In the Marjorie era of the program, the slot began with an opening round in which players spun the wheel and solved one puzzle, followed by three speed rounds, sans wheel, in which the winner was the first to buzz in with the solution. The three contestants then played four spin rounds, after which the winner played a bonus round, alone, in which the wheel featured gift prizes such as appliances, home computers, an outdoor set. On the first spin (category: Musicians) Stan hit Lose a Turn and the audience, as one, sighed for him. The third contestant, Joan, a pharmacist from Geelong, bought a vowel and guessed an answer (Cocteau Twins) that was several letters short. Stan couldn’t help but smile and bounce on his heels a little.

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Lucky spun the wheel for $100, the lowest possible amount, and correctly guessed Thelonious Monk. The board flashed; the winning-answer sound effect blared like bells tossed in an electric net. Marjorie held up her hands as if to say, Never heard of this Monk guy? Me either. Moving right along. Then Lucky won every puzzle in the three speed rounds (formerly called Toss Up rounds, but Marjorie hated that phrase). This unusual feat—controlling all speed rounds—had occurred only five times in Australian Wheel history, said Marjorie, relaying information from her earpiece, but, unfortunately for Lucky, on none of those occasions did the player go on to win the game and play a bonus round. Maybe, she said, things would be different today?

Gameshow staff brought drinks for the contestants as Marjorie announced a commercial break. Lucky waved away all refreshment, checked the buttons on his shirt, touched the space where his tie had been knotted, and he gave a thumbs-up to Dan, who waved back.

By the final round, Marjorie looked clearly thrilled that Lucky was crushing his opponents. When he finally had a spin, young Stan rolled Bankrupt and said sorry to no one in particular. The pharmacist from Geelong stared at the wheel with what appeared to be impatience. Lucky finished his first episode with the winning total sum of $6700, and from the bonus round, the final puzzle, he collected a Never Out Of Bed linen set.

‘Now, Lucky,’ said Marjorie, ‘where have you been all my life? You were born to play this game.’

‘I’ve been a pensioner most of your life,’ said Lucky.

‘Lucky is a perfect name for a gameshow contestant! Could you tell us how you got that nickname?’

‘I joined a band when I was eighteen, but some of the guys didn’t think I was good enough to play with them. They said I was lucky to be in the band. There you go. It’s a cruel nickname.’

‘Love it. And it stuck. Say, you’re not the same Lucky as the fella who owned those restaurants, are you?’

‘That’s me.’

‘No way!’

The red applause light blinked and the audience applauded with extra enthusiasm.