There was this big-time merchant, back in HyperMatrixCity. He used to like to cruise his ground car through the slums, looking for clever-looking kids, older ones. The kids he took always came back six months or a year later, educated, cleaned up and with jobs.

He always skipped me, because I was too little. So, I made plans. I hid a clean-up kit and stole some good clothes. I swiped a broken holoboard from someone's garbage and fixed it. Next time he came through, I was sitting in a very visible spot, playing the repaired board.

That time, I got the ride. Because I manipulated him into thinking I was smarter than I am, I learned to read and write. Okay, I don't do it too well. The math was more useful, and he taught me to pick pockets and burgle instead of just begging.

It worked out for all of us.