The Lottery Council- Chapter IV: David

The next year or so saw big changes in the Nolan household. Jim's salary had nearly tripled between his raises- that seemed to come on an almost monthly basis- and the honorarium from the council. Despite the protestations of the ever practical Ann, they had moved out of their small house into a much bigger one in a much nicer neighborhood. Jim had suggested getting a maid, but Ann drew the line... she would clean her own house. She did allow Jim to buy her a new car, an SUV that Ann claimed was much more than she needed, but Jim was insistent. He had even threatened to take up golf, a sport that he had always hated.

Jim's expertise with numbers had prepared him well for his new role in the company. His ideas were innovative and sales had increased dramatically thanks to him. At the monthly council meetings, he had been promoted from merely selecting numbers to inputting them into the computer and sending them off to the state office. Everything was going well, both personally and professionally. His relationship with his boss Leyland Masters was also going well. He and Ann were frequent guests at the Masters' palatial home and their children got along especially well.

One day after work Jim returned home to find an unexpected guest, Ann's younger brother David. Jim always liked David even though David had never met a conspiracy he didn't almost instantly adopt. Jim laughingly dubbed him the King of the Tinfoil Hat Brigade. Apparently, David had lost another job and needed a temporary place to stay. Jim, of course, didn't mind, they had plenty of extra room and the kids loved David, as did his sister. It would probably do her good to have him around to talk to. Jim walked over and stuck out his hand.

"Hi Dave, any good conspiracies I should know about?" This brought a disapproving look from Ann, so he followed up with, "glad to have you here, your sister and I have missed seeing you."

"Things seem like they're looking up for you guys," David said approvingly. "Ann's been filling me in on your new found good fortune."

"Yes, things are doing well and so are we. I really am happy to have you here, Dave, please stay as long as you want. We've got tons of room and it'll be nice to have you here to talk to both for Ann and me." Jim was sincere, he really did like David in spite of his often times nutty ideas... He was a really smart guy.

"I put Dave in the guest room over the garage, that way he has his own entrance and plenty of room for his computer stuff," said Ann. David was something of a computer expert and had a good deal of equipment. The room over the garage was spacious and would suit David's needs well.

Everything was going along just fine until David happened across a pill bottle marked Batchagon in his nephew's bathroom. "What are these?" He asked his sister.

"Something that's supposed to keep you from getting cancer. It's not on the market yet, so don't say anything... it's supposed to be all hush, hush," she said mysteriously.

"Hmmm," said David

"Now don't start that," Ann said firmly. "If Jim finds out you know, he'll kill me. It's got something to do with that council thing he's on."

David was perplexed. He had never heard of the drug before so he decided to investigate.