My name is Kenny, Kenny Clark. I'm a gang member in the Upper East Side of Miami. My life is the typical template of a lower-class American citizen—working tirelessly for money and enjoying life within my means.
Though it's bitter, there's occasionally a hint of sweetness.
"Kenny, here's the latest earnings." On the beach under the night sky, a Latino youth handed me a roll of small bills.
I am a warehouse manager, belonging to the lower tier within the gang hierarchy. My job is to manage the earnings from marijuana sales.
Then, I hand it over to the gang leader in the afternoon the next day. I earn eight hundred US dollars every week.
I shoved the money into my pocket and threw the cigarette butt from my mouth to the ground.
In front of me is the most beautiful place in Miami, Miami Beach. There are lots of tourists, packed with people, and even at night, it's as lively as it is in the day. At night, many have their needs.
Beers, bikini girls, and of course, marijuana.
I took out a VR headset from my second-hand Dodge car and put it on.
"Kenny, playing games again? The beach is full of beautiful women. Why are you playing a fake VR adult game?" The Latino youth is my partner Amir, Amir Cross. An illegal immigrant from Mexico.
He lives with his uncle, on the same block as me. We belong to the same gang, the Johnny Clan!
"Those beauties have nothing to do with us. Besides, I crave those bizarre romantic encounters that real life can't give me. I need excitement; reality is already frustrating, so I need an outlet."
After saying that, I flipped off Amir. "And Sin City is not just an adult VR game. As a gang leader, you experience movie-like plots in the VR world. With an open-world game mode like GTA's, you experience things unimaginable for a poor guy."
"Alright, play your game, but can your hundred-dollar second-hand junk VR even work?"
"Screw you!" I ignored Amir, turned on the power, and a dialog box appeared in front of me.
[Game Loading!]
Progress at one hundred percent. The scene before me changed.
[Choose Game Mode.]
I looked excitedly at the interface. There were many enticing scenarios.
[Tutorial Mode]
[My Twin Girlfriends]
[Seduced in the Hospital]
[The Pantyless Lady]
[Dangerous Woman]
[Life of a Bar Owner]
[My Female Secretary]
[Not So Cold Celebrity]
All of these are a man's dream. Reality could never satisfy our imaginations.
I was somewhat excited, keen to try various modes before me.
Tutorial mode?
Move, familiarize with controls—these trash levels are the most annoying for a hardcore gamer, as they waste time.
Select [My Twin Girlfriends.]
Looks like twin sisters, a narrative mode where you can make love with a set of twin sisters. What man would turn it down? Twins, two sisters looking identical—aren't you tempted?
[Cannot Load, Please Choose Tutorial Mode.]
"Fack! Can't skip it." I cursed, frustrated.
[Tutorial Mode.]
[Loading Tutorial Mode, Please Wait.]
"Damn game."
"Cops."
Just as I finished complaining, Amir shouted, then turned and bolted towards the street.
"Fack!"
I tore off the VR headset and prepared to drive away. Just then—Bang—a fault appeared in the VR headset, smoke rising; it actually burnt?
"Damn it, my hundred dollars." Tossing the headset to the ground, three police cars with flashing lights had already blocked the road. I had to turn and run across the street.
[Game Loading Commencing.]
WHAT?
Why is there a game loading prompt in my head?
I was bewildered, but this wasn't the time for thinking. I had to dash into the alley and escape from another spot, or I would be cornered by the officers shortly.
"Damn it, why are the cops here?"
Screech—a sharp braking sound came from the opposite end of the dim alley. A car door opened, and a young brunette cop in a black uniform with a bulging chest appeared at the alley entrance, aiming her Glock 17 at me.
"Don't move, turn around, hands on the wall. Repeating, hands on the wall."
Damn it! I was filled with frustration, blocked off like this.
Watching the armed female officer approach, the faint streetlight revealed her features.
Thick dark eyebrows, tanned skin, plump lips, brown hair tied into a ponytail, looking very spirited. And a full bust, evident even under the somewhat loose uniform.
Long legs, tight pants demonstrating a curvy rear.
"Do you want me to shoot?"
"Sorry." I turned around, placing my hands on the wall, looking at the ground. "I haven't broken the law."
"Is that so?" The officer, gun in hand, stood behind me and cautiously touched the small of my back. "What's this?"
"Glock 18, nine-millimeter caliber!"
"Wow, do you have a receipt for this purchase? Or a gun permit?"
Resignedly, I turned my head. "Are you kidding? How could I possibly have that stuff?"
"So, you're carrying an illegal firearm in public."
The officer's face showed a smile, "If I find cocaine or fentanyl on you, boy, you're in big trouble."