Book 1, Chapter 1, Scene 2 (B1C1S2) - Draft

Alias leaned back in his chair on terrace of his local. Across the table, Buba sat, his demeanor a mix of curiosity and caution, a full bag of counterfeit luxury goods lying on the floor next to him.

"So, why did you invite me for a coffee?" Buba asked, cutting through the pretense of pleasantries. "You don’t strike me as the type for casual chats."

Alias smirked slightly. "True. I don’t. But you intrigue me, Buba. Your community, your struggles—they’re part of something bigger."

Buba's eyebrows raised. "Bigger? Manteros are just trying to survive. Sell enough to feed their families back home. What’s so big about that?"

"Survival is always big," Alias replied, his tone measured. "But what if there was a way to turn survival into security? Stability, even growth?"

Buba chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds nice, but you’re not the first to make promises."

Alias leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "I’m not offering charity. I’m offering a system. A decentralized way to support people like you without relying on banks, middlemen, or governments that bleed you dry."

"And this system... what does it look like?" Buba's voice carried skepticism, but his eyes betrayed a glimmer of interest.

Alias gestured slightly, as if sketching an idea in the air. "Imagine a fair and transparent lottery. Ran by it's participants, not by faceless institutions. The money doesn’t just vanish into someone's pocket—it flows back into the community. A stablecoin, a fixed value cryptocurrency pegged to real value, ensuring predictability and trust."

"A lottery?" Buba leaned back, crossing his arms. "People spend money on hope, but hope doesn’t feed kids."

Alias nodded. "You’re right. But this isn’t about gambling. It’s about creating a tool that redistributes wealth. A way for even the smallest investments to bring returns—not just for one, but for many."

Buba studied him for a moment, silent. "And how does this help us? The manteros? My family back in Dakar?"

"It starts with access," Alias said. "Imagine every lottery ticket tied to a digital wallet. A wallet that you or anyone can access with a smartphone—or even a paper QR code if there’s no tech. The winnings could seed local businesses, fund education, or be sent directly back to your family. No middlemen. No corruption. Just fairness."

Buba's skepticism softened, but he still frowned. "And who controls this? Another big man in a suit?"

Alias’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "No suits, Buba. No big men. The system runs itself. "Smart" contracts ensure payouts are automatic and tamper-proof. And you, your community—you’d have a say in how it’s governed."

Buba leaned forward,"You really believe this could work?"

"I do," Alias said, his voice steady. "But it’s not about me believing. It’s about people like you making it work. It’s your community’s choice, your system. I’m just here to build the foundation."

For the first time, Buba smiled, his white teeth flashing. "You’ve got guts, old man. But I’ll listen. What’s next?"

Alias raised his coffee cup in a quiet salute. "Next, I answer your questions."