How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Euromillions
Have you ever noticed how sometimes, things that seem like one thing turn out to be another altogether? Like, you think you are getting, I don't know, a turkey sandwich but then it's chicken. Or a burrito. I don't know. Like, some things just are not what you expect! Like you think you put on panties, but then you get to the bar and you're struggling up the stool and people can see everything. This was like that. Except the panties were 2.5 million euros.
So, it started with an email. The message was an unexpected stroke of luck. Student loans were due. Rent was due. My asshole boss was late with my pay. Again.
In short I was in trouble. I was looking seriously at the, you know, 'hot girls wanted' ads in the back of the local free paper. That kind of trouble.
And then, out of nowhere, the email arrived. "Dear Winner," it said, "Congratulations, you have been selected as the recipient of a winning prize in the Euromillions International Global Sweepstake. Your email address was selected at random and you have won € 2,500,000" And I hadn't even entered!
I had no idea how much 2.5 million euro was, but I figured it was at least enough to pay my rent and loans. They wanted some personal information and a fee for processing the information check to make sure I was the legitimate winner.
I know what you're thinking. "Oh no, (performer name), don't get sucked into some racket." Never fear. My mamma didn't raise no dummy. I needed that money, but I wasn't going to just send off 300 bucks without asking some hard questions. Plus, I didn't have 300 bucks. I'd checked my account that morning - 27.95.
So I filled out the form and emailed it back.
"Dear Sir, thank you so much for your email and for the fantastic news. I'm eager to claim the prize, but I don't currently have $300. I only have $27 and my rent and student loans are both due. Is there any way you can deduct the cost from the prize?"
I was surprised to hear back about 15 minutes later. I thought it was the middle of the night in Europe. But maybe they work late in... in... well, whatever the capital of Europe is.
"Dear Mr. Scott, Greetings and blessings to you. God has surely smiled on you with this prize of good fortunes. We comprehend your situation and difficulties which make your situation challenges. We can surely helps you, or. Starting, please send a picture with your face and holding the papers saying Euromillions Winner and your name. In god's name, Dr. Sellers"
That seemed straightforward enough, and he was a doctor, so I did it right away.
The response came minutes later. "Dear Miss Scott, blessings. We think we can help. We are not allowed to take the prize money to pay the security fee. It is a violation of European law and our Advocate says it cannot be allowed. But we believe there is another way to access your prize funds. First we must confirm you are the real person named Scott. To do this, please send another picture. Take off your shirt and write Euromillions Winner with a pens on your stomach. Then we will know it is really you and can start the solution processing. Stay blessed, Dr. Sellers"
I did think it was a weird request. But then, things are different in Europe and I figured it was worth it for the money. I still hadn't figured out how much it was, but it was at least more than I had. So I stripped down to my underwear. I had to use a mirror to write the message on my tummy and I screwed it up a bit. I really hoped it wouldn't stop me from getting my prize.
I sent it off and seriously like five minutes later an email came back from the doctor. It had like a blue underlined link thing and just said click here for your 2.5 million Euromillions prize. I know you aren't supposed to click link thingies unless you know who sent them. But this was like for a lot of money. And it was from a doctor. So I clicked.
My computer did some weird box popping up stuff and then my camera turned on! I was still half naked and quickly tried to shut off the camera, but my computer wasn't behaving. Then Dr. Sellers started talking to me. Through the computer! It was only me on the screen, so I wasn't sure at first it was the doctor. But he explained this was the verification process and so they needed to see me, but I didn't need to see him.
He had a weird accent. Like a Bond movie? I guess that's how they talk in Europe. I don't know. And I told him I needed to put my clothes back on. But he said he didn't have a lot of time and it didn't matter and if I wanted my money I should just sit down and talk to him. So I did.
But I'm no pushover. I had questions and I wanted answers! So I started asking -
How long till I get my money, cause rent is due next week? - 1 to 2 weeks but it could be exp. expid... uh... hurried up, under certain conditions
How much is 2.5 million euros? I still owe 24 thousand on my loans - enough to live a very happy life and never work again!