Looking Back: The Podex Exchange

As the Newser looks back in it's eight years of covering the news, we take a look at the first and longest-running of the cash sponsors who helped us along the way: The Podex Exchange. Owned by Jacek Shuftan, this Linden dollar exchanger bought and sold Lindens for various real-life currencies, many residents finding them much more convenient than the official Lindex. Unfortunately, changes in Linden Lab's Terms of Service would put them out of business.

Read the story in Extra.

Tales From Podex: Dressed to Thrill

It was a typical day in late February in Cutlass. Earlier in the month, people had kept coming in to get Lindens to get something special for Valentines Day. With the holiday gone thought, people still came in, such as guys whose sweethearts were busy at the time. But Valentines Day wasn't the only reason people were getting things. And of course there were other events.

The tellers had a number of customers coming in to do business, and between people coming in found time to chat. They talked about various Valentines Day events and places, such as the Island Isle of View being available for visitors again and the various romantic-themed hunts. There were also people starting new businesses, a little more confident after Linden Labs had gotten a new CEO, and needed capital to help fund their efforts.

While they were talking, a visitor came in. This was a female with dark hair and blue, almost purplish, eyes. She was dressed in overalls, as if planning to do some work that day. Seeing her, one of the tellers spoke up, "Hello, can we help you?"

"Yes," she spoke, "I'm going to be heading to a New Orleans place this Tuesday with some friends for the Mardi Gras, and well, I need some cash to get something a little more ... partyish than this."

"Oh, well we can certainly help with that. What currency will you be exchanging for the Lindens?"

"Oh, just good 'ol American dollars."

"Certainly. Just fill out these forms here."

She went up to the desk, and began taking care of the paperwork, "Maybe there is one other thing. My friends want me to check out this place called 'InWorldz,' but I don't want to be without spending money there as Lindens won't be good there."

"No problem. We recently opened an office there. Just head over there to exchange global currencies over there just as people come here to exchange them for Lindens."

It didn't take long to process the paperwork, and soon the Lindens she wanted were hers, "Thank you for your business, please come back again soon."

"You're welcome. It'll be nice wearing a party dress for a change. Oh, the guys tell me half the girls are going topless anyway, that bare breasts for beads stuff. But that stuff ain't me. If I want some northern exposure, I'll head to a Canadian area."

They exchanged a few chuckles, and the woman went on her way.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan 

Tales From Podex: If You Give A Mouse A Linden ...

By Bixyl Shuftan

 It was a late December day at the Podex Bank. It was after Christmas, and the influx of people coming in to get cash to buy presents had slowed down. So the tellers had more time to chat, talking about what they had given or gotten for the holiday, or for Boxing Day in the case of people from a few countries. They also talked about wintertime activities from skiing to ice skating, and some Christmas events as well as some upcoming New Year’s Eve plans.

In the middle of the talk, a short mouselike figure walked in. He was dressed all Christmasy in his green shorts and red shirt, wearing a Santa hat between his huge ears. He looked around, then headed to one of the tellers, whom greeted him “Hello?”

“Hi. I don’t suppose I can put some cookies in a safe deposit box?”

“Um, Sir, we’re an exchange service. We exchange US Dollars and several other world currencies for Linden Dollars, and vice-versa. We don’t store virtual goods for safekeeping.”

“Oh darn. I was hoping I could eat them later before lag does. I don’t suppose I could trade some Czech korunas for some Lindens?”

“Certainly Sir.” The clerk brought up a form to fill out, and in a few minutes, the electronic tramsfer was made.

“Thank you very much. I don’t think I’ve seen a client like you from the Czech Republic before.”

“I’m not. I’m from the USA.”

“Then what are you doing with korunas?”

“It was a friend’s idea of a Christmas prank. I asked for a bowl of Chex mix, and instead, he gave me ‘Czech mix.’ “

The clerks groaned, and the mouselike client chuckled a bit before turning around, and leaving the bank, going about his way while the tellers went about their business.

The Podex Exchange is located at the Coda sim at (45, 218, 61), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan 

Podex Art Gallery

By Gemma Cleanslate

 

Podex Exchange is one of our SL Newser sponsors who provides residents a banking opportunity within Second Life. Now there is a new aspect to their Second Life presence. Since Jacek Shuftan the owner of Podex is an afficianado or art in real life and Second Life, there is an art gallery which opened in April within their exchange building. 

 

 Their statement: “Podex Art Gallery is a non-profit project aimed at promoting creativity of Second Life Residents. Our goal is to bring together various art tendencies to showcase the diversity of Second Life art. The three-floor gallery building features both permanent and temporary exhibitions and allows you to sample the diverse talents not only of creators already recognized for their work but also of those who have just entered the scene of Second Life art.“

 

I went to visit the permanent and the temporary collections in the Coda Region. There are so many wonderful pieces in both exhibits, some by artists I know well and also some I have not encountered before. The lower level of the gallery has exquisite art that for the most part is the permanent collection . Here are  wonderful pieces there that will remain. On the upper floor of the main building, at this time is a retrospective of the art of Asmita Duranhaya that is enchanting. She has numerous  pieces that delight the viewer, many of which have movement within them. Sit down and enjoy each one.

 

Across way there is a separate area of  building called “Polish Art” that can be reached from either floor. Presently on  the lower level is an exhibit of the vibrant art of Leev Turbo. Wonderful dragons and magical monoliths are scattered about the room. Above on the next level Deso Ersetu has many of his gothic sculptures on display on the upper level. They remind one of stories of  ancient times. Take a close look. I talked with Kika Eel who is the curator of the gallery and she told me that they are going to be adding to the permanent collection in time and the temporary exhibits will remain for a while. She will be arranging  for temporary artists both new and old in sl. “We are constantly searching for new pieces and new artists. We would like to encourage all those amazing and talented people out there to showcase their work. To make themselves visible.“
 

You can check out more information on the exhibits at http://www.gallery.podex.info/ . Keep this as a reference but do go and visit the exhibits !!! It is all for your pleasure. 
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coda/47/226/62

 

Gemma Cleanslate

Tales From Podex: Moving Target

By Bixyl Shuftan

He'd get them this time.

Again and again, he had tried to rob that bank. And again and again, he had failed. While sometimes he had simply gotten away with nothing gained, others he'd been caught by the cops and tossed in the slammer for a while. Either way, he had no Lindens to show for all his work.

Well, it would be different this time. His plan would be foolproof. He'd hoodwink his way in, get access to the safe, then grab all the Lindens.

Nothing would go wrong.

He'd walk away vindicated as the master thief he was, and that Podex Bank would be humiliated. No more would they call him "Clumsy Cooper."

Reaching the Moonburry sim, he approached the bank's location, near the beach. He gleefully went over the steps of his flawless plans, then he stopped.

Something wasn't right. The bank wasn't supposed to look like that.

He continued forward, the closer he got, the more worried he got. "It, can't, be," he thought allowed. Finally, he reached the location.

The bank building was missing.

Podex was gone.

GONE!

In it's place, there was a large green sign, "WE MOVED. We moved to new location. Podex."

"No! Noooooooo!!"

The furred thief dropped to his knees, "NO!! I spent weeks perfecting the perfect plan! AND THEY MOVE!! You can't do this to me Podex! You can't do this to me!! Why?! Whyyyyyyyyyy?!!"

He collapsed onto the ground, sobbing, "It's, not, faaaiiirrrrr …"

*  *  *  *  *

Meanwhile many sims away in Coda, the tellers worked away at the new Podex Exchange building. "Well," one spoke to the other, "how do you like the new office so far?"


"It's great," the other answered, "There's lots of room, and I love the boss's art collection."

"Yes, he does like to collect."

"So far, we've been getting most of our usual level of traffic."

"It does look like our customers are having no trouble finding us."

The second teller pondered, "Hmmm, I wonder."

"What's up?"

"That Clumsy Cooper who's always trying to rob us."

"Oh yeah, knowing him, he probably won't know where to look for a while," both tellers chuckled, "even if he did, no matter what he tries, he won't walk away with a single Linden. All business is done through electronic transfer. He'll never get his hands on our Lindens."

"Yeah," the second teller continued to chuckle, "he'll never learn."

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld now at Coda (45, 218, 61).

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: "Not Just a Spokesman"

By Bixyl Shuftan

It was another January day at the Podex Exchange. The Christmas season was over. But people still came in to buy, or sell, Lindens. People still had rezzdays, people still wanted to look good, and there were the virtual pets. And of course the merchants making a profit would convert some to other kinds of currencies.

Between customers the tellers talked a little about goings-on. There were a number of Winter festivals. Two talked about going to Superbowl parties on the first weekend of next month. Another talked about going to the recently reopened Green Meadows club, noting it's similarity to the club in a movie from the 70s.

In the middle of one of their discussions, someone walked in. One of the tellers looked over, "Mr. Shuftan?"

The other tellers almost jumped as they looked to the entrance, expecting their boss. Instead, there was a somewhat short figure, foxlike with a red tail and red and white fur over his face. He wore a brown jacket over a green shirt. Over his red hair was a white fedora.

"Sorry if I startled you," the figure spoke, "Not many share my last name."

"Um, yes, of course Editor Shuftan," the first teller to notice him spoke again, "Were you here to discuss our advertising agreement? The boss isn't here, but we'll gladly pass on a message."

"It's not that. It looks like instead of you paying me, I'm here to make a transaction myself."

"I don't believe you have, Sir."

"I haven't. A business owner asked me for a loan, and I was sure he'd repay me. Well, as it turns out, he's not in any shape to, and I'll need to pay my writers soon. Not to mention the rent on my land."

"Oh, of course. Well, I assume you'll be making the transaction in US Dollars?"

"Yes."

"And will you be doing a Ukash voucher, bank transfer, online bank payment, or Paypall?"

"Paypall. I just signed up with them."


"Well sir, just sign this form right here."

The paperwork was fairly short, so it wasn't long at all before the transaction was made, and the customer had his Lindens."

"Thank you, Editor Shuftan. It's not every day we meet someone with the same surname as our boss."

The foxlike figure chuckled a bit, "Yes, it's become something of a joke between us. He's called himself my distant Polish cousin."

The teller grinned, "Of course, but aren't you usually in an overcoat."

The customer chuckled, "Hey, I don't spend every moment being 'Fox News.' "

They had a good laugh, and the bank's latest customer went on his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales From Podex: Reindeer Games

It had been a fairly typical day at the Podex Exchange in late December. Things were getting busier with more people coming in to get money to buy presents for friends. When the tellers had a moment to chat, they'd talk about the presents they themselves were giving to friends for Christmas, or Boxing day. They also talked about how some places had been winterized, and now had seasonal activities such as skating. And there were the Christmas events, as well as the occasional "anti-Xmas" party for those whom wanted to poke the sacrhine-sweet side of the holiday in the ribs.

But as the running joke went, the sure way to get a visitor was to start chatting. And it wasn't long before someone entered. He was fairly tall, with antlers and hooflike hands and feet. He wasn't wearing much, just shorts and a harness decorated in colored light bulbs, and a nose that glowed bright red.

The tellers starred at the newcomer, one asking, "Rudolph?"

The hooved visitor chuckled, "Heh, yes and no. I guess you can say I represent him here."

"Well, how can we help you?"

"Well, me and my eight friends started a business here, and were looking to trade our Lindens for dollars, or Euros in the case of a couple of the girls."

"Certainly Sir. As a Linden exchange service, we offer reasonable rates. I assume this is your first transaction?"

"It is."

"Well, there will be some delay in the transfer for security reasons, Sir, but we promise it will not be longer than 72 hours. With the second one, there shouldn't be a delay in the payments to your bank account or Paypal."

"Is there a limit to how much we can trade?"

"Thirty thousand Lindens per week for new clients. But after a month, it goes up to fifty thousand a day. You could of course ask us to see about increasing the limit sooner."

"Sounds reasonable enough."

"Excellent. If you would just sign this paperwork …"

The red-nosed customer was given a form to fill out, and he soon had it done.

"There you go. We'll soon have our first sales to trade in."

"If you don't mind my asking, Sir, just what is it you and your friends will be doing?"

"Oh, we're building vehicles. Not cars though. We're working on sleighs for horses, breedable and otherwise. Some wag did ask why didn't we pull them, but we just answered with our two legs, it would have to be a rickshaw."

They all had a good laugh, and the antlered client went off on his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/. Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Podex

Tales From Podex: Mistaken Identity

It was a late November day at the Podex Exchange. Fall had arrived, and at times the workers talked about the trees in some places turning red and brown and falling down. Some also talked about the recent Thanksgiving festivities in Areo Pines. And of course there was talk about how some stores were already hawking Christmas items.

It was at this point someone walked into the bank. He was dressed up in Native American Indian fashion, with a loincloth and belt and feather on a band on his head. He was also furry, with dark gray and nearly white hair over his body, a tail with black and dark gray bands, and the fur around his eyes black, making it look like he was wearing a mask.

He got the attention of the tellers right away, "Clumsy Cooper!"

The visitor looked puzzled, "Uh, who are you talking about?" He asked in an thick Eastern European accent.

One teller then looked relieved, "Wait a sec guys, that's not Clumsy. Those markings aren't the same. Whatever costumes he wears, Clumsy never changes his stripes. Besides, that's not his voice."

The visitor raised an eyebrow, "Is something going on?"

"Oh, sorry Sir. Long story. Anyway, what can we do to help?"

"Well, my sim is having a late after-Thanksgiving party for the Americans who were out for their holiday, and well, we are a bit short on Lindens.  Could I get some with Euros instead of American dollars, or even better, Rubles?"

"Certainly Sir. We accept Dollars, Pounds, Euros, and several other currencies. We just recently began trading Lindens for Russian Rubles."

"So you are selling Lindens for Rubles now?"

"Yes Sir, we're also the only exchange involving Russia that doesn't use 'Risk Api.' "

"What is that?"

"Basically a disclaimer saying if something goes wrong with the transaction, Linden Lab isn't responsible. If you want to buy or sell Lindens for Rubles here, you'll get your money. Those purchasing Rubles will have to wait a day or two for their first transaction, but they will get their money."

"Ah that is good news. May I ask what is this 'Second Life Visa Card?'" This visitor glanced to the sign.

"It's an anonymous card with it's own bank account, issued by the Bank Zachodni WBK, one of Poland's largest banks. You can load it with Paypal, money bank transfer, or Linden dollars from Second Life. Then you can use it in real life."

"Now this is interesting. I think I will sign up. Just please give me a full list of terms, and oh yes, the Lindens."

The exchange of Rubles for Lindens was quickly taken care of. The credit card took a little longer, the visitor in Indian garb taking a little time to go over the terms, then applied.

"Thank you. You'll receive your card in the mail soon."

"Good. Now I have a little something to tell my friends. Half the Americans think we are still under Communism, or close to it."

"If I may ask, why the Indian outfit?"

"Well, as I told you, they think I'm a 'Red,' so I decided to dress like a Red man."

They chuckled, and the visitor happily left with his Lindens.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO. Podex has recently been offering an SL Visa Card, aka "Second Card," with details at http://www.second-card.com/ , as well as setting up an office in Avination to trade $Cs for international currencies, and expanding their list of currencies to include Russian Rubles.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Video: "How You Can Buy Lindens in Second Life "

From Jacek Shuftan and Salivan Mubble, "Short video manual how you can buy lindens ( LS) - the official currency of Second Life on LindeX and in Podex Exchange http://www.podex.info. " Podex actually charges less than Linden Lab for Lindens.

The Podex Exchange is a sponsor for Second Life Newspaper. 

Tales From Podex: Robbery Rivalry

He'd get them this time.

It was September 19, or "Talk Like a Pirate Day," and he was ready to once again make his move on the Podex Bank. Most likely they were expecting him, probably to repeat his pirate imitation that somehow ended up falling to pieces of eight. Well, no pirate act this time.

He'd gotten his hands on a flashy "gun." It didn't fire bullets, but instead would let loose a series of bright, blinding lights. He'd dazzle the bank tellers, and while they were half blind with spots before their eyes, he'd go in, get the Lindens, and quickly be back out. Simple as that.

No more of their mocking. No more of their calling him "Clumsy Cooper." Finally he'd get some respect as the professional bank heist artist he was.

He soon got to the bank. No need for a disguise. In his usual dark leather jacket, he began walking up the steps …

"Avast me hearties! This be a stick-up!"

What the hey?

"Ye be givn' me all your pieces o' eight!"

He peeked inside. He saw someone confronting the tellers. With a guitar on his back, he looked like a musician, except for one thing. He was holding a sword, and he was pointing it at the tellers.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Heh, isn't it obvious? Who else could it be but Clumsy Cooper again? Only he could be this brazen and dense."

"But it looks nothing like Clumsy."

"Guess he got better at disguises. Heh heh, nice one Clumsy."

"Arrrr! Who be this Clumsy Cooper? Jes gimme ye gold, and aye not be stickn' ye with me rib poker an' takin' ye guts fer garters."

The tellers just laughed, "Now you just turn around and go, and we won't call the carps on you."

He couldn't believe it! Some other robber was after Podex. HIS Podex! Well, he wouldn't stand for that.

He then walked in, "Now wait just a darn minute!" He confronted the sword-wielding guitarist, "This bank's mine!"

The musician with a most unmusical instrument looked his way, "Who the bloody hell be ye?"

"I'm the guy who has dibs on this bank. I've been trying to get what's mine for over a year now. I'm not going to let you beat me to it."

"Then ye be a lousy cutpurse. Stand back an' leave th' plundering' to me."

"Well what do you know?" One teller commented, "We have two numbskulls who think they can rob us today."

"Shut up!" both robbers yelled in unison, then Cooper raised his weapon, "All right, this ends now!" He pulled the trigger, and …

Nothing.

He pulled the trigger again, still nothing.

One of the tellers chuckled, "Your freebie didn't work as advertised, Clumsy?"

"This thing must be stuck or something." Frustrated, he looked closer at the gun.

POOF!

The gun had gone off, but the light went in all directions, not just forward, and he'd gotten it in the eyes at point blank range, "Ahhhh!"

"Ow, that stung me eye, ye clumsy landlubber!"

Half blinded, Cooper could barely make out the other robber going to him, then he felt a punch to the jaw. He staggered back, then felt a body blow to his stomach. He bent over, walking backward, "Urrrrgh, I'll, get, you."

"Ye be gettin' nowt but a knuckle sandwich ye dumb landlubber." Cooper saw the other robber back up a foot, then suddenly spring forward. He felt a tremendous blow to the chin, and fell backward. He fell over the bank steps, and onto the beach.

Cooper blacked out momentarily. When he came to, he looked around, and saw a SLPD car next to him. Surprised, he stood up. But then saw it was empty.

"All right!" he heard from inside, "You're under arrest for attempted griefing."

"I don't understand," he heard the other robber say, speaking more normally, "How could things have gone so wrong?"

"Well, number one," he heard a teller speak, "you were so busy with Clumsy Cooper, you didn't see us alert the authorities. Number two, your sword broke when you hit the counter because it was a cheap one not much better than a freebie. And number three, criminals are stupid."

"Why you …"

"That will be quite enough," he heard someone else speak, presumably another policeman, "Yes, we saw Clumsy too. Knocked out like a light. We thought he knocked himself out again, then we heard the commotion in here."

"Yeah, we finally found someone as dumb as Clumsy."

"Shuttup!"

"Where you're going, you'll have lots of quiet time. You have the right to remain silent. … "

It was then Cooper decided to sneak away, knowing where the police would be headed next. He slipped away into some vegetation. As he moved further away, he grumbled to himself about another plan gone awry. But at least the guy responsible would be the one getting locked up instead of him.

Back at the bank, the cops did a quick search for Clumsy Cooper, but not finding him radioed the station, and drove off with the suspect in custody. Inside Podex, things quickly went back to normal, reminding themselves even if the robbers had cooperated, they wouldn't have walked away with a single Linden. All business was done through electronic transfer. There was never any threat to the banks' funds.

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: Banking on Beach Fun

Every month was different at Podex. At June, people stopping by talked about the SL9B. July, people had the Relay for Life on their minds. Then came August. One day this month, the tellers between customers chatted about the Olympics earlier, and the events in the London areas. Someone talked about going over to Bay City for the car show. Another brought up the hurricane last year and hoped no one would get washed out this season. But others talked about heading over to the ocean for summer activities there.

In the middle of the talk, someone else stepped into the exchange, a pale individual resembling an arctic fox, whom looked more like he was dressed for the beach than a visit to the bank. He wore only swimming trunks.

"Um, can we help you?"

"Yeah. I was looking forward to some fun in the sun at the beach. Jetski, surfboarding, maybe a little scuba diving. But I've had some, emergency expenses."

"Emergency expenses?"

"Okay, I forgot it was my girl's rezzday, and I had to get some presents on a pinch, and not bother looking for a good buy. So I'm now a little short."

"Well Sir, as an exchange service, we can take your dollars, Euros, or one of several other international currencies, and for a small fee exchange them for Lindens. Or the other way around if you desire."

"Dollars for Lindens, please."

"Certainly." The clerk brought a form to fill out. Once that was done, it was just a little longer before the electronic transfer was done, "There you go."

"Thanks, now on to the beach!"

"Have a great time."

"Yeah, though I wish they'd stop with the arctic fox jokes. Because of my white fur, people kid me that I should vacation in Alaska instead of on the beach, or call me a goth!"

They chuckled, then the visitor went on his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO. Podex has recently been offering an SL Visa Card, aka "Second Card," with details at http://www.podex.nazwa.pl/card/ , as well as setting up an office in Avination to trade $Cs for international currencies.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: Burglary Tunneling Effort Goes Under

He'd get them this time.

When he first targeted them, it was nothing personal. Just go in, grab a few Lindens, and leave. Simple as that. But instead everything went wrong and he ended up in the slammer for a while. Since then, he'd tried and tried again to rob this Podex Bank. And every time bad luck would throw his plans into a tailspin. He could almost hear these guys laughing at him. They were even referring to him as "Clumsy Cooper" as a joke.

Well, soon they wouldn't be laughing. Soon he'd finally walk away with the Lindens.

He'd discovered this old map by sheer coincidence, a map of a tunnel network running under a number of places. And one branch led under Moonbeam, and under the Podex bank building. All he had to do was follow the tunnels, dig a few feet, break in, get the Lindens, and go back out the way he came.

Going through the tunnels, they were simple at first. But then the chambers and larger passages became full of sets of bars, resulting in a kind of maze. And it wasn't long before be began getting lost. He sighed in frustration. Would he be once again be denied his prize? Would be be denied the victory that would vindicate all the effort he spent?

It was then he noticed something moving in the shadows. Cautious, he crept closer, and found a girl, a brownish vixen. Her unusual feature, two tails, with a band near the base with a glowing star. He thought he was unseen, but he brushed against a loose bar, which fell and clanged against another.

The girl turned and smiled, "Oh, hi there. I don't get many visitors here. Who are you?"

"Um," he wasn't sure whether to give his real name or not, "My friends call me Cooper."

"Hi Cooper, I'm Jasmine." She gave a sweet smile, "I come here to pick a few mushrooms. What'cha doin?"

"Um, exploring. I wanted to check out what was under the Moonbeam area."

"Moonbeam? I know where that is. Need help?"

"Oh yes." Cooper smiled, his luck was improving after all.

And so Jasmine led him through the maze-like passages. They soon were under the Moonbeam area, and not far from the bank. Cooper was already counting the Lindens in his head. Then they went through a passage that reminded Cooper of a prison area with cell-like chambers with bunks in them. He did his best to put that out of his mind. Then she walked into one such cell and began looking under one of the bunks.

"What're you looking for?" Cooper asked her.

"I had some keys to a door up ahead under here. Can you help me?"

He then got down and began looking under the bunk. After a couple moments though, he heard a metallic slam. He turned, and he found the door shut, and Jasmine looking at him from outside with a cunning grin, the keys in her hand.

"Wha- what was that for?"

"I know who you are, Clumsy Cooper. And I know why you're here. You wanted to use my tunnels to rob my neighbors."

"How did you - I mean no I didn't!"

"Don't worry, I won't keep you here. I'll just call the police and they'll take you out, to jail."

"No! Please, let me go."

"So you can rob my neighbors again?"

Cooper got on his knees, "Please, please please! I'll never come down here to rob them again, I swear."

The vixen looked at him, then her look softened, "Well, all right. you can go. But remember your promise."

"Oh thank you! Thank you!" Jasmine then let him out, and the humbled Cooper followed her to an exit.

"Here you go. If I ever see you again in my tunnels, it better not be anywhere near the bank."

"Cross my heart, hope to die." Cooper then left the tunnel network and was back on the surface. He wasn't angry, just glad to be out of his predicament.

Some time later, Jasmine approached the bank. Cooper did seem kind of cute, almost snuggly and huggable. He just had to be watched when it came to the matter of valuables. But she had a feeling he would honor his promise to at least leave the tunnel network out of his robbery plans. But even if he had made it to the bank, the silly Cooper wouldn't have walked away with a single Linden. All business was done through electronic transfer. There was never any threat to the banks' funds.

She walked up to a teller, who asked, "Hi, may I help you?"

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Special thanks to Jasmine Dawn.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: No Pot of Gold for Burglar

It was a fairly typical March day at the Podex Exchange. Between customers, the tellers would chat of goings on. Some talked about the opening Relay Life season and the various events it's teams held. Another mentioned the Military Expo near the end of the month. And of course, there was St. Patrick's Day. A couple of the tellers had gone to Dublin, but had to leave due to the lag. Two others went to themed parties elsewhere, and one had gone to Castle Blarney to kiss the stone.

In the middle of the talk, someone walked in. He was wearing green shorts, a green vest, and a green hat with a buckle. Definitely St. Patrick's colors. After some moments of silence, one asked, "Um, can I help you?"

"I be after me pot o' gold," the visitor answered in an stereotypical sounding Irish accent.

"Say what?"

"I want me pot o' gold. I be following' the en' o' th' rainbow to here, and now I be after me gold." He then began walking to the stairs.

"Jess a moment," one called out to him, imitating his accent, "Don't ye think we be able to see threw yer disguises an' shenanigans by now? Th' mask on your face, your ringed tail, ye be 'Clumsy Cooper' the good-fer-naught bandit."

"Who be clumsy?" the visitor asked, "I be from th' Emerald isle, and I be taking a leave from you as soon as I get me pot 'ol gold."


"Th' only place ye be taking a leave to be jail." the teller challenged.

"Now don' get ye britches in a bonnet," Clumsy then began waving a large stick around, "I'll be docking ye with me shileigh."

The teller chuckled, "Don' make me laugh. Ye can't fight worth a darn. Besides, known' you, that stick be from a freebie barn, too cheap an' weak to fight with."

"I'll show you weak!" Clumsy growled, forgetting the fake accent and taking his stick and slamming it against an ATM machine. But instead of leaving a mark or a crack, the wooden length went SNAP and broke in two. Clumsy's expression then changed, looking nervous, "Um, I think I be taking me leave of you right now."


"Sic im!"

Clumsy then bolted and ran out of the bank, his hat falling off as he left the building. Unfortunately for him, he didn't pay much attention to where he was going, and tripped over a rock. The thief then pratfalled, knocking himself out. It wasn't look before the SLPD showed up and took him in, charging him with attempted griefing.

But even if Clumsy had slipped past the tellers, there was no way he could have taken any cash. “All our exchanges are done by way of electronic transfer,” an employee later explained, “He wouldn’t have gotten away with a single, solitary Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: Banking on Romance

It was a fairly typical February day at the Podex Exchange, at least typical for the days after Valentines Day. In the week before, the place had been busy, people coming in to buy Lindens to get gifts for their sweethearts. Now, things were a bit quieter, though once in a while someone getting Lindens talked about not having gotten quite the right gift and was getting another.

To pass the quiet time, the clerks would swap Valentines Day stories, often of tales of romance gone wrong. Someone mentioned a rumor that "Clumsy Cooper" had gotten the attention of an amourous lady policeman, and the tellers chuckled. If true, that would mean he'd be out of their hair a little longer.

While they were swapping tales, a small figure entered the bank. He was wearing only red shorts, a pair of wings on his back, and a quiver full of arrows with heart shaped tips, along with a bow. The tellers' attention all fell on him.

"If you have to ask," the visitor spoke, "I made a bet and lost. Now I'm stuck like this for a week."

The tellers chuckled and one finally spoke, "S-sorry about that. How can I help you?"

"Well, I don't suppose you have a safe deposit box for chocolates?"

"Sorry Sir, we're an exchange service. We exchange US dollars and several other international currencies for Linden dollars, and the other way around."

"Yeah, I figured. Well, I'd like to buy a few Lindens."

"Certainly Sir." The clerk brought up a form to fill out. Once that was done, it was only a brief while longer before the electronic transfer gave the cupid figure some more cash.

"Thanks a bunch," the visitor told them, "Oh, it's my understanding you've been having a little trouble with some masked man?"

"Clumsy Cooper? Yes, he has caused an occasional scene here. What did he do this time?"

"Well, to begin with the bet was with some chubby little guy whom was dressed like I am now. Seems I chuckled at how he looked, and well … he talked me into betting if he could make a girl fall for someone, I'd wear his outfit for a week. Well, just then a policewoman came by and demanded to see these arrows. She accidentally jabbed her finger with one, and who should walk into the room but that masked guy you've been having trouble with. Well, she forgot about me, and went after him. Guess those stories about those arrows had something to them as while she placed him under arrest, she wasn't acting like it was jail she was going to drag him off too. (chuckle)"

The tellers got a good laugh out of it, and soon the customer was on his way.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

Tales from Podex: If You Give a Mouse a Linden ...

It was a late December day at the Podex Bank. It was after Christmas, and the influx of people coming in to get cash to buy presents had slowed down. So the tellers had more time to chat, talking about what they had given or gotten for the holiday, or for Boxing Day in the case of people from a few countries. They also talked about wintertime activities from skiing to ice skating, and some Christmas events as well as some upcoming New Year’s Eve plans.

In the middle of the talk, a short mouselike figure walked in. He was dressed all Christmasy in his green shorts and red shirt, wearing a Santa hat between his huge ears. He looked around, then headed to one of the tellers, whom greeted him “Hello?”

“Hi. I don’t suppose I can put some cookies in a safe deposit box?”

“Um, Sir, we’re an exchange service. We exchange US Dollars and several other world currencies for Linden Dollars, and vice-versa. We don’t store virtual goods for safekeeping.”

“Oh darn. I was hoping I could eat them later before lag does. I don’t suppose I could trade some Czech korunas for some Lindens?”

“Certainly Sir.” The clerk brought up a form to fill out, and in a few minutes, the electronic tramsfer was made.

“Thank you very much. I don’t think I’ve seen a client like you from the Czech Republic before.”

“I’m not. I’m from the USA.”

“Then what are you doing with korunas?”

“It was a friend’s idea of a Christmas prank. I asked for a bowl of Chex mix, and instead, he gave me ‘Czech mix.’ “

The clerks groaned, and the mouselike client chuckled a bit before turning around, and leaving the bank, going about his way while the tellers went about their business.

The Podex Exchange is located at Moonbeam (26, 223, 34), with a website at http://www.podex.info/ . Jacek Shuftan is the CEO.

Note: The preceding is a fictional story, written for the dual purpose of advertisement and entertainment.

Bixyl Shuftan

SL Machinima: Podex Bank Robbery

Jacek Shuftan of Podex pointed out another attempt at a bank robbery at Podex. They got farther than "Clumsy Cooper" ever did. But unlike the masked man, these bandit's won't be coming back to the Grid.

Feathers Fly at Podex Bank

The workers at the Podex Exchange were having another typical November day. They talked some about the Veterans Day celebrations earlier that month. They talked a little about upcoming Winter activities that would soon arrive across the Grid. But more immediate were Thanksgiving activities. Some of the tellers expressed they seemed hard to find. Others told them about the “Turkey Day” festivities at Areo Pines.

During the talk, a figure approached the bank entrance. A teller glanced his way before turning to the others, “Looks like someone from a Thanksgiving party is stopping by for a little business.” They took care of some paperwork as the resident entered, then one turned his way, “Hello, how can we hel-” his words were cut short when he recognized the visitor.

The resident was wearing an American Indian costume. Not an authentic one, but one that looked like it was made for a low-budget movie. the most prominent feature were the feathers worn in places around the arms and legs, as well as a single feather on a headband, with the largest piece being a bow and quiver. The guy wearing it was instantly recognizable, “Clumsy Cooper,” the petty thief whom kept trying to rob the Podex exchange. But his attempts had never succeeded, sometimes failing epically.

“I bring greetings from Procyon Tribe,” Clumsy bluffed, talking like a movie character, “Here for terms of Treaty. Your Chief Shuftan get Moonberry land in exchange for fifty thousand Lindens every autumn at the time of the turkey. Will take now.”

The tellers looked at him, then chuckled. One joked, “Procyon Tribe had weak claim on land. Deal to trade for Lindens never made. Deal made to trade for two skins.” He then reached under hsi table, and tossed a couple moth-eaten rabbit pelts in Clumsy’s direction.

It was then Clumsy dropped his fake Indian act, “Okay, this is a stick-up!" He then drew his bow and arrow, "Hand over your Lindens!”

The tellers stared back, and one retorted, “Oh pul-lease. I’ve seen real Indians, or rather Native Americans, and I’ve seen real bows and arrows. That thing’s a cheap imitation from a freebie store that couldn’t scratch a target.”

“Oh yeah?!” Clumsy then pulled back on the string, aiming at a piece of equipment. But the result was a “crick” sound, followed by the bow breaking in two. Surprised, Clumsy let it drop to the ground. For a moment, no one spoke a word. Then one teller yelled, “Get ‘im!”

Clumsy promptly turned and ran out of the building. He sprited down to the shore, and jumped into the water. He then swam away, once again having nothing to show for his efforts but humiliation. He is currently wanted by the SLPD for attempted griefing.

But even if Clumsy Cooper had a working bow and arrow, there was no way he could have gotten away with any ill-gotten gains. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Bixyl Shuftan

Pirating Podex

It started off as more or less any other day at the Podex Exchange. One of the tellers talked about going to the Festival at Raglan Shire later on. Someone else talked about taking a look at the "Xanadu Club" in Sunweaver Air. Then someone remembered what day it was, "Arrrrr! It be September 19th., maties. It be 'Talk Like a Pirate Day,' lan'lubbers! Arrr!" And after a few chuckles, other tellers were doing it too, "Avast there!" "Shiver me timbers!" "Arrrr!"

While the tellers were joking and laughing, someone walked into the bank. Seeing him, a teller turned, "Good day Sir, what can - " the teller's sentence cut off when two things were clear. One, the visitor was dressed up in pirate garb, which included a sword. Two, his bushy banded tail and natural mask marked him as a familiar character: "Clumsy Cooper." Clumsy had repeatedly tried to rob Podex, and always failed.

"Avast ye scurvy dogs!" Clumsy took hold of a cutlass by the grip and drew it out of it's sheath, "This be a plunderin.'

“Avast yerself, lan’lubber!” One of the tellers called back, “Ye got some chum showin yerself here ye drunken bilge rat!”

“Don’ ye ‘landlubber’ me! Now gather up all ye booty an’ be quick abou’ it!”

“Ye pardon me if we not be so smartly ‘bout yer demands, youn’ pup. But ye try ta raid our poopdeck many times before, an’ every time ye end up keelhaulin’ yerself.”

“That be rotten luck. Now, do I need to wack a few of yer addin’ machines with me cutlass to git yer attention?” He pointed his sword forward.

“My attention be on yer cutlass. Five peices o’ eight that be nuthin’ but a cheap peice o’ plastic.”

“Arrrr! That be fightin’ words!” Clumsy then began swining the sword around, “I’ll make ye all walk th’ plank!” Then in the middle of his ranting, he slammed the blade of the sword onto the floor, and it snapped in two.

Clumsy looked at the broken blade wide-eyed, then looked at the tellers, “Um, perhaps I be a bit hasty.” He gave a nervous smile, “I be in a good mood. Ye can keep yer booty.”

“Get him!” The teller yelled, pointing at him, “Throw that sack o’ shark bait in th’ busted head!”

Clumsy then turned tail and ran back out the bank. He ran around and behind the bank to a nearby building. There was a hot air balloon on it, so he ran to it, hopped in, and cutthe rope holding it. Unfortunetly for Clumsy, it didn’t rise but instead settled completely to the ground. Frantic, Clumsy began banging onto the fuel tank to the heating unit. All he got was a huge puffof smoke, and as he coughed, the air bag slowly sagged and fell ontop of him, trapping him. By the time he wiiggled out, the police were waiting for him.

Clumsy Cooper was arrested by the SLPD for multiple counts of griefing, and one count of littering.

But even if Clumsy Cooper had a real blade, his efforts at getting pirate booty were in vain. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller later explained, “He wouldn’t have walked away with a single Linden.”

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Bixyl Shuftan

Burglar Ballooning a Bust

Recently, The Podex Exchange was the target of an attempted burglary. The day in late July began much like others at the time. The tellers were discussing the weekend at the Relay for Life track, and were talking about the various exhibits there. Up in the air, however, someone was headed their way.

Floating high up was a figure. He had gotten hold of some lighter-than-air balloons, and was able to take flight. And the breeze was taking him towards Podex. He was the burglar the SLPD have nicknamed “Clumsy Cooper” (a play on the noted thief Sly Cooper), whom has a record of trying to rob the exchange, and never succeeding. His plan this time: when just over the bank, he’d let go of enough balloons for a soft landing, sneak inside from the top, and make off with the Lindens.

However, Clumsy Cooper didn’t count on the region’s air traffic. First a vintage Second World War Two Imperial Japanese bomber flew by, blowing him off course. Then, a little pink dragonette flew over, and began pecking and clawing at the balloons, bursting them. Clumsy Cooper tried scare it by shouting at it, then tried to shoo it away. But the dragonette popped the last few balloons, and the bandit plummeted back down.

Fortunately for Clumsy Cooper, he was over the water at the time. Unfortunately, some of the bank’s neighbors had heard his shouting, let alone the big SPLASH! Wadding out of the drink, he saw people headed his way. He promptly ran off, dropping a notepad and some tools. Although soaking wet, the notepad revealed his plans. The people seeing the pink dragonette with popped balloons in it’s beak and claws, and the SLPD questioning nearby airports, Clumsy's ill fated mission was figured out. Another thing that doomed Clumsy's efforts, he had brought with him safecracking tools, which would have been useless at Podex. “All our exchanges are done through electronic transfer,” a teller explained. There had never been a threat to the exchange's funds.

Clumsy Cooper is wanted for attempting to circumvent a region ban and attempted griefing. Anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest chapter of the SLPD.

The Podex Exchange has a record of being one of the safest Linden exchange services in Second Life, the data processing done outside the exchange, and has a record of thousands of satisfied customers. Transactions can be done at their website, or their location inworld at Moonberry (26, 223, 34).

Bixyl Shuftan