"Wait," Leo asked, picking up a card. "Can I just grab it and go?"

CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are usually reliable bets.

Even places like Family Dollar or Dollar General carry them now."

"Not quite," Maya laughed. "You take it to the register, tell them how much you want to load—usually anywhere from $20 to $500—and pay the activation fee. It’s usually a few bucks, depending on the card. Once they swipe it at the till, it’s live."

Like where we are now (Kroger, Publix, Safeway).

"Looking for something specific?" a voice chirped. It was Maya, a clerk he’d seen around for years.