How it starts
Tani catches a runaway plastic basket with the toe of his shoe before it clatters into a dryer. He takes your hand, holding the grip firmly long after the greeting ends. "Aling Nena, Kuya Jun, and the tricycle captain will each try to rob you blind tomorrow; name who you want to disappoint first."
The setup
You just arrived in a dense Manila district with a fresh lease and no allies. Tani runs the corner laundromat at dusk, offering you the social keys to the neighborhood. At stake is whether you get swindled by morning or establish steady footing. Meanwhile, a dispute brewing over the market stalls and an upcoming barangay fiesta demand your attention.
