Rey Lima's background story in the police force can only be described as 'tragicomic' to denote something that is both laughable and a victim at the same time. He entered the police force relatively young, and his first assignment in one of the precincts he was assigned to was to 'fist punch' one of the robbers they collared that day.
He learned that all policemen had to go through that freshman rite of testing their knuckles for the sole purpose of pure" fun and pleasure" of their superiors. But that first incident was unexpected. It did not end well for Rey after he forcefully kicked the robber several times to his abdomen. He was clueless. He killed him after the pressure to 'f_ck him up perfect' fog up his mind.
When his colleague told him to stop, the robber was on the floor bloodied and motionless. His superior made him lie by forcing him to write a false report- that the robber wrestled with him with his gun. He did follow every instruction while the other police that witnessed the incident just laughed it off.
"No one's going to think you killed him," his superior said." Your report will be the basis of truth here, young man. Remember that. "His superior name is Senior Superintendent Lancelot Riva.
Rey is Reynaldi Lima, 33 years old, and he grew up bullied in his younger years. His becoming a policeman was not to serve the interest of the people but primarily to protect himself.
From a weak, frail body, he transformed his physique through an intense exercise routine. He changed his stupidly long curly hair and cropped it closed to his skin to give his face a fierce intensity. And looking now from the way he carries himself, no one can say he once had a fragile heart.
That night Rey was in the midst of a pot session with his policeman friends in his condo when Colonel Lance Riva called him up. He was feasting on a large bong from the drugs they carted away in the so-called "illegal drug market"-- a famous exchange hub for everything drug-related in the city.
The drug market has been there for quite some time. The dictum if you can't beat 'em join 'em considerably works here - at least that's what they believe in. But in return, the police put a strict regulation by demanding protection money from the drug peddlers or else face confiscation. And that night, they took home their largest haul from an earlier operation. They put many for resale and the remaining ones they consumed. To make it even more exciting, they called up lots of women to join them, and the rest is a joint party like there's no tomorrow.
"What the f_ck's happening there, Rey?" It's the colonel.
"Boss, It's our Friday session, remember? It's for the boys."
"Where were you guys exactly four days ago?"
"What day is that? Oh, Tuesday. I am with Andy, remember? You asked us to investigate the couple having domestic issues and the one you told us. What's the name of that f_cktard bulls_it bank manager- Leon, yes, Leon."
"There's a new forensic guy here. I wouldn't say I like the way he works. Where's the man we have? Bobby?"
"Didn't you know Bobby was reassigned?"
"No, If I know, I wouldn't ask. By whom?"
"The top sent us a note for some reshuffling. The memo must have been delayed."
"Yes, it would be a delay if the guy who should have been updating me on that must have been with you?"
"Yes, Mike is here. Would you like me to get him for you?"
"No. That's too late. They are wrapping up. Could you listen carefully, Rey? Some of my clients end up dead. They were either stabbed or burned. This isn't ordinary killing happening around. Before I put my suspicion on others, I want to check on you people first if you are f_cking with me?"
"C'mon, Colonel. We f_cked up a long time ago, but that doesn't mean we should blame each other for what's happening now. My people are clean. We do drugs, but that's it. "
"If you know something, you better tell the truth, Rey. This thing isn't easy to bury under the rug."
"C'mon, Colonel. I know you would smell me far if I do shit like that. We got lots on a payroll that will do the talking for us. Do you want me to send out the tweet?"
There was a long pause on the other line.
"Yes, you may. I got to unmask whoever is doing this. I need it fast." Then the colonel hung up.
Rey sent out a tweet on his cellphone. "Killing tonight. Got details? Reply in 24 hours and get ur reward."
After the call, Rey Lima went back, sucking deep on his large bong. He has perfected the villain's role after years and years of the botched anti-crime campaign. History showed he often failed to follow apprehension procedures, which enabled his captive to get back at him. It also made most of his superior mad. He earned a lot of moniker and insult that he eats them day and night like some rehash soup. And like the criminals he went after- he suffered enough stress from the many failures of compliance with police protocol that he often cried in a corner, completely breaking down. One morning, Rey Lima began his psychedelic journey by taking the drugs they confiscated at the drug market. The first time it hit him, the drugs gave him an instant euphoria. It was something unexpected. The second time he made a drug cocktail by mix-matching LSDs and anesthesia. It was more potent and gave him the confidence and bravery he had not felt before. The third concoction he made was even more powerful. The drugs do wonder by masking the troubles in his broken heart and fluidly straighten up the thoughts inside his feeble mind.
Several hours later, Rey woke up from the loud alarm from his cellphone. He unlocked his phone and saw that he received 5 tweets in the last thirty minutes. He immediately opened them one by one. None of the tweets make sense. But the last one was odd. It was a CCTV video link to the parking lot of Hotel D-lux. Rey clicked the video link and saw a woman wearing Naples yellow trench coat, dark glasses, and 'bandanna' come out of the hotel elevator towards the parking lot.
"Bingo!" Rey exclaimed.
Then he received a text message from an unknown texter. "Pay up, and I will send the HD video."