Olek Marek Zielinski

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Description

Olek Zielinski, a thickset Polish immigrant in his late 30s with a perpetually sour expression and heavy brow. Olek drives an old, battered yellow cab with a cracked windshield and a rosary hanging from the rearview. He wears a flat cap, wrinkled button-down shirts, and always smells like cheap aftershave and cigarette smoke. His cab is known in certain neighborhoods as a ride you only take if you can handle what might come with it.

Personality

Olek is hard, bitter, and quick to anger. He’s proud, stubborn, and carries grudges like bricks in a sack. He despises car thieves, especially the flashy types like Tommy "Slicks" who he sees as punks that disrespect real work and real grit. He’s got a temper, and it’s not hard to set him off—but underneath is a calculating man who knows how to bide his time and wait for revenge.

Habits

Carries a tire iron under his driver’s seat at all times
Always spits before starting the engine—"for luck"
Talks to himself in Polish when alone, especially when angry
Keeps a detailed notebook of plate numbers and faces he doesn't like

Hooks & Angles

Believes Tommy cost him a major fare (or deal) years ago and has been holding a grudge ever since
Knows the streets of the South Side better than anyone and sells info for the right price
Has connections with dock workers and smuggling routes—more than just a cabbie
Might be looking to escalate—setting Tommy up for a frame job or a crash that looks like an accident

Year of Birth

1914 CE 39 Years old

Birthplace

Lublin, Poland

Eyes

Dark and sunken, with a tired glare that seems to see right through excuses

Hair

Brown and coarse, cropped short beneath a threadbare flat cap

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Pale and pockmarked, with a thick jaw and heavy brow that casts his face in shadow even at noon

Height

5'10"

Weight

198 lbs.

Belief/Deity

Devout Polish Catholic—crosses himself before and after every job, no matter how dirty