The Lottery Ticket Seller

A Short Story about surviving life with its ups and downs - even with „little“ money

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He was panting heavily. Furthermore, he noticed that his body was increasingly more willful and obeyed him less and less. The age. The best years are behind him. He rolled his heavy body out of bed. First time to catch breath. Then he shuffled into the kitchen. His apartment was small and cheap. Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. That was all; he couldn't have afforded more for the rent. He turned on the radio and made coffee. This morning, only cold water for the face. The coffee bubbled. The usual on the radio. He sipped the black coffee leisurely and daydreamed. He had time. More than enough. This darned pathetic job! Making a fool of himself. Every day. Begging for a few coins.  Day by day, the same. Unbearable. Raising hope. What nonsense, he said.  Lottery win is nonsense. Shaking his head. He laughed. And in the end the state gets everything and the lottery company. For the crisis. Sipped his coffee. Actually, he had been doing well. Before. He had once earned well. Led a good life. Without worries. And now? Stupid lottery tickets! What nonsense! Everything is just a big nonsense. He had been somebody once. In the bank. Upscale. With responsibility. And now: out. Stupid lots. He was not the only one. Wrong investments. Everything was fine. And then, one moment later,  all gone. From one day to the next. Car gone, house gone, wife gone. Savings gone. She took it, of course, and would start over again; she feared the future. Not the right conditions anymore. What nonsense. Hadn't they made a vow in church? For good and bad days? All nonsense, a big nonsense. He poured himself more coffee. Take it easy, old boy, he said to himself. You've got nothing to lose. Just pennies. You won't miss a thing. On the radio, new reforms are on the way. The usual. Nonsense. Shaking his head. Laughing. I'm done, he said to himself. Always reforms. Nonsense. Another sip of coffee. Then he got up. Panting, but ready. More sweat on his forehead. It would be a hot day. Yesterday he had sold two tickets. When was the last win? Such nonsense. Superficially, he glanced over the stack of lottery tickets. He checked his change. He laughed to himself. Tomorrow is a day off, and there is free food  at  the community center. He turned off the radio, took his key, and left the apartment.

By Sugar de Santo

From: Germany

Instagram: sugar_de

X: sugar_de