[ WP ] The lottery is an Institution designed to catch Time Travelers .

`` Hey Eddy what's new?'' I ask from behind the counter. 
 
 As he throws a bag of chips and a pop on the counter he half shrugs, `` Ehh, not much. Work and all that jazz.'' 
 
 *Beep* The machine fills the momentary silence. 
 
 `` Just the snacks today then?'' 
 
 *Beep* 
 
 `` Actually...'' He looks nervous glancing down at his feet a few times. 
 
 I've known Eddy for years, he's always been a great customer and I've never seen him look like this. *My god... is he going to rob me?! * `` Eddy what is it? If there's something wrong you know I'd help.'' 
 
 `` What?'' He looks back up to my face. He looks really confused. `` No, I just... I wan na buy a lotto ticket but I feel like I should n't'' 
 
 I burst out in a deep laugh `` Is that what you're so stressed about? My friend, the Jackpot is 213 million dollars. I think putting in a buck is n't gon na break the bank.'' I chuckle as I walk to the lotto machine. `` Do you want an easy pick or do you wan na pick'em yourself?'' 
 
 `` 15-8-57-22-30-11'' he says almost robotic, faster than I can punch in the number. 
 
 I laugh again at the oddness, `` That was a little fast. Mind giving them to me again?'' 
 
 `` Fifteen, eight, fifty seven, twenty two, thirty, eleven.'' Every word slow and deliberate. 
 
 I raise my eyebrow inquisitively at him as the paper slip prints. When it's done I pick it up and take it back to the register and scan it. 
 
 *Beep* 
 
 `` That's $ 4.70 to you Eddy.'' He pulls a five out of his pocket and hands it to me and he takes his goodies. Before I can even start punching in the cash he starts walking off. `` Eddy do n't you want the 30 cents?'' 
 
 `` Keep it.'' He says just as he's about to reach the door. Then it was if time slowed. He opened then door and took his first step outside. 
 
 `` GET HIM!!'' I heard someone shout outside. Suddenly Eddy is on the ground and someone that looks to be from the FBI has jumped onto his back from the roof. 
 
 `` What the hell?!'' I say without thinking, running to the door but stopping before going outside. Five other men quickly run up from seemingly nowhere falling to their knees to help control Eddy. 
 
 `` NO! NO! It's legitimate! I do n't even know what the winning numbers will be! It was a guess I swear! You ca n't do this!'' 
 
 `` You know damn well you have violated Time Code PDX15. Time Travel can not be used for personal gain.'' 
 
 `` It was hundreds of years ago, those kind of records do n't even exist. How would I know what the next winning numbers will be? You have to let me go.'' After struggling with him for a few moments the men finally got Eddy into cuffs and stand him up. One of the smaller guys starts patting him down until he gets to his pocket and stops. Reaching in he pulls out a silver... pocket watch? 
 
 `` Oh and how do you explain this?'' The smaller man asks with attitude. 
 
 `` That's... not mine? It's a friends! Yea, that's it! I found it at a-a-a-a friends and he said I could have it. Is it illegal to own a pocket watch?'' I've never heard a man talk so fast. 
 
 `` No, and even a brand new *Ages Watch 4* is n't illegal to own, but I'd be willing to *bet* if we did a count down on this particular watch we'd find quite a bit of unauthorized time skipping.'' The other men laugh at some joke I seem to have missed. `` Let's get back to our own period guys.'' As they start pulling out their own pocket watches I finally open the door and speak up. 
 
 `` Excuse me? What is he in trouble for?'' They all look at me dumbstruck, then quickly exchange glances amongst themselves. 
 
 `` Do n't worry about it sir.'' The shorter man says to me with a smile. They all turn the crown on their pocket watches and disappear without a sound. I stand there blinking for a few moments trying to figure out what happen. At some point I mindlessly I drift to the register. I loose track of how long I stand there trying to make sense of it all. Pocket watches? Somehow, I find myself looking at the lotto machine. 
 
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 *reprint last ticket* 
 
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 *Beep* 
 
 

