The Lottery Machine

 

Anxious citizens all across America sat glued to their television sets,waiting with baited breath for President Hamilton's address. Marshall and Donna sat in the living room of their one bedroom apartment on opposite ends of their old beat up couch . Donna channel surfed, barely trying to conceal her extremely obvious attitude while Marshall contently awaited The President's address via live feed on his phone. He already knew not to ask Donna to cough up the remote. Hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman scorned. He thought it would be better not to poke the bear. After all, she had long given up on the idea of an American dream. She figured that if history was any indication , the color of her skin would always make her an afterthought to good old Uncle Sam. That’s why Marshall fell in love with her. She was his antithesis. An artist, free thinker and the quintessential example of an anti-establishment punk rock bad ass. 

 

 Marshall on the other hand was an idealistic optimist. That’s why she fell in love with him. She hated to admit it, but she found comfort in his Boy Scout disposition. He was her warm beacon of light.  

 

 Donna darted her eyes at him in annoyance and sighed loudly. “Babe c’moooooon can't we just watch a movie or something? I’ll even watch your favorite movie with you. Ya know, that dorky cyber punk one with the  clones?” 

 

She leaned over and jokingly batted her eyelashes at him. That usually did the trick, but not today. 

 

 “Honey this is history! Didn’t you watch the news? Every news outlet has been saying that the President is going to introduce something that’s gonna change the world! Racism, poverty, wage gaps. Everyone is saying that after today, those issues will be a thing of the past!”

 

Donna scoffed, “and you believe that bull shi-“

 

 She was interrupted by a roar of applause emanating from her husband's cell phone.  Marshall watched as President Hamilton approached the podium and addressed his audience. 

​

 “My fellow American citizens , today is a day to be proud of. Our forefathers founded this country with the idea that all men were created equal and as such , had the right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Now, as hard as they worked to make this ideology possible, unfortunately they fell short. Not through any fault of their own of course. They simply lacked the technological acumen to level the playing field. Citizens of America, today we will finally make good on the promises of our forefathers. Historians will record 2049 as the year that birthed absolute equality. Without further delay, I am proud to introduce the lottery machine!”

 

 On the left side of President Hamilton stood two secret service agents. They were burly and stoic in expression, making them look almost robotic. Between them sat a 12 foot tall contraption covered in a burgundy cloak. Upon President Hamilton's signal the cloak was removed revealing a monochromatic monolithic structure. There were no pulleys, buttons or flashing lights. The structure was completely devoid of the trappings associated with contemporary machinery. This machine housed a human sized window. Inside the window stood a visibly nervous man, though he tried to hide his true feelings with a forced smile. He was exactly 5 feet tall and slightly overweight. His skin was bronze and the hair on his head and face was black and coarse. The President addressed him as Tom and stated that he was to be the first lucky American citizen to experience the lottery machine. 

 

President Hamilton held a remote and addressed the audience. 

 

“With one push of this button Tom’s life will be changed forever, for the better”

 

 A wave of confusion washed over the audience. The venue was radio silent amidst the spectacle. Marshall’s eyes were still glued to his phone. Donna joined him out of morbid curiosity. The world stood still as President Hamilton pressed the button. The couple watched in horror as the window that concealed Tom filled with smoke, slowly engulfing him as he gasped and pleaded for air. He screamed and convulsed as the smoke overtook him. Before long the grayish fog completely filled the capsule and obstructed everyone’s view of the man inside the machine. 

​

 The shock in the atmosphere was palpable and the silence was deafening. All of a sudden the door to the glass capsule flung open. The smoke cleared to reveal a different but still visibly shaken man. He was fair skinned and lean in build with bouncy blonde hair that when wiped away from his face revealed piercing blue eyes. 

 

 The President motioned the man to walk towards him. He then put his arm around him and paraded the man in front of the large crowd. 

 

 “My fellow Americans! Welcome to the future! A future without prejudice or racism. This is the beginning of absolute equality!”

 

“How do ya feel Tom?”

 

 The corners of Tom's mouth slowly stretched to form a most toothy grin. A camera panned into a close up of his face as he stared directly into the lens . 

 

“I feel……equal!”

 

The crowd erupted into a roar of applause. They cried , cheered and tossed their hats into the air. The live feed of Marshall’s phone was cut to black. The young couple sat in silence. 

 

“No no no. Fuck no! Who does he? How would we? No, never. So , I have to sacrifice my heritage for a better life? For what? More fucking money? I’d rather die poor.”

 

Marshall remained silent staring at the floor. 

 

“Honey? Are you listening to me?”

 

He blinked and looked up at his wife. He looked as if he’d broken out of a trance.His voice shook as he spoke. 

 

“H-honey, I think this could be a great opportunity for us. You don’t have to go through with it. I would. Think of what I could do for us, for our baby. I could finally give you the life you deserve.”

 

A shiver ran down Donna’s spine. 

 

“Marshall, listen to yourself. You’re Black , I’m Black, our child is Black. That means something. I fell in love with a man that understands my nuances. A man who understands the world from my perspective. This is more than just fucking skin. If you do this you’re not just throwing yourself away, you’re throwing us away.”

 

Tears streamed down both of their eyes as they watched each other from opposite sides of their couch. Marshall embraced his wife as she sobbed on his shoulder. 

 

“It’s ok. It’s ok. I’m sorry Baby. I just love you so much. You know I’d do anything to provide for you.”

 

She wiped her eyes and laughed. 

 

“I didn’t marry you for your money, idiot. I married you for your heart. We will be ok. Just don’t ever say some stupid shit like that again, ok?”

 

“Haha you got it boss.Look,

 I am exhausted. It’s been a long day and you need to get your butt in the bed. C’mon big head I’ll race you .” 

 

“Ok now! Don’t get smart with me,” said Donna as she gave him a side eye so sharp that it could cut diamonds. 

 

***

 

 Donna wiped her eyes and grimaced at the beam of sunlight hitting her through her window. She leaned over to check her phone and was shocked to see that she had slept until 11am. She was usually early to rise. She thought to herself that her Grandmother’s warnings about her bundle of joy were spot on. Pregnant sleep was indeed a different animal. 

 

While going through her morning ritual of scrolling through unread messages, she ran across a text from Marshall that was sent at 10:30. 

 

Good Morning Big head. Didn’t wanna wake you. Just went to grab us some breakfast, and yes I remember how you like your coffee.Grande hazelnut macchiato with cream and no sugar. Be back in a sec. Love you bunches! 

 

 She chuckled at her husband’s text and reflected on how truly lucky she was to have a guy like him. Growing up without parents hardened her. Marshall made it possible for her to finally be vulnerable. He was everything . 

 

 Donna felt herself drifting back to sleep until she heard the familiar sound of Marshall struggling to open the door with hands full of food. The door swung open. 

 

“Hey Donna! Could you give me a hand please?”

 

Marshall’s voice was music to her ears

 

“On my way babe!”

 

 She pranced down the hall and  rounded the corner with the verve of a 16 year old school girl. She stopped dead in her tracks when she locked eyes with the fair skinned, blue eyed stranger holding her coffee.