The possibilities were endless, and he felt a sense of excitement. He pushed the button for the elevator, and as he waited, he thought about what he would name his new company. He wanted a name that would inspire people, that would make them think about the future.The elevator arrived, and he stepped inside. The doors closed, and he rode up to the ground floor. When the doors opened, he took a deep breath. If it was his old world he would have delved into slave trade. The man's thoughts were quickly cut short, as he realized the terrible implications of such a thought in this modern world. He shuddered, and he was horrified by the idea of involving himself in such an exploitative and immoral practice and getting caught. He felt ashamed that the thought had even crossed his mind, and he vowed to never think of such a thing again. He stepped out of the elevator, and he headed for the front door. He needed to get out of this building, to get some fresh air and clear his head. He walked out into the fading sunset.But then another thought came to mind. What if, instead of selling technology or services, he sold drugs? The thought was equally as awful as the first, and Alsies became drowned by his own thoughts. He shook his head and tried to clear his mind. He walked away from the building, trying to put his dark thoughts behind him. The elevator doors opened and then Alsies stepped out into the lobby of his high-rise building. The marble floors are spotless, and the air is cool and crisp. He walked through the lobby, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his briefcase in hand. He looked every inch the successful businessman, but his mind was racing with thoughts of his next big project. He had been bored of his retired life, and he was eager to find something new and exciting to keep him occupied. The main character had seen a TV show the night before, and he'd been intrigued by the way the main character walked. He tried to emulate the confident gait, taking long, purposeful strides. But he felt self-conscious, and he was sure he looked ridiculous. He felt a little embarrassed, but he kept walking, determined to get to his destination. Alsies turned the corner, and he saw a newspaper stand. He thought about stopping to buy a paper, but he decided against it. He wanted to avoid any interaction with people, he just wanted to walk and clear his head. The sun was sinking in the sky, casting long shadows over the city. The skyscrapers were glowing in the late afternoon light, and the air was beginning to cool. The main character walked down the street, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city. He could hear the sounds of traffic, and the occasional siren. But mostly, he was aware of the silence, the peace of being alone with his thoughts. As the main character turned the corner, he saw a dark alleyway ahead. In the shadows, he could make out the silhouette of a figure, leaning against a car. The figure was still, and the main character couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman. He felt a moment of panic, but he tried to stay calm.Alsies's heart was beating fast, and he felt a rush of adrenaline. He walked slowly, trying to keep his footsteps quiet. The figure was still, and the man couldn't make out any details. He was beginning to think that he should turn back, when the figure moved.The figure straightened up, and the main character saw that it was a man. He was wearing a long coat, and his face was hidden in the shadows. His dressing hardly the norm, Mike, the drug dealer, looked at Alsies, prepared to hype his product. Despite the dingy alley they stood in, Mike seemed undeterred, exuding an air of confidence mixed with defiance. His black leather jacket, adorned with silver chains, clung tightly to his well-built frame, accentuating his intimidating presence. A fedora cast a shadow across his sharp features, partially concealing his calculating eyes.Alsies, on the other hand, felt a wave of apprehension washing over him. Clasping his hands nervously, he adjusted the collar of his button-down shirt, attempting to maintain composure. The flickering streetlight caught glimpses of sweat on his forehead, betraying his anxious state. His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket, a nervous habit he couldn't seem to shake off."Got the good stuff, man. Top-notch quality," Mike proclaimed, his voice laced with a hint of arrogance. He confidently displayed a small baggie filled with white powder, the illicit product that fueled his empire. His eyes locked onto Alsies', scrutinizing him, as if judging whether he could be trusted or not. Summoning every ounce of courage, Alsies decided to make his move. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves, the tang of sweat mixed with cigarette smoke hanging heavy in the air. Steeling himself for what lay ahead, he met Mike's stare and posed the question that had been burning in his mind. " I've heard from a friend that you always have the best supply. But I'm curious, who's your supplier? How do you manage to stay ahead of the game?" Alsies asked, his voice trembling slightly, betraying both fear and intrigue.Mike's eyes flickered for the briefest of moments, his sinister smile slowly fading. It was clear he wasn't accustomed to being questioned, let alone by an outsider like Alsies. He leaned in closer, his scent a mix of musk and something more sinister. "You think you can just walk in here and ask me that, huh?" Mike scoffed, attempting to regain his aura of superiority. But there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes, a hidden vulnerability that Alsies could sense. Alsies knew he needed to push past Mike's defenses if he wanted to uncover the truth. Gathering his courage, he continued, "Look, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want to understand. I want to know who supplies the best, who holds the keys to this underground world." For a moment, the alley seemed to hold its breath. The tension between the two men hung heavy, as if the very essence of their encounter could ignite at any given moment. Mike, no longer able to maintain his facade, let out a weary sigh. "Alright, listen, kid," Mike began, his voice lowering to a hushed tone. "There's a guy, they call him the Shadow. He operates silently, whispering his presence across the streets. He's the one you need to find if you really want to know." Alsies felt a surge of adrenaline rush through his veins. The name held a mysterious allure, the kind that beckoned him further into the dangerous depths of the drug world. But he remained cautious, aware that he had unraveled only a fraction of the enigma surrounding the drug trade."I appreciate your honesty, Mike," Alsies replied, his voice tinged with a newfound determination. "I won't forget this." As Alsies turned to leave, Mike's eyes followed him, a mix of suspicion and resignation now etched across his face. They both understood the gravity of their interaction. The world of drugs was unforgiving, and Alsies had taken a step further into its treacherous web. He knew that to uncover the truth, he would have to face the shadows, navigate through the darkness, and confront not only the suppliers but his own demons as well. As Alsies walked away from his encounter with Mike, a whirlwind of thoughts filled his mind. The weight of the information he had just acquired pressed heavily on his conscience. Infiltrating the drug trade had never been part of his plan, but the allure of the unknown pulled at him like a magnetic force.