Stories from The Stellar: Leander & the Billionaire Strike

0:00Welcome to Stories from the Stellar. Today's stories and other standalone tale from the world of the Stellar and anticipation of the Stellar origins, a patron exclusive will use the fundraiser fastsword that info web hosting bill because Bill's got to be paid. The purpose is story to say, I do not know how to do accent, so that's probably gonna be the joke. Sugar warning, allusion to gendered violence, but no actual violence, so spoiler but yeah. Leander and the billionaire strike from Aaliyah Jobson. Leander tossed his head back and laughed. He sat on the park grass, his tent in the background in the large beer in hand. His recent get and quotes from his bout of asking quotes as he liked to phrase it. The other tents in the park were slightly discolored and well worn and while the authorities would sometimes chase them and their owners out at the park, they had largely been allowed to stay there. The city restructuring committee says they will give us land and houses as part of mission 2029, huh? Leander stayed after a chug of beer.

1:06We will see if that actually turns into anything. Nicole, the social worker, stood beside him as he laid back on the grass and stared at the clouds. A home said Leander, for free, he shook his head, balanced on his carst arms. I never thought that would ever happen, not for someone like me, someone who spends most of his little money on drinks before even food. Isn't my life my fault if I drink myself hungry? No, said Nicole, we don't think that. Your life is your life, not your fault in quotes. Your choice is not a fault in quotes either. We believe you know best how to live your life with your circumstances and so the only thing we plan to do is to give you measurably better circumstances and let you take care of the rest. And there's no strings attached, he asked. Don't have to sober up. Get a job, report to the social service agent every month and say what I did for my time. All of that, no strings, a short Nicole. You don't have a house, you want a house,

2:10we're giving you one. Wild, he said. Nicole chuckled. Okay, so while you think about that, I'll go over to Cacquian Ben and tell them the good news as well. You can start thinking about what you'll do with your new place. I'll throw a killer party right away, that's your shore, one of the guys who've used the cash regularly has a sound system. That sound's awesome, said Nicole. Hey, he said, where's her crush today? Nicole Googled. Don't say that, she muckingly chastised. Dwight has a cold, he's at home. She deserved a bit. Lander had seen how Nicole and her assistant Dwight would flirt while carrying out tasks at the park for the past two months. You two make a great couple, he said, absolutely. Wanted to do something kind for her, she was giving him so much. She smiled but said nothing and walked with her clipboard and tablet over to Cacquian Ben as promised. Lander carried on staring at the clouds and musing. It had been 30 years since his parents had

3:13died due to the burglar who came into the house. Almost 10 years since his wife died of cancer. Almost five years since his daughter practically disowned him for his drinking. Three years since his first clip from reality after being overworked and underpaid at his job at the shipping container port, working hectic hours for an abusive boss and being hassled and stuck for money to pay back his gambling debts. Two and a half years since he could not afford his medication and debilitated. Six months on the street begging for money for meds and beer, sleeping in a tent in the park. He had most of what he needed in the park. A place to bathe in the water at night when no one was around to look, a water fountain, public bathrooms that he assisted with maintaining for some change. He turned his beard in there and cut his hair. The city was kind to the people in the tents. But now they plan to be even kinder. What was that going to be like? Nicole spent the next 30 minutes going around to people in the park before leaving and during that time, Lander thought about how he would cook every meal he could think of. He had heard that they

4:17would be given seedlings or planting gardens if they wanted to at their new houses, a push for a greener city to combat climate change. He loved eggplant. He thought of all the eggplant recipes he could while Nicole worked her way around. Then she left and the tent dwellers chatted eagerly and hopefully, whoops and laughs and exclamation starting the afternoon sounds of birds flying home to their nests. A feeling, Lander and his fellow parkers' inputs would soon come to know too. The sun set. Lander walked in silence, listening to the mounting excitement, trying not to get too hopeful. Once in a solitary corner of the park, he allowed his fears that this was too good to be true to take over. Things always went wrong after all. It happened sooner than he thought. A rustling the bushes, a sudden whistle on the air, a dart in the neck, causing him to block out, falling to the ground and asleep. Lander awoke on the where of where he was or how he

5:21got there. Looks like we were a bit heavy on the sedative. We're running late now. Came a wazy voice with a carton of accent. No time to lose. You up, mate. Lander blinks. Are you a wike? Weas the voice once more. The and his eyes unblurred and he shook his head to part the fog of his mind. He was tied to a chair. He suddenly panicked and tried to pull loose of the ropes around his body. All right, all right, said the voice. No need for all that. Come on now. He sighed. He appeared in front of Lander, a dimly lit storage container unit it seemed. The man was worried thin with a thin mustache of black hair, a pale complexion and gray plaid outfit. He wore a black mask over his eyes and on top of his nose disguising his features. You all get loose, don't try. It's gonna waste even more time. I just need you to do a couple

6:21things for me. Then you'll be free to go back to your park life. Come on now. Lander stops struggling after a few more attempts to get loose realizing that it was in fact impossible at this point. He sighed. Of course, this would happen to him. Okay, now that we're calm, said the carton of user, I want to let you know we got a lot of beer. We have a friend at a brewery and while we know you'll soon get a house and you can plan to garden and all that, there ain't no beer plant, no beer root. You can grow so we might be able to assist you there. Are you interested? You kidnast me and tied me up. We underxclaimed, I don't want anything from you. Oh, but friend, you gotta think this through, said the weaseman. It's a special beer. It's a beer that was brewed with pheromones. It makes the drinker irresistible to ladies at a party. The drunker you get, the wala she gets. Best part, you don't even get a limp willy out of it.

7:21It's the best drink you'll have of your life, that's so sure. What do you even mean with this, Dander? I've never heard of a pheromone quote unquote beer. Don't like to me. If the truth buddy, the carton, he means, people have been working on the formula. Even if you get at home, doesn't mean you'll suddenly get popular with ladies. So if you want to get laid, we're here to support that effort. This is the finest work of the bottom metric you'll find. If you ever heard of which doctors and bush medicine people then the bottom metrics are like the science-based equivalent. They can work practical magic to make pretty much anything you can think of happen with their potions and brews increasingly. The science is getting more and more advanced, but you know what pheromones are, don't you? I even if Lander did know at one point, he had drunk most of his knowledge away. His head slashed in discomfort. Fower mones, the carton carried on saying, is the signal your body gives out to attract a mate, mate? You bet you want them to be resistable. Okay, said Lander, but why do you

8:29want to give this to me and why did you have to kidnap me to do it? Well, we like giving and we have a better factor. And that part I think you like to. There's money to be made. I'm sure you don't want to spend the whole time gardening. You want to drink and have fun, don't you? We get that. So our benefactors propose to give you some money too. Man with a house needs some money, doesn't he? Why are you doing all this, Lander demanded? We want you to seduce Nicole. Seduce Nicole, Lander asked. Why would I? Nicole is so nice. I don't see her that way. She's a nice lady. Eh, she's also a fun piece of ass. I'm sure you'll have fun with her and she'll definitely want you in the worries. Don't talk about her that way. That lady fought to give me a house she exclaimed, defending Nicole's honor. To him, she was on par with a state. If you seduce her, you get to sleep with her. And she will tell you the code to the restructuring committee private chat and then you'll tell us that code and your job will be done. I will never do that. Lander

9:36was adamant. Oh, well then, I always say people never respond to carrots. Here's the stick. We know where Cassidy is. We'll kill her if you don't do this. And we'll bet at first. With that same sweet, fair amount of beer. She's a bit of a drinker herself these days. Cassidy! Lander choked. He struggled against a rope swans more wanting to throttle the damn cotton man and choke him to death. You leave Cassidy out of this. He barked. You leave her out of this. Eh, we can. The cotton responded. And on top of it, you get to sleep with a pretty lady. We've got no reason to touch a hair on Cassidy's precious head. You love your daughter and we respect that. We just want you to get that password, however you can. We tried putting bugs in Nicole's apartment, but she, like all the other committee members, literally sweep their walls and ceilings once a week at the boom and duster to do such any small spy canry might install. And they get bug sweeps randomly. We can't catch a break. Plus, it's got a fingerprint section as

10:40well. We just need the group chat log in and we'll do the rest. Plus, again, you get to drink beer and sleep with a nice lady. It's a pretty sweet job. Why do you need to know this, Aslander? Beats me. The boss don't tell us all the details. Let's just say some people don't like the kind of progress that's being made with their taxes going up. And if they know what the committee is talking about, they can know how to sabotage it. Why is the chat so important? Leander growled? The committee, the carton explained, is dedicated to operating green and they do all their work remotely. They don't have enough green vehicles and yet the transport of the members to a central spot so they just have a hypersecure chat and app instead where everything gets done. Leaves them vulnerable, you see? We can infiltrate. Some of them don't even know what the other looks like because they preserve each other's privacy and don't make pictures on the account holder mandatory. They have a respect, in quote, of privacy is also their weakness. We can literally

11:44apply as committee members with our own people. It's time sensitive though because they are transitional and soon the power will be in everyone's hands. Then it might be too light. We've got that infiltrate now. That's why would you do that just because your boss is paying more taxes he wants to stop people doing good work? Well, it's the principle of the thing isn't it? They're taking his money to make his business obsolete. He's big into oil and the committee is literally doing everything to stop oil. tricky stuff right? What's a guy to do? Live off his remaining wealth and just be normal and leave my daughter alone. Land abarked? Would be nice but my boss is not a forgiving man I guess. So anyway, times ticking away. How have we got to deal? Hornie booze in the password? We'll worry about the fingerprint thing and of course you know we can deal with Cassidy faster than you can get to police to stop it so don't even think about it. In any case, Hornie booze in the password and Cassidy loves happily oil? Well, I'm sure you can imagine the opposite.

12:51You hate full piece of crap. Snarl Blander. Yeah, the cockney said. But do we have a deal? Yes, Lander spat. We have a deal. Lander was returned back to the park with a bag of very's head and tied up. Before they let him out, the cockney whispered in his ear. We've got all his knees everywhere. You can't trick us, you can't escape. Just get the password and it'll all be over. They lose to near the park entrance and drove off in an unmarked vehicle. His heart pounded, sweat on his brow and fear in his chest. Cassidy, she was drinking now and she was in danger. He wanted to phone her and warn her but he knew that would probably result in a bad outcome. He had to do it. He would have to seduce Nicole or get the password some other way without

13:53defiling her and give the password over. He felt sick, his head swam. He walked slowly back to his tent. He was not sure if he could talk about what had happened with anyone. That might also cause the kidnappers to hurt Cassidy. Maybe he was bugged and being watched. Who knew what these powerful rich people could do? He crawled into his tent. He had a solo powered radio that the guy with the sound system had given him one day stating, no one should ever have to go without music. He turned it on to his favorite station and cried in himself to sleep. Nothing good ever happened to him. So, said Nicole, as you can see the building is made of a very thick bamboo pulp plywood that is like a carbon storage device. We use bamboo as much as we could for the structure and the furniture. Everything is made from the bamboo growing fields overseas designed to capture carbon naturally in the plant which absorbs CO2 into its body. The more demand there is for bamboo the more carbon

14:59we are pulling down from the atmosphere and encasing in a house and its furnishings. Leander nodded, lost in his own thoughts and not paying attention. Something he would have done even if he had been in a proper state of mind in the situation because it was a bit more technical than he could follow. The taxes Nicole carried on saying while walking through the small hallway into the medium sized living room area with Leander falling close behind. These funds we have gathered just from taxing the wealthy members of the region appropriately with an equal percentage as the rest of the population. As met that we could build these cottages on public government owned land. We also gained favorable pricing for the bamboo and exchange for favorable pricing for the fishery export although some of our vegan and vegetarian committee members object to using animals to subsidize your housing Leander. I'm grateful to the fish who gave their lives. He expressed gravely silently vowing to never eat another fish. Tears streamed down his face. Leander said Nicole in shock, please don't cry. This is a beautiful moment. Please be happy.

16:03He choked on a sob. It wasn't happy. I'm fine. He said wiping his tears. Nothing about this was fine though. He wanted to die. I might cry too but I already did that with Paul and Karim. I can't cry again. Let's be happy. She then flopped her elbows like a chicken for some reason. Same to think this would be the funnest thing to do. Leander forced out a chuckle. She smiled. He suddenly vowed to never drink beer again too seeing her gentle kind caring smile. He would get the password but he would not take a sip of alcohol of any kind. Drinking was her fun and this wasn't. The part we really like about this project cynical is that there is a community area. The big building in the middle of the cabin is for if you want to cook together and to tame together, host workshops, do whatever community stuff you want. It's a communal space that no one has to pay to go to. It has solar power built from broken panels that were repaired and a donated set of batteries. I'm sorry to say that the

17:04electricity of your house is something we could not afford so you will have to figure out personally electricity. But there is water from rain catchment. You just have to be careful about your water usage. The storage is enough for one or two people but still be careful. And there are solar lights for the night. We could at least afford that. But the central building has solar and you have a fridge there. It was donated. There's an electric stove there also donated. A lot of kitchenware, tables and chairs were sitting and eating. There was wifi there that reaches your cabin and there are charging ports for your devices there. That's already more than we could have possibly dreamed of seated Leander. I'm glad you think so cynical with this smile. The great part is that we can use this community model as an actual offset for businesses that pollute and need to manage their corporate social responsibility appearances. They can offset their pollution through drawing down carbon with the building of bamboo houses for our houses person. Yeah, that's great said Leander distractedly. Oh, Nicole grew a little less shipper. I can see

18:07this is emotional for you. I can leave if you want. Well, not to be rude, he stated. But yes, she needed to get away from him. We thought. Okay, I'll be back on Monday. Brighton early, just checking that everything is working. Okay, happy weekend. She left. He sat on the bamboo bench in the living room area. The columns were preserved for the legs and frame of the bench while the seat was a smooth pulp plywood. Leander spent the weekend sheltered but miserable, mostly in the bed which had a thin blanket on top of her bamboo plife to serve as a temporary bed until he could get a mattress. He tossed and turned and dissipating and anxious for the arrival of Monday wondering and fretting about Cassidy and whether he should phone her on the coast phone in Monday or if he should leave her out of it entirely. He did not even know if Cassidy had the same phone number or if she still lived at the same house. The kidnappers had a better knowledge of her where about them him. He wished them ill. On Sunday morning, he awoke and saw a keg on the front port of his cabin

19:09with a burner phone and a note in a beer mug on top of it that read Happy Drinking. He slammed the door shut and went back to sleep. He would not have to think about drinking if he was asleep. Monday came all too soon and Nicole Malkan is door. Leleleander! She chilled from the doorway. He opened the door and forced a smile. Good morning! She chirped. Morning! He replied guffly. I brought you some toiletries, she stated happily. We realized we hadn't thought of that and maybe you want to brush your teeth or take a bath of soap. At least you remember to stock toilet paper. Oof! And guess what? The toilet paper is bamboo. The toothbrushes bamboo that soap is local made and donated. Ha! We have a theme! Leleander forces smile again. This was going to be complicated. He had thought of a plan over the weekend. It would be morally grey but at least he would get the job done. Say, Nicole, he began. Is Dwight a part of the committee?

20:12Who? My assistant, she asked? She blushed a bit. Oh, no, he's not. Okay, that was good. Leleander said we should throw a party like I suggested in the communal building to celebrate. Great idea she responded enthusiastically. We wanted to have a celebration when he moved in but the footprint of all the committee members driving in wasn't worth it. But a party just for you guys, yeah, why not? And he hesitated. Bring Dwight. Oh, she explained. Yeah, he might be over his cold. I'm sure he'd love to come. She blushed a bit once more. She really was a gentle kind person. When Nicole left after reading him a questionnaire and taking off answers, he heard the burner phone ring. What's the idea? Said the Cockney weasily through the phone. What's all this about parties and assistants? I think it's better if someone she actually likes seduces her, said Leleander. I have a plan. You can't involve anyone else in this, the Cockney answer. This is your job, your job alone.

21:21Can't be holding multiple daughters at gunpoint, can we? He chuckled in an ugly manner. Okay, Leleander wanted to strangle him once more. Don't get any other ideas to the Cockney. Stick to the plan or buy by Cassidy. Leleander grit his teeth and hung up. The day of the party approached and Leleander had slept most of the week rather than be awake and thinking of drinking. He would drag himself to the communal kitchen and grab a piece of bread or an applour too, donated from the food waste prevention project in the city that fellow cabin community members brought back. He would eat and then go back to sleep. The day of the party had him on a high alert. He was not actually thinking about drinking like he feared he would because he was so worried about what he would have to do to get the password from Nicole. He had no idea what the effect of the alcohol would be like. How strong would her reaction be? Would anyone else have a strong reaction? What would the reaction look like? He had no idea. His keg was in his house to prevent

22:26others from drinking from it, although a neighbor or two had noticed it when it was on the front porch and had asked a couple of questions about it which Leander dismissed saying, it was a gift I drank it all already. On the day of the party Leander assisted making snacks and appetizers for people to eat from the food waste prevention stash which was extra nice in recognition of the milestone. Some of the food waste prevention project members were in attendance too. No longer as strange family members had given to come join the festivities. There were tears and emotions all across the scene of the gathering in the communal building. This should have been a joyful time in Leander's life. He went to his cabin once he saw Nicole arrive on her bicycle. Dwight was close behind on his. The plan he had had would no longer work. He had wanted to talk Dwight into drinking the beer and getting the password. At least she liked him and he would be gentle about it. He had not thought it through fully anyway but it didn't matter anymore. He had to drink, seduce, get the password and turn it in on the burner phone. That was a task and he had to get it

23:29done. He opened the spaghetti at the bottom of the keg and filled a cup of beer while his burner phone rang. He picked up on the mug was full. All right said the cockney. Ready for action. There's a lot of cash in it for you. I wish you could see the bright side of the old this. We're being very nice. Anyways drink up takes it like pretty much immediately. Just get her alone somewhere and get that password. She'll be feeling for you. You can go to say anything. Lander nodded. Probably they could see that. He hung up. The phone rang again. He answered again annoyed. What is it? He explained. I don't like it that you hang up the phone. You never know what I'm done talking on it. You should let me hang up. Lander growled and rolled his eyes. All right to the cockney. That's it. I'm hanging up now and the line fell silent. Lander wanted to smash the phone against the wall. He picked up the mug

24:30of beer and drank. It is as though he had spent the past few days by the job to drink the way that beer crunches thirst. He dragged the first mug down in nearly one gulp. He refilled. Three times he drank and drank in one go until the fourth mug full that he took down in three large sips and then the fifth he held and hiccuped out a burp before truly sipping a bit. He decided he would have to get counseling after this and talk about his problems. Probably Nicole would know who to talk to. She was informed about good stuff like that and now he would have to betray her. He went out to the party with his mug. The music from his friend's sound system was blaring. Powered on the solar system. His friend had come through with the vibes. Vibes that could not reach him. When Nicole saw Leander, her features lit up with delight and she shouted at him. Leander, party man, woohoo! And she skipped over to him, bubbling friendly as always. She smiled at him and then her expression morphed from one of friendly happiness to something

25:34that looked like dread and then she blushed entirely almost seemingly from head to toe and grew shy at seed. Her eyes, light gray, dilated to a near full black as her pupils widened. Leander, she sighed. Follow me, he said, holding onto her elbow and leading her behind the communal building. Oh, she started to chuckle in a slightly strained and confused way. Where are we going? I just need to, they were behind the building. What's your password to the committee app? Huh? And then chuckle a little bit once more, seeming drunk in a way that Atlanta should have been. But he felt entirely sober and sick with himself. My password, that's a bit forward. She chuckled again in that same slurry, drunk in a way. I guess. Well, I'll tell you if you tell me something, she chuckled again. It's Carpentry More All One Two Three Dollar Sign. Capital C, M and A. She chuckled again. Oh, where do you get muscles from? You drink all the time. She touched his arm suggestively,

26:38sliding close to him, and steady on her feet. Oh, the voice came from the side of the building. It was Dwight looking press-fallen at the seemingly intimate moment between the two of them. He left in a hurry. Leander followed while Nicole nearly tripped in the film that Leander was no longer supporting her. She took his though, she were waking from the stupor as he walked away from her, and she seemed increasingly quite dazed and befuddled the further way he got. Dwight said Leander allowed the assistant to walk back to the communal building. Dwight stopped walking and looks back. Nicole needs you, he said. What? Said Dwight, Charlie, me? I thought you were... No man, said the under-sheets you. Dwight nodded and returned to the back of the building. Leander went to his cabin and picked up a burner phone. Carpentry More All One Two Three Dollar Sign said the cop knew to enter the phone. Got it. Nice job. But you didn't get laid. Too bad. We said that up for you so easy. Expect a water cash in a pot of the go near plant on your push to more morning,

27:43and make sure your neighbors don't get to it before you do. This is the one and only time we're doing this. You also get to keep that beer and use it how you please to get some other lady where you can actually score with, but you are not allowed to share it with anyone else. He cleared his throat. Please be informed. He carried on speaking in a more formal and road manner that your daughters whereabouts are still known and we're still watching you. You can't try to cover up your tracks after the facts. Make no mention of this incident. We will make periodic check-ins on your daughter to make sure we know where she is. This is a lifetime bond. You'll never speak of this, never share this, never attempt to get out of this. This is a chapter closed. We'll be keeping an eye on you still with our eyes and ears for the next month. After that, you'll have a bit of privacy back, but what's done is done. Close this chapter, tell no one. Goodbye.

28:44The next day after the party, Leander threw out the rest of the beer and vowed another vow to himself. He would find a way to drain the pockets of the rich boss who had funded all of this and make it so that his employees had nothing to draw for him. He would have to make the people with money lose their power, only then would his daughter be safe again. This was on a timer, however, as the Cockney's boss had likely infiltrated the app and committed he already. This time, he would find a way out of the situation instead of giving it into it. They get as rich as they get because they don't pay people properly. A lot of people are under pay to make their wealth possible. Leander stated in a community group talk, the people in the neighboring houses had all been invited to the cabin community centers to talk about the main transition. He wanted to push for dealing with the billionaire problem, the thing that plagued him and his fellow parkers and quotes, all their lives basically, inequality. So those people need to start asking to be paid better.

29:49Baratrade laws should be something we back from here in the places where they supply us. Those other countries should charge more and then you'll see less profit to the boss and shareholders pretty much overnight if that's the law of the land. Yeah, that's a trick, but since when are laws overnight? Yeah, chimed in Paula. All these ideas we've been sharing and thought how we stop having big people with big money and everybody else small. All these ideas, we can't do them. We can't get up and make a fair trade thingy. We can't get up and change law and stuff. Does it need to be us? Land or us? Well, no, but then why am I here? Paula asked, just let the other people do it then. Yeah, said the under, but we can shape what they do if we agree on what we want from them. We elect them. Election, rejection, said Paula wrote in her eyes, I never voted. You vote from the park they? She used his nickname. I mean, we talk about democracy

30:50stuff and law stuff and government stuff and that's nothing to do with anything. The closest I ever got to all of that is Nicole. Nicole and her clipboard in tablet. Otherwise, it's just regular schmows like you lot. You think we can do anything? I do actually, said lander. So then what is it? Because it's not government stuff, Paula finished. She was knitting a scarf with pink and orange yarn that was donated from the old folks home. We can get people to price amounts, said lander. Paula sings songs while clicking her niffy needles together. I don't know, nobody in a foreign country to tell them to hike up the prices. Or we can start monetizing everything we do for them, said lander, like anything they want to get done, we charge them for it. Else it doesn't get done and we charge them a lot. It's like a strike of a sort or a kind of boycott. We don't do anything for them unless they pay a lot. Otherwise, we just don't do anything for them. And if you need a dollar, Paula asked,

31:51we have to make sure our needs are met first. Leander retorted. We're in the in between with the transition. If we have our food growing and hope storms, floods and droughts don't wipe them out, said Paula needles are clicking. Yeah, hope that doesn't happen. Said lander figurative teeth. But then like, if you have everything you need near to you, like the restructuring committee is trying to do, then you need their money less. And you can start charging them more. Because why are you going to get out of bed for a few bucks anymore? When you have your own food growing, you got your own house paid for, you got decent and cheap public transportation, you can get entertainment from the community bar with all the books and movies and media subscription and stuff that you can access in person or on your phone. You got good public education, you got decent public health care. That's what the committee is about. They got us this far. I've never seen anyone else get us a house. So it's about now saying we don't do anything to make them richer. And if they need something,

32:51the price is extra high. Take a chunk out of their hoarded money until they have none left. Why did they purchase stuff online, Paula asked? Or threw someone else? Hmm, Leander thought for a moment. Maybe if we only like through austerity measures that are coming in again. If everyone has a trade number to ensure you only work with austerity observers, then we know the number of billionaires. Yeah, but privacy and stuff said Paula. Yeah, Leander cut his head with his hand and slashed a bit. Look, trip Paula. I'm happy to take these people to task. Happy to price them up. Happy to form a group that prices them out. I just don't know how fast it's going to be because they already pay a premium for everything. Everything but labor in their entire supply chain, they only pay fair in some parts Leander countered. All right, Paula dropped her needs on her lap and picked up her cut from the ground beside her chair and took a sip. So they skid on the overseas labor where minimum wages

33:53but they pay a premium for everything else. If you want to talk about pricing them out, seems like the fair trade thing makes more sense. Oh, so now you're on the fair trade team. Yes, she shrugged everyone chuckled. I would say, said an elderly man named Walter, that the best way is both using all the methods of pricing them out of their wealth and getting it back into our hands. These things are coalescing anyway. Walter, how do you know the big words, Paula asked, what's a coalesce? They're coming together, said Walter with a small chuckle. He had not been houses like the rest of them. He just couldn't afford the nursing home anymore and had been given the places date in the cabin community instead. Fair trade overseas, we pushed for that and pressured the grocery store to only accept fair trade products. And since austerity is kicking in again, and choreographed sale assisted cargo ships bring it in because the last thing we want is price

34:55good ships on dirty engines that dry out our gardens with the CO2 they emit. So we have the sick to climate goals so that we have enough free food growing that we can afford a pricey fair trade good or two at the supermarket. There were nods around the room. So I'm routinely, we petition our government to keep up the taxes of the billionaires and 100 millionaires to ensure they pay exactly the same percentage of their wages and taxes. No matter the shape of those wages, whether stocks or bonds or assets or whatever financial cycle babble they use, exact same treatment, they are equal. Same percentage taken for taxes. Then we also institute a boycott of their goods, buy from one another instead where possible. Maybe the stuff won't be amazing at first, but we grow over time, get better and have instant feedback from the customer straight to you. We buy from one another and not the billionaires were possible. Yeah, Sid Paula and a few others. And then we also charge a billionaire tax of our own

35:56whenever we know we are interacting with a wealthy person. We charge a super high price for that either they paid or they get nothing and that frustration builds and builds. I think this combo attack will cale the top 1% as the kids might say. What do you think? Hey, Walter what the big ideas? Joe Paula with a shovel. Some of those I don't know how to do, but I know how to buy from somebody I know. The farmers market, the craft fair. Yeah, Sid Walter. We just have to take it seriously and not reach for the handy billionaire tool or products or service. Instead go for the local and handmade and competitor products instead. I think if people are forced to buy from me then I get more money don't I, Sid Paula? You've got it. Replyed Walter with a stop on the chuckle. Yeah, people would do that. If you like said we're doing a boycott where you buy from each other and not from any billionaire and you buy a local as possible and charge fair prices going overseas. A lot of people would do it

36:59to make money. Land or smiled. A little sad but also ever so slightly hopeful too. It was a start of something. He was back in his house. He still couldn't quite get used to having that word associated with himself again. His house. The phone rang as soon as he entered. Boy, caughting billionaires are we? Said the company. It's just began the under, uh, uh, uh, interrupted the company. I don't care. Good luck with that. Just make sure you remember to keep quiet about what needs to be kept quiet. No one cares if you get a picket sign or anything. I was just chucking in to make sure you know we know what you're doing. If you start sweeping the walls or getting a bug sweep from the police, we'll know and ask before you get results. But can we on with you as a group project? It's fun to watch a bunch of druggies and burnouts think because they have a roof of their heads. They're suddenly better people. It's hilarious. Especially when they

38:00see what you do when you go back in the house. I hope you know that beer was very expensive that you threw out. Very expensive indeed. He hung up. Lander crushed the phone in his hand so hard that it started to give way a little bit. He put it back down on the table. Someone in his mouth he hasn't seen her anywhere. Lander heard Nicole say on the phone for that week's visit. She's posting in the group holding up votes and breaking ties in the favor of a lack of paga's really. Totally not herself and no one has actually seen her. It's weird. She was pacing on the porch on the phone and Lander could hear her. He did not know what to do. The cameras, eyes and ears were still active. Maybe this Marcian quotes had been killed. Maybe she had been kidnapped. There was no way of knowing. She hated himself. It was his fault. He had been too stupid to figure something else out. Nicole hung up the phone. Sorry about that.

39:00She said to Lander. No worries. He responded. Slightly choked. So you said you wanted to phone Cassidy? Hasn't Nicole? Yeah. He said quietly. Just wanted to try. Okay. Let's try. What's the number? He gave her the digits he remembered. She dialed and then gave him the phone and excuse yourself into the house while he stood on the porch. She didn't have though. The phone number was no longer active. His heart felt even lower than it was before. Now he truly dispeared. Nicole had left. He took up the burner phone and we dialed the number that had phoned him. Oh, said the copney picking up. I wanted to get in touch. Did you? Let me guess. You want your door is number? Yes. He grumbled. I cannot oblige. Responded the copney. She's safe and well. Can tell you that. Bit booze you already before midday. But otherwise just fine. Oh, and don't phone this number. He hung up. Well, that was better than he could expect otherwise. He could

40:06at least feel a little relief. But what about the members of the restructuring committee? What about Nicole? Was she safe? What kind of sabotage was being planned? He went to the community center gathering to plan the billionaire strike in earnest. For the next few days he worked tirelessly day and night to grow the online group using Walter's phone, one of the few phones in the group. Some of the parkers, encodes had gotten phones, tablets and laptops from their no longer estranged relatives. They worked too. Those of them who were in good enough shape to work. Consorts were visiting daily to assist with the transition to community life. A nurse or two did some volunteer work with them to ensure everyone was healthy. Things were progressing for them. But with each visit from Nicole, the progress, lander experience, pale and comparison to the loss she experienced. I don't get it. Nicole yelled in anger. Her visit to check in on lander and the parkers and quotes had been interrupted with bad news again. Every single move we make to pass new laws to enact new changes. Everything is being blocked because of this one freaking judge.

41:08We keep on saying it's state overreach and that it sets a bad precedent. The taxes we started gathering are now being held in debate as to whether it's lawful. And everything we plan to do with this money is now being questioned because of this one judge. The log up pass it was made into a law. Duh, it's a law. They have to pay it. We went through the proper channels. Do you need anything? Lander asks. I don't know what's sick in this stomach. I need a really good lawyer. She exploded. Not only that, but there are protesters arguing that we are tyrannical because we're taking public money and making suit and changes in a private committee. We've been working to open up the process. The idea that people are saying we are tyrannical, how twisted that sounds frustrating, said lander, yields twisting his insights, pleasy. Add to that the scandal with the chair who was found to be sitting a sex worker. The anti-porn and anti-sex work league are protesting the committee because no sex work is ever okay under capitalism, they say. I agree but I just wish it wasn't derailing in our committee. He keeps on insisting it was a setup. A paid agitator sex worker.

42:09It doesn't matter. The damage is already done. You should probably open up the process and transition away from being a committee soon event planned. Like tomorrow or the next day, just jump in cold. She nodded with emphasis and huffed. The sooner the better, lander whispered in support. Nicole nodded and stood from the living room bench. Thanks for letting me vent, Le. You've been awesome. No, so lander quietly, as if it would do anything. You should not thank me. Goodbye Nicole. Open up that process. She left. The bruner phone rang. Open up the process, eh? Said the company. I had to act normal in this lander. Okay, we'll see how this plays out. The restructuring committee had sent out an emergency message to all phones in the region with a link to a letter to the public on the committees and the government's website. The committee was also being broadcast on all the local television stations and all the radio stations.

43:14Le. And the parkers and quotes gathered around his solar radio and listened as Nicole spoke. The time has come for the power of the people to lead the way forward. Nicole stated she was the spokesperson likely because the chair was disgraced and because she had a dazzling and dental personality. We have looked into it and we believe that no one should be in charge of the changes we need to progress. We believe lawfully gained taxes from the wealthier citizens of this boundful region and nation should go towards the public good, but we are not totalitarians. We are not imperialists either. We wish to put the power in the people's hands through participatory democracy. However, the participation is in the use of services that declare their identity before you use them. This is through the borrow system. The same borrow where you get your books, drills, movies, bicycle, electric vehicles and vacation houses to land. This same borrow is for borrowing civic services now. Much like has been attempted in other nations. The technology exists and is the swiftest to implement. There was some throat clearing in the background in

44:19affirmative noises. We believe when there is no leader and instead people get to choose what agendas and methods they support with their tax dollars back in their choice of what they choose to use, then we see true and participatory democracy. The choices are yours to make. If you end up deciding to return these tax dollars to the wealthy then you may. However, from this day forward this committee is resolved. The power of our citizens is yours. Applaws are ruptured in the parker to eat and add. What does this mean, Aspala? It means a committee chair scandal can't bring progress to a halt anymore, it's a lander, with a happy side. He was glad because with the committee dissolved, the target of the Cuckney's boss' crimes would no longer exist. The next day, Nicole showed up for a visit. I thought you'd be too big for us now, Leander said in surprise. Never, she was burdened. We heard back from Marcy. She's basically in a

45:23few states. She has no idea where she's been, what she's been doing. She's totally lost, but she's okay. It's so horrible. It's over now, Siddlyander, hoping it was true. I heard what you guys have been talking about at community gatherings in Nicole. I want in. Really, he asked a bit, shocked? Wasn't she too big for them now? Yes, she said. Really, I think some of the stuff that happened to committee, I think a rich jerk is behind some of it, like what happened with the chair of the committee. The ender remained silent. Let's show these rich people what a scrappy club can do. She is suspiciously. So now, said the Cuckney that evening, the former years who has landed in his house. Now, we've got ourselves in a little bit of a bind. My boss is not happy about the way things are going. He'd like to get his money back and the public seems more than happy to be spending those tax orders from him and people like him. Most of them might be going to be allocated to various civic services and their stated agendas. We've seen

46:28boroughs systems that work overseas. It's no laughing matter. The boss isn't happy. You may need another favor from you. What could you possibly want Leander asked? I have no power. Oh, yes you do. You've got Nicole. I respected media personality now who goes on TV and radio regularly talking about the changes being made. You're still in play while we still have time. Leander shook with rage. Why can't you just leave us alone? He pleaded. Just leave us alone. His voice trying to get me yelled. Oh, careful of the neighbors said the Cuckney quietly. Leave us alone. Leander reiterated quietly too. It's over. There's no more committee. Yes, but we need you to say that Nicole was inappropriate with you. That she manipulated you. No, said Leander. Let me finish. Said the Cuckney touchyly. No, Leander repeated it. It's over. Just leave us all alone. It's not over till we say it's over friend. That's the beauty and

47:32ugliness of all of this. The boss needs a job done and I pride myself on being a very hard worker. You manipulate me, Leander spat angrily and manipulate others and do everything for this person who would throw you away in an instant if you weren't useful. Why do you do it? Just stop. Just leave us alone. Nope. Don't think so. We've got a job to do. I'm a professional. So you will say that Nicole manipulated you into doing inappropriate things that she was lustful and depraved. We'll send a list of sex acts to describe in a message. After that, you'll see how the houses are poorly built. We'll add some defects, cracks in the plywood and such letting in the rain. We can make that happen. I... what's going on? There was a sound of scuffling and then the line cut. Leander, Sid and Nicole enter into his house suddenly. We've got them. What? He asked totally lost. The kidnappers and saboteurs. We've been following all the wealthiest people in the region. Ever since Marcy seemed to have gone missing and we found out they're plot. The boss has been arrested.

48:33We found Cassidy and she's safe. She's with the police and those kidnappers have been arrested just now. You're safe. Leander let out a haul so fierce and strong that it shook his very bones. Thank you, he explained. He saved me again, Nicole. My saint! She smiled her kind, gentle smile once more as the police entered the house, ready to debrief. There were two months into the billionaire tax strike. So far, it had caught on in their region and in the two neighboring regions as well as a few capitals around the world. Leander got himself right in the bathroom for our television interview. He had tried getting Cassidy's information from the police but they had stated they were not able to provide people's flow numbers without their explicit permission and Cassidy had refused thinking the brush with crime was just more drama from her father. The television interview could reach her, get her to seek him out and see that he had gotten counseling, didn't drink anymore, had a house, got cleaned up and was making a difference in

49:33the world. They were all each other had after all. Cassidy's grandparents were on her mother's side had gone quiet ever since she passed away. So this is the home of the billionaire tax strikes at Cassidy's local news reporter. We're speaking with one of the originators, Leander Stewart. Leander could you tell us about this boycott or strike and what started it, how you planned it and what it's done to take off across the region. Sure, Cassidy, Leander responded, we're a community of people who used to live in tents. We are a community of people who have had a lot of bad luck through life just because of money. We are fed up with having our lives ruled with something silly and easy to be misused, especially when bad people have a lot of it. You've seen the news stories of what happened to me, Nicole Shreider and my family. Money has hurt us in the lack of it. So we said enough. We said let's make sure we get what we're truly worth if we have to deal with the billionaire or a millionaire. They'll never care about the fact that we're living on the streets enough to put us in the house, most of them anyway. The state put us in houses and now we want other people else

50:35were to get the same chance. We taxed billionaires and hundred millionaires and so on because they owe us money. They keep so much money for themselves knowing some of their employees come to work hungry or someone in a country far away making supplies so cheap for them is coming to work hungry, is worried about rent. So we say screw them. Let it cost $1,000 US dollars for a bread for them. Let it cost $500 US dollars for an apple. Let it cost $200 US dollars for a soda and the full grocery bill, $10,000 US dollars per bag. Don't you think this is kind of harsh? Christina asked holding the mic to her mouth before putting it back before landers. They didn't care when I slept in the bitter cold and intent in the park. They didn't care when my daughter was under now age during summers when the school wasn't giving her meals growing up. They didn't care that my wife died of lung cancer due to living close to a factory that polluted the air. This is personal and anyone who has ever suffered because they didn't have money must know this is personal because there's enough global animal GDP or global earnings for the year to give every human being $1,500 US dollars per month for

51:36a year. We can afford to pay people. We just don't do it because all the money is clogged up stream. If a river is clogged and you can't get water to drink downstream you clear it out. We are clearing the river out. Let it flow, let it flow, Chris-Hammes-Saint. So let's talk about the fact that the strike is catching on around the world. There are now 20 strike locations identified in the largest capitals of the world where people are discriminately pricing billionaires and millionaires in anyone who shops for them. The billionaires are turning to online shopping but when they do the delivery workers are starting to ask for a tip to finalize the delivery that is often 5,000 US dollars or more to join the strike because so many are doing it the business leaders are having trouble firing people for hampering their sales. How did you get people to join this boycott even while working for these large corporations? They themselves with billionaire leaders. It was a matter of persuasion. We made sure to talk to people in person and go to their favorite watering holes near to where they worked. The lunch places they visited during their break. We made

52:36sure to talk to people and let them know why it was so important that this point in human history that we do away with billionaires. We built trust. We persuaded people we planned a start date and an end date. We got people to join chat groups and see that there were a lot of people already joined the cause. We made sure to keep it organized and focused and people felt motivated because there were so many of us who wanted to do this. The visit isn't that there are so few millionaires in billionaires at the fact that we are boycotting some of them is fine. They are getting increased regional sales and semi-local buying so their cash flow is not affected. Even though we are somewhat boycotting these platforms too. You can't force everyone so we always encourage people to pick the least harmful choice not the most perfect choice because this is real life. People sometimes have to purchase online. Okay, can you pick a company that doesn't serve a billionaire or a hundred millionaires? No, I need you to now. Okay, try to find a local producer, one in your region, one in your nation and then only after doing those steps which is just flicking through some filters, it's not that much effort. Then you can definitely just purchase the thing you need and

53:38get back to real life. So the tactic was to get people on board before you started. Kusanna asked, yep, Sennlander, we had to make sure we had enough allies enough momentum and enough supporters. Well, I am so glad for your success. When do you think this will end? She asked finally, well, when the magazine published a network of these people and we've knocked off a few zeros and we purpose them to serve our basic needs, we can light up. But for now, the momentum is going so I see no reason to stop. Kusanna nodded and began to pull the mic away but landed a reshade and tried to tilt it back to himself. If you could, Kusanna, I just want to say, Cassidy, if you see this, I am dying to see you and have a family reunion. I'm sober now. I'm an upsetting citizen. I'd love to see you. Oh, Sid Kusanna, who is Cassidy, may I ask? My daughter, he said it simply. My goodness, Sid Kusanna, of course, Cassidy, I hope you hear this, your father has made many people in this region proud, starting a worldwide movement that is literally changing

54:41the global economy. You have a lot to gain in getting back in touch and I wish you all the very best, Leander. Back to you in the studio, Murphy. The cameraman put the camera down. My mind is like Kusanna, I'm so sorry to hear that you are estranged from your daughter. I truly hope you find her. Yeah, man, said the cameraman in agreement. Thanks guys, Sid Leander. Thanks for everything. He went back to his house and laid on the bed which now had a mattress and sheets thanks to money he earned from working in the neighborhood gardens and gathering tips for his assistants and a promise of parts of the harvest. His life was good now. He just needed there was a knock on the door. He sit up and walked through the hallway. He opened the door. It was Cassidy. She looks different. Older, a few stray gray hairs, but it was her. Yes, he whispered his voice choking around her name so much he could not finish. How had it worked so fast? Hi dad, Sid Cassidy. Her voice is older too. I saw you were an organizer for this strike

55:43and the group my coworker added me into. I couldn't believe it. My beautiful daughter, beautiful Cassidy. I'm so glad to see you. She smiled as happy tears slid down her cheeks. The days of Leander's life grew happier and happier, especially when the list of billionaires and hundred millionaires' net worth decreased over time. He was heralded as a national hero alongside his fellow parkers and poets. Life was for once. Good. Looks like we've been having a bit of... It starts. Looks like we were a bit heavy on the sedative. We're running late now. You're so bad.

56:45And that was Stories from the Stellar. Hope you enjoyed it and would love to hear what it is surging you as you listened and whether you want more. Let us know on the Patreon, the Massidon, or on Fast Forward where these stories find their home. The Stellar is currently being workshopped to be an infinitely replayable lunar punk tabletop role playing strategy game based on custom lunar punk tarot cards and the moon solar cycle of 33 years. We have quite some work to get it there and in the meantime there are stories. If you like this stuff let us know and you'll make more and get jiggy with us on Fast Forward that's F-A-S-T-F-R-W-R-D-D-I-N-F-O. Hope to see you there. This podcast has been offset through Trees.org's planting food forests and climates chicken regions and was recorded in Jamaica for a territory of the Teno.