator, goes to a pay phone nearby and calls Ray, who answers a few seconds later.
Ray: “Yeah, who is it?”
Claude: “It’s me Ray, I can’t believe you brought that guy to such an expensive place! Fifty thousand bucks, come on!!”
Ray: “Listen kid, Dr. Chavez was the only doctor available when you brought your boyfriend here!”
Claude: “Ok, quit it already Ray! I’m gonna talk to that guy to see if he’s of any use and if the 50 grand are worth it. (hangs up)”
Claude: “Damn!”
Room 502, Ocean View Hospital – Washington Beach, Vice City - Autumn 2001
Sunday – 3:40 PMClaude walks to the designated room where Ackart seems to be sleeping. Claude goes near the bed.
Claude: “Who are you anyway?”
Ackart moves and opens his eyes. He immediately screams in fear.
Ackart (scared): “Please, please, stay away from me!!”
Claude: “Whoa! Calm down dude!”
Ackart (scared): “What in bloody hell do you want?”
Claude: “I found you at that warehouse, someone kicked the sh*t outta you!”
Ackart: “Tell me about it, mate. I should’ve never gotten back here, it’s not even worth it.”
Claude: “What do you mean?”
Ackart: “Forget it, mate. You’d never understand it.”
Claude: “Listen dude, whatever is going on around you is something I’m interested in knowing about. You have two choices: tell me how deep is the sh*t you’re in so I can pay your hospital bill and take you to a safe place, or stay here and wait ‘till the hospital kicks you out and let whoever beat you out do it again!!”
Ackart calms down and thinks for a moment.
Ackart: “All right, bruv. I’m talking...”
Claude: “Go on”
Ackart: “I’m such a failure. I was at the top mate, but I blew it. I was the genius behind big British bands such as Love Fist and The Gurning Chimps. Have you heard about them?”
Claude: “Well yeah, like 10 years ago...”
Ackart: “Well, yes. I know they aren’t that big anymore but I was the best manager they’ve ever got, sunshine!”
Claude: “Ok, and how’s that related to your current situation?”
Ackart: “Let’s say that a long time ago I had the misfortune to meet a maniac by the name of Tommy Vercetti. I helped him numerous times until one of his gorillas beat me up and put me on a flight to Manchester... I’m from Kent, not from bloody Manchester!! I had nothing there!! Anyway, I went to some night club for a drink. I met a wanker, literally, called Maccer who happened to be the lead singer of some band. He told me they were looking for someone in the music industry. Since I wasn’t with Love Fist anymore thanks to Vercetti and I desperately needed a job, I told him I was the right man for the job!”
Claude: “Ok, you became their manager and the band turned into a success, what happened?”
Ackart: “Not quite yet. It turns out some idiot heard our little chat at the club, contacted Maccer the next morning, offered him some money along with a record deal and took him away from me! I had to work in a sh*te bakery for two f*cking years! Me, Kent Paul, IN A BAKERY??!!”
Claude: “If I was a customer of that bakery I would’ve puked right now...”
Ackart: “Ha ha, very funny mate. Anyway, I got a call one day. It was my friend Rosie who was still working for Vercetti. He found out where I was and sent me some money so I could go back to my hometown and re-establish myself in there. I should’ve done what he told me and keep myself away from trouble but I didn’t... I went to London the next day, I made some connections and got a job at some insignificant record label after numerous tries. The fact that I was Love Fist’s manager didn’t seem to care to anyone.”
Claude: “Well Paul, Love Fist really sucked in their last years...”
Ackart: “Hey mate, it wasn’t my fault! The sound equipment was bollocks. I can’t be held responsible for dodgy gear!”
Claude: “Whatever...”
Ackart: “Ok, when I was in London, Maccer and his band, now known as The Gurning Chimps, grew pretty famous. I talked to him at some gig. He wanted a world tour, but his current manager wouldn’t give it to him. I offered him a tour in America and he agreed. Maccer’s manager called me later that day and told me that if I wanted to take the band with me, it would cost me 50 thousand dollars. I couldn’t miss this opportunity so I phoned Rosie, but some mug told me he was on rehab at some small town in San Andreas and hung up. After some meetings, my record label finally agreed to pay and gave me the money to get Maccer’s contract. I set up a gig in Los Santos to see if I could get in touch with Rosie. He finally called me and told me he was now working at a casino in Las Venturas...”
Claude seems desperate and interrupts Paul...
Claude: “Enough Paul! What does everything have to do with you being in an old warehouse here in Vice City?”
Ackart: “Ok, just a moment, mate. The thing is, Rosie was now working for the Leone family.”
Claude interrupts Paul once again...
Claude: “Wait a minute! The Leones??!!”
Ackart: “Yes. He worked for Salvatore Leone for a while until he tried to take us out. Some black guy saved us and we all worked in the West Coast music scene with him, until the mob paid him a visit...”
Claude: “And what happened?”
Ackart: “Well, I kept representing Maccer and The Chimps, and a rapper called Madd Dogg. It was all good until Rosie disappeared and Madd Dogg retired. I kept touring around America with Maccer and the boys until they couldn’t get along anymore. My green card expired and I was broke. I tried to locate Rosie without success until I heard he was back in Vice City. I came here looking for him and all I found was that gorilla that, as you can see, kicked my arse pretty hard once again... thankfully he didn’t send me back to England this time.”
Claude stares at Paul.
Claude: “You’ve certainly had hard times!”
Ackart: “Yes mate. Sometimes I think God just hates me.”
Claude: “Listen, I’ve only got 20 grand. I’ll try to get the rest of the money and you can come with me. You’ll help me reach Vercetti.”
Paul reacts fearfully once again...
Ackart (scared): “Vercetti??!! NO WAY mate. I’m not getting near that psycho ever again!”
Claude: “Relax dude, I just need some directions!”
Ackart (scared): “You’re insane mate! Vercetti’s gonna f*cking kill me as soon as he sees me! I ain’t taking that risk!”
Claude: “Hey, if Vercetti wanted you dead, he’d have killed you by now, don’t you think?”
Paul calms down...
Ackart: “You might be right mate, but I don’t want him or any of his gorillas near me!”
Claude looks at his watch...
Claude: “f*ck! It’s getting late! I gotta go, I’ll see you later!”
Paul gets nervous...
Ackart (nervous): “Wait a minute, mate! You can’t leave me here! It’s not safe!”
Claude: “Nothing is going to happen to you while you’re here. In fact, you’ll be safer here now that some drug dealer is looking for me. I’ll see you later.”
Claude leaves the room.
Ackart: “A drug dealer? Damn it! Can’t I just meet someone who isn’t involved with drugs?”
Read Chapter 13 This post has been edited by PresidentKiller on Wednesday, Apr 28 2010, 03:43 
The story has me really involved. I like the idea of the story and it has a certain appeal... that is simply compelling me to wait for the next installment. 
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