Obviously this dream means you like me.
Have you tried generating an actual feeling or solution in your lucid dreams? The counting backwards from 300 as you go to sleep, meanwhile committing to what you want to generate? I'm wondering how it would be if you generated a big flashing neon sign in your dream that says, "Be Lucid!"
Also, I wonder if the shady characters might be the dark side of yourself that you are reluctant to encounter in lucid dreams. Is that possible?