Along with Marjorie, the audience made an awwww sound.

Marjorie said: ‘Of course I remember the Third of April. A tragedy for our city. All right. Spin the Wheel of Fortune, sir. We’re all hoping you come good here.’

The category was What Are You Doing. He guessed ‘N’ and ‘G’ and ‘T’. He bought ‘A’.

G_TT_NG ______ ____ ___

A _____N TA____G_T

The English tourist started to look around with excitement, like she knew the answer. Lucky shook his head, like there was a mistake on the board. Marjorie’s head pulled slightly to the right: she did this, Lucky thought, whenever someone was relaying lengthy instructions through her earpiece. The instructions, presumably, were to give the contestant some time to find the solution.

‘Think, Lucky. The category is What Are You Doing. Have you ever done this? Or, has this ever happened to you, all of sudden? If you win today, you know what tomorrow is. But no pressure, right?’

‘I know the first word,’ Lucky said, and he spun the wheel once more, landing on Lose a Turn. Marjorie threw up her hands as if to say, I did what I could, and she told viewers she’d like to come back and ask Lucky on-air about the tremendous life experiences he must have had, but this was a gameshow and what can you do? The bank clerk was next. He rolled Bankrupt on his second spin. The tourist took her chances and kept spinning until the board was near complete, except vowels and a couple of consonants.

‘Someone knows the answer,’ said Marjorie.

‘I’d like a Fortune Day of my own,’ said the tourist.

‘And what would you do with the money?’

‘I’d keep travelling!’

Marjorie looked unimpressed by this answer. The tourist spun until there were only vowels left.

‘You have to solve now,’ said Marjorie, barely suppressing her delight, and the tourist solved. The answer was Getting pulled over for a broken taillight. Her total score: $12,600. Lucky’s score: $12,800.

‘Lucky, my good friend,’ said Marjorie, ‘we have to play a bonus round for gift prizes from our sponsors, but I can confirm you’re coming back for the Day of Fortune!’

Dan leaped from his chair, applauding with the rest of his aisle. In a few minutes the crew would finish taping for the day, the audience would be given gift bags. Tomorrow, Wednesday, was Day of Fortune. Lucky held up his arms, his eyes closed, and to himself he said a few words the boom could not pick up. Cue swing music.

Chapter 22: 1992

1992

1.