**MARYLAND MAN WINS BIG AFTER FRIEND’S “SUBTLE” NUDGE**
In a bizarre turn of events, a Maryland man is now $50,000 richer after a friend’s casual suggestion led him to buy a lottery ticket. And by “casual suggestion,” we mean his friend basically dragged him to the store and forced his hand.
According to sources close to the winner (okay, we made that up), John Smith, 32, of Annapolis, was just minding his own business when his friend, Dave, cornered him and said, “Dude, you gotta buy a lottery ticket. It’s science.” Smith claimed he had no intention of playing the lottery that day, but Dave’s persistence wore him down.
“I was just walking to get a sandwich, and Dave yelled out, ‘Hey, you’re not doing anything with your life! Buy a ticket!'” Smith recalled. “I mean, I was just trying to get a turkey sandwich, but I guess fate had other plans.”
Smith reluctantly stopped at the convenience store and purchased a $5 Fast Play Double Win ticket. He didn’t even bother to check the numbers until hours later, when Dave called him and said, “Dude, did you check your ticket? I have a good feeling about this.”
And check it he did. Smith’s ticket matched all the winning numbers, netting him a cool $50,000. When asked about his reaction, Smith simply said, “I face-palmed so hard I almost spilled my sandwich.”
The win marks the second-largest prize won by someone who was basically guilt-tripped into buying a lottery ticket. When asked for comment, Dave said, “Hey, someone’s gotta be the lottery whisperer, right?”
In related news, Smith has announced plans to buy Dave a sandwich of his choice as a “thank you” gift.
