Old Nick

Old Nick is a short story that is part of the "Triptych Series Vol. 1" book of short stories by Mark Giglio.

Franco is disillusioned with his wife, Carol Ann, and vice versa. He’s got a dead end job and the only bright spot in his day is a visit to Flannigan’s bar on the bus ride home. She soothes her woes with chocolate pudding and reading.

After their daily argument Franco finds his way to Flannigan’s and commiserates with uninterested Jack the barkeep who is addicted to the daily Lotto.

The normalcy ends when Nick, a handsome and charismatic stranger graces the bar. Nick and Franco hit it off, and one drink leads to another until Franco is bleary-eyed and susceptible to Nick’s suggestions. A cup of strong coffee leads to a moment of sober clarity and Franco signs the classic contract, a soul for the winning Lotto numbers and Franco never having to be bothered with Carol Ann’s nagging and lazy ways.

At home, in the wee hours Franco reads over the contract more closely and finds his loophole, Nick isn’t that particular on whose soul is delivered. Franco follows the instructions to a T and literally by a slight of hand he gets Carol Ann’s hand to sign.

He’s off to work early, buys his Lotto ticket and finds himself back at Flannigan’s at the end of the day. His ticket is a winner. $32,000,000! Will he get to spend it? After all, he did make a deal with Nick.