Inside the store, a young reporter with a wireless microphone stood near the front counter while a cameraman adjusted the lens on his tripod.

I walked past them to the coffee urns, poured a fresh cup, and carried it to the register.

The cashier who had sold me the ticket the morning before recognized me right away.

“Can you believe this circus?” she asked in a low whisper as I handed her two dollars.

“Are those reporters here about the jackpot?” I asked.

“The state gaming commissioner called our store manager at eight o’clock sharp,” she said, leaning over the register.

“They confirmed the winning seventy-three-million-dollar ticket was printed right here at seven forty-five yesterday morning.”