MWG Writes on Q Issue 2, 2015 | Page 24

MWG Writes on Q June 2015 Heart to Heart By: Joseph Monachino The Torn Page Ralph was sifting through his desk drawer. His original intention was to search for a pen. He discovered something he didn't anticipate finding there. He found the torn page of a newspaper clipping. When he examined it, he saw listed lottery numbers from an earlier draw. Upon further scrutiny, he saw something familiar with the numbers. They looked eerily similar to numbers he had played in the past. At this point, he decided to walk over to the drawer where he stores old lottery tickets. To his delight, he finds one ticket that has the exact numbers that are listed on the newspaper page. He immediately fantasizes about how he can buy his dream car and his dream home. Soon he'll be booking his dream vacation! How much has he won, he asks? The jackpot prize is listed as 10 Million dollars. He is frustrated, though. The torn page is ripped right where the date of the draw was printed. He thinks of a solution to his dilemma. He'll visit the Winning Lottery Numbers page of the National Lottery Corporation. Ralph has mixed emotions. He is nervous; he is elated. Soon the moment of truth will be upon him. He scrolls down the page to check the winning numbers from the past 12 months. Lo Author of science fiction story The Transporting Device. Certified in Sales & Marketing. and behold, he spots the numbers that match up with the numbers on his ticket. Now he is really nervous and excited! He carefully checks the date of the winning numbers. The date of the lottery draw of the winning numbers is November 1, 2013. At this point, he stops. He slowly turns his head to the calendar on the wall. The date circled is --gasp!--November 2, 2014. What a shocker: the date to collect his winnings has passed. All his dreams are shattered. He still doesn't have the money to buy his dream car, house, or vacation. He falls back in his chair. How could he have been so careless? What a costly mistake, to say the least, it was not to check his ticket months earlier. Beside him is a bottle of ant-acid tablets. If it was a bottle of cyanide, it would be more appropriate for the situation. That torn page must be the most expensive in the history of mankind! Submit your contributions to [email protected]