"Joey, we just don't have the money for pokéballs. I'm sorry, kiddo, I really am." Joey's uncle did his best, but it's hard enough for a Magikarp fisherman to put food on the table. Magikarp have very little edible meat, fetching only ¥2 in the market for a good sized fish.
Joey was disappointed. He had grown up watching and idolizing Lance the Dragon Trainer as he dominated the Pokémon League on television. He had always dreamt of becoming a trainer himself. Joey's uncle worked hard and cared deeply for his nephew, and all Joey wanted was some way to give back. He knew there was good money in the pokémon battling circuit.
Most youngsters would resign themselves to more childlike hobbies like sports or girls or spitting on bugs, but not Joey. Joey was driven. Every day before sunset when his uncle would pack up the bait and tackle, Joey would borrow his rod to give it a few more casts. "Knock yourself out, kiddo. Just aren't enough hours in the day for me." It was a hot summer and the Magikarp weren't biting as much as usual.
Some nights were fruitless, but usually Joey would stay out until he caught a 'karp or two. Then he'd run home with his prize and excitedly present it to his uncle, who would appraise the catch and pay him full market price for each one. In this way he planned to earn the money to buy his first pokéball.