Although Arthur managed to "borrow" a vehicle from his Sixth Street brothers, he and David still ended up taking the tram to Arasaka Academy.
"What's going on? I haven't even been back in Night City for ten years, and already the neighbors are making a fuss," Arthur grumbled.
"All I did was use my Mantis Blades to have a friendly chat with them, and now everyone's calling me crazy? So rude."
David rolled his eyes. He'd seen his father scam people before, but never quite like this. If Arthur weren't so well-known around the neighborhood, David was sure the Terrorist Mobile Unit would've knocked on their door by now.
"Dad, I really think your cyberpsychosis is getting worse. How about you go see Dr. Victor? You need professional help."
David was genuinely concerned. If things had been any worse, he might have already called MaxTac himself.
Before Arthur could respond, a familiar voice chimed in from the side.
"I think your son's right. You really should see a doctor."
Arthur turned to see a woman with shimmering white hair that caught the sunlight and scattered rainbow hues across her shoulders. For a second, he thought it might be a wig. Was Lucy actually bald?
Lucy stood there, calm and composed as always, raising an eyebrow as she took a drag from her cigarette. "I've seen cyberpsychosis before, but yours? It's on a whole new level. Were you the one causing that mess in Watson North yesterday?"
Arthur grinned as recognition hit. He smacked David on the back of the head.
"Don't be rude, kid. This is my good friend, Lucy! Call her Aunt Lucy, got it?"
David winced. His father's slap stung, but not as much as the embarrassment of being asked to call a woman who looked younger than 25 aunt.
Lucy nearly choked on her cigarette. "Aunt?" she muttered. "I'm in my twenties! You want him to call me Aunt?"
Sensing the tension, David quickly bowed his head. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it!"
Arthur, now suddenly the doting father, added, "My son's just shy. Don't mind him. I'll teach him some manners when we get home."
Lucy exhaled sharply and shook her head. "Arthur, I swear, you need serious help. Asking your son to call me Aunt? Are you trying to buy an urn in advance?"
Arthur shrugged with a casual grin. "Come on, Lucy. It's 2076! Aunt, sister, it's all the same now. By the way, what are you doing out here so early? Taking your kids to school?"
Lucy lit another cigarette out of habit. "Not for kids," she replied. "Just a side job. A little personal project."
Arthur, never missing a beat, plucked the cigarette from her mouth and lit it for himself. "Girls shouldn't smoke," he said. "If you need money, I can help. I've got something big today. Could use a hacker. Nothing dangerous—just some minor program edits. You in?"
Lucy didn't even blink. "You steal my cigarette, then ask me to work for you?" she said flatly. "Alright, what's the catch? What's the pay?"
Arthur scratched his head. "It's nothing crazy. I've been out of Night City for years. My rep's taken a hit, business is slow. I've been thinking—maybe it's time I rebrand. Become a 'conscientious capitalist.'"
Lucy raised an eyebrow. "A conscientious capitalist? You? What's the actual job?"
Arthur leaned back, still grinning. "Just a small tweak to a program. That's it. You've done tougher gigs."
Lucy still didn't buy it, but curiosity got the better of her. Money was tight lately, and something about Arthur's madness was always weirdly... profitable.
She took another drag and sighed. "Alright. I'm in. Tell me the details later."
Arthur beamed. "You won't regret it. Trust me—this time it's actually safe. I promise."
Lucy narrowed her eyes. "I'll believe it when I see it. But fine. I'm in—for now."
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