<David Attenborough Impression>
In late afternoon at this mid-latitude location in North America, and it's just beginning to get dark in mid-November . There are perhaps 100 individuals gathered here. No doubt some would like to find a mate, but all are here because of the varied and abundant supply of food. Near the periphery are two older males. While one is a very handsome example of his species the other looks quite average, but his behavior is about to reveal that there's something very uncommon and special about him. He approaches a nearby female with her head down. As she looks up he steps a little closer. When she offers an acknowledgment of his presence he boldly leans over the counter of the Shoprite customer service desk and asks for a Mega Millions ticket for both Tuesday and Wednesday. The female accepts his offer, and after the brief encounter he goes on his way.
</David Attenborough Impression>
I've had a bit of fun with it, but the above is a true and accurate description of my experience earlier this week. I briefly considered asking him why he was buying $5 MM tickets for advertised jackpots of $50 and, most likely, $60 million while PB was advertising $593 million but didn't. Two days later, while I was next in line to buy a NY Lotto ticket the next guy was waiting with a cup of coffee in his hand. I figured that might mean he was starting his day and had things to do, so I told him to go ahead of me. He bought two PB tickets for Saturday's drawing, and when I walked out the exit a minute later he was still standing by the door. He thanked me again for letting him go first and we got into a brief conversation. He's a regular lottery player who has been playing the same set of (mostly birthday) numbers for over 20 years, but when I asked if he'd bought any Mega Millions tickets since the price change he said no.
