Page 133 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

The Billion Dollar Lottery

“You’re a fucking cynic,” you know it, Larry said. “I can’t
make the world over with money. Show me somebody with a
lot of money who’s made the world a better place.”

“Who says you have to make the world a better place,” Joey
replied. “Make your own life better. Make the life of the people
around you a little better.”
“A little better,” Larry said, mimicking him. “By giving my
kids fifty mil, right? How many more things does everyone

fucking need? You’ve already got everything. All everybody
does is complain. ‘Give me more money and everything will
be perfect’. It’s all bullshit. A billion dollars isn’t going to buy
me anything but grief.” Larry tried to pull his arm free, but
Joey held fast. “Let me go, will you!”

“I’m not letting go until you give me the ticket,” Joey said.

“Why do I have to give you the ticket? I bought it, I can do
what I want with it.”

“You’ll thank me for this tomorrow, believe me,” Joey said,
using his other hand to try to unclench Larry’s fist.

“Fuck off!” Larry said, struggling to free himself from Jo-
ey’s grasp.

“No way I’m letting you destroy this ticket,” Joey said,
pushing Larry backwards into the refrigerator. “Rita will
fucking divorce you. Rita!” He yelled out her name. “Rita!”
But she was too far away to hear, and besides, even if she had
heard, she probably wouldn’t have gotten in the middle be-
tween them. She had seem them nearly come to blows before.

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