Eric Mars

Eric was raised by his mother in Algonquin after his father was murdered in Las Venturas when he was a baby. It is because of this that Eric detests physical violence in every form.

Growing up, Eric often visited the art museums and music venues in Algonquin and Broker, finding inspiration from the multitude of creative people in the city. But as time went on money became tight for Eric and his mother. Wanting to help, Eric became a skilled carpenter within the Liberty City Carpenters Union. He was also able to make ends meet through music production and as a touring musician for close to 20 years.

After several run-ins with the law Eric decided to head west to warmer weather and new opportunities. With any luck, he might be able to start that record label he's always dreamed of...

## Life in Los Santos

### I. Out of the Frying Pan

Eric left Liberty City hoping to be met with sunshine and opportunities on the west coast. He found both, along with armed robbers and drug dealers! As with most travelers, Eric's first week was a rocky one at best. He fell back on his old ways of house burglary and convenience store robberies for a spell before a run in with PD in the Grove St neighborhood. It was then that Eric decided serious crime was not worth the stress ultimately.

Along the way he met some of his closest friends including Betus & Cletus McDowell, Roman Eden, Gonzo, and Sweets Landry.

It was Betus & Cletus' influence that inspired Eric to purchase what would become the chrome cab, although at first it was all black.

### II. RIP Cabbie Union

Throughout his first month or so in LS Eric worked closely with both Betus and Cletus as cabbies. Everything was going well and spirits were high. The brothers even had planned on cementing themselves as the official cab company of Los Santos with a custom taxi decal! This was amazing news. The McDowell's were moving up!

Eric pondered the possibilities of the McDowell cab company for many hours while shuttling locals. It occurred to him that maybe some of the cabbies should "unionize" like a big "cabbie family." Back in Liberty City Eric had been a member of the carpenters union for several years. He knew it was important to be able to look after and count on your fellow co workers.

After a particular conversation it became clear that the brothers thought the union was not a great idea, and that it may cause confusion among the cabbies and fares. Not wanting to stand in the way of his friend's plans, Eric agreed that it was probably a half baked idea. Still, he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed about trying and failing to unite the taxi drivers of the city.

### III. Paradise Lost

Eric had been spending most of his time driving locals and travelers alike in his chrome cab, all the while saving up for his pilots license. With fares paying what they were, Eric decided to start working part time in flower distribution. What was initially a small venture turned into a trunk with 600g worth of Los Santos' finest bagged up and ready to sell.

One fateful day, at the suggestion of a friend, Eric went out to a nudist colony near Chiliad to move a serious amount of flower. After selling just a bit with his partners PD rushed the commune and arrested everyone. Due to the volume, Eric's home was raided and his gun license was revoked. Depressed and discouraged, Eric returned to his cab and vowed to clean up his act entirely.

### IV. Greater Heights

Down sad in a big way, Eric kept at it until he was finally able to move out of his apartment and into the Vespucci Canal neighborhood. The quiet and relaxation helped turn Eric's mood around quickly. After a chance run in with Roman Eden, Eric cut his friend a key and now had a roommate. Feeling revitalized, he put the pedal to the floor and finally made enough money to obtain his pilots license and a beautiful chrome helicopter! It wasn't easy though. Eric once again had to diversify his income by scrapping cars in his spare time. The risk was usually low but he did have a few very close calls. "To hell with it," he thought. No more scrapping! He even went through with calling his lawyer and friend Adz Trapper to assist in his record expungement.

Along the way Eric had mentioned to the people he met about his musical aspirations. At the suggestion of his neighbor Yande and Roman, Eric introduced himself to Devil's Den managers Xander and Rob Lox. They were in the process of organizing a soon-to-be record label. The opportunity was too much to pass up. Eric gave them an audition tape from his days in Liberty City immediately. The label, Siamese Records, enjoyed his previous work and agreed to put Eric in the role of music producer. It was probably the most important day of Eric's time in LS. This moment was the start of something much bigger than him, the cab, the heli, the house. Eric was elated and couldn't wait to start production on the first Siamese Records single.

## A Well Earned Vacation(Present Day)

Several months passed with little progress in building Siamese Records. With depression setting in, Eric took to the bottle with ease. Days and nights seemed to blend together until he felt like his life was in a tailspin.

It was in that moment that Eric decided it was time to take an extended vacation from Los Santos before he completely lost control of himself. Mother nature was calling him with offers of serenity and contentment.

Eric has been deep in the woods, set on backpacking the entire Appalachian Trail ever since. Still, after all that Eric finds himself missing his friends often. It's only a matter of time before music pulls him back to the big city once more...