Page 119 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

The Billion Dollar Lottery

“What the hell are prime numbers?” Joey asked, with a look
of disdain.

“Did you go to school, or what?” Larry said.

“Yeah, I went to school, but I stopped thinking about prime
numbers the day I got out.”

“That figures,” Larry added. “Prime numbers are… hold
on a minute.” He turned his attention to the telephone. “May
I have the editorial department please. Thank you…. Prime
numbers,” he resumed his conversation, “are numbers that are
divisible only by themselves and one.”

“Like three?” Joey said, trying it out.

“Very good,” Larry commended him.

“Only you,” Joey said.
“Actually, that’s not true,” Larry said. “I would think a lot
of people might pick prime numbers just because it’s a system.
But one of the seven numbers I chose isn’t a prime number. I
figured if I was going to win, I didn’t want to have to share the
prize, and in my crazy way of thinking… Hello.” A voice at the
other end of the line interrupted Larry’s story. “Oh, hi. Listen,
I was wondering if someone could tell me the winning num-
bers from the lottery the other night. No, not that one. The big
one. Yeah, that’s right. Sure, I’ll hold…. He’s getting it,” Larry
said, turning to Joey. “Let me have that pencil over there, will
you,” he said, pointing to the other end of the counter.

Joey pushed aside some papers to reveal a pencil. Joey
handed it to him.

“Give me the ticket,” Larry said. “I’ll circle the numbers.”

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