A month ago, Lucky Mallios, running late, suppressing nerves, auditioned for Wheel of Fortune. He’d stood in the network’s foyer, where he watched people in summer clothes leave the building for the fiery day. Technicians carried broadcast lights inside, their T-shirts mashed with sweat. The air that circulated through the building was cool and perfumed, velvety and sweet. Lucky closed his eyes, diverting himself from perceptions: the air passed rapidly through his lungs; it metabolised in his brain. Then came a Wheel of Fortune production assistant with a handshake, a name tag for Lucky. They moved to a large conference room thick with auditioning contestants, all seated. A producer glared at Lucky before starting a rollcall. The candidates were advised to act naturally but pretend the cameras were on them. This was basically a memory game, said Dan the producer. Who here has a long memory?

In groups of three, auditioning contestants came to the front of the room, taking turns to spin a raffle wheel and solve a mock Wheel of Fortune puzzle projected onto a whiteboard. Producers and other show staff sat in the front row. Gameshow workers judged your personality, your story, they discussed whether you were interesting. You were at the mercy of their sympathies. Lucky was among the second group called to the floor.

Before he could spin the wheel, Dan asked: ‘What do you do for a crust?’

‘I’m retired at this time.’

‘What did you do before retirement?’

‘I founded the Lucky’s restaurant franchise.’

‘You’re the Lucky?’ said Dan. ‘I used to love those places when I was a kid. What will you do with money from Wheel of Fortune?’

‘I plan to start a new restaurant,’ said Lucky. ‘Truth is, I’m busted.’

‘Perfect! That means there’s a lot riding on this. Are you prepared to talk on TV about the Third of April?’

‘If it’s not sensationalised.’

‘Ladies and gentlemen, that is how you successfully audition for a gameshow.’

3.

From Marrickville Road he hailed a taxi to the casino and thought he could literally do this forever, hopping from place to place amid the traffic of the world, laying bets. Once, on runs like these, it was customary for Lucky to play roulette when he entered, to first put down a decent sum on black. And today black came up. ‘What’re you gonna buy with that?’ a man at the table asked Lucky. He said: ‘I’ll put it towards a new restaurant. I’m going to start again.’ The croupier said: ‘Good for you, champ! Let me know when you start taking reservations.’