Not sure if this story will be any good once it's finished but, at the least, it's been fun to conjure up.
The next morning the front page of a local paper read:
''Local Geriatric Wins Big.''
When disaffected recluse, Marvin Stranton, won $12 million in the state lotto, locals who knew him could only shake with furious disbelief. ''Dat' sonafabetch' nefa' dun' nuttin' fer' no one, he ain't deserve dah' right [sic]'' said one local Jamaican restauranter as she angrily waved a ladle.
When ask to comment, Mr. Stranton flashed his teeth, snarled and shattered a half empty bottle of Everclear on the ground before himself. Looking pleased by the crunch of glass underfoot, he swaggered off muttering something about, ''hussies.'' and ''Hot Pocket sandwiches.''
As one who has spent the last 35 years living the meager lifestyle afforded by a sole income of social security checks, it is hard to speculate where Mr. Stranton will go from here.
''Maybe he'll pay his rent on time,'' said Mark Hampton, Stranton's land lord, mid-guffaw, when he was asked what might be done with the money. ''That is if the old goat has a dime left by the week's end.'' Later, Mark called to inform us that Marvin had inquired about purchasing the property so that he may, ''send that shit hole to hell.'' See SPLURGE, page B3
Three days later, another article referencing Mr. Stranton appeared in the paper:
Marvin Christian Stranton, 98, of Morgan IL, born January 12, 1895, departed this life on March 4, 1993, surrounded by 12 loving, burlesque whores, in room 52, of the Super 8 in Jacksonville. Visitation is Wednesday, March 10, 1993 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the MacMurray Chapel, 447 East College Avenue Jacksonville. Internment will follow on site immediately afterward. Marvin is survived and mourned by no one. The sole benefactor of his $12 million estate will be chosen at 3 a.m on Thursday, March, 11, 1993, as per Mr. Stranton's wishes, at his former residence of, 15 ½ Merritt Rd.
The last time Marvin Stranton's name was ever seen in print came on the day before the reading of his will. For the sake of brevity I'll provide only a couple exerts.
''Who Will be the Heir to $12 Million Fortune?''
''...promises to be a gala event. Rumors and speculation of whom the eligible benefactors are and how they will be chosen have spread like fire in a drought.''
''...in spite of much badgering, Ronald Tomsfield, the late Marvin's lawyer divulged nothing save for, 'It will be interesting. Be there and see for yourselves.'''
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