The Participants

The Lottery of Empathy – Post 3: The Participants

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

Ten people. One year. No money. No help. A chance at millions.

They didn’t know who the others were. But we did.

Family & Friends

Danny – The loyal friend with a gambling problem and a chip on his shoulder. Says he’s “doing it for the money,” but deep down, he wants to prove something. Even he’s not sure what.

Shannon – Your older sister. Polished, judgmental, quietly unraveling. Believes this whole thing is beneath her—but refuses to be left behind.

Riley – Your niece. Fresh out of university. Book-smart, life-clueless. Thinks this will look good on a future podcast.

Jay – Your son. Kind but guarded. Participating only because he doesn’t trust anyone else to survive it.

Mira – The friend who always thought you were a bit “extra.” Signed up out of curiosity, but now she can’t tell what’s real anymore.

The Strangers

Avi – 62. Retired nurse. Lost her pension and her partner in the same year. Lives in a van. Said yes because “what else is there?”

Kenzo – Former investment advisor. Hit rock bottom during the pandemic. Now scrubs dishes for $16/hr. Carries a notebook and something to prove.

Malika – 28. Single mom. Escaped an abusive home. Tougher than anyone guesses. Signed up hoping it might save her daughter’s future—even if she’s not allowed to see her this year.

Juno – 19. Queer, opinionated, drifting. Believes capitalism is a cult and the system is broken. Might be right about both.

Bruno – 44. Conspiracy theorist, ex-prepper, maybe ex-military. Thinks this is either a psy-op or a game show. Trusts no one. Watches everyone.

They think this is just survival. But it’s more than that.

It’s a mirror.

And not everyone will like what they see.

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