Old Habits

Joe Brady was cynical, exhausted-of-life and people. He sat, bare-chested, on the edge of the bed, in his boxers. His body was a road map of scars and burns. He was worn from bullets, cuts, scrapes and old stitches. He was unshaven and his hairline was heavily receded and what was left was gray and patchy. He didn't care and why should he? He didn't care too much about anything, especially fashion. Brady appeared trance-like. His eyes were glassy as he stared at the x-ray while the doctor informed him of his condition. He had metal pins in his elbow so the bones healed in alignment. They stuck out so the surgeon could remove them easily. Both his knees had depleted cartilage layers between the joints causing his bones to rub together. Osteoarthritis was a common condition for cartilage failure. Brady's left shoulder had previously shattered and he was experiencing Avascular Necrosis. Pain would become more and more severe. It would lead to a limited range of motion and invariably further pain and chronic fatigue. Getting on a plane bound for Tokyo was the last thing on his mind. Retired New York City police detective Joe Brady is invited to Tokyo by global super-brand The Oshiro Corporation, wanting to commend him for bravery and his saving of over a hundred Oshiro employees in a hostage crisis thirty years ago. Accompanied by a loyal, yet angry, friend, a reluctant Brady accepts the invitation only for a violent past to catch up with him and the truth behind The Oshiro Corporation being revealed. Trebilcook's 'Old Habits' novel formed the basis for his acclaimed speculative script for a potential sixth and final 'Die Hard' movie, entitled 'Old Habits Die Hard'. Trebilcook can be followed on Twitter via the handle @BenTrebilcook Cover design by Ant Gardner antgardner.com