Few days ago Jose mentioned that he and his family were competing for a huge mega millions jackpot. The public excitement about it was confirmed by the long line in the deli. There are always two lines on lotto nights. One for sandwiches and things and the other for lotto tickets.
Now even though I've had my share of get-rich-quick schemes, gambling was never enticing, as I found with computerized slot machines in the casinos of northern Oklahoma. There, slots were legal if they were paired with nonsensical bingo cards in the corner of the screen. Free fountain drinks and "cappuchinos" were the highlight of walking through clouds of cigarette smoke while waiting for my mom to double her $20. I often pocketed the money she said "to go have fun with." Why? Because it was like throwing fist fulls of quarters into the river. I almost always lost.
However, once in Vegas when I won (back) 300 dollars at the roulette table. It was 3am and I was very very tipsy on free booze. Someone showed me the best way to make a little bit of money at a time... place a $1 bet between two or more numbers on the table. On each spin I bet a total of $10 over 20 or more numbers. Although I can't remember the details of the game, I think it was a conservative way to play. Above the wheel there was a grocery checkout style pole displaying the last 2o or so spins. It helps those playing to see a pattern or at least imagine. It wasn't long before I began seeing patterns. Of course the factors where all things the human eye could not judge. Where exactly was the ball dropped, it's torque, which number was under it, how fast the wheel was spinning. But somehow the belief of a pattern was enough to win little bits. I never guessed the actual number. I'd like to believe that I eventually could have if drunkenness didn't beat me. So I stopped, took my winnings and staggered over to my mom who was still on the slots.
As for the Mega Millions game, the odds of guessing all 6 numbers is about 170 million to one. I did not play that night at the deli. So what has changed? Why am I embarking on a journey that will almost no doubt leave trail of losing tickets like breadcrumbs? I'm not entirely sure yet. I think of this as my art project. I suppose part of me is a sucker for lost causes, but also think I can find something here.
So far I have been studying the history of mega millions, the most popular balls and percentages of likely patterns. Basically a crash course of lotto 101. I am not a math wiz. I googled images of the ticket so I would know what to expect and I'm giving myself a budget of 5 dollars a week. I think a lot players only remember their winnings and not their losses. However, I am not trying to prove that I am wasting money. My mission is to guess the right numbers, not wish to become a millionaire.
I asked my mom for info on the game, things like buying the ticket a day in advance and must I filled out 5 separated tickets to play 5 sets of numbers and is there a box for the pay out options? She got started on winners a who had declared bankruptcy within 5 years. My first inclination was to yell out "I'm not going to win. this is an experiment." but that is the wrong attitude. Mom went on about how everyone has their hand out after you win. I asked, "couldn't you just remain anonymous?" That was the beginning of my winning fantasy. The what-if-I-do-win scenario. More youtube research was needed.
I found a news story about a man who won, lost his granddaughter to drugs and blamed his lotto winnings. He basically spoiled her rotten. Another winner was welder who's ex wife stole the ticket and divorced him, taking everything. Then there was a woman who won a game show, paid her bills, bought a vacuum cleaner and ordered lattes more often. Somehow she was not really affected. Coming into a lot of money is the true test of character and of those around you. So, what I would do? I would remain anonymous and pay my debts. I'd have to donate a portion to charity. If I became an asshole I have to give away the rest although if I did became an asshole it maybe too late. Make my films and travel...I need to stop. There. I did it. I allowed myself this part of the dream.
The thing is I am a dreamer. Not only with this lottery thing, but my entire life is chasing a dream. If I didn't believe in myself and my ideas then what is the point? So, here I am televisionless waiting to see tonight's winning numbers posted on the internet. I am also finishing up on Mariah's eye movements.
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