Legend: Cash Levels
Pilot Episode – Broke to Ballin'
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Cold Open – The Bum Life in New York
Legend was twenty-three, broke, and already tired of the world. His classmates called him a "college kid," but in reality, he was more like a professional bum who happened to be enrolled in classes. He didn't even have his own spot—he was living on the couch at his boy Miles's house, and the only reason Miles's mom let him stay was because he could make her laugh.
Every morning, the roast sessions started before coffee.
"Legend, you still here? You paying rent in jokes again?" Miles's mom barked, waving a ConEd bill at him.
Legend, still rolling up a blunt on the same bill, smirked. "I'm manifesting money, Ma. Law of attraction. Trust the process."
She narrowed her eyes. "The only thing you attracting is roaches."
Miles cracked up, phone in hand, recording the whole thing for TikTok. The caption later read: "When your broke friend think he's a comedian instead of paying rent 💀."
Legend didn't mind being the punchline. He was used to it. But deep down, he hated it.
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Scene 1 – Two Jobs, No Life
His days were a blur of exhaustion. Pizza delivery shifts where the boss cursed him for being late. Grocery stock shifts at 3AM where another boss cursed him for being slow.
Both checks combined barely covered weed, food, and his MetroCard. He'd scroll Instagram and watch classmates flex iced-out chains, Amiri jeans, and Instagram baddies.
"Yo, if money was a superpower, I'd be the strongest motherf***er alive," he muttered one night on the train, falling asleep with a blunt tucked behind his ear.
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Scene 2 – The Glow in the Library
The next afternoon, instead of going to class, Legend stumbled into the library to nap. He found a corner in the archives where dusty books collected spiderwebs.
That's when he saw it. A faint glow, hidden between two cracked shelves. It pulsed like it was alive.
Legend squinted. "Probably a busted Wi-Fi router."
He reached out and touched it.
BOOM. The glow surged into his chest. His vision filled with numbers and menus like a video game HUD.
[POWER UNLOCKED – CASH FLOW]
• Level: 1
• Hourly Passive Income: $100/hr
• Max Balance: $1,000
• Upgrade Conditions: Spend or earn money.
Legend rubbed his eyes. "Nah, I'm too high. This fake."
Then he checked his bank app. An extra $100 had appeared out of nowhere.
He screamed so loud the librarian kicked him out.
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Scene 3 – First Flex at the Bodega
He tested it instantly. Bought a chopped cheese, an Arizona, a pack of Backwoods, and an eighth. Balance hit $0.
An hour later—ding! Another $100 appeared.
Legend shouted: "I'M RICH, BITCH!"
The cashier side-eyed him. "Rich? You still owe fifty cents."
Legend threw him a $100 and strutted out like a rapper on Worldstar.
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Scene 4 – The Strip Club Baptism
That night, Legend hit the strip club with $500 fresh.
The dancers laughed at his singles. "You broke, baby?" one teased.
Legend smirked. "Watch this."
He made it rain $500 at once.
[LEVEL UP]
• Level: 2
• Hourly Passive Income: $200/hr
• Max Balance: $2,000
Legend screamed mid-lap dance: "BITCH, I'M LEVELING UP!"
The DJ shouted him out. His story went viral. For once, Legend wasn't the broke dude—he was the rookie baller.
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HUD Update
• Level: 2
• Hourly Passive Income: $200/hr
• Max Balance: $2,000
• Current Balance: $1,600
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Scene 5 – Paying Back the Fam (Shameless + Real)
The next morning, Legend walked back into Miles's apartment with a smirk and a wad of cash in his hoodie. Miles's mom was already in the kitchen complaining about bills.
"Legend, if you think you eating breakfast here again without paying—"
Legend cut her off, slamming a fat stack on the table. "Here. Two racks. Rent's covered. Plus a lil' extra for Wi-Fi and snacks."
The room went silent. Miles's mom's eyes went wide.
Miles blinked. "Bro… what the f***? Where you get that?"
Legend grinned. "Crypto. Law of attraction finally hit."
Miles's mom grabbed the money, smacked him on the back of the head, and kissed him on the cheek all in one motion. "If you lying, I don't care. Long as this rent's paid, you my son now."
Miles side-eyed him, clearly jealous. "Damn… my mom like you more than me now."
Legend lit a blunt at the kitchen table. "I'm family, bro. I'm Legend."
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Scene 6 – Betrayal and Booty Calls
That night, Miles's cousin's girlfriend slid into Legend's DMs. She'd seen his viral strip club clip.
"You looking cute with that money. Pull up."
Legend pulled up. They hooked up in a cheap Airbnb. Afterward, she recorded him rolling up and threatened to post it.
Legend panicked, then tossed her $1,000. "Delete that sh*t."
She smirked, deleted it, and dipped.
[LEVEL UP]
• Level: 3
• Hourly Passive Income: $300/hr
• Max Balance: $3,000
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Scene 7 – First Mission
At the deli, Legend overheard dudes talking about "money missions." Crews across NYC had powers tied to cash.
He got invited to a sneaker warehouse hit. He was nervous, but went anyway.
When a security guard caught them, Legend bribed him with $500. The guard pocketed it, let them pass.
They escaped with thousands in Jordans. Legend's cut: $2,500.
[LEVEL UP]
• Level: 4
• Hourly Passive Income: $400/hr
• Max Balance: $4,000
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HUD Update (End of Episode)
• Level: 4
• Hourly Passive Income: $400/hr
• Max Balance: $4,000
• Current Balance: $2,600
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Cliffhanger – The Rolls Royce Boss
As Legend smoked a blunt outside, a chrome Rolls Royce pulled up.
A man stepped out, draped in chains that pulsed like living snakes. His aura screamed boss.
"Welcome to the money game, Legend," the man said. "But remember—cash ain't free. In this city, money is war."
Legend exhaled smoke. "Sh*t. Guess I just leveled into trouble."