Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (Rewrite)

Chapter 80: Out of His Shoes

Tommy started showing a soft side of Earnest, as he reminded him a lot about his late father. The two watched as the printer started printing magazines, counterfeit money, posters, and so on. Tommy felt that he had finally been able to follow into his father's footsteps after losing him years ago.

"You know," Tommy told Earnest, "this is what I always wanted to do with my life before I got into the criminal underworld."

"Really?" Earnest asked.

"Yeah," Tommy replied. "I wanted to follow in my old man's footsteps when I was younger. I had plans to go to college and get a Master's degree in graphic. I knew exactly what I wanted to be."

"Oh yeah?" Earnest asked him. "Well what happened? What made you give up in following your father's footsteps?"

"Well I didn't give up," Tommy protested. Then he started reminiscing.

Staunton Island Dome, Liberty City, 1969

It was seventeen years ago, back in Liberty City, at my high school graduation. I was seventeen going on eighteen.

As the teachers called out the names indistinctly, a 17-year-old Tommy, dressed in a black cap and gown over his dress clothes, was standing all the way at the end. He looked down the row of audience to see his father, Virgillo Vercetti, sitting on front row giving his son a thumbs up.

Soon, Tommy was next to receive his diploma. "And last but certainly not least is, Thomas Vercetti!" the teacher announced.

The audience cheered loudly as Tommy walked up to the teacher to receive his diploma, with his father cheering the loudest as he jumped out of his seat as if he sat on a cactus and clapped loudly.

This was the best moment of my life. We all had a graduation party at the park to celebrate. I was looking forward to start my new life in college when suddenly...

At Belleville Park, Tommy and several of the students, as well as their parents, were having the party at the park when suddenly, an unknown Mafia gang had ambushed the party by shooting at everyone with machine guns. Everyone ducked out of the way and under the tables as they screamed in fear.

Tommy was scared as well, but he didn't scream. He just hid under the table and remained calm. Because luckily, the police sirens had arrived, and the unknown gang had escaped.

It was now silent, and everyone else had finally got on their feet to make sure everyone was okay. Unfortunately for Tommy, he saw that there was only one person who wasn't okay at all, and that was his father.

"Ah shit!" Tommy cried, running up to his father. "Pops!"

Virgillo was a bloody mess. His white dress shirt was saturated with blood, and he was breathing heavily and wheezing painfully.

"Ah shit!" Tommy shouted. He turned to everyone who was watching. "Someone call an ambulance!" Tommy shouted at the top of his lungs. "Some call an- "

"No, Tommy," Virgillo interrupted, grabbing Tommy by the arm. "It's too late for that now."

"What?!" Tommy cried out in shock from the sheer words uttered out by his father. "No! Come on, Pops! You have to hold on! You're a strong man! I know you can fight this!"

"Not anymore, Tom," Virgillo uttered, barely catching his breath. "It's... my... time. I..... " He paused to cough loudly, " ...want you to... " He paused to cough again and soon, it was becoming a consistent tic as he finished his last sentences, " ...move on, son. I... know this isn't... fair...but... it's...my...time. I...want you to... do what... you... can. I'm... proud...of...you, son. I...wish you... luck... in... the... future. arrivederci, figlio."