Circle In The Square

Short story about a man's life after winning a gameshow based on chance. Inspired by shows like Red Or Black and Deal Or No Deal. Go to http://andrewhenleywriting.wordpress.com for more of my writing.

It was a typically British game show. It didn’t require intelligence like some boring quiz, or need grit and determination like some physical contest. All it required was that you show up. All that you needed was luck. There were seven square boxes. Inside one, a circle ball is hidden. After every round, the ball changes boxes. Find the ‘Circle In The Square’ seven times in a row and you go home a seven times over millionaire. Don’t, and you leave empty handed. You can quit at any time, but the sooner you quit, the less you win. Even if you leave after six in a row, you only get £70,000. No one had ever won past four boxes before. The £7,000,000 jackpot winner would join Britain’s elite. Now Tyrone stood alone on the podium, the host beaming with TV white teeth asking him if he wants to go on to Round Seven, and the chance to become their first jackpot winner. Tyrone opts to gamble. Cheers echo around the studio. People clap. Lights flash. The boxes emerge once more from the floor, surrounded by dry ice. Tyrone makes his choice. The host walks up to the box slowly. Leaving the standard pause for effect that haunts game shows, talent contests and reality TV around Britain, the camera pans across the crowd. Total strangers adored Tyrone right now. He had the chance to win £7,000,000 and he hadn’t earned a penny of it. He was one of them. Joe Public. The shot settles on two people standing up, an expression of suspense and fear on their face. Tyrone’s brother and wife. The host opens the box. Inside, lies the Circle In The Square

 

~ Seven Years Later ~

 

Tyrone was a typically British game show winner. He didn’t earn his money through shrewdness and wise investment, or athleticism and commitment. All he did was show up and get lucky. He splurged his money on tacky sculptures, lavish holidays, expensive gadgets and a big house in a rich neighbourhood. He tried to join Britain’s elite. Tyrone stands alone in the middle of his grand hall, a beaming statue of him and his wife taunting him. Tyrone’s sobs echo around the room. Outside, a thunder clap. Lightning flashes. Broken ornaments are strewn across the floor, surrounded by photos of Tyrone with his wife. She made her choice. Total strangers hated Tyrone. He had £7,000,000 and hadn’t earned a penny of it. He was shunned by his neighbours who had worked hard for their fortunes. He was shunned by his jealous friends who struggled to get by. He wasn’t one of them. He’d only shared his millions with two people. His brother and his wife. Until he found the two of them naked in bed together. Until his wife divorced him and took half his money and ran off with his brother. Now Tyrone lives alone, a circle in a square.