# The Based Intern #1: First Day on the Job By [Joe](https://paragraph.com/@joe-39) · 2023-10-17 --- Chapter I --------- Today marks the inaugural day for Hall Hoffman Jr. as an intern at Base Labs, a team among many focused on blockchain scalability in the quest for a clearer and more decentralized financial framework. Blockchain may come off as technical jargon to many - and often, it is - but not always. We'll delve deeper into this topic soon. In a society that values expertise, Hall stands out as a jack of all trades. He's the type who can mingle with any group during lunch, yet doesn't truly belong to any. **Age**: 21 **Height**: 6’5” **Weight**: 165 lbs **Net Worth**: More JPEGs than he’s proud to admit. **Skills**: Doom-scrolling, Meme-making, Writing buggy code Hall positions himself outside Base HQ, a shining emblem of modern technology contrasting with the aged urban surroundings. Clutching Friedrich Hayek's "The Road to Serfdom," he looks up at the emblem and quietly says, "First day on the job" ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1cf4f92a12dfa09238df8e8bb845ab345af264c499a621a5779d7aadf2558639.png) Chapter II ---------- Base Labs emerged from the powerhouse Coin Industries, a dominant name on the New York Stock Exchange (likely the backdrop for your father's preferred daytime television program). It's intriguing because Base Labs aspires to upend the very financial structure that elevated its predecessor to prominence. The leader driving this change? Ryan Strongarm: Fierce, straightforward, and possessing an aura that demands regard. And yes, he's bald. **Age**: 40 **Height**: 6’0” **Weight**: 200 lbs **Skills**: Visualizing value, Forward thinking, Creating products people love ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/4543ddef83bb06f0e0316e01351e9eaf3b76c031c4ff66e1a8485456ba1c9f35.png) Chapter III ----------- Introducing Jay Pollard, Base's very first contributor. Jay stands out effortlessly. With his cascading golden locks and robust physique, he captures attention the moment he steps in. More than his appearance, it's his articulation and capacity to communicate pivotal ideas to both enthusiasts and skeptics that's noteworthy. He's profoundly knowledgeable about the nuances of blockchain and Ethereum. Fueled by the promise they hold, he's not merely a bystander. Instead, he's a dynamic player in the cryptocurrency dialogue, forging agreement through each discussion **Age**: 30 **Height**: 6'2" **Weight**: 180 lbs. **Skills**: Computer science, Public speaking, Empathy Jay often seeks solitude to reflect. He strives to be clear and communicates in a manner that demystifies the subject, making it relatable to everyone. He's not merely sharing knowledge; he's nurturing comprehension. With determination and a hint of poetic essence, Jay muses, "It's not enough for this to function; it must also bring joy." ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/a798e6bb62c73054feea0e41cfcafabaeb80cbc7022f591028bf0408943e5e78.png) Chapter IV ---------- The cafeteria at Base HQ is illuminated by a gentle stream of sunlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The sound of utensils and glasses creates a harmonious backdrop for the passionate conversations of the staff. Among their chatter, whispers about The Bureau of Banking Benevolence and its Chairman, Larry Lender, can be discerned... ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/03e8a55556f0e4759b7ae1e956340679ad90faf7526567a807fd1165b64292a5.png) Chapter V --------- Hall's introduction session felt endless. As he interacted with Base's intellectual powerhouses, he caught a glimpse of their brilliance. He encountered visionary young economists and developers who seemed powered by Mountain Dew and the glow of their monitors. As he navigated through corridors filled with code and extensive research, a smile gradually spread across Hall's face. It was evident: these individuals were deeply passionate ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1119a69986677df45d9ff30ee11271bdc9b421feb7b2b63c6de71585b3134895.png) Chapter VI ---------- As Hall's inaugural day drew to a close, he had a personal meeting set up with Jay. Eager to show Hall the deeper purpose behind their endeavors, Jay led him a short distance to The Bureau of Banking Benevolence. The security there instantly identified Jay, communicating discreetly via their radios. Together, Jay and Hall walked the grand corridors of the Bureau of Banking Benevolence. The walls narrated the chronicle of currency: from primordial coins and trading commodities to contemporary banknotes. The atmosphere made Hall ponder, were they inside a government establishment or a peculiar kind of temple? Hall voiced his observation, "For such a vast place, they haven't showcased a single imperfection of their system." With a mix of optimism and belief in his voice, Jay responded, "Crypto wasn't devised to make you wealthy. Its purpose is to liberate you." ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/9619a6e0a61f7b2e0bb60a12f7f2b35036781ade3d40d8ce547f96ebb194de42.png) Chapter VII ----------- In a spacious area, Ryan Strongarm takes his stance with assurance, captivating the audience before him. Overshadowing the gathering, a massive bank's daunting outline serves as a reminder of the power and inflexibility of conventional finance. With resolute conviction in his gaze, Ryan proclaims, "Brick by brick, we're constructing a financial system that's transparent, equitable, devoid of unnecessary trust, and decentralized." ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/5d445258b72321962f4fa812f0002d6100ae779dbdf4ff115767910ec00f67bd.png) Chapter VIII ------------ The clock ticks beyond midnight. At last, Hall believes he might have stumbled upon a domain he can truly excel in. Surrounded by humming computer screens and indecipherable doodles, Hall finds himself in the midst of a storm of concepts. A dim light from a desk lamp shines on the pages of Hayek's work. As he delves deeper, he connects the dots between Hayek's teachings and his own firsthand experiences from his first day at Base. Engrossed in reflection, Hall quietly whispers, "From Hayek to here..." ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/1d524eb4f4d8fcb9ebfaf1065456a8a37bc44dfab37d3c015341b7c33e82ab8a.png) Chapter IX ---------- An expansive boardroom, luxuriously furnished but dimly illuminated, exudes an atmosphere of impending doom. Thick curtains shield the room from the external world's progression. An old-fashioned chandelier, the sole source of light, dangles from above, throwing elongated, menacing shadows that cloak the visages of conventional financiers. The sheen of their upscale attire is barely visible, their countenances concealed, yet their objectives are unmistakable. A chilling, decisive voice slices through the palpable unease, stating, "Base is unsettling the established system. Action is imperative." ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/papyrus_images/25805a3a0470acd30b66cfb74566a50f03e00959f07adf1f905bb1faba76205c.png) THE END ------- **Join Us:** [**Wale Swap Official Website**](https://waleswap.com/) **|** [**Twitter**](https://twitter.com/WaleSwap_) **|** [**Discord**](https://discord.gg/jWXYy6VAPW) **|** [**Telegram**](https://t.me/contact_WaleSwap) --- *Originally published on [Joe](https://paragraph.com/@joe-39/the-based-intern-1-first-day-on-the-job)*