Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2021 19:25:14 -0400
From: Richard McQueen <mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com>
Subject: The Luckiest Man in the World Chapter 1

Story: Luckiest Man In The World

Chapter: 1 I Won the Superpowerball

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your
donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story
ends and all the others! That would be a crime!



Eric wins an international lottery and his life changes. Will that be good
or bad? Yes, it's about me again. It's more than a daydream or fantasy. I
write them and they become real to me. I see, hear, and feel them. I want
you to as well. Cinderfella started after I saw Richard Madden is Prince
Charming in Cinderella. I made him a brother in my continuation of the
Fairy Tale. Damaged was a fantasy about a bare bear on a bear skin rug in a
mountain cabin! I have a good imagination. Who does dream of making their
own lives more exciting> I just wrote them down to share! Read Cinderfella
and Damaged!



I Won the Superpowerball

ENTER TODAY!! Don't let the opportunity of a lifetime pass you by to become
the Luckiest Person in the World! Be the envy of friends and family. The
envy of the world!! Play the Superpowerball today!



My name's Eric Mitchell. I'm writing this as I was told I had to right
after it happened, as part of the results of my...winning. It was the
weekend after New Year's when it happened, and my life changed from just a
face in the crowd to being known throughout the world. Even the King and
Queen of England knew who I was. Really, I'm writing this just to keep
things straight myself. Yet, I find that I want to get things straight, so
people understand. And it's cathartic for me as well. First, let me state
now and be clear, there was no divine revelation. I have no psychic
abilities, no advanced mathematics formula to give you to win, I just
guessed. As a result of dumb luck, I won what billions tried to win. My
chances were the same as everyone else. And in every contest, there are the
occasional winners. One chance in billions and this time, it was me. I was
the one. So, why me? Beats the hell out of me. So, perhaps it was
Divine. The point is, I don't know. For those who don't know what I'm
talking about, or who I am...like that is possible given the mass media
response. I won the Superpowerball. Yeah, just me.

I mean, who can forget those wonderful commercials? The Powerball People,
not mine. I mean, we all saw the tired housewife struggling with three or
four kids, doing laundry while ironing and cooking dinner and then "poof"
she was in a designer gown, on this elegant marble staircase drinking
champagne with a tiara on her head surrounded by gorgeous men. Or the one
where the mechanic was being fussed at by a fat, greasy boss, then "poof"
he was clean, super haircut, a slick tux with gorgeous women on his arms in
front of a killer sports car. All commercials had limousines, cameras
flashing for pictures around as crowds tried to see him. And in your mind,
you wished it was you. Yeah, you know the hype. And you paid the five
dollars for the ticket in hopes that that would be you. And you could buy
only one ticket per draw. Only one, there were a few that tried to cheat,
but they were found out and disqualified. But then again, you knew you
couldn't really win. Hope is great, but the reality is what it is. Imagine
being in the stadium on a Super Bowl Sunday and the camera randomly picks
you. Why? Now imagine all the stadiums in the world filled and again, the
camera lands on you and only you. It's unbelievable, right? What if really
happened. It was real. The only difference is I did win. I went from an
anonymous face in the crowd and in one week to global
recognition. Really. Me.

I remember the day it happened, I had been out with my friend Kyle the
month before and yes, we got a little hammered. Drunk. I remember needing
cigarettes and we stopped at a Little Cricket to get some. We saw the Lotto
signs and the advertisement for the Powerball and the big game, the
Superpowerball. The only thing was, the Superpowerball was more than the
one dollar like I said, it was five dollars for a ticket. As I said also,
the game was only nine- or ten-years old years old. There were some
winners, both on the same drawing had won in the decade it had been
around. More countries wanted in. It just grew. One in Dubai and the other
in Canada. It was as worldwide as it could get. The United States, all of
Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, all Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, and
others, so the half-billion dollars was easy to come up with. Now, it was a
billion dollars. That's right, one billion dollars! Since the Powerball was
a lottery for the United States, the currency is based on the United States
dollar. The largest payout in history. Tax-free! Meaning, you didn't pay
tax on the winnings, nor pay tax again! Sales tax when you buy something,
yes, but the money didn't generate tax. What a deal, right? Who wouldn't
want that!? The idea was that money would be invested, likely and
everything you bought, clothes, jewelry, trips taken would sell! That was
the point. There were marketing ploys for everything! Hell! Your face would
be on everything from t-shirts to lunch boxes! And don't forget the
commercials you were to do, and I did. Not to mention a TV show and a
couple of cartoons! But for that first year, you had mandatory appearances
around the world! Treated like kings and queens, fine dining and luxury
stay in hotels. But you worked. Oh, after the year was up, you could return
to your job...right. Who would do that? Give it away or do whatever you
pleased. It was your money. It was your life after that. You could live
anywhere. Imagine! I know you have, but if it was real, where do you go?
This wasn't fantasy or a daydream, for me, it was real!



I bought a ticket a few weeks ago. That was Friday night, the drawing was
Sunday. I had chosen numbers that meant something to me, my birthday,
Kyle's birthday, Dad's and Mom's birthdays and their wedding day. 10 22 11
07 08 25 10 16 06 19. Again, you could only buy one ticket and had to have
a valid ID and fingerprints taken. So, at that level of security and a lot
of double digits, so the chances were slim or just impossible.

 That Sunday morning began with a banging, ripping whatever I was dreaming
about away. It took me a while, but I could hear it and it woke me.

"Eric!" I heard. "I know you're there. Open up."

I knew the voice well. Susan, my ex-wife. We had recently gotten the
divorce finalized and were selling the house I had bought for us.

"No!" I shouted. "I won't sell you my half of the house to you unless you
pay! That means either you pay what it's worth or no deal."

"I'm sure we can work this out. Open the door."

"Why? Your boyfriend has enough money," I shot at her angrily.

"Stop that!" She said aggravated. "Mark won't do that."

"So, you admit it now?" With that, I got up and opened the
door. Understand, I lived in a one-room studio apartment, it was all I
could afford. I lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Old, historic...and
did I say old? Well, it was. We celebrated 300 years back in 1970. I lived
in a house mostly used by students at the College of Charleston. Lots of
parties there, but none I went to. I was the old man at twenty-seven. It
was one of those houses that were narrow at the street, but long with these
verandas that went down the side on both of its two stories. Charleston is
famous for those. You see, you were taxed back in the day by how much of
the house you had on the street, so narrow and long was the way to skirt
that. Clever, huh?

Damn, she was beautiful. In her mid-twenties, dark auburn hair that fell
just below the shoulders and green eyes. Her great-grandmother had been
Japanese, so a slight slant to her eyes with porcelain skin. It gave her a
hint of the exotic.

"No." She said quickly, "But I knew that would get the door open."

I rolled my eyes and walked off, leaving the door open. "Okay, give it
another shot, but know I won't be selling at a loss."

"I offered $20,000. I know that job you have doesn't pay much." She
put. "But it's all I can afford."

"Yes." I nodded. "For a house appraised for $120,000. Sorry, $60,000 or no
deal."

"Sounds reasonable," A voice said behind Susan and in walked Kyle.

Understand, Kyle Walters and I have been best friends since first
grade. Born twenty days apart, both male and roughly the same height, but
that where it ended. We met in school for first grade on day one and became
inseparable. We were the same age, one month apart. I was five going on six
in October, he was five going on six in November. That's where it
stopped. I had black hair and brown eyes, he had red almost orange hair and
brown eyes and a face full of freckles as a kid. Now we were both
twenty-seven and our paths didn't change since then. We even went to the
same college, USC, that's the University of South Carolina, not Southern
California. He went to become a lawyer, I didn't know what I was going to
do, but I worked in a hotel while there and went into hotel management. We
were even roommates for the last two years of school. We never
fought...well, once, in high school we did over a girl. Beth Woods. She had
been pudgy in middle school and came to high school thinned and
gorgeous. We came to blows over her. Then I realized it didn't matter. I
liked her, yes, but to throw out a decade of friendship away for her?
No. The truth was, I am bisexual. I liked her, but also her brother. No, I
never touched Kyle that way, not that you asked. We were like brothers, so
no. Kyle was good looking enough, beautiful even, sure, but I'd never do
that to him. If it had been Beth's brother Mark, we wouldn't have fought at
all, Kyle was straight. The truth was, I did prefer men to women. Susan
just hit that spot in me that made her irresistible. People say I chickened
out, but I loved her. Really. We did

"You're still here, I see," Susan grumbled.

"I have to be," Kyle reasoned. "Someone needs to look out for him when
dealing with the Wicked Witch of the East."

She gave a bitter smile and chuckled mockingly. "You two have always been
very close. Strangely close. Perhaps I should have charged Eric with
adultery."

"You could have," I nodded. "But Kyle is straight, and you know it. If you
think you can prove otherwise, go for it." I shrugged and walked
off. Turning toward her. "I have more proof when it comes to you and Mark
than you do for me and Kyle." I grinned. "Not that I blame you. Mark's a
really great looking man. He has a great ass."

Susan grunted. "That's disgusting."

"I told you when we started dating I was bisexual and had been with both
girls and boys." I went in to start my breakfast. "Anything else?"

"I don't have that kind of money," Susan protested.

"I know," I said. "But you did okay with the settlement. Hell of a lot
better than I did. Can't Mark help you out?"

"Stop it with Mark!" Susan shouted.

I grinned. "I didn't bring him into this, you did." Then I got angry. "I
didn't file for divorce, you did. You walked out, not me, for him."

"What was I supposed to do? You were always so jealous. Besides, it wasn't
working between us." Susan shouted.

"With good reason!" I claimed. "All those nights when you worked late!
Going to dinner with Mark." I shook my head. "Get out. We've said all this
before. Nothing's changed."

"Is that the reason you won't sell me your half of the house? To get even
with me?"

I pressed my forehead in frustration over the same thing over and
over. "Why are you being so dense?" I asked. "I worked hard to give us a
house. To build a life, to have kids. Now you want to take what I worked
for away. You wanted the marriage to end, well it did. Why am I going to
lose hard earned money?" I pointed to the door. "Get out!"

Kyle stepped aside so she could leave. "Have a nice day. Watch out for
falling houses."

"Die, Kyle," Susan stated as she left.

"After you," Kyle said back and grinned at me. "So, you really think Mark's
got a great ass?"

I grinned back, wiggling my eyebrows. Well, he really did!



That day was spent with Kyle just hanging out. He sprang for the pizza that
night. We watched a movie and then it got late. While I was off until
Monday night, Kyle had to work in the morning, so I was walking him out
when they drew the numbers of the Super Powerball.

"That's 10 22 11 07 08 25 10 16 06 19, remember, you have 72 hours to claim
your winnings." The blonde woman announced waving her hand across a row of
balls that had popped up from vats of balls that circulated with air that
kept them dancing around. "The clock is ticking."

Kyle froze. "Eric! Isn't that the numbers you chose?" He knew the numbers
and what they meant.

I was frozen, too. I heard the numbers, but it sort of faded in my
mind. No, it had to be other numbers. "It couldn't be." Then I ran to my
little table by the door. In a tray, I kept keys, cigarettes, lighter and
loose change. Also, the ticket I'd gotten on that Friday night weeks
ago. With the numbers still on the screen, I held up my ticket. And there
they were. All of them, in order on my ticket. "Impossible," I whispered as
a loud whine was all I could hear. The ticket held just below the screen
numbers was blurring. Then I felt a sharp pain on the right side of my
face.

"Eric!" Kyle shouted as he shook me lightly. "Don't stroke on me now!
You're a billionaire!"

"Ow." I put my hand over my face. "I won," I said quietly.

Kyle nodded excitedly, "I know!"

I held the ticket up, "I won."

"I know!!" Kyle repeated more excited.

"I never win anything," I reasoned.

Kyle grinned. "You can't say that now. You're a billionaire!!" He grabbed
my arm. "Come on!" He dragged me towards the door. "You won't be if we're
not there to collect."

"Where?"

"Columbia," Kyle said as he hurried towards the car. "The state Powerball
and Lotto is on Gervais Street. Let's go."

"It's nearly midnight and they won't open until eight in the morning."

Kyle stopped looking back in disbelief, "You wanta wait!?"

I grabbed the car door handle. "No."



It was a quick trip to Columbia; it was only two hours away and at that
time of night there was very little traffic. I was still reeling over
having won. My mind couldn't accept it, but here was the ticket. What would
I do with that much money? Any car, any house...it was all too incredible
to accept. Still, we talked about trips I have always wanted to take, cars
we had wanted. We arrived in Columbia and the address Kyle had put into his
GPS. There was a light on inside.

"They're open late," I commented. I looked at my watch. "It's after two in
the morning."

"They're open because they know you'll show up. This is for you." Kyle
shrugged. "All for you. Get used to it."

Before we got to the door, it opened and a well-dressed blonde woman in her
late thirties open smiled a greeting. "That was quick. Welcome,
Mr. Mitchell." She put her hand out. "Congratulations on winning the
Superpowerball. I'm Karen Walker. I am the official litigator for the
Powerball. I'm here to make sure you are aware of what is going to happen."
She grinned. "You got here quickly."

"Hey, I heard the numbers, and we were on the way a minute later." I shook
her hand as she let us in.

"I can only hope the others will be as quick," She said.

"Others?" Kyle asked.

"Yes," The woman said. "There were three winners worldwide that includes
you. You were the only winner in North America. There was one in Germany
and one more in Australia." She looked at Kyle. "And you are?"

Kyle grinned giving a head thrust in my direction. "Kyle Walters. Best
friend to Eric Mitchell."

She shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Walters." She turned to
me. "You have the ticket?"

I pulled to winning ticket from my pocket. There were no worries that she
would just take it and run. It was registered with my fingerprints. Handing
it to her, she took the ticket motioning for us to follow. "This is just a
formality." The office building was like a bank, with teller windows for
people to purchase and cash in tickets from daily lottos, pick 3 and the
Powerball. It was all deserted except for some men milling around. Big men,
as in brawny. Security? Dark suits. She went to a machine, like the one I
had bought the ticket from that Cricket. She punched some buttons, then
inserted the ticket. "As I said, this is just formality. Security with this
is very good, your address and picture are part of that. Those numbers you
saw were done hours ago. That's how I was here to meet you. We're based in
New York. This lets the main office know you've checked in." She handed it
back. "So, until they do the same...or don't, then we know who to reward
the money to." She led us to an office where there were two men sitting
drinking coffee. Both official-looking. "Legally, we have some things to
discuss first." She motioned for us to sit in chairs that surrounded a
conference table. Sighing she smiled at me. "How are you feeling?"

I told the truth. "Numb. Like this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up
in my apartment any second."

She gave a nod. "Understandable, which is why I need to ask. Is there
anything that will keep you from accepting the money? Give it to charity or
something like that?"

I shook my head, "No charity I'd give it all to. Perhaps someday a part of
it, but no."

She nodded again. "Think about this. The life you knew is gone. You will be
flown to New York this week, probably in a few hours. So, by accepting the
award, you're willing to commit to a week in New York?"

I shrugged. "Sure."

"Then there is the world tour, a week in Las Vegas then, a week in Tokyo,
then in Australia, a week in Sydney, a week in Delhi, a week in Paris, a
week in St. Petersburg, a week in London. There will be a week between some
of these stops, but it's going to take you a year. Many will want to see
you. There will be cameras following your every move."

I thought a moment, "I don't get one thing. How do you know you're giving
the money to the right person?" I saw her confusion. "I mean, you could be
giving it to a drug addict or a serial killer. I could funnel the money to
terrorists."

She smiled. "That is your prerogative. You could buy drugs, pay for
women...the whole thing is, the whole world will be watching you do
that. That's what makes it interesting."

I was feeling a little shaky, whether it was the adrenaline rush or lack of
sleep. It could have been both. "I'm feeling sort of shaky. Can we get
something to eat?"

She smiled. "Of course, anything you want." She sat back. "You've had a
pretty big shock. Naturally, you're out of kilter."

It was still dark out. Only four in the morning. "There's very little
open," I commented.

She nodded. "Your plane is fully stocked."

"MY plane?"

The smile widened. "Your plane," She said again nodding. "As we didn't know
who won other than you and who they'd bring, we were prepared for one or a
family of ten." She chuckled. "You having a plane takes care of that. Of
course, if you like, a room can be rented for you here, but at our building
in New York, we have a suite for you. You can go there; the announcement of
your winning won't be for two and a half days." Then she was serious. "How
many are going?"

I looked at Kyle. "Don't you have to be at work in the morning?"

He shrugged. "I do, but considering my best friend just won a billion
dollars...I'll call in."

"And what about you?" She asked me. "Is there somewhere you need to be?"

"Not until tonight, midnight," I answered. "I'm a manager and auditor of a
hotel in Charleston."

She nodded writing something. "Okay. We have temporaries, all bonded and
tops in their fields. We'll call the hotel and arrange for their employ for
eight weeks. You will, of course, resign."

I loved where I worked, but not the job. "Okay, I don't know if
Mr. Perriguex will like it, but..."

"We'll have someone cover for you that's very good and the hotel won't pay
for it."

I brightened hearing that, "That he'll like." Then I turned to Kyle. "Don't
waste your sick leave."

Kyle grinned. "Give me a dollar."

That was odd. I pulled out my wallet. "All I have is a five."

"That'll do." He pulled it from my hand. "Now say, I want you as my
lawyer."

Now it made sense and I got it, "I want you as my lawyer."

Kyle looked at the woman with a smile. "You witnessed the exchange of
currency and heard him say it. I am officially his lawyer. Now I can go to
New York?"

"For how long?" I asked seriously. "I know you love being a lawyer, and I
know you can't come with me for a year."

Kyle grinned at me slowly. "Yeah, I do." He put his hand on my
shoulder. "But I'll be there any time you need me. And for this first
week. I'll be there. Maybe Las Vegas, too. Not Tokyo. Sorry."

He was a good friend. "Hey!" I said, "You could start your own law
firm. I'd finance that." I grinned.

He held his hand up. "Whoa there, Daddy Bigbucks, before you commit to
that, I need to prove myself under that tutelage of a lawyer with decades
of practice. Dan Poole will do that."

It was easy to see. "When the time comes, I will be there for you."

He looked a little sheepish. "I know." He hated getting all, as he put when
we were ten, all mushy.

"Now, here's Mr. Turner," Karen introduced a man that had been sitting in
darkness. He like some of the men out front was huge. Not fat, just
big. Linebacker big. Only he must have been in his late forties and early
fifties. Once he stepped into the light, I half expected him to have an eye
patch, or a scar on his face. Old war wounds, you know. Where was the
riding crop dictators always had? Yet once he was there, he smiled. Changed
his whole face. But I wouldn't mess with him.

"Mr. Mitchell, I am in charge of your security."

Naturally. "Of course, you are," I said.

Kyle leaned toward me, "I won't mess with him on a well-lit street, much
less a dark alley."

Mr. Turner chuckled. "A few have tried. But I'm here to advise you, once
your face has been on the news and broadcast all over the world, you will
become a target. Everywhere you go, people will be trying to meet you,
touch you." His smile faded, "Some will stop at nothing to get what you
have. Even kill you."

I swallowed at that. I had never considered that. Then again, I never
really considered that I would win a few million, maybe a billion. Who
seriously would!?

"How is killing me going to get them the money?" I asked.

Karen frowned. "People aren't rational when it comes to money. So, I'll ask
again. Do you want to do this?"

The big man softened his features, "I don't mean to scare you, but never go
alone anywhere. You have security that will be with you always." Mr. Turner
said gravely. "Even to get a stick of gum or a pack of smokes. Always use
your security."

"You are about to become the most famous man alive," Karen warned. "These
days will be enjoyable, but intense. Is there anyone we need to worry
about? Mother, father, siblings..."

"Parents are deceased. No siblings." I commented. Then I remembered. "I
have an ex-wife."

Karen looked extremely pleased. "Do we need to worry about her? Was the
divorce amicable? Will she be after a part of the money?"

I grinned. "Not with that agreement I signed. Nothing that she bought after
the split is mine and nothing I get does she get. Only the house is in
dispute. That was to be sold and half given to me. As far as the split is
concerned...it was...tense, but reasonably friendly."

Kyle grunted. "I'd love to see her face when she finds out about this."

I laughed. "Kyle's not a big fan of hers." And said to the woman.

"Fan!?" Kyle asked, snorting. "Not even slightly. The woman practically
ruined you."

I leaned forward to look as if I'm divulging secret information that was
confidential. "It's the children that always have the hardest time in a
divorce."

"She is a lying, scheming, manipulative bitch," Kyle muttered
angrily. Karen and Mr. Turner looked surprised at the venom he spewed.

I jutted my head in his direction, "You'd think she divorced him."

Karen laughed, shaking her head. "Clearly. But you don't fear her
interfering? No threats from her?"

"No." I shook my head.

Karen sighed with a smile. "Okay. And you better believe you will see her
face. It'll no doubt be broadcast on local networks."

I sighed. "But I will contact her first. She won't believe me, but I should
contact her."

Karen rose. "Not until Wednesday evening, but that'll be fine. If you could
leave the keys with Mr. Turner, or is there some other way you want to have
the car returned?"

Kyle dug his car keys out and handed them to Mr. Turner.

"Now, let's get on the plane," Karen stated rising.



We flew in a private jet! A g6 or g5...whatever. Nice, plush and we were
bound for New York City. Some shrimp cocktail and lobster later, I was
sleepy and was out. When we landed, I didn't even know what airport we were
at, but...not contending with city traffic was nice. It was mid-morning
when we arrived. There were no cabs taken, we were flown by helicopter to a
building that had to be over fifty stories. That was small to some of these
other buildings.

Then we were shown a place...well...Karen opened a set of double doors, and
I was flabbergasted! We were on a landing where there was a room like I had
only seen in magazines and on TV. Below us on the lower level was a
suite. It was all white and glass with a fireplace and chimney, on either
side of that were windows that went from the ground up to the ceiling on
the second level. Unobstructed views of Manhattan.

"Damn!" I muttered.

"Double damn." Kyle agreed.

Karen chuckled. "I trust you're finding this acceptable. It's going to be
home for a week."

Kyle smirked at me, then did his best not to show how impressed he
was. "Well...I suppose it'll have to do."

I gave him a quick tap with my foot on his butt, "That's Kyle-speak for,
Hell Yeah!"

Karen just laughed. "I can see that filming the two of you will be a good
thing." She turned to Kyle. "Are you sure you want to return to work? Can't
we convince you to extend it?"

"But I didn't win."

"Well, Mr. Mitchell seems to enjoy having you around and the two of you
play off each other so well..."

Kyle looked at me and with my nod. He shrugged. "I'll see if Ol' Dan will
let me have a sabbatical or something."

"Good. No doubt you two know we'll be making money off the coverage of you,
Mr. Mitchell. Commercials alone will be very profitable." She led us to one
of the stairs to go down, the landing had one on either side of the
doors. "You will find everything you need, there are three bedrooms on the
lower level, all with their own baths, dining room...and there is a kitchen
open twenty-four hours that will make whatever you want. There's an
entertainment system here," she lifted a remote and pointed it toward the
stairs. A big TV lowered, "allowing access to any movie, TV show...also,
there is a game system, any game you wish." She turned to me. "For now,
rest, you'll be needing it. But tomorrow," she paused looking at us, "think
of what you want to project to the world. Jeans and t-shirts may be
comfortable, but..."

"We didn't pack." Kyle nodded.

"But I don't have the money yet to buy any clothes," I objected.

Karen raised her hand. "Friday night will be the celebration. Do you want
to be seen as casual, formal...what?"

"I want the slickest tux a man can own." I grinned. Kyle looked at me
surprised. I shrugged. "What? I like the commercial, mechanic goes out all
gussied up. The accountant comes from the behind the desk...I want to gussy
up!"

"Can he get a haircut?" Kyle asked pointing at the hair I always kept
short. It was due for a cut, only I was watching the money then.

"Sure. I'll be sending someone to you tomorrow." Karen nodded. "There are
some stores here to get something, for now, tonight...if you want."

"Will Giggles here approve of that?" Kyle thumbed to Mr. Turner who, like a
shadow had followed us all the way. The smile that ghosted his face told me
he took Kyle's name for him in good humor. "Do you have a name, other than
Mr. Turner? Or shall it always be Giggles?"

"Ned," Mr. Turner replied and chuckled, "Only around the other men, please,
call me Mister Turner."

I gave him a salute, "Roger that." I turned to Kyle. "I like him," I told
Kyle loud enough that Ned could hear it.

"He's still a bit scary," Kyle whispered back knowing Ned could hear
him. Then he snapped his fingers. "Better call Ol' Danny boy, gotta let him
know I may be a little late."

"Please say nothing about what's happened." Karen cautioned.

Kyle stopped, then turned around. "Then I better use your phone. The area
code will prove I'm outta town." He poked me. "He's good for the long
distance."



We continued the tour; we were escorted into what we were told was the
Emperor's Room.

"This room is bigger than my whole house!" I declared seeing the huge
bed. Again, the white, glass and silver on the furnishings. No windows
here. Then I heard.

"Holy shit!!!"

I turned to Karen and smiled with a shrug, "He doesn't get out much." Then
went to the double doors I had heard Kyle's voice emanate from. "Your Mom
would tan your hide...holy shit!" The bathroom was nearly the size of the
bedroom. A huge tub in the middle big enough for two or three. The "shower"
was behind glass but big enough for a whole team!

"Shall I get the soap?" Kyle teased me. "I can call Mom."

Other than that, there was a closet most stores would love to display
clothes, shoe shelves...I was overwhelmed. No clothes though. "I want Kyle
to get a suit and stuff."

"That would be fine." Karen was smiling at us. "You're the one with the
money."

I turned to Ned. "If people know about Kyle's and my friendship, will
that...of course, it will." I said, answering my own question. "I would
gladly pay a billion bucks to keep him safe."

"And your concern is what exactly?" Ned asked.

"Well, he said he would ask for the time away." I started. "But if people
see us, partying and behaving as the life-long friends we are, he won't be
able to go back to his life before." I shook my head. "I can't do that to
him. We'll try to give you the light banter, but I won't hurt Kyle."

Kyle put both hands over his heart and gave me mockingly sweet look, "You
do love me."

I shoved him away playfully. "Did you doubt that?" I said growling, "But
I'm serious. This could put your life in danger. And your future."

Ned nodded. "He's right." Ned agreed seriously.

"I'm a big boy," Kyle grumbled.

"Against an armed assault?" Ned asked. "The attack could be from anyone, a
crazed maniac to North Koreans."

"But wouldn't the coverage show them that would be a suicidal attempt?"
Kyle asked.

Karen gave a shaking nod. "Crazies would only see it as international
exposure. With those in the Middle East, it would only be something they
would use." She gave a sympathetic smile. "It's still possible to back
out."

Kyle grabbed my arm, "Don't do it." He pulled me closer, "You were given
this prize for a reason." He was searching for words. "I know it. God or
whatever wants you to do something, but don't just throw it away." He threw
his hands up. "Hell, I'll quit if necessary."

I looked at him. "That's a little drastic."

"But if seeing me with you makes me a target...I won't let you."

I sighed. "The truth is...anyone connected to me will feel that." I
explained. "I can take care of Susan. It will certainly make it hard to
form a relationship with anyone. So, unless you plan on changing so I can
spend my life with you..."

Kyle looked confused. "What are you talking about? We do already."

I frowned. "I want a partner."

Kyle gave a nod, slowly getting what I was saying. "So, our talks to all
hours of the night aren't enough." I shrugged. He sighed. "Okay, we'll have
sex."

I groaned. "I don't want to have sex with you, Numbnuts," I muttered
frustrated, "But perhaps with someone. Someone that would give it meaning."

"I don't understand." Kyle shook his head.

"You don't long to be with me," I said. "Not really. The desire to be with
someone." I gave him a sad smile. "Why do you think it hurt so badly when
Susan left me? I thought I had that."

Karen walked up. "Guys, you need rest. Order a meal and get some sleep. You
can discuss this further later."

I nodded. "Let's see the other bedrooms."

In an hour, we had an Asian lunch and decided which bedroom we each
wanted. All were splendid.

When I woke, it mid-afternoon. Having nothing to wear, that's what I
wore. Nothing when I crawled into that huge bed. Can you imagine if I say
it was "orgasmic?" Sleep came quickly. I woke when I noticed some music
coming from the bathroom, soothing relaxing music. Kyle had insisted I take
the bedroom we saw first as mine. He chose another, just as nice. Entering
the bathroom, I saw Kyle leaning back on the side of the tub enjoying the
warm water as steam radiated around him in rising swirls.

"Where's the head?" I asked.

He pointed toward a door without looking or even opening his eyes.

"Thanks." I did what I need to do. "So, what's wrong with the other
bathroom?" I asked coming back in.

"Nothing." Kyle shook his head, "But I liked this tub. Come on in."

Looking around, I found a robe and towel. I slipped my underwear off and
tentatively got in, after wincing at the heat at first. Then slid in
further.

"This is nice." I sighed and let the water relax me, the warmth seeping in.

"Heaven." Kyle corrected, again neither opening his eyes nor looking.

"I'm a billionaire," I said.

Kyle chuckled not opening his eyes. "Yep, you are. My best friend is a
billionaire." Then he looked at me. "Still having trouble believing it?"

"My head is adjusting," I explained. I laughed, "I woke thinking for a
second, I had dreamt it. It has to be a dream."

Kyle chuckled. "Just don't wake up."

"It was those Egyptian cotton sheets convinced me instantly it wasn't a
dream."

"Yep." Kyle agreed. He looked at me seriously, "You've never asked to have
sex with me."

I grinned. "I wouldn't."

"I meant what I said, about consenting if you wanted."

I shook my head. "It would just be an action. Even if you got some
pleasure, and you would believe me. It wouldn't be because you didn't want
to. You'd be doing it as a friend. Not someone that loves me...that way."
He was very good looking. The red hair had darkened to a deep brownish
red. He had great eyes and a very nice body. "Kyle, we've seen each other
naked since we took baths together at seven. I've watched you grow up, seen
the hairs come out at your groin and pits. I've watched you mature, but I
cherish our friendship more." I cocked my head. "Why? Are you saying you're
sexually attracted to me now?"

He moved from the side coming toward me. "Let's see." He leaned forward and
pressed his lips against mine. Really, it was a damned good kiss. We had
done it once before when we twelve or so, just to see what it'd be like to
kiss someone. He separated from me and looked down at himself. "Nope. Not a
thing." He touched his own penis. Then he looked at me. "I think I should
be offended."

I laughed. "Why?"

He reached down and touched my penis. "You like men, and you have no
reaction either."

I had to throw my head back and laugh. I hugged him. "Don't be offended. I
trust you with my life. Take it as a compliment. We go beyond the baser
needs."

"Yeah, but your needs have got to be met."

I grinned at him. "I'm a billionaire! Those needs will be met."



Later Ned came in to say we could get something to wear. So, he handed me a
card, like a credit card and we went down to the vast opulent mall, which I
had no idea they had. Ned was right there. I noticed some other men within
visual range.

"Enjoy this, gentlemen," Ned said in a whisper. "This is your last trip to
the mall as regular men."

"I don't even know some of these stores." Kyle groaned scanning the
directory.

I pointed to a few stores. "You know them. Stop looking with your wallet."

Kyle grunted and nodded. "Habit."

I swear, I never paid more than $180 bucks for a pair of jeans before that
day, and that was extravagant! These were Calvin Klein's or whatever...and
not off the rack! To pay $1500!! But I did, for Kyle and myself, shirts,
socks, and shoes...oh yeah...underwear. We went to Perry Ellis, Ralph
Lauren, and few I just looked and saw. We just got a few things and were
back upstairs. When we got there, Karen was back.

"Well?" She grinned seeing we had some people bringing in bags and boxes.

"See this!?" I held the receipt up to her. "I didn't pay that much for
anything, except a car."

She nodded. "Well, tomorrow some people are coming to get your size you and
you need to show them what you present to the world. I want to get the
clothes you had on when you got to the Lotto office for the first interview
on Wednesday night. Then we can show them the results of what winning
means."

I nodded. "Okay." I looked over the spectacular view of Manhattan. "Can we
go out tonight? I mean before all hell breaks through Wednesday."

Karen looked at Ned who nodded and said, "I told them to enjoy it now."

"Sounds fine."



We went to this Steakhouse. $150 for a steak! Prices even higher on some
cuts. The fact that we drove up in a black Escalade and had security with
us, only the waiter looked at us rather curiously when I used the card. It
didn't have a name on it. It did have a company name. Ned took care of
it. But man, that was a great steak! Chewing was an option; it was so
tender. Best onion rings I've ever had. Sorry, Bessinger's. They had been
my favorite in South Carolina. Then back to the...whatever. It had a hotel
in the building, but our rooms were not part of that. The hotel used it,
but it belonged to the Powerball people.

I played with the gaming system, and found they had a headset for my
favorite game "Civilization!" Building an empire! It was 3D! It was 3 am
before I passed out. At ten in the morning, there was a knock at my door. A
guy I had seen as one of Ben's men poked his head in.

"There's a coordinator to see you."

"Coordinator?" I asked, remember I had a late night? "To coordinate what?"

"You!" This guy came in, bursting around my guard, only to be wrestled to
the wall by my security. "What the..."

"You were instructed by Mr. Turner, all guests must be announced and
checked." The security man growled.

"Sorry." The man surrendered.

"You don't just barge into a man's bedroom." The man wrestled the man
away. "Get out!" He spoke to another man. "Tell Ms. Walker this man won't
do and be sure he's out of the building."

I got up; my eyes wide. These guys meant business. "Damn."

"My apologies, Mr. Mitchell. The rules were clear and will be followed. He
knew that. It won't happen again." He assured.

It was not fifteen minutes later another knock. The same guard stuck his
head in. "Ms. Walker and a Ms. Simpson are here. Ms. Simpson is the new
coordinator."

"Thanks..." I ended the greeting meaning I was looking for a name to be
given.

"Chet Dobbins." He grinned and stepped back out.

I dressed quickly into my overpriced clothes and went into the living
area. There were Karen Walker and a woman about ten years younger. Very
attractive, with long brown hair done in waves down her shoulders.

Karen smiled at me. "My apologies for Mr. Wainwright. The man here
before. He was...."

"Rude." The other woman said walking up and shaking my hand. "Elena
Simpson." She introduced herself. "I will be coordinating your party and
you, if you want."

I looked to see Kyle come out of his room in his underwear, yawning. He
suddenly looked up. "Oh!" He ducked back in his room. "Company."

"You'll have a good time with that one." I grinned.

"I've had much worse." Ms. Simpson chuckled. Then looked at me with an
appraising eye. "Much worse." She nodded. "Much, much worse."

I was feeling like a display dummy. "What were you expecting?"

Ms. Simpson caught herself and smiled. "Sorry. But frankly, I was expecting
anything. From Midwest trailer park trash to a homeless vagrant. Instead, I
find a very handsome young man, in his prime...there's a lot I can work
with."

"To do what?" I asked, not sure if I like this.

"Just imagine what you want to present." Ms. Simpson said. "Casual or
dressy?"

I shrugged. "Classy I guess."

Ms. Simpson smiled. "I think I can work with that."

Kyle came out zipping his pants as he came. "Two thousand bucks for jeans
and you will have a hard time zipping them up."

The ladies chuckled.

"Oh, by the way. You are now down to two possible winners." Karen told me.

"Two?" I asked. "What happened to the third?"

Karen hesitated, then said. "Well, you can't collect when you're dead."

Kyle frowned. "Dead. How?"

"It seems our German winner bought the ticket a few months ago for this
years' drawing and put it somewhere, his wife took it, with some trash to
the incinerator and burned the thing. By accident, I'm sure." Karen
explained. "He was so angry; he was about to hurt his wife and she shot
him."

"So now the collection has gone from $333,333,333.33 to half a billion."
Kyle stated.

Karen nodded. "Nothing from Australia."

I sat on the couch. "Damn." I rolled my head to loosen the tendrils of
stress that was creeping up my spine. "It's really starting to sink in." I
looked at Kyle. "My life will never be the same."

Kyle sat beside me. "Nope." He chuckled. "Danny boy demanded to know why I
was away." He shook his head. "I want to tell him, but..."

I looked at Karen. "How did the temp at my job go? How did Tom take it?"

She sat in a chair near us. "That Mr. Perriguex was hard to convince
without details, but he heard the word free and let it go."

"Told ya." I grinned.



We were whisked to somewhere that looked like a lab...on the starship
Enterprise. A lot of high tech computer screens and something I'd never
seen before. Then told to strip. Put on these loose robes and walked into
something that looked like a lab.

"Hi." A woman said coming toward us. "I'm Julie. We need to get some
measurements." She had blond hair and blue eyes.

"Measurements," I said.

Then she pointed to a spot on the floor. "For your clothes. Now if you
could step into the circle on the floor." She said to me.

I did as asked. She touched some buttons on a panel that looked
complicated, but she flew right through it. There was a slight whine and
some large round bands rose from the ground and began rotating around
me. It looked like two bands where the top one rolled around on the bottom
one. "This works like a CT scan, but it gives designers and accurate view
of your body. If you could kneel on your right knee, please." Julie
instructed. "Then the other knee, then arms stretched overhead and then
out, stand on tiptoes." Then Kyle had to do it. It created the perfect
three-dimensional computer dummy or model of us. Cloth was never waisted
and tailors never mistook our sizes.

After that was over, Kyle pulled me aside. "I understand you having this
done, but why did you insist on me?"

I was surprised. "Kyle...don't you realize how much you mean to me? I won
money. I didn't earn it. It was a gift. Do you think I would just collect
and go, leaving you out? No way. I'm having a tux made for you and also a
wardrobe." I brushed his shoulder of lint that wasn't there. "You'll be the
sharpest dressed lawyer in the South." I gave him a slight shove. "Now
accept the gifts," I demanded.

Kyle's eyes grew and he grinned. "Bossy now that we're rich, aren't we?"



We went to the town again that night. Then back again to our new home for
the week. The next day...nothing. Then I found out there was a pool! I
loved pools. We spend the next few hours swimming at their indoor pool. It
was like being on vacation!



"I've decided to give the house to Susan," I said as we were being lazy at
the pool.

Kyle looked up suddenly. "What!?"

I nodded. "I will even pay it off and buy her that Jeep Grand Cherokee she
always wanted."

"After the shit she put you though!? Why are you being so nice to that
bitch?"

Turning to him as we lounged on two lounge chairs. "Because it's the right
thing to do," I replied. "For me."

He sat up and leaned in on me. "That evil woman lied to you, she had an
affair with her boss and god knows who else, then tried to ring that house
from you, offering you way less than it's worth. Why are you being nice to
her?"

"Something Cicely Tyson said in that Tyler Perry movie, Diary of Mad Black
Woman," I replied. "She said if all you want is to hurt someone, that means
you're not over that person," I explained. I sighed. "If I do this. Doing
something nice after all the pain she caused, I might be able to truly let
her go."

Kyle gave me a sigh and lowered his head. "I'm glad we're best friends."
Then he grinned at me. "If you treat your enemies that well, think of what
I'll get."

I grabbed him in a neck hold and wrestled him down as the door to the pool
area opened. In walked Ned Turner.

"Ned!" I grinned as I put Kyle in a headlock.

Our security guard just grinned back. "Ms. Walker requests you come
upstairs. Dressed as you were Sunday and Monday."

I let Kyle go. "Sure thing."

"Showtime," Kyle said.



It was two hours before the time limit. We were dressed as we had been when
we arrived at the Lotto office in Columbia. Kyle shook some hair looser on
my head. Batting his hand away he grinned at me.

"You weren't that neat at 2 am Monday morning," Kyle explained.

I waved him off and dialed the phone.

"Hello?" I heard my ex-wife's voice.

"If you hang up at any time during this conversation, your attempts to get
the house are gone," I said quickly and firmly.

"Eric!?" She asked. "The caller ID said this is from Manhattan."

"That's where I am," I explained. "You may want to sit down." I could hear
her do just that. "I am now a millionaire."

"You lie."

"In a few hours, it will be announced that the Superpowerball winner is
me," I said calmly.

Her breath stopped. Then softly, "You lie."

I looked at Kyle. "I told you she wouldn't believe me."

"And you turned down the camera crew that could be there and we could see
it," Kyle muttered shaking his head at me.

"Susan, you seem to think I operate like you," I said a little angrily
which I stopped immediately and sighed. "I don't lie. And what would that
get me if it weren't true?" Hearing no reply, I went on. "You hurt
me. Really hurt me."

"I never..."

"I loved you. And you leave me for Mark Fritz?"

"I never had an affair." She said softly. "But you and Kyl..."

I was saving my proof in case she tried something stupid, "I saw him
fucking you on the desk!" I said angrily. I heard inhale swiftly. "You lost
the right to ask me about anybody I sleep with and any relationship I have
with Kyle is just your way of deflecting so you can act like the jilted
party! I saw you. Mark does have a nice ass, AND I SAW IT!" I calmed
down. "What's more, since then I have a picture of that nice ass of his
over your naked body, so unless you were taking naked dictation...well, you
weren't playing naked leapfrog. Stop playing it like it was a revenge
thing. I told you, everyone, I've been with, male and female. Now, granted
the photo I have is black and white and kind of grainy, but tell Mark he
can come and pose for me any time." I watched as Karen signaled me. "The
person you presented to me when we met, and the woman I married was fiction
and you did it very well, but that's what it was, fiction. Well, the news
crews will be here, so...turn it to CBS, NBC, ABC or FOX...I sure there
will be others. I gotta go, tune in to see I was telling the truth. Oh, I
did lie about winning millions. Make it a billion. And know this. Mark had
an affair with a married woman. I wouldn't trust him with a bag of
change. He will cheat on you. But you'll probably cheat on him, so I guess
it's even. Quickly, I'm paying off the mortgage and giving you the house
and getting you that Jeep you wanted. Bye!"

"Ready?" Karen asked smiling.

I nodded and she and several of the security escorted me down in the
elevator to a back way to a large conference area.

I sighed, feeling a little better than I had in years, but uncertain about
what was coming. I felt a hand at my back. I turned to Kyle.

"Remember what you said right before I had that interview with Dan Poole."
Kyle told me.

Okay, it was the crude thing guys have no problem doing, but it
works. "Imagine him taking a huge crap?" I laughed. "I remember." Hey, it
makes a person less intimidating if you can imagine them doing something so
basic and human. Better than picturing everyone in their underwear!

A distinguished man in his mid-sixties was addressing the crowd. "As
President of the Multi-national Lottery Association, representing over
thirty-six countries and having over a billion participants we were
presented with three winners." He said with a definite British
accent. "Only one followed the rules and came to receive the reward. Only
one selection of the numbers was allowed, no crimes were committed when
playing and within the seventy-two-hour limit. One in over a billion
players." He turned and looked at me. "It is with great pleasure I present,
the winner of the one-billion-dollar prize. From Charleston, South
Carolina, the Luckiest Man in the World, Eric Mitchell!"

The people gathered were basically all journalists and instead of applause,
cameras flashed and recorded as a lovely woman in her early twenties,
gorgeous, long blonde hair and in an evening gown brought a huge check,
literally bigger than she was, the check read "1 Billion Dollars" and my
name on it. I walked toward her and took the check from her as the cameras
flashed and focused on me. Now came the questions came and they all did
what journalists do, blurted them all at once and very loud. "How do you
feel having won the billion dollars?" "What are you planning to do with the
money?" There were various ways they all asked the same thing, so I held my
hand up to stop them.

"I will answer all your questions by saying this..." I began. I was glad I
took a course in Public Speaking in college. I knew to gather and organize
my thoughts first. No "ums" or "like" or "you know." "I was at home when
the numbers were announced. My head was in complete denial that I had
chosen the correct numbers, but I had. Since then, it's been a whirlwind of
events that the same part of my brain could not accept what was
happening. Imagine that in a crowd of billions, fate or whatever deity
pointed at you. Believing something is one thing, accepting is
another. That has been hard. I wake every morning since believing it was
all a dream, then reality kicks in. Now, what I plan to do with this
money..." I held the check up. "I have no idea! My mind is full of dreams
and possibilities. Plans? None. For the next year, my plans have been laid
out. What was planned before I had even chosen the correct numbers is a
foregone conclusion, only now it is being implemented. I understand there
are people of this world will be following my every move. I can say
this...some of what I do will please you, some things won't. There will be
people that will like me and some who won't. There will even be people that
will hate me because I don't believe things they do, that's why I will be
followed by security. My life has changed and there are people that are
going to be envious and jealous." I looked right in one of the
cameras. "Some people...those who have done things to me that now may be
wishing they had not, but I will be what I am and what I do will be my
choice. Stay watching and you will see what I do." I looked at Kyle who
just shook his head. Not because he didn't agree, but because he knew it
was true. "Now, I've got a party to plan for and a year to go. It'll be a
great time! Enjoy!"



The next day was also a whirlwind. Beginning at nine in the morning with
Mr. Dobbins knocking again.

"There are some representatives from the Powerball to see you and
Ms. Simpson."

"Thanks, Chet." Rising I put some clothes on and went into the living
area. "Good morning Ms. Walker, Ms. Simpson," and I looked to the two men
with them, "and gentlemen I don't know."

Karen smiled. "This Mr. Handley and Mr. Jacobson. They are bankers."

I could have guessed that. They had the look. I shook their hands. "I'd say
nice to meet you, but is it?"

The man, about forty, Mr. Handley smiled. "I would think it would be." He
reached for the briefcase Mr. Jacobson was carrying. Opening it he pulled a
large envelope out. Out came a bank book, an ID, and a card. "This is you
now." He handed me the bankbook. "In here is the whole amount deposited in
your name. One billion dollars." He opened the book and sure enough, one
billion in my name. "This," he handed me the card. It was a VISA. Is a VISA
card that accesses this account. Any purchases you make should be done on
this card, be it a house, car, clothing, dining out...whatever."

"Yes," Karen nodded holding her hand up. "But since this year is going to
be about what you do, choose to get...all travel and stays this year is
going to the Powerball. The only thing, for now, is the gifts you have
bought for others, like Kyle's clothes and the purchases you plan to make
for your ex-wife," She said. "Now, there will be people," she began, "That
will offer you things without having to purchase them to say that you took
them." She explained. "That will be a marketing ploy for them to sell
more. Whether you take them or not is up to you."

Mr. Handley nodded. "Right. And here..." he handed me the ID, "is your new
ID." He handed me a license for New York. "Where ever you decide to live,
you have a year to choose, but for now..." he indicated the apartment,
"this is your new address. For the next year, you are a citizen of
Manhattan."

I giggled. "Wow."

"One final thing," Mr. Jacobson pulled out a tablet. "If you would put your
right hand on the surface of this, please?"

When I did, there was a green light that scanned my hand and I watched as a
light at the top went from red to green.

"And it's all yours," Mr. Jacobson said hitting a button on the
tablet. "Your ID has been confirmed and saved."

Kyle came out of his room. Again yawning but dressed this time. "What's
going on?"

I held up the card and ID. "I just got the billion bucks."

Kyle's grin was instant. "Awesome!" He took the card and ID. "New York?"

I waved at the apartment. "This is my home for now."

"And now that is done, we need to plan for this party." Ms. Simpson said
coming over.



My memories of a story I'd read played in my mind of a Cinderella character
who, after five or six royal balls had gone from grateful to demanding and
expectant...that played in my mind. As Kyle and I sat to decide on the
style of the tuxedos we were to have. I told him.

"And if I become demanding and start losing my gratitude. I trust you to
bring me back in." I said to him quietly.

Kyle grinned. "Trust me. I won't let your head get too big."

Deciding on what my style would be after seeing all the designers
proposals, from Dior, Chanel, Armani, Ellis I chose a style from Armani
that was contemporary but said style. Kyae chose Vera Wang. Now that
included shoes, socks, shirt, and underwear. Then someone came in with
these cases. There were cufflinks, pendants, rings and an assortment of
watches! The diamonds and other stones glittered at me.

"What are you going to do if I get the swelled head?" Kyle chuckled.

Then colognes and then came the models. Yes, live models, all were
gorgeous. Guys came into the room one by one to model everything from
shorts to suits! Some in underwear! I didn't mind that one bit. The models
were beautiful!! I had only seen something like this on TV and in
movies. This went on for hours! Selections were made by both of us and then
it was way past lunchtime. We took a break for the meal and went on. My
empty closet was going to fill up. Shoes and other necessities gotten, and
I finally noticed the camera crew. A crew that was going to document the
whole thing to post on the internet.

Ms. Simpson gave me a tablet with names on it to look over for the
music. "Pick anyone you like."

Some of these groups I knew well, others I had never heard of. "All these
people said they would come for my party? For how much?"

Kyle elbowed me. "What do you care? You've got the money."

Ms. Simpson smiled. "Each of these people asked us to be here because it
would boost their ratings. There's no fee to you."

"To me," I repeated. Looking at the list. "Love them, and her..." I made
five choices. "You think they'll come?"

Ms. Simpson sighed with a laugh, "It still hasn't sunk in has it?"

"What?"

She lowered the tablet. "You were able to do what billions tried to
do. You're charmed. Good luck. You are the world's royalty. Not just one
country, but dozens. Right now, you are the man to be seen by and
with. Everything you choose will be sought after and bought. You will set
fashion, destinations...the whole reason for this is to boost the world's
economy. Everything you eat, every place you eat, the car you choose will
be duplicated around the world!"

My eyes grew.

"Every piece of clothing you've bought will be featured as your choice and
marketed that way." She brought the tablet up, "These names will move
heaven and earth to be here so they can say they were chosen by you, the
Luckiest Man in the World."

"But this is the first night," I gasped. "Nickelback wants to be here? For
me?"

"Mark Anthony will fly in from Europe to be here." Ms. Simpson said
nodding.

"Damn." I muttered.

Kyle took my elbow. "Down boy," He pointed to my head. "You are the It man
for now, but keep it down."

"Now, tomorrow..." Ms. Simpson said as it was concluding for now. "If you
want, I have someone who'll be available to do a complete makeover."

I balked. "What the hell was all this?" I asked about the hours spent.

"That was your wardrobe," She explained. "Tomorrow we can do the
rest. Exfoliate, cut, and tone. Make you into the man you can be."

"That why you were so happy we weren't rednecks?" Kyle asked.

She held her chest in mock, or not so mocked shock. "Perish the thought."
She leveled her eyes with us. "I would work with anything I got, but the
fact that you are young and good looking does no harm. The fact that you
are educated and articulate is a plus, plus. You, Eric, will become the
world's prince charming."

"Damn," Was all I could think of to say.

"Damn indeed." Ms. Simpson agreed. "So that's a yes to the makeover
people?"

I looked at Kyle, who shrugged.

"No shaving anything below the belt," I warned.

Ms. Simpson laughed, "Absolutely not."

"I still say some of these things were made up by women to torture others,"
I said to Kyle, then turned to Ms. Simpson. "What the hell."

"Great," Ms. Simpson nodded. "The party will start gathering at seven, the
festivities will begin at eight, but this should go on for some time. It
will be well into the next day before it ends. So, get some rest. I'll have
the people here at one in the afternoon. Okay?"

And so that part of my new life began. What did I know? My grooming life
consisted of a shave and shower. The occasional haircut, sure, but when we
got up, after lunch they came. Teams of men and women bringing supplies in
crates! My bathroom was decided was to be the place to do it all. And by
it, I mean, we were asked to disrobe and put on these speedo-like briefs,
coated in this goop that smelled kind of nutty, from toe to neck. Then
covered in what looked like tin foil. This other crap was smeared all over
our faces, hands were soaked in this stuff, it was green. Then the nails
were cut and filed, and I don't know what else. My skin was beginning to
feel heavy, my face felt like it was shrinking, which I'm told that was
exactly what it was doing.

"Because you couldn't come to our spa, we brought the mud to you, that's
what we wrapped you in. The facial and mud gets rid of the excess skin and
tightens." The man doing the wrap and procedure said. Frankly, it was clear
he was gay, so why use that gender for us? The near nudity was no problem
for Kyle or me. Oh, sure, modesty is a virtue, but when it was necessary we
were willing to let it go. Who was sexually stimulated by whom never
factored in. "Now, for the hair."

That smelled like mint and my head began to shrink too, or so it seemed.

When it was all done, we were told to shower then we came back, and they
dried and put goop in the hair again. Then we were told we could get
up. Looking at Kyle I gasped.

"What?" Kyle asked, then looked at me. His eyes grew, "One of us has to get
laid looking like this."

I rolled my eyes.



With our clothes finally on, I had to admit it. I looked damned good. My
skin was tight on my face, I was only twenty-seven, but it had firmed up!
The eyebrows were separate but molded. My hair was dry and feathered back
into place when I ran my hand over it. Kyle was right. Someone should be
getting laid. As I put the Rolex on, my hands were clean, and nails were
not only cut but shiny! I was even pleased with my smell! The cologne was a
new one from Giorgio. Then Kyle came in and gave me a wolf whistle. He
looked...hot! That Vera Wang tux looked like it was cut for him. Oh, yeah,
it was cut for him. We both decided on black with the full tie, only mine
was red and his was silvery grey. His hair was naturally curly if not kept,
now was straighter, but wavy.

"Can I rethink that sex offer?" I grinned at him. "You look hot enough."

He grinned. "Oh, so you would have sex me now?"

"Maybe," I admitted. "The women will be drooling over you."

"Over you as well." Kyle chuckled, "And men."

"I'm nearly drooling over you now."

There was a knock. Ned popped his head in, also in a tux. "You two look
terrific."

Kyle jutted his jaw at Ned. "He might be interested."

"Interested in what?" Ned asked.

Kyle, no shame for this guy, grinned. "We were saying how we should be
getting laid looking like this."

"Oh," Ned didn't miss a beat. Shaking his head. "Can't. Married. Besides,
my husband would object and you're both too young."

Kyle was startled, but I just grinned, "Good for you."

"Too young!?" Kyle claimed with a huff. He grabbed my arm. "Come on,
Buddy. We need to let the old fogy do his job. Too young." Kyle mocking
being offended, but a smile to Ned told him it was in jest. Ned chuckled.



The party was warming up and this place, the huge ballroom in the tower was
decked out and filled with people, all dressed and looking their
finest. Balloons fell and lights were searching. My security was all around
me as we headed to the center stage. The President of the Powerball's eyes
grew as we approached.

"Ladies and Gentlemen." He announced. His voice echoing and caused people
to quiet down and look at him. It took a moment more before they were quiet
enough. "A few days ago, we had this." He pointed to large screens
overhead. An image of me in what I had on when I came to Columbia and
Wednesday. "Now, we have this!" Then another live image of myself in the
tux, it was much larger than I really was, but all could see. There was a
surprised "oh" and gasps all over, then a round of applause broke out. No
one likes imagines of themselves or hearing recordings of their own
voice. Most people. I looked at mine but didn't see the big deal. The
Lottery President clapped me on the shoulder as I stepped up to the
stage. "The Luckiest Man in the World, Eric Mitchell!"

Now the applause was thunderous. The impression was as if I had done
something remarkable. I suppose I had, but this much of a reaction? I waved
at the people, but lights on me caused me to not see who was there. When I
came down, suddenly I saw faces I recognized but couldn't believe they were
here for me. There were celebrities of all kinds. Sports, movies, TV,
Broadway, politicians...there were people I didn't know, but they all knew
me. I loved it when Nathan Lane came up and hugged me, freaking Ned out for
security reasons, but I waved him off.

"Are you kidding?" I asked Ned, "I love this guy." I defended and hugged
Nathan. "From your first Burger King commercial to The Bird Cage! This is
Nathan Lane, for god's sake." Ned grinned at me.

Nathan did his best Albert from The Bird Cage. "Stop it." Then he looked at
me. "You saw the Burger King commercial?"

"The waking hungry bear in the woods!? I recorded it," I said truthfully.

There were others that clearly were flirting. The problem was, were they
flirting with me because they liked me, or because I was the celebrity now?
My favorite groups sang, and I got to meet them all. The music was great,
the food was amazing, and I partied like crazy. Tastefully. I danced with
nearly all the women and a few men! Or at least it felt I had. Yes, I
gladly danced with some men. I didn't know what a closet was for except to
put clothes in. I was startled when my favorite SVU detective came up.

"Care to dance?" He asked.

I don't care, Christopher Melonie was gorgeous! In a tux and I felt my
heart flutter. Yet I knew he wasn't gay. He was gay-friendly though. Who
cares!?

"Try and stop me." I grinned. I was having to remind myself over and over
to picture them crapping, it was the only way to keep them human. Then the
music changed, and it was a slow dance. "Do you want to lead?" I asked.

Christopher laughed at me and held his arms out to lead. "It's how I know
to dance. I might step on toes if I don't."

I nodded. "You got it."

Now I could dance, but this man haunted my dreams for a while. I viewed his
images on the internet often when he did nude scenes, which he had no
problem doing.

"Feel any different?" Christopher asked.

I nodded. "It's taking a while, but mostly I feel overwhelmed. I still have
a problem accepting you are all here because of me."

His smile was infectious. "You did an amazing thing. And you were rewarded
for it. People are looking for a little of that good fortune to rub off."

"Including you?"

He shrugged with a grin. "Good luck never will be dismissed."

There were many, many others until a tap on my shoulder made me turn. Kyle
was grinning at me.

"You've danced with everyone else," He held his arms out. "Why not me?"

"Because you didn't ask."

As we danced, I saw the look on his face as he looked at me, but it was
suddenly serious. "Kyle?"

He was chuckling, but there was little humor in it. "I need to tell you
something."

"Okay."

"I was going to wait until this was over, but..."

"Kyle."

He looked at me. "This is your life, Eric. I am just here to keep you
company." Then he rushed on. "I called Dan Poole today. He reminded me of a
case I've been working on and well...I miss my life." He stopped. "Don't
get me wrong, I've loved all this, but...I will need to go back."

I sighed nodding. "I knew you would."

"This has been great, and I intend to go with you to Vegas, but after
that...I need to go back."

Putting my forehead against his. "I understand, but I can't send you home
alone. I will arrange something with Ned..."

"There's no need..." He interrupted.

"You want me to accept you going home, this is how it's gonna happen. You
can go, but I'll speak with Ned to find a way to help keep you safe. That's
it."

Kyle's eyes grew, then a smirky grin spread, "Boy, give a guy a little
power. What about Susan?"

I shrugged. "Susan made her own bed. Besides, if anyone did just a little
research. Susan and I were married about a year after six months of
dating. You and I have a friendship that spans two decades. Who would you
go after to hold for ransom? The cheating wife of a year and a half or the
best friend of twenty years?"

"Okay, boss," Kyle did that voice impersonation I loved from Looney
Toons. "I love you, Eric."

"I love you, too."



I finally made it to bed about six thirty in the morning, the sun was an
orange glow on the horizon and the streetlights were dimming. It was
Saturday morning. When I woke, it was three in the afternoon. The rest of
the day was spent doing whatever we wanted. We watched the footage of the
party. Including one great commercial for Rolex. It was a great shot of me
moving around with some famous people. The one with Cote de Pablo was one
of the best. Ziva, NCIS? Remember her, that woman could almost convert me
back to having sex with a woman. Almost. Any gorgeous woman that could kick
any man's ass had my vote. Then there was the shot of an arm with the Rolex
I had chosen. Only it wasn't really my arm, but you couldn't tell that. The
commercial said the watch gave the wearer instant style and
sophistication. I was the proof! Right.

"Damn, you look good with Ziva," Kyle commented.

"Cota just looks good." I nodded, "Then again she's not my only favorite
from NCIS. I've been in love with Michael Weatherly, too when I saw him on
the rerun of Charmed."

"DeNozzo?" Kyle balked. "How could you choose Tony over Ziva!?"

I shook my head. "Who said I was choosing? Why does it have to be one over
the other?"

"That's so gay." Kyle groaned.

I grinned at him. "Yes, it is."

There was a knock on the suite's door and a head peeked in.

"You're up," Ned observed coming in. "Everyone decent?"

"Not particularly. Are you?" Kyle asked.

Ned shook his head. "Not a bit." He entered and came down the
stairs. "Dobbins said you wanted to see me?"

I rose. "I did. Do you have a recommendation for a security firm to keep
Kyle safe in Charleston?" I asked.

"Eric," Kyle started to object again.

"I do." Ned nodded. When I motioned him to sit with us he nodded and sat,
"I know a very good one. Marcus Delray. Ten years a Navy Seal served
overseas for three tours. Then Secret Service for ten more before opening
his own firm."

I nodded. "And he's good."

"Very."

Kyle's eyes narrowed, "And you trust him?"

Ned grinned at me, then Kyle. "Enough to have married him."

Kyle groaned again throwing his hands up, "Fags everywhere!"

I touched Ned's arm. "Don't worry. He just gets this way every now and
then. He'll be back to his normal annoying self soon."

Ned let out a light chuckle.



We were flying to Las Vegas Monday, and most of our new clothes had arrived
and that was being packed. Karen Walker came to supervise and discuss
arrangements.

"So, we arrive in Las Vegas Monday night. We need to decide where you want
to go there. The party will again be Friday night," She said.

"After that where am I to be?" I asked.

"Tokyo." She replied, "But you have two weeks before we arrive there. Is
there somewhere you want to be?"

I looked at Kyle, then back to Karen. "He should go home. After Vegas, I
want to take him home." I smiled feeling a little sad saying that. "He has
a life and a career there. He needs to go back."

"Awe!" She really said that! "But you two are so close and funny to be
around."

I nodded. "We love to have fun, but..."

"It was a shame we didn't get some of that, it would have gone over well on
the media coverage." Then she nodded. "Of course, he needs to do what he
needs to do."

"And I need to get some things. Pictures of my mother and father I have and
some other things."

She nodded. "Of course. We'll schedule that before we head to Tokyo."

That done, we went on packing. Or should I say they did. I still couldn't
get used to that. I had a staff!? A staff!



It was in the quiet that evening Kyle began.

"You know..." he began. "This is going to be the first time we've been
apart for this long."

I raised an eyebrow. "We lived in separate homes for years."

He nodded, conceding my point. "Just down the street from each other. My
point is...we'll be apart for months and only speaking through media."

He was right. From the moment we met, we were never more than a few miles
apart. And never more than two weeks. Hell, most vacations took by either
family included the other family or each other if nothing else. I felt that
anxious feeling surface. "Don't remind me."

"Well, not to toot my own horn, but...what'll you do without me?" Kyle
grinned.

I shook my head. "Toot, toot." I said quietly. Sighing I had to voice my
concerns. "Most of the excitement this week has been because I shared it
with you. Buying you new clothes...the party. Doing it alone will
be...difficult."

Kyle gave me an embarrassed look, then pressed on. "You don't have to be
alone." He said softly.

"Meaning?"

"You are a billionaire. You could...hire a friend."

I looked at him surprised. "A prostitute!?"

Kyle winced. "Well...yes, but it doesn't have to be that way. I mean, you
have the money to hire someone whose job will be to make you laugh, be
concerned about you and...yes, other things would be between the two of
you."

I rolled my eyes. "Just say it. Sex."

"Okay," Kyle said with protest. "Yes, including having sex with
you. Imagine, being able to choose the person you have hanging around." He
pressed on. "This person won't suffer, in fact, she or he will be
handsomely rewarded. You could have the right look, right personality and
if they fail to please you, fire them."

"That's prostitution!"

"So?" Kyle cried out. "It's the reason they call it the oldest
profession. It's been around since humans emerged. People offering sexual
gratification in exchange for food, shelter or money!" He looked at
me. "We've had this discussion before. A beautiful woman in need exchanges
what she can to feed herself or others, be it sex or companionship. Is
there anything wrong with it?"

"Plenty."

"Because you're only thinking of the nastiness associated with
streetwalkers." Kyle urged me to see his point. "You're seeing the drug
use, girls and boys being exploited by pimps and men who abuse them. Sick
minds that only want what they want. I'm talking about a fair exchange
between two people who need something the other can give."

I was beginning to cave, and he knew that. "I don't know."

"Just think about it." Kyle urged. "Now about the house and car for Susan."

I was still thinking about what Kyle had proposed, so I was surprised at
his change of topics. "What about it?"

"Do I do that, or will you have Karen and her minions do it?"

I sighed. "Let Karen do it. It'll be better if people handle this who don't
know her but have been warned about her."

"Fine." He nodded. "Now about your house...."

"I don't have one."

Kyle pinched me on the arm.

"Ow!"

"The one you'll no doubt buy, stupid."

I shook my head. "I don't know. Why?"

"Do you want to return to Charleston?"

I shrugged. "It is my home."

"Aunt Pearl."

Suddenly I remembered that older woman, in that big house...what had been
an old Southern Plantation, all alone and the place falling apart and there
was nothing she could do about it. "Aunt Pearl?"

She was neither of our aunts. She was a friend of my late mother and
grandmother and seemed a little spooky at first.

"She'd never sell Bonnie Glenn," I stated flatly.

"She might...to you." Kyle prompted. "Who does she have to give it to? Her
husband died long before we came along, she has no children, everyone else
is dead."

It was an intriguing thought. "I haven't seen her in five years." I looked
at him. "She'd be...what...eighty now?"

Kyle nodded. "More or less, but still alive as far as I know."

The old plantation would need work. A lot of work, but I had the
money. "When you return, find out."

He gave me a sloppy salute. "Aye, aye."

I chuckled and gave him a slight shove, "Stop that."



The next day we were off again. This time to Las Vegas. It was left to me
to decide where we went during the week and where I went had to be
planned. I researched and looked for places and things I would do and
see. I couldn't just...show up. When we landed, I was escorted to a
motorcade. Me, in a motorcade! A stretch limousine with an Escalade before
and after the limo and a pair of motorcycle cops before them and after. We
drove along until we arrived at Creaser's Palace. The manqué read
"Welcome to Eric Mitchell: The Luckiest Man in the World." A huge image of
me in the tux from last Friday grinned down at everyone. Yep, it was
starting to sink in at last in my mind.

As much time Kyle and I have spent together. He always reads me well.

"Down boy," Kyle grinned. He pointed at my head. "You've got a little
swelling going on there."

I laughed at him. "What am I going to do when you're not here?"

"Pop I guess." Kyle shrugged. "I'll be around, you can call me. I'll keep
you in check."

"I was really thinking that I need to thank whoever made this possible," I
said. "Just be grateful."

Kyle nodded. "Grateful is good."

When we pulled up, there was the crowd and camera crews. Police were
pulling people back as were other security personnel. We got out to cheers
as we walked up.

And then there was this woman, in her mid-forties, but her look was sort of
severe. No makeup, hair pulled back from her face in a very unattractive
look and the dress she had on was plain and not attractive. Really, she
wasn't attractive at all. She sneered and spit in my direction. My security
rushed over and pulled her aside, but I held my hand up.

"Apparently I have done something you don't approve of," I said to her. "I
don't know you, so do you mind telling me what that offense was."

"You are going to hell." She spat.

"Why?"

"You now have all this money and proudly going about enjoying parties."

I nodded. "I just got the money, and this is all part of the Powerball's
purpose for doing it, so I'm going to the party. What did I do to make you
hate enough to spit at me?" I pointed at the camera crew. "You have the
whole world watching, so go ahead."

"You could be feeding the poor." She defended.

I nodded. "Who said I won't? As I said, the money was given less than a
week ago and still intact. You're claiming I haven't done something I
haven't had time to do."

"You were dancing with men." She spat again.

I laughed. "And there we have it. I was dancing with men."

"You'll burn in hell."

"Tell me..." I began. "What is your denomination?"

"I belong to an interfaith church."

I laughed. "Bull, your interfaith is only interfaith with those that
believe what you do." Shaking my head. "Clearly you don't know anything but
judgment and hate. Your face tells me you don't believe in pleasure of any
kind. The fact that you don't like that I won money tells me you spit on
God."

"I spit on you!"

"Because I haven't spent the money on what you approve of?" I asked. "You
did spit on God. He gave me the money, not you. Take pride in yourself."

"I believe..."

"Who cares what YOU believe!?" I demanded. "What you believe, or think is
irrelevant! What do you know? What is the evidence? Arm yourself with
knowledge before you attack someone you don't know...because I danced with
a few men!? I danced with a number of beautiful women I never would have
met before. You are demented! The rational world has just seen that." I
said and walked into the hotel and the woman was being carted away by
security and the police as she continued to rant.

Kyle raced to catch up with me catching my arm. "Are you okay?"

"That is why you need protection," I stated. "People like her are going to
pop up wherever we go."

Ned was right there. "I am so sorry. She should never have gotten that
close to you." He was really stressing over the incident.

"Oh?" I asked. "You were responsible for her hate?"

Ned frowned. "I should have checked more thoroughly."

I stopped and touched Ned on the chest, stopping him. "Stop it, Ned. You
are not responsible for her or her actions. You do a great job. Don't think
otherwise."

"You should have ignored her," Kyle said.

I nodded. "I've just never dealt with hatred like that. Unfounded and not
necessary." I patted Ned on the arm. "Next time, I'll let you handle it."

Ned grinned and nodded. "That would be wise."

A man hurried to us, well dressed in his thirties, suit, hair perfectly
combed. His tag on his lapel said he was he manager. He wasn't bad looking,
black hair, blue eyes, and pale skin. The one word that came to mind was
"crisp." His grey suit was pressed, red tie and lapel pocket had a red
handkerchief, all crisp without wrinkles. Ned stepped up to halt the
approaching man being followed by two women, equally impeccably dressed.

"Welcome to Caesar's Palace, Mr. Mitchell." The man greeted. "I'm Carl
Mattingly, Hotel Manager." He said with an eloquent British accent.

I put my hand out.

Kyle nodded catching on to what I had. "That explains it. British." I
chuckled as Mr. Mattingly's eyebrow on one side rose.

"You'll have to excuse my best friend here, Mr. Mattingly. He doesn't get
out much." I explained.

"I meant nothing other than, the accent explains the..." he waved at
Mr. Mattingly's suit, "pressed look. Being British."

I leaned forward as if to give exclusive information to Mr. Mattingly. "He
is impressed with your crisp suit. Very clean and looks very nice."

That brought what I imagined to be one of the few genuine smiles to his
face. "One should try to be neat." Then nodded to Kyle. "Thank you."

I almost forgot myself when I noticed the younger of two women behind Carl
repress a smile at the whole exchange.

"Oh, this is my best friend of twenty years Kyle Walters and my big shadow
in charge security Ned Turner."

Kyle and Ned shook the man's hand, but Kyle pressed on. "No...I mean yes,
but...have you sat down today?" He pointed to the man. "No wrinkles at
all. Do you ever relax?"

I rolled my eyes. "Kyle..."

"I am impressed," Kyle defended, "But he looks like he never sits down and
I bet when he takes the suit off, there's another underneath it if he
does." His face said he really was amazed.

I took his arm. "Good impressions? We want to make those." I
whispered. "This gentleman looks fine. Quit commenting."

"Sorry." Kyle apologized but grinned when he saw the blonde woman behind
Carl giggle but stifled it before she was caught. He leaned toward me
whispering. "I was just so stunned I couldn't help it."

Carl looked not quite okay with it but was pleasant. "We have the best
suite for you. If you'll follow me."

What can I say? It was a very nice suite. Plush and had everything.

"If there is anything we can provide...preferred beverages, special
needs..." Carl asked.

I shook my head, then thought. "Well...do you have Cherry Dr. Pepper?"

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Naturally."

I glanced at Kyle. "It's good. You know it's my favorite."



Plans for the upcoming party were progressing nicely. There were openings I
was to go to, people that I would meet. I was shopped out, but we did it
anyway.

One night as we cruised through town, it was after eleven and the streets
were busy. New York City was never asleep, neither was Las Vegas. I sifted
through places to go and things to do on a tablet I was given to do just
that.

"What are you doing?" Kyle asked.

I smiled only looking up at Kyle an instant and went back to my
search. "Looking for something...not scheduled."

Ned shook his head. "You're the boss."

I located a night club. In Vegas? Not surprising there. This one catered to
all people. So that's what I chose.

Kyle looked as we arrived. "A gay club!? What am I supposed to do?"

"It's a gay-friendly club. They allow straights in," I corrected. "I'm sure
there will be women there. Women who like men, that is." I gave the eyebrow
wiggle. "I know there are just plenty of women who would love the idea of
converting a wayward gay man."

Kyle thought a second, then smiled. "Okay. I'm game."