His shoulders had dropped since the last time I saw him at the claims center, when Linda had flagged the ticket and he had shouted my name in the back office until security walked him out.

“The filing dates are the issue, Gary.

You filed for divorce on Friday morning at nine fourteen.

The lottery claim was attempted that afternoon at two thirty.”

“So what?”

“You filed before you tried to claim.

That means the marital property line was drawn before the winnings existed, as far as your paperwork is concerned.” Arthur adjusted his glasses by the bridge.

“Paperwork.