(Disclaimer: I own nothing, they are the property of their respective owners).
(Author's Note: This story is gonna somewhat partially inspired by a few heist/crime films, as well as several ideas from the GTA games, it's gonna be a long one, like more than ten chapters, so here is the first one, enjoy).
The Ballad of Michael Townley
Chapter One - Out on Parole.
Inside an empty room, a door is heard opening, someone enters, the door closes, the individual sits on the chair, he looks middle aged, has tattoos on his arms, neck, his hair is short, his facial hair is unshaven, and he is dressed in a prison jumpsuit.
Board Member #1 - Good morning.
Michael - Is it?
Board Member #3 - Please state your name for the record.
Michael - You already know my name.
Board Member #1 - Don't be a smartass.
Michael - Michael Albert Townley.
Board Member #2 - Have you gone by any other names in the past?
Michael - Michael De Santa, Albert De Silva, Mark De Santos, Harry Maxwell, and many other names that I can't remember.
Board Member #1 - Now tell us about your parents?
Michael - What's there to tell?
Board Member #1 - Your father?
Michael - I don't know. Probably dead.
Board Member #1 - Mother?
Michael - Haven't seen her in years, probably dying somewhere in a trailer park or nursing home.
Board Member #1 - Brothers? Sisters?
Michael - I don't know. They scattered once they were old enough to leave home.
Board Member #2 - Any other relatives?
Michael - I don't know.
Board Member #3 - Wife? Kids? Girlfriend?
Michael - My wife and kids left me the day I ended up in here.
Board Member #1 - What about homosexuality, do you like men? you like pounding male ass?
Michael - Are you fucking serious?
Board Member #2 - Just answer the question, Townley.
Michael - Fuck No!
Board Member #3 - Friends? Associates? Fellow Criminals?
Michael - Nope, once you get locked up for ten years, everyone leaves you behind.
At a table in front of him, Three Parole board members sit opposite, Listening.
Board Member #1 - Mr. Townley, the purpose of this meeting is to determine whether or not, if released, you are likely to break the law again.
Michael - Why would I want to come back here? I'm a changed man.
Board Member #2 - Mr. Townley, what do you think you would do if released?
He shrugs.
Michael - I don't know, probably be a garbage man, or a taxi driver. Options are limited when you're a felon.
The Board Members look at each other.
At the front entrance of Bolingbroke Penitentiary, the gate opens, a group of inmates are walking out, they are now free, some greet their friends, families, or loved ones. The rest of them get on the bus that will take them to where they need to go, Michael is among them.
On the bus, the remaining inmates are sitting down in their seats, one of the prison guards on board speaks.
Prison Guard - ALRIGHT! LISTEN UP! JUST BECAUSE ALL OF YOU ARE OUT, DOESN'T MEAN YOUR FREE! ALL OF YOU ARE ON PAROLE!
Inmate - No shit!
Prison Guard - THAT MEANS ANY OF YOU SCREW UP WITHIN THAT TIME, YOU'LL BE BACK IN THOSE PRISON CELLS, BEING SOMEBODY'S BITCH!
They all nod.
Prison Guard - DRIVER! LETS GO!
The driver complies, and the bus drives away from the prison onto the highway. Tom Waits's "Jockey Full of Burbon" starts playing on the radio.
Michael is sitting by the window, watching everything pass by, in the distance he sees the mountains by the familiar city, Los Santos, he sees two police cars by the side of the road, they have pulled over a group of college kids, who are crying. They are definitely going to jail for whatever they did, the bus enters the city, a lot has changed in ten years, on one street not far from the police station, there are prostitutes, ladies of the night, one cop is picking one up for "questioning", the bus passes through several places in town, Vinewood, Davis, Strawberry, Chamberlain Hills, Vespucci Beach, La Puerta, etc,etc. Time passes, before he knows it, most of the inmates are gone, only a few remain, the bus comes to a stop.
Prison Guard - TOWNLEY!
Michael looks up.
Prison Guard - THIS IS YOUR STOP!
Michael gets up, grabs his bag, and walks to the front.
Michael steps onto the sidewalk, in front of him is a run down house, in a shady part of town, the prison guard also gets off.
Michael - Are you kidding me? This dump?!
Prison Guard - What's wrong with it?
Michael - It looks like a drug den.
Prison Guard - Hey! As far as the Parole board is concerned, this is your residence for the next few months.
He pulls out a clipboard.
Prison Guard - Sign here!
He signs the paper.
Prison Guard - Have a nice life!
The Guard chuckles as he gets back on board, the bus drives away.
Michael - Fuck!
He walks up to the front door, and opens it.
He goes inside the house, and closes the door, the interior of the house actually looks good compared to the outside, it's a one room home, the kitchen is across the living room area which is actually a bedroom, a television sits against the wall. He lies on the bed.
Michael - Well, at least this place is better than prison.
End of Chapter One
(Author's Note: What do you think? Let me know. Stay tuned for the next couple of chapters).