Buba, as always, had a quiet confidence about him. He spoke with a rhythm that suggested he had seen much, understood more, and yet carried it all lightly. Alias, for his part, had learned to appreciate Buba’s way of reading people—his ability to sell without selling, to be friendly without seeming desperate. It was the same quality that made him effective on the street and, perhaps, something more.

Tonight, Alias had a purpose beyond their usual conversations. He wasn’t looking for casual insights anymore. He needed to know if this man, this network could carry Pegged into the world.

He spoke carefully. "Buba, you’ve been here for years. You know how things move. Not just goods, but trust, money, connections."

Buba tilted his head slightly, listening.

Alias continued. "The manteros—they’re more than just street vendors, aren’t they?"

Buba chuckled, setting his tea down. "Of course. You don’t think we just wake up in the morning, grab some sunglasses, and start selling? There’s a whole system behind us. A supply chain. Logistics. Protection." He leaned back, studying Alias. "Why do you ask?"

Alias chooses to address the topic directly. "I’m looking for a way to distribute Pegged ."

Buba’s expression changed, his usual amusement tempered by something more calculating.

Buba rubbed his chin. "And you think the manteros could help with this?"

"I don’t know," Alias admitted. "That’s why I’m asking. You know the network better than anyone. How does trust work between you all? How do things spread?"

Buba was silent for a moment, staring past Alias, watching the slow movement of pedestrians along the boulevard.

"Trust is everything," he said finally. "It’s not just about the goods, it’s about who brings them. Where they come from. Who guarantees that when a shipment arrives, it’s what was promised. If one of us messes up, it affects everyone."

Alias leaned in. "That’s exactly why I’m asking. If this is going to work, it has to be initially built on trust. No middlemen. No centralized authority. Just people who understand value when they see it."

Buba sighed, shaking his head. "Alias, you’re talking about changing the way people move money. That’s dangerous. Money is power. You step into that world, and you step on a lot of toes."

"I know," Alias said. "But the manteros already work outside the traditional system. You’ve built something independent. And you know how to operate in the shadows without becoming violent criminals. That’s rare. That’s why I think this could work."

Buba’s fingers drummed against the table. "How would it even happen? You can’t just throw this ‘Pegged’ thing into the market and hope people pick it up."

Alias allowed himself a small smile. "No, but you already have the foundation. The manteros move goods, right? What if they also moved services in the form of lotteries? Not here in Europe, but in Africa?"

Buba narrowed his eyes. "And how do you explain that to a man just trying to sell a handbag on the beach?"

"The same way you sell him anything else—make it simple. We don’t need everyone to understand everything at once. We just need them to see that it works. That it holds value. That it’s easier and safer than what they’re using now."

Buba took a slow sip of his tea, considering.

"It’s a bold idea, Alias. But the manteros—many of them don’t even have papers. You think they’ll trust something they can’t hold in their hands?"

"That’s why it starts with people like you," Alias said. "Not the ones looking for a quick profit. The ones who see the bigger picture. The ones who know that every system is built by those who dare to try something new."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Buba chuckled, shaking his head. "You’re a strange man, Alias. You don’t buy from me, but you want me to help sell your money?"

Alias smiled. "I’m not selling anything, Buba. I’m offering a way out."

Buba sighed, rubbing his temples. "I need to think about this."

"Of course."

Buba stood up, stretching. "Tomorrow, same time. Bring something real I can see. Something I can hold in my hands."

The first step had been taken. Now came the real challenge—making it tangible.