I'll be back.
— A Cold Front
By the end of 2019, I'd managed to get a few Bitcoin seed phrases. Combined, they were for wallets worth a couple hundred grand, and that was when the price of Bitcoin was in a slump.
The B alone was proof I was onto something big. I snatched 19.7 BTC from him. I got another 8 BTC from a mark who got blackout drunk at Shenanigan's. It's an Irish pub in Munster.
The bartender said somebody needed to drive the guy home, and I offered to help, more or less.
"I CALL SHENANIGANS!"
"Do you know him?"
"Obviously! And his place is on my way."
I had no idea who he was or where he lived. I got that info from his wallet. I just figured he was a mark because I spotted him with two other marks. Nerds of a feather, marked together.
I ended up driving him all the way to South Holland. It's in Illinois. I searched his place while he slept, but I waited almost a year before I sent his Bitcoin to my own wallet, just in case anybody at the bar remembered me.
New rule: No interaction with the m... Okay, that was already a rule, but the opportunity was too good, so... y'know.
I also got a wallet with 0.3 BTC from Mitch in Miller Beach. He was a very plain man who mansplained home security to a girl named Angel. She was my partner for a couple weeks. Found her outside a rehab clinic. She had potential, until she didn't.
Unfortunately for Mitch, his idea of home security was a camera mounted above the front door which I easily defeated by using the back door.
Unfortunately for Angel, Mitch had hardcore recreational hobbies.
Rest in peace, girl.
I guess she couldn't hold her heroin like she used to. That wasn't my fault.
New rule. No junkies.
2019 ended with a sigh, but as a new year reared its ugly head, I had even less luck finding a long-term partner.
By March 2020, I had to stop looking.
I know you know why.
One day, there was a news report on TV about people getting sick in China. Then came reports from Europe. Then Seattle and New York.
Then here.
Then came the lockdowns.
By April 2020, half the world was under some form of mandated lockdown.
The Shady Lady Exchange closed on March 24th. Lorraine told the staff it was only temporary. "We'll get the store open again as soon as we can."
I didn't tell her, but I knew I wouldn't be back. I'd already been taking fewer shifts, because I had my own source of income.
I'd become my own source of income, thanks to Bitcoin.
I had a new name, too, though I hadn't started using it yet. It was a new legally legit name, thanks to grandma Paula and a truly gruesome photo.
As the Shady Lady closed that day, there were hugs and tears. Everybody was scared.
I only lived a few blocks away, so I walked home. And on that day, I walked a little more slowly, just taking it all in, though I didn't know why.
Some people had signs hanging in their windows. There were hearts and rainbows, along with words of encouragement. That sort of thing.
I stopped when I saw the sign in my neighbor's window.
It said...
"Dear World,
I have not abandoned you. I'll be back."
And I thought...
Dear World,
I'll be back too, but next time as Shayna.
Just you wait.
You'll never see me coming.
"I'm a ghost."