The low rumbling drone of the engine was interrupted by the blaring tone of yet another "lottery" alert on the radio.

"Here we go again"

It was my fourth 12 hour work day, just two more and finally a day off. Working the mine was never a choice, but after the government abolished of all non essential occupations, it was the only way I could keep my daughter and I alive. The cost of clean air alone consumed 3/4 of my meager monthly pay, without it she would be lucky to live past 20. Ironically, the mine had fresher air than the surface above.

Needless to say, I was unenthused to hear the familiar introduction to the next season of "The Chosen One". No one had ever lasted more than a few months, some no more than a few minutes. 10 years was impossible. Friends murdered their neighbors, husbands their wives, hell a grandmother killed her grandson on his 18th birthday to get the reward. The $10,000,000 would set you and your family up for life, all the clean air you could breath. At least that's all that matters anymore.

I toned out the long monologue building up to the selection. The upbeat programmed female voice finally said "The next contestant is 2432615184"

"That's all we are anymore, just numbers.... wait."

I looked down at the tattoo on my forearm and compared. The fire red ink matched every number. I could hear my heart beating in my ears, feel my pulse increasing in my neck. My breath escaped me..

"Wow, miracles do happen"

Like everyone else I made a plan if I won the "lottery". Though unlike many, I wasn't fleeing or holding up in a fortress somewhere. I made my daughter promise me she would do it. Save herself and her future family. Otherwise my death would be a waste. With me gone, a 14 year old would never be able to afford the clean air to survive more than a few years.

Tears of joy ran down my face.

"Finally I can give her everything"