They've been playing the lottery together for 25 years — and it finally paid off.
Two old friends who met working in a Manhattan print shop have become instant millionaires, scooping up a $14 million jackpot in the Mega Millions game.
And technically, they didn't spend a penny on their winning numbers.
"We won $14 million on a free play ticket," said Willie McPherson, 74, who lives on Manhattan's West Side. "(It feels) beautiful."
Christopher Manzi, 44, of Morganville, N.J., who works in sales, and McPherson became pals working at a midtown printing company two-and-a-half decades ago.
They have been spending a $20 each a week on Powerball and Mega Millions tickets ever since.
McPherson made his regular $40 Powerball and Mega Millions purchases at Kyu's Coffee Shop on West 32nd Street on Sept. 18.
Even after McPherson retired eight years ago, he would still stop by weekly to grab a coffee with his ex-colleague and head out to buy their tickets, yet the most they ever won was $12.
"We both like playing the lottery. We both like women, and we both like a lot of money," Manzi quipped about the reason for their strong bond.
"It's just a great feeling. We are two lucky guys."
McPherson was a little short of cash when he went to buy their $40 worth of tickets on Sept. 18 so Manzi gave him a loan.
He was given two extra free Mega Millions Quick Pick tickets that day as part of a special promotion.
The retiree came in the next day with the good news: "We hit the lottery. We are going to Miami," he told Manzi.
They opted for the lump sum, which is just over $10 million.
After taxes, Manzi gets $3.5 million and McPherson, who will pay the government more as a Manhattan resident, gets $3.3 million.
Besides a trip to Florida, the two plan to buy real estate.
"I'll buy him a house, and then he can buy one for me," Manzi said. "Willie's retired. I'm possibly going to retire too."
Kyu's owner, Kyu Hwa, 55, who got $10,000 for selling the winning ticket, said McPherson has been buying tickets from her every week for seven years.
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What a lucky day for both of them. Winning $14 million and yet on a free play ticket...Wow. They are both so lucky. Congratulations to both of you and may you enjoy more...
And they say, the definition of INSANITY is to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.....
I agree! 14m is MAD CASH
now that New York just won. You know what that means....
Congrats!
I hope it means that I will win next!
Persistence pays off.
Luck of the draw.
Way to go public, so everyone can see you, good luck with all the solicitors
They played for 20 years and the winning ticket "cost them nothing"
hence the reason why this was invented
Nice weapon....... USA USA USA
WTH ?
Mcpherson has to pay $200,000 more in tax cause he lives in manhatten ?
Do they have a lottery tax at the municipal level ?
The other guy lives in jersey which has the highest state lottery tax @ 10.8%
I would have thought Mcpherson would have done better.
Perhaps taxing your "after tax" revenue has become a sort of sport??
Most cities do now days, I noticed when I filled out my city taxes, they had added lottery winnings to the list or incomes that are taxed.