Free Rainbows End by Vinge Vernor

for this to be some humiliating con. It actually wants something from met Juan sharpened his glare. “And you have some suggestions, O Mighty Virtual Lizard?”
“That… could be. Besides Cret Ret , I have other things going. How would you like to take an affiliate status on a little project?”
     
Except for local games, no one had ever asked Juan to affiliate on anything. His mouth twisted in bogus contempt. “Affiliate? A percent of a percent of… what? How far down the value chain are you?”
    The saurian shrugged and there was the sound of ginkgoes creaking against its shoulders. “My guess is I’m way, way down. That’s how it is with most affiliances. But I can pay real money for each answer I pipe upwards.” The creature named a number; it was enough to ride the freefall every day for a year. A payoff certificate floated in the air between them, showing the named amount and a bonus schedule. Juan had played his share of finance games. “I get twice that or no deal.” Then he noticed the subrights section. The numbers were not visible. That could be because anyone he recruited would get a lot more.
    “Done!” said the Lizard, before Juan could correct his bid upward. And Juan was sure it was smiling! “… Okay, what do you want?” And what makes you think a dwit like me can supply it ? “You’re at Fairmont High, aren’t you?” “You already know that.”
“It’s a strange place, isn’t it?” When Juan did not reply, the critter said. “Trust me, it is strange. Most schools, even charter schools, don’t schedule Adult Education students in with the children.” “Yeah, the vocational track. The old farts don’t like it. We don’t like it.”
     
“Well, the task from my upstream affiliate is to snoop around, mainly among these old guys. Make friends with them.”
     
Yecco. But Juan glanced at the payoff certificate again. It tested valid. The payoff adjudication was more complicated than he wanted to read, but it was backed by Bank of America. “Who in particular?” “Ah, that’s the problem. Whoever is at the top of my affiliance is coy. We’re just collecting information. Basically, some of these senior citizens used to be big shots.”
     
“If they were so big, how come they’re in our classes now?” It was just the question the kids asked at school.
    “Lots of reasons, Juan. Some of them are just lonely. Some of them are up to their ears in debt, and have to figure how to make a living in the current economy. Some of them aren’t good for much but a healthy body and lots of old memories. They can be very bitter.”
“Unh, how do I make friends with people like that?”
     
“If you want the money, you figure out a way. Anyway, here are the search criteria.” The Big Lizard shipped him a document. He browsed through the top layer.
     
“This covers a lot of ground.” Retired San Diego politicians, bioscientists, parents of persons currently in such job categories…
     
“There are qualifying characteristics in the links. Your job is to interest appropriate people in my affiliance.”
     
“I… I’m just not that good at talking people up.” Especially people like this.
     
“Stay poor then. Chicken.” Juan was silent for a moment. His pa would never take a job like this. Finally, he said, “Okay, I’ll go affiliate with you.”
    “I wouldn’t want you doing anything you feel un — “
“I said , I’ll take the job!”
“Okay! Well then, what I’ve given you should get you started. There’s contact info in the document.” The
creature lumbered to its feet, and now its voice came from high above. “Just as well we don’t meet again on Pyramid Hill.”
     
“Suits me.” Juan stood up. He made a point of slapping the creature’s mighty tail as he walked off downhill.
    The twins were way ahead of him, standing by the soccer field on the other side of campus. As Juan came up the driveway, he grabbed a viewpoint in the bleachers and gave them a ping.