On Winning The Lottery

An Indulgent chapter from my rich fantasy life circa Christmas, 2012.


"I'd say $588 million is just about right.  We could help the kids and do everything we want to," I told my wife at breakfast.  "Why share?  Let's buy a ticket and win the whole enchilada!"

Well, we didn't and we didn't, but that doesn't stop the fantasy reel from spooling its story through my head. As a film it could win Sundance.

Damn! Two other people, just as normal as we are, just won.

Power Ball!  The name itself lights up the mind's eye.  It conjures riches, dominance, a delightful, willful dance through life, clad in pearl drenched raiment, while riding a chariot of gold to the ends of the earth and back as the seas and the people part abjectly as you pass, offering you delicacies of food and drink for a coin or two from your endless purse.

Take a cruise!  Hell, buy a yacht!  Ride a Gulfstream!  Go Express to the Orient! Break Monte Carlo!  Impress Paris! Take London by storm and meet the Queen!  Elect a President and sleep in Lincoln's bed! Address (and admonish) Congress!  Proclaim world peace before the UN!

"First we should pay off the mortgage.  And make a dent in the credit card balances.  Could we have a live tree this Christmas?  What about college for the grandchildren?"  My wife is ever the practical one, even when dreaming.

"What about a new home for us and the live tree?"  Overlooking the sea and the 18th green at Pebble Beach?" My reel is still running.

"We ought to do our best to lead a normal life," she said.  "That's what real winners always say." 

"Not til the money's gone," I said.  "Mitt's not busy now.  "He could help do a private equity fund, so the money will never run out.  We could round up to a  billion. Sounds normal enough for me."

"Wouldn't you rather do philanthropy with Warren and Bill?  We have 23 children, grand children and great grand children, remember."

"Be practical.  And remember whose fantasy this is."

Her voice turned flat.  She said matter of factly, ending the dream, "All I remember is what you always said when I wanted to buy a lottery ticket."

"What?"

"If you don't play you can't lose."