ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
After a long, hard day made worse by the compounding pressure of modern life, Doug Mullon found himself seeking solace on the D45 electric trolley bus from the French Quarter to Betoota Heights. As he settled into his seat near the back of the bus, Doug’s mind drifted away from the present, diving deep into the realms of nostalgia and virtual escape.
The bus’s gentle hum and the rhythmic sway of the vehicle became a soothing backdrop to Doug’s reflective journey. With weary eyes, he looked out the window, watching the familiar streets of Betoota Heights pass by in a blur. But in his mind, those streets transformed into the bustling thoroughfares of San Andreas, a virtual world where he once found solace and adventure.
“Another day, another dollar,” Doug muttered under his breath, his thoughts consumed by the challenges and stresses of modern life. “Sometimes, I wish I could just go back to simpler times, when the only thing I had to worry about was conquering Red County.”
As the bus made its way through familiar neighbourhoods, memories of his digital escapades flooded Doug’s mind. He recalled the thrill of stealing a Sanchez and racing through the streets, the rush of adrenaline as he evaded virtual law enforcement, and the sense of accomplishment as he completed missions and built his empire in San Andreas.
“Life was different back then,” Doug thought wistfully, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside. “In San Andreas, I was in control. I could be whoever I wanted to be, without the weight of real-world responsibilities dragging me down.”
The exhaustion of the day melted away as Doug delved deeper into his memories, reliving the excitement and freedom of his virtual adventures. The bus’s stops and starts became markers in his journey through nostalgia, each landmark triggering a new recollection of his time in Red County.
“I miss those days,” Doug whispered to himself, a faint smile appearing on his lips. “Maybe one day, I’ll fire up the old console again and revisit San Andreas.”
As the bus finally arrived at Betoota Heights, Doug opened his eyes, feeling a sense of calm and rejuvenation wash over him. The journey may have been a physical one on the D45 electric trolley bus, but for Doug Mullon, it was a much-needed escape from the complexities of the modern world, if only for a fleeting moment.
More to come.
