[classic swim]

... • 2008 Niko & Jimmy pay a visit to Satriale’s. The place became deserted not long after the DiMeo crew went under.

Pegorino: Ah, these kids come and go. It ain't worth paying attention to them until they prove they can survive. I just move on and hire some wannabe wiseguys off the street. Niko: It's that simple? Pegorino: Has to be.

- Pegorino’s Pride. • 2008 Desperate to get his Alderney crew a seat at the table, James Pegorino tries bribing the Pavanos - - the only Liberty City mafia family that’s had to humor Jimmy P’s name. Niko rescues Jimmy from the Pavano deathtrap disguised as a sitdown.

Marco: The Pavanos wouldn't fuck with you. Pegorino: Wake up, you fucking mook! Everybody is trying to fuck everybody.We just hoping they got the manners to smile to our faces before they do it. Pete: You giving them a nice little offering though, skip. They ain't gonna turn up their noses at that. Pegorino: God, give me strength. It's like I'm dealing with children here. No wonder I ain't on the Commission when my muscle is this stupid!

... • 2008 Ray Boccino’s failed repeatedly at asserting any dominance over Niko. His snark and bull begins to shatter upon realizing the outsider has outranked him in usefulness.

“I mean, we can pretty much guarantee you were followed. The question is, did ya know about it? And right now, I don't know the answer to that question. But to be honest, I don't really care neither.” - Jimmy Pegorino

Jimmy: So... were you followed? Niko: I don't think so. Jimmy: Oh... Niko: I mean, who knows.

Fixer: You've done good, brother. Cleared a lot of files from my desk. Can't use you no more, though. A man loses taste for this kind of work after a time. I can't run that risk with a partner. Niko: I understand. This is not the type of thing you want to develop a taste for. Fixer: Be cool, brother. Keep your senses alert and you might make retirement. Not many in this game cross that line. So long.

Fixer: There's a file for you, brother. A quick, smooth job like the last one is what we need.

... • 2008 It’s not too late to see things more clearly when there’s still time.

... • 2001 What you cannot account for is when your luck begins to run out.

... • 2001 Where you’re not careful, you set yourself yourself up to meet the consequence you thought you were above.

... • 2001 Old habits die hard. A known drifter who couldn’t help but defy his own existence by staying precisely where he was no longer welcome.

... • 2001 If no generic talking head was there to say pop this guy, or pop that guy... Speed took rampages wherever he wanted. Unpredictable and with no boundaries.

... • 2001 Liberty City. All the money at his disposal. No Catalina, no Maria; Claude didn’t need motivation to fuck things up for kicks.

... • 2001 I’m sure you remember our old friend.

Roman: Listen, man. I'm worried about you. You have to sort your life out. Before it ends... Niko: What does that mean? Roman: It means what it says - you can't carry on like this - fighting a war that ended, killing, running around like a lunatic, all this craziness. Niko: You got me into this craziness, here I mean. And you help me spend the money it has made us. Roman: Sure, but it can't go on, not forever. Niko: Yes it can. Roman: You'll die. Niko: No. I will go on forever. This is my curse. I can do this. Live this life. I cannot live another. Not now. Roman: I don't buy that bullshit. Grow up! Move on, be, be free! At least think about it?

... • 2008 Roman’s upcoming marriage to Mallorie has made him look more seriously at cousin Niko and notice a stark cry for help.

Niko: Everything is taken care of, brother. Fixer: Right on, brother. I'll collect the funds. If you want more work, contact me on the hard line.