TRUE STORY

When I woke up this morning at 7:30, my husband had already left for the golf course. I thought I’d try to go back to sleep which I did until 10:15 am. I was so disappointed when I woke up because I was having a wonderful dream.

My dream: My husband and I had gone to the Hard Rock Casino and I put a quarter in the poker machine. All these bells go off and I realize I have hit a jackpot. We pick up a basket next to the machine to put all the chips in and they bring us a pallet holding one million dollars in cash which we have to take to the office. We turn over all the money and chips to be counted. I explain to my husband who never goes with me to the casino that we will have to pay the tax immediately and will probably get a large check for the rest. We are escorted to a back room and left there waiting for the outcome. I tell him I figure there is at least $20,000 or more in chips as well as the million in dollars.

We keep awaiting the outcome and are introduced to the head person doing the counting but she has other duties to perform before we are able to leave. As we’re sitting there, we think of calling the kids, but it’s better to wait until we know the final amount and will do so when we get home. I thought what I would do with all that money. Here was my plan: $10,000 to each of the five, which would be tax free. For ourselves, I would do things to the kitchen and buy a new car. The rest would be put aside.

Before the final tally, I awoke extremely disappointed,  then it dawned on me that what I had planned in my dream is exactly what I’ve always thought I’d do if I actually did win the lottery.

(For those who don’t know, I go with a group every other month to the casino by bus. We pay $15.00 for the bus ride and receive in $25.00 in free play coupons and $5.00 towards food. All in all a good deal and I sometimes win a few dollars. Last month I lost $10.00. All slot machines are now automated and no chips are used, so my dream is not what would have happened if had come true. I now know how I’d feel if I ever did win the casino jackpot or the lottery.)