Page 121 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

The Billion Dollar Lottery

and downs, the beauty and the deprivation, the complete and
utter irony of life.

It was a gift, and when it was over and the two men re-
gained their composure, Larry was elated.

“Show me the ticket,” Joey said.

Larry handed Joey the ticket. All the numbers were circled.
His hands were shaking.

“I think I need to sit down,” Larry said.

“I don’t fucking believe it!” Joey said. “I told you. I told
you. You’re shitting me, aren’t you? Aren’t you?” He didn’t
need to wait for Larry to answer. “I knew it. I knew it!” He
started racing around the kitchen, waving the ticket over his
head. “Holy shit, I don’t believe it.” He sat down on a stool.
“I gotta roll a joint,” he said, putting the ticket down on the
counter and searching for a pack of rolling papers. His hand
was shaking as he sprinkled the coarse weed onto the paper.

“It can’t be right,” Larry said, looking at the ticket again,
then into space, then at the ticket again. “I don’t believe it. It
can’t be right.”

“What do we do now?” Joey asked, lighting up a cigar-sized
spliff. “Where’s Rita? You’ve gotta tell Rita.

“She’s in the office,” Larry said.

“Let’s go tell her,” Joey said, heading toward the door.

“No. Wait. Not yet,” Larry said. I have to think. Give me
a hit.”

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