Picks', or "Danno" as he is called by his close co-workers or long-time legit friends, learned his technical skills the old fashioned way... Through second-hand store DIY books and NAAN Institute of Locksmithing pay-per-download textbooks.
It cost him a lot, but not as much NewYen - or time - as it would have to do it the through the college route. So what if it also cost him a bit of employability and credibility. He's good right, so his ability should shine through. Right?
No.
If only that would equate to a good and legal paycheck.
Since it didn't - and still doesn't - Danno started picking up some jobs on the side and took on the name of Picks, as his lockpicks were what would make him money.
Initially he found a couple B&E and snatch & grab jobs through his hacker friend from his highschool days in the Seattle sprawl, Digital Dreamer. DD couldn't bother himself to do brush the Doritos of his shirt and get to the store, so he paid Picks to go get him the new gear he wanted after hours.
One thing led to an other, and a new career began for Picks.
Unfortunately, things don't always go smoothly. But fortunately for Picks, he managed to inherit a noteable sum of cash from his dead uncle... *ahem* or more accurately, steal a wad of bills from his living uncle's wall safe.
This cash bought Picks some much needed augmentation. These cybernetic enhancements, as well as his longtime finesse with a firearm (developed during years of IPSC hobbyism) made Picks feel invincible.... He is not. He found that out with in a job which entered through an elevator shaft. He exited minus one forearm - costing him the last of his "inheritence" to replace.
What are Picks' dreams? What else? A cooshy life with a saleboat and the ladies. Picks is not a cad, but he knows he's not a ladies man. He is going to need the payoff to make that happen.
Aside from being a skilled tradesman win the locks and security equipment, Picks brings loyalty. If he could, he'd join the union.... IS there a runners' union? Too bad, could really use health insurance.
Picks' is amoral.
He reads. Fiction, literature, religious texts, the occult. But doesn't know what to make of it. He figures if he reads the great works, he'll figure out what he should want. Until then, making some money is probably the first step.