The Harwood Butcher || Tommy Vercetti

Set against the gritty backdrop of 1960's Liberty City, this story follows the intertwined lives of Tommy Vercetti and Rachael Meyers. Their unlikely friendship begins at the age of twelve in Portland's harsh streets when Tommy intervenes to protect Rachael from local bullies. Tommy, the son of a hard working printer, is a scrappy and street smart kid with a knack for trouble, while Rachael, the kind and artistic daughter of a dockworker, harbours quiet strength despite the struggles of her ill mother and working class life.

Their bond grows as they navigate the challenges of their upbringing, but as they age, their paths begin to diverge. Tommy is drawn deeper into a life of crime, working for his friend, Sonny Forelli. Meanwhile, Rachael dreams of a life beyond Liberty City, expressing her emotions through art and holding onto hope despite the city's darkness.

By his late teens, Tommy's temper and willingness to fight earn him both respect and fear on the streets. However, his rising reputation as an enforcer culminates in a brutal hit, leaving eleven dead. Dubbed 'The Hardwood Butcher' by the press for the massacre at Hardwood, Tommy is arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Incarceration hardens Tommy, forcing him to embrace the ruthless persona the streets had already begun to shape. Yet, memories of Rachael and the boy he once was linger, haunting him as he faces the consequences of his choices. For Rachael, Tommy's imprisonment marks a painful turning point as she struggles with whether the boy who once saved her could still find redemption, or if the man he's become is lost forever.