Creative Writing: The Lottery By Shirley Jackson

Mr. Summers had been driven nearly mad by last year’s death of Tessie Hutchinson, a woman who was very dear to his heart. Hence, immediately following the previous lottery year he shattered the old, worn lottery box to smithereens. For weeks before the lottery, the people of the town speculated when the lottery would take place for the next year’s annual lottery. No one spoke of the missing box. However, there was speculation of a new box that would be unveiled to the public during the next annual lottery. In his standard schedule, on the appointed day, Mr. Summers arranged for his responsibilities as he had for so many years past. The villagers collected themselves like lemmings in the town square in foresight of Mr. Summers' revelation of what without a doubt be another container from which to draw your fate. Covered in a dark silk shroud, the case seemed to lay on its standard stool. When everyone was here, a quieted swarm looked as Mr. Summers gradually lifted the opaque cloth to uncover a clear thin glass bowl loaded with finely folded papers. The picking of papers went rapidly, as the two hundred and ninety-ninth villagers ventured forward to perform their duties. Mr. Summers, naturally would always,
After a few minutes of confusion, all heads turned on Mr. Summers who awkwardly stood before the crowd holding his slip of paper open in his shaky hands. When he was certain about everyone was watching him, he clenched the paper, with a rattle up his spine and violent involuntary rattle in his knee he said trembling, “It is I.”
Everyone knew the rules of the lottery required all family members to redraw to conclude which member will be taken. However, Mr. Summers was without family, and he knew