Chester and the 24-hour Lottery

Van gave Chester a nod, urging him to get out of the truck and enter the large warehouse where the city held its weapons. Ten different men and women in body armor watched him make his way to the building. He wanted to laugh at the fact they weren’t armed. What was to stop anyone from robbing the place and starting a revolution?

“Chester Drivel?” An older man with an apologetic face holding a clipboard shook his hand, “I’m Joey and your arsenal assistant for the next 24 hours. Come with me, and we’ll get you fitted.”

“They told there’s an UZI,” Chester kept his back straight and voice confident, “Can my friend join us?”

Joey tilted his head, “No. You’re the only one authorized inside.” he checked his clipboard then said, “Yes, we have a UZI with a small amount of ammunition. The government has had little use for violent weapons when all citizens work together bringing-”

“Yeah, yeah!” Chester rolled his eyes, “Let’s get on with it. I also need a flamethrower and an extra set of armor for my friend. She’s tiny, so whatever you muster up is fine.”

Joey slipped his access key card on the side of the door and it popped open with an audible click, “Not to be unkind Mr. Drivel, but you’re lean too. When I saw you on the TV, I looked through our options for combative gear and had to mix and match. I’m not sure what I can do for your girlfriend.”

“She’s not... just see what you have Joey.”

Chester stepped into the warehouse and his eyes adjusted as lights slowly flicked on overhead revealing massive metal storage shelving filled with all manner of things. He pressed his fingernails into his palms to ground himself. Now what?

“Peruse while I get the items you requested. Take this cart for the weapons you want and I’ll bring the ammo afterward. Would you like to be fitted first?”

Chester silently shook his head and stared ahead. This was madness. Van made him feel as if he had a purpose but, gazing at rows of shotguns and semiautomatic pistols a wave of nauseousness roiled through his body. He’d spent his whole life struggling to fit in or, blend in rather, trying to not draw attention to the fact he WAS different from everybody else. This was his chance to gain respect and what did he do? He stabbed a woman and electrocuted a group of people!

He wiped a palm across his sweaty forehead pushing the wide heavy-duty cart over to the wall, eyeing the small handguns selecting a few he knew he’d be able to manage without issue then went over to the knives and picked out the wicked ones with serious serrated edges.

When Joey returned with the flamethrower noted straps which meant he would need to carry the broad two-tank weapon on his back with muscles, he didn’t possess. Chester set it aside and went with the blowtorch. Silently the man put everything into three tote bags along with ample ammunition. He picked up the UZI and Joey smiled, asking him if he needed instructions. He nodded and given a tablet.

“You seem quite pleased with that,” he smirked knowingly at Chester, “I’ve been at this job for a decade and only one other requested a UZI.” Then Joey dropped his smile, lost in grim memories.

“Was it that woman who-?”

“Best not to speak about that,” Joey tapped the side of his head to remind Chester everything he did was being broadcast for the state to observe, “By the way, Fred March won’t stop hounding you until you hear him out. I came across some interesting news.”

Chester fiddled with the tablet, half-listening as he watched an instructional Vid about the UZI, “Oh yeah?”

“Every state's winner this year has come from... well, neighborhoods such as yours.”

He sharply looked up, catching Joeys frown, “Are you certain? Every winner?”

“That’s the report. There’s quite an uproar about it, so be on your guard Mr. Drivel.”

“Call me Chester,” Joey beamed.

After Chester changed, Joey located a vest for Van. They loaded the packs into the truck with care and Van came around the front to see what he placed in the backseat.

“Van, meet Joey,” he introduced the pair, “Joey says loser neighborhoods like ours have all won. How is that even possible?”

Van smiled, picking up the bulletproof vest, “Anything is possible Chet. You’re right to dress protectively because I think Neighborhood Diamond is gearing up for a fight as we speak.”

Chester took a deep breath, keeping his fears to himself. Everything’s seemed to be moving at breakneck speed. Exhaustion from working all day and finding himself in the middle of something reeking of civil unrest made him wonder if he shouldn’t go home to sleep instead of trying to impress a girl who hadn’t even shown a romantic interest.

Over the years the lottery had become not simply for the profit of one’s own pocket but violence with neighborhoods forming malicious attacks on state officials until sequestered into Ford Ozark during the 24-hour period. Up rises were nonexistent for the simple fact they killed you where you stood.

Chester shivered, knowing a team of Ozark officers tracked them, ready to end his life if he posed any sort of threat. He stared at Van, wondering if she’s withholding information that could potentially get him slaughtered.

“What are you thinking Chet?” Van eyed him as Joey helped her into the vest.

“Want to tag along Joey?” Chester asked, “I could use a weapons expert on hand.”

Joey’s dark blue eyes alighted, “Really? I don’t know, could be more action than you bargained for, or me.”

He shrugged, “We only have one chance at life and after a decade of guarding weapons you’re not allowed to use it must be tempting. There’s no rule stating you two can’t follow through destroying what I start. I want the flamethrower but I’d fuck it up. Come with us and I’ll share the UZI. I don’t want to, but I will.”

Joey laughed and nodded, “The flamethrower works beautifully and trash burning isn’t breaking the rules.”

“That’s right,” Van opened the drivers’ door, “Hurry and gather your things, Joey. Chet, get in, we need to talk.”

Hell yes, they did!

Once inside the quiet interior Van lowly asked him to stare at the street. Confused, he did so. When nothing exciting happened opened his mouth to question her odd request but watched Van hit a button on her Vid frames, then she leaned over to tap the same spot on his.

“We’re on a visual loop,” she gripped his wrist, “Don’t freak out.”

“What’s going on?” Chester’s stomach twisted with anxiety over what she was doing. “Why did you mess with the feed? Do you realize what they’ll do, Van? Are you trying to get us killed?”

“You’re not stupid Chet, so won’t lie about setting you up. It wasn’t random we meet.”

“Your part of the revolution?” He growled, wrenching out of her hold, “Fuck off. How did you rig the lottery? Wait... never mind. Just fuck off.”

Van rolled her eyes, “I’m sorry Chet. You’re the perfect candidate. Angry, determined, smart. Not to mention no one would suspect well... someone like you.”

Chester chuckled harshly, disgusted a pretty girl with an even prettier smile duped him. Fucking cursed. “Angry doesn’t begin to describe what I am,” he spat, “What exactly do you want?”

“I need you to do whatever you wish for the next ten hours. Tomorrow night, things will happen. I can’t explain more than that. Please, Chet, don’t hate me. I really like you.”

Chester shook his head in disbelief, “I’m a patsy but you,” he threw up his fingers in quotation while badly imitating her voice, ”Really like me? I can’t go along with this.”

Van scowled, slamming her fist on the steering wheel, “You don’t have a choice, Chester! You’ve already won and I have my orders. We can still continue to Diamond and fuck up Amy.”

He narrowed his eyes, “You spied on me?” Shame turned his cheeks red, feeling like a total loser as her green orbs softened and her shoulders relaxed.

“Here comes Joey. The loops ran too long. Everything will be fine Chet, I promise you. Oh, is that a rocket launcher?”

Swiveling around he saw Joey hurrying over, carrying a large a rocket launcher over his shoulder. Damn! Van touched his hand, and he allowed it, turning to admire her kind smile.

“You’re a strong man where it counts Chet, and I’m sorry I lied,” she whispered her fingers across his skin, “We can do this together. I’m asking for your help.”

Finding himself nodding Chester watched her undo the loop on their frames, returning to her smiling self as Joey excitedly hopped in the backseat with the weapons.

“I knew this year would be interesting,” Joey laughed as Van started the truck, “Neighborhood Diamond has a reinforced steel gate. I thought you’d like to use the launcher to crash the party, Chester.”

Dazed and a little nauseous, continually nodded. Chester closed his eyes, resting his head on the seat back while Van drove. Could this really be happening?

Van needed him to act normal but inside he was freaking out. He had no plan! No idea what to do for the next ten hours. All he wanted right then was a long nap and later firing the UZI.

“Ozark guards are following in two vehicles,” Joey reported, “Whatever you do Chester, try not to get me shot.”

Chester briefly locked eyes with Van and replied, “No promises but welcome to my personal shit show, Joey.”