Lilian Roud Written age 14
Tom One dollar 30 cents. That's all he had. - I'd like to buy a roll and a packet of juice. Here you are. Five cents was the last of his money. Near the cashier there was a rack with lottery tickets. - How much is the ticket? - 10 cents. - Pity, I've only got 5... - Wait. I have only one ticket left, a draw will start in 15 minutes. Okay, you can have it for 5 cents. The first kind person I have met in this quarter, thought Tom. He went to the table next to the TV. A program about animals was on. It's as if I'm at home, he thought. Tom remembered his cosy house which he left in search of fame three years ago. He left with a band as a guitarist. He was a self-educated person but played perfectly well. In the first few months everything went well, but then the producer of the group disappeared, and left them with huge debts. Tom borrowed the money from his parents, but told them this would be an investment in his business. And now, more than two years have passed. Penniless and homeless, he is trying to survive in New York. How can he return to parents without money, and admit his mistake? This seems impossible! - Young man, are you all right? Tom heard a voice through his slumber. He was carried away by memories and almost fell asleep. On the table still was a glass of juice, but the roll had disappeared. 'As usual' flashed through his mind. Pressed by the glass, lay a lottery ticket. 'Why did I buy it? Anyway, I have no luck. But the life of a lucky winner today will change.' He began to examine the lottery ticket. 'Ten million dollars. I'd had enough of this money to pay back my parents, and to revive the group and to move to Amsterdam, the city of my dreams. I wonder if this happened with me, what life would I have?' And he smiled to himself, for the first time, perhaps during these two years! 'Do not switch, because today it will be a grand draw. A lucky winner gets 10 million dollars. Oh I'd like to be him. And you?' He watched a cheerful TV man in a bright red tie with a glued on smile. Our hero was looking at the TV screen. Around him were five people in the hope that they will grab their lucky moment... 'Now attention, I'm announcing the prize number. Our hero today has got the ticket 13157485.' After a second-long silence angry cries and sighs were heard from everywhere. And the old woman who awakened Tom very sadly sighed and rose from the table... her ticket didn't have the lucky number, no! Tom finished his juice and remembered about his ticket. 'It's interesting, but what is my number? How close was I?' '13157485,' he read aloud. 'And what was the winning combination?' Silence. he looked around. All regulars, motionless, were staring at him. - What's wrong? - Look, it's hard to believe but you have won! Three years later Tom's mother was sitting in an armchair and reading a newspaper. They have written about her son, Tom Yost. Tom Yost - the international star comes to our town! If you are lucky, you can buy the tickets at the central concert hall. These ads were all over New York. Yes, you are not mistaken. Tom Yost - the same guy from the cafe Brainin Street, the one who never had any luck. Previously had had no luck. I hope you all remember the story of his early success, so there is no point in repeating it. On October 16, the eve of the most ambitious concert, we decided to talk to him and his girlfriend. And here are the most important details of our conversation: - Well, what are your hunches about 'this amazing concert' as it is called? - You know, I'm a little bit scared. I don't want to seem a coward, but... - Are you kidding? You - the idol for 99% of the population of Earth! If you are a coward then what should others do? - Thank you, of course, but I have lived here, most recently as an ordinary guy and communicated with ordinary people. It can look strange, but to fail in front of them would be most disgraceful for me. - What about Gracie? Will she watch you from the VIP area? Or from behind the stage? - Well, actually we offered her a separate area on the dance floor, and she feels almost like an ordinary fan, except that she will be guarded by two of my best bodyguards. See other details in the interview on our website www.latestnews.com Our film crew was invited to the concert. And we, of course, know everything that happened there: At 7pm the concert started. Tom was irresistible! He was singing as never before. he threw roses from the stage and airplanes with autographs and thanked his fans. Now this sounds crazy, but who could expect it then? Okay, first things first. Gracie was also gorgeous. She was standing right at the stage, but was separated from the public by the fencing. At first, she was even asked for autographs. In general, everything was going well. The culmination was to be a descent of Thomas down to Grace and they were to sing together the last song about love. Five minutes remained left before the end of the concert... Then it happened. Fans were mad with happiness, they were struggling for an autograph from their idol. They broke into the closed zone. Everything happened so fast... the tragedy... Security ran to save Thomas. And Grace, poor Grace - she was just left to stand and watch as the wild crowd was rushing on her... 'We express our condolences to the relatives of Grace Franz, and, of course, to the man whom no one has been seen for two days!' And he was wandering alone in the street. The rain had drenched him to the skin, but he did not notice. Only one thought was spinning in his head: 'Why did I buy that lottery ticket? I knew that I was unlucky. Why?' 'Young man, are you all right?' - was heard from somewhere behind. 'I must have heard this before...' He looked left and saw a woman in a thin jacket, looking as wet from rain as he was. She had shabby sandals on and was carrying a worn bag. He looked at her and tried to think: 'Oh yes, is this a woman from the café - Young man, do you really have that lucky lottery ticket? I have always wanted to congratulate you! - You are mistaken. - Sorry? - I am the most unfortunate man in the world, I wish I had not won then! Suddenly everything disappeared and someone had pushed him in the shoulder. He opened his eyes. he was sitting in the same caféand beside him the same woman was standing. - Young man, you will miss the lottery draw! - What? Hasn't it started yet? - No. - Then I give you this ticket. By the way, good luck! '131574...' the presenter began, but Tom had already run out of the cafe - Look out! He looked around and noticed that he knocked down a girl. But she was not just any girl. - Grace?! - How do you know my name? - Now, everything will be different, Grace. - But... - No 'buts'! Now we will definitely be happy!
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