Diary of an NPC - Entry One

 In every game you play the main character - the plot revolves around your every moment in the game like as unto a god. Of course, this means you ignore what's going on with the people around who you're controlling. The people who drive around, go in and out of stores and generally live their lives. But did you realise there are a limited number of so-called NPCs? To do their jobs in all of these games, especially the heavily-populated ones, they need to be able to come and go as they please. These people don’t think it’s odd to go from deep space to a land of dinosaurs in the space of a week - it’s their way of life. In this series, we follow one of these people - Nigel Philip Charles - these are his stories...

Dear Diary,

My parole officer drove me into town just today and gave me five bucks. Told me to buy a journal so I can write my thoughts, explain what's going on in my head. So I don't "Get in any more trouble."

Not my fault some redneck and his brother-son shot apart the place up in Sandy Shores. Damned meth-heads... I got covered in whatever chemicals they were moving and while I was recovering from the bikers almost shooting me while getting at the balding guy, the police arrested me. Put me in prison faster than my mom ate spaghetti. And you know momma, don't you Diary?

Dear Diary,

Went to a jewelry store to get Nora an engagement ring - that's right I'm gonna propose! Well, I would have, if some masked men in suits, spouting cliche movie lines didn't come and ROB THE PLACE! Broad daylight and I was stood right there! I was gonna use the savings Grandma gave me - this place was NOT cheap... If there weren't five eyewitnesses who saw me wet myself, the police would probably have put me back behind bars! Los Santos ain't as family-friendly as I'd hoped when I convinced Nora to come with me from Vice City... Remember those days, huh Diary?

Dear Diary,

What the hell is Epsilon? I finally called Nora, to let her know I was out and free - her number's disconnected. So I went to her apartment and found out she moved out weeks ago. She never wrote to me while I was in prison, but I figured it was some pride thing. Women, huh? But now I find out she's not banging some Hollywood big-shot but she's joined this Epsilon religious thing! I tried getting in to see her in this huge Rockford Hills building, but she apparently doesn't "know enough to not know she doesn't never know not never enough" and to let Kiflom show me the way! Did Nora join a cult, Diary?!

Dear Dora,

Drinky nicey... Nicey like... Like Nora! Nora, Niary! I miss my Mora Mora Nora! *unintelligible scribble*

Dear Diary,

I've spent the last few days getting my life together, after spending a few other days getting wasted… I’ve got a job! I’m going to work for Gruppe Sechs! Turns out a load of people just quit all of a sudden, so they’re desperate for people. Yes, even guys with a criminal record, so long as it wasn’t a violent crime! I start Monday, Diary!

Dear Diary,

Well I passed the training and start next week! I met the guy I’ll be driving with - Casey. He’s an old guy, but he seemed fun. This weekend I’m gonna go to the movies, see what this Meltdown movie is about - people are talking about it like it’s the best AND worst thing they ever saw. Kinda how we feel about Love Fist, Diary

Dear Diary,

Well this job is pretty uneventful… Kinda wish I tried to get into Vinewood, Diary…

DEAR DIARY,

WE GOT HIJACKED, DIARY!

Dear Diary,

Well, the police looked over you, Diary, so they know I didn’t have anything to do with the hijacking. They told me to tell them if Casey contacts me. I think they suspect he helped - even though I told them he was kidnapped while the rest of us got knocked out and our stuff stolen. Of course, you know about the Union Depository heist some gang pulled off. It’s all over the news… I hope they didn’t kill Casey, Diary…

Dear Diary,

After all of this heartache and stuff, I’ve decided to try my luck somewhere slower. I’m leaving all this behind - all the carjackings and gang shootings, the heists and sometimes random planes dropping out of the sky into the street… I’m moving to Skyrim - no cars, living off the land, swords an’ stuff. A nice change of pace...