1 The Dorie's Luck

Dorie is a girl who is no different from any other person

Meaning, she is a good wife

In a way, a wife should be. She cleans the house sparklingly clean. No dust can be found in any corner of the room or any edge of the table. She knows how to remove coffee stains from a carpet, and she also loves animals, be it birds, cats, or goldfish. Most importantly, she has her own personal tomato soup recipe. It's fragrant and delicious in a unique way. It's loved by people in the town. In the evening, Dorie will be a good wife who cooks for her husband and prepare hot water for him to bathe in.

Let's just say, all day.

Dorie never went out anyway. From what people remember, Dorie has been staying home for a long time now – Three years, Five years – No, maybe it's more than ten years now.

But even still, Dorie is not an introverted person.

Or a despicable person. Everyone knows that she's nice.

Because we look at her, her husband also takes good care of her. They are a loving couple, with her husband being the owner of a fabric shop. He's well-known by merchants up to higher officials. Both of their lives look very smooth.

No problems ever occurred that have to be talked about by the people.

Therefore, if Dorie is not a nice person, then she shouldn't have been together with her husband.

However in truth, behind that house has a quiet political issue.

Dorie is a good person, a nice person.

But whether Dorie's emotions are normal or not – Then maybe not.

Dorie is sitting on a wooden chair in the living room. The dishes are still in the kitchen, none of the plants in the pots had been watered.

Today she's not doing anything. She's sitting there eating crispy bread while looking out in a reverie. Her eyes contained dark circles just like an owl

In a trance for hours now, until finally it blinked two or three times and she returned to reality. She stood up, took out two or three silver coins, headed to the back door, and stood there until a soft cry of a cat rang out in a high tone, medium, low. She then opens the door and a boy was looking up at her.

Dorie stuffed a piece of paper into the boy's hand and holds up a coin in front of him.

"This is payment for what I asked you to do," she said and holds up another new coin.

"And this is for asking you to run and bring it back" Then she holds up the third coin

"And this is your hush money. Agreed?"

The boy weighs the coin a little bit before looking up at her

"You know, I might be able to keep a secret, but a word or two might come –"

"Agree, agree! here's another coin, can it hold your whispers now?"

"It may be Mrs. Dorie. But I'm a joyous boy, I like to sing stories –"

"Agree agree! I understand, take another coin and three apples and another a bunch of grapes, are you satisfied now?"

Then Dorie added silver coins, grabbed bright red apples, and a beautiful bunch of grapes, then wrapped up nicely in some cloth for the boy.

"I would already have agreed at the fifth coin. No fruits were needed"

"Just finish your task and keep your mouth shut," Dorie said through gritted teeth before quietly closing the door.

The moment she saw the boy rush to the middle of the town, Dorie couldn't keep her excitement. Her face contains traces of what looks like more happiness than usual"

The story is, this chubby lady felt something in the morning.

She woke up with something building up in her heart, just really slightly, a sliver. Not causing her husband to notice any change.

Dorie herself also wasn't sure if he'll make a big deal with her – even if he knows.

That's because she "dreamt" that her great-grandmother visited her – She passed away a long time ago – But that dream felt so realistic that she had forgotten that fact.

She can't remember what she said to her, but she was so serious that it scarred her. Afraid that if she didn't comply, then she will go rampant.

Her great-grandmother gave her a number, it's a 10-digit long number, said it over and over again, and force her to repeat it until she knows it by heart. She also reiterated that

"This is life and death!"

It was that voice of her great-grandmother's which woke her up.

When Dorie opened her eyes, she still clearly remembered the numbers. Then immediately she understands what her great-grandmother was trying to convey.

They are numbers in a floating fortune game – A game where you have to guess ten randomized numbers correctly. It sounds more like a game of chance than one of skill. But there are still lucky people

who randomly guessed and got all ten numbers correctly, winning enough prizes to set themselves up.

This weird game just got people to start playing in town, and they have to secretly play without the town patrol seeing. Otherwise, they will be charged for not working, stalling progressiveness.

Dorie wants to play and try to win all ten-digit numbers –

It might not be correct, but she wants to have fun just like others. She was never allowed by her husband to do what she wants. Every day she's prohibited from doing that, doing this, has to ask for permission, has to apologize, and all other little things.

Regarding this, her husband also forbids her from going after other housewives to play, or even to watch.

"It's nonsense and a waste of money," he said angrily.

"But today is not the same," Dorie told herself "My great-grandmother told me the numbers. Well, my great-grandmother is well known for being lucky, and she might have brought some luck to me"

Thus, Dorie secretly contacted the neighbor's kid to be tasked with buying the ticket of the number she wrote down on a piece of paper and then exchange the ticket back as money for her.

Of course, her husband doesn't know and doesn't see anything!

Dorie came back and sit comfortably in the living room, looking out the window thinking what she'll do with the money --.

Tailor a closet of dresses that don't look out of date ….. one that's not old-fashioned with dull color that her husband forced her to wear.

Open a soup shop with herself as the owner. Being the boss of yourself, not having to wash clothes or socks for anyone, not having to wash large piles of dishes.

She can comfortably go to the market and buy anything because it's her own money. She won't have to be careful of her husband, won't have to secretly buy her personal things, or only buy things that he likes. She will buy whatever she wants to buy! If she wants to chew on some sweet licorice then she'll eat it, if she wants to eat expensive butter then she'll try it.

She can enter the book store, read and choose whatever she wants! She won't have to bear the abuses or insults like "Women shouldn't know too much" or "Books are only for men"

And she will go to the weekly dance party at the pier. Wear red lipsticks, a cool hat, and dance with the young fishermen! She swears she'll dance all night until her shoes are worn!

Oh right – how could I have forgotten about buying a new pair of shoes!

Oh my god! Just thinking about it is already so much fun she almost choked herself.

It's obvious to see how happy Dorie is the entire day. She boiled some tea while waiting for the boy to return, thinking how she wouldn't have to finish before the ticket returned.

However, time was going so slowly Dorie was feeling restless. Until now she still hadn't heard the cat's noise.

"Calm down, calm down," she told herself. Something is telling her that nothing will go wrong this time. Sooner or later the ticket will come to her.

Dorie sat there sipping on tea. Her house isn't far from the town, that kid may return soon.

The sound of the clock going "Tick Tock Tick Tock" –

Dorie heard footsteps coming from the back door. She stood up from her chair and run to wait at the door --

A soft cry of a cat rang out

Dorie opens the door while the sound still didn't get to the middle tone

and the low tone. She pokes her face out from the edge of the door and was disappointed

when it was just a normal black cat. The cat was just running past a worn-down door with rats often coming through.

I'll change to a new door, one where rats can't come in, just wait – Dorie told herself –

She will choose her own wood, her own color, she won't have to care about her husband's boring opinion.

Dorie came back to sit down but no longer sipping tea. She tries to tell herself that the town usually has a lot of people, and the boy may be walking within a lot of carriages and crowns of people, that's why he's late.

Many times, she'll hear a cat at the door or even the footsteps of kids from far away.

But sadly, that evening, no more cat imitation sound rang out from the back door again. But only the familiar footsteps coming from the front of the house.

"Hi honey, how was the shop?" Dorie spoke in a listless manner while putting his coat away.

But Robert, her husband, didn't answer anything. He looked at the dried flower point, dirty dishes – and crispy bread crumbs on the living room chair.

"Did you take a shower yet?" He asked coldly.

"Oh my Robert, of course, I have"

Robert sat on the kitchen chair, swipe the food crumbs off the table.

"Did you go back to sleep?"

"No, I woke up before you and have been awake until now" Dorie unintentionally said sarcastically. Her husband looked angry but didn't say anything. Dorie was secretly relieved.

"What's for dinner?" He asked while waiting for food.

Dorie suddenly remembered that she should hurry and prepare some soup for him. It's her special tomato soup recipe, salad, and mash potatoes.

"I don't like the taste of your soup Dorie. It's too strong" he opens his mouth while sipping the soup.

"But still, that's

The recipe that people like" she said "If we can open a shop, I think it'll sell well"

But just like every time which she hinted about opening a shop. He'll stay silent – silence means rejection – Dorie was not satisfied and didn't say anything else for the entire dinner.

"Tell me Dorie" Robert suddenly asked when he finished "Do you like the food we eat here?"

Dorie looked at him, puzzled. Not sure if she should lie or tell the truth "No, Robert!!! I'm tired of eating these vegetables I can't take it anymore. I'm about to throw up a garden!!!"

"What do you think about drifters?" He suddenly changed the topic, picked up a pipe, and lit it up.

"You mean those who traveled across from one town to another?" She thought of a group of people who likes to travel across the ocean, across the mountains, and the desert into a new strange land.

"Yes, Dorie. I'm talking about those who stick of sweat and are always dirty. Dirt and dust all over them like an abandoned pet. No place roof to sleep under. They always have to sleep in the cold, have to sleep while dew hangs over, and have to stay in the sun while traveling. No horse carriage to use -- --"

"Actually they do have horse carriages"

"Don't interject me

Dorie" Robert spoke sternly, blowing smoke into her face. "They are people who stall our progressiveness. They don't work, just do nothing all day. They eat with their hands, eat the meat of animals they hunted, grilling at a campfire Use change to buy water and fruits, never shower, never wash clothes, wear only one set per five years –"

"They may shower and wash clothes in the forest –"

"What did I just say, Dorie? –"

Now she hardly dares to move her tongue.

"They are drifting people, Dorie. Drifting like an insane person, without a goal, without a dream, without anything. That's why I never blamed any of them. I don't like them but I won't insult them because they don't owe me anything. I also never gain any benefit from talking to them"

Then he stares at her

"On the other hand, my dear wife. What would you think if one of them owe me something, came to sleep on the same bed as me, live in the same house as me, use the money I earn with my sweat, but never provide any benefit in return to me"

What should I do? – Should I kick that person out to drift again, risk life outside.

Or should I change my mind and be nice --?"

Robert's thin finger swipe the dust from the edge of the table and took a look. There was a thin layer of dust on his fingertip. It's almost impossible to see from afar, but he acts like it's a huge pile of dust. He holds the finger up to be at the same level as the eyes of his lovely wife.

"I might change and be kind, wipe dust that wasn't clean, prepare bed that they are too lazy to prepare, wash the dishes that they used and left in the sink – I might even wash their underwear –

What do you think honey? How should I take care of them?"

Then he pushes down his dusty hand.

Put it down on top of her ice-cold hand. Dorie can only apologize that she forgot to clean the house or even water the plants. Now,

She's also really afraid of the man in front of her. His angry eyes are as if she invited the hated drifters to live in their house. The hot hand which lay on top of her own is very heavy as if it will crush her hand into pieces.

Dorie's tears started to run down without her knowing.

"Oh Oh Dorie, don't cry" voice cold and low "I was mad at those ungrateful bastards, not you. You know your responsibility in the house, unlike those dirty people, right?"

Robert's hand became tighter than before, Dorie felt like a brick was on top of her hand that she cannot escape – She doesn't dare to avoid his gaze even though her eyes are hazed from all the tears.

-- She shouldn't have dreamt about winning a prize. Luck will never be on her side – A woman who has to live with Robert like her,

will have to die in this house, never become her own boss. She'll have to make the bed for him, cook for him, wash his underwear, and be his wife until she dies.

"Was there any time I left to you starve? Have I ever forced you to walk around nude somewhere in the past ten years? Did I make you sick and left you to become a corpse?"

Dorie shook her head, looking down feeling like she was just an infant.

Within this scary atmosphere. Her lovely husband put a piece of paper down in the middle of the table –

It's a game ticket

The ticket she should've received from that boy – Not this monster in front of her.

"What are you planning, honey?" he asked her, indifferent to her sweat and pale face.

"I'm not planning an – anything"

Then he swipes the plate down the floor, food

and thick soup splattered all over her foot. Dorie closed her eyes tight

When she heard his fist crashing onto the table, just like a giant hammer.

"No? You said you're not planning anything? I thought I forbid you to play this stupid game, Dorie. Is anything I said unclear!!?" His roar echo in the kitchen.

"You think the money I earn will go away with these ten numbers? You're an idiot Dorie!! You're ungrateful, you don't know the value of money

Or of those who earn it. You just stay home, stay with easy chores, never went out to do trade negotiations with any blood-sucking merchants, or ever have to deal with annoying officials. Don't you want to know how much time I spent to have the money we have today?"

Dorie sputter apologies to her husband, all while knowing in her heart

that this storm will not calm easily. She did everything on the instinct of someone weaker who will follow those stronger. The girl's hair is disheveled, looking completely defeated

in front of this man. Not like the one during the day who was dreaming of happiness

"Do you think I don't know about what you're doing,

Dorie? I saw everything, I know everything, from when you woke up and enthusiastically brew tea instead of making coffee, kissed me goodbye but looking who knows where. Alas,

Dorie! While you were waiting for the stupid cat signal from that boy, you didn't even notice that I was hiding for him. That boy spat everything out when I gave him six coins. He told me everything you hired him to do!

Dorie, what do you think you can gain from burning away money like this?"

The other side almost forgot to breathe. Dorie, you're crazy, you're stupid, for dreaming

instead of being careful of this dangerous man. She should've thought of it while he's asleep, not while he's awake!

But Robert didn't hit her. His fist relaxed and then slowly wipe her tears.

"But there's still luck in your stupidity, sweetheart"

Dorie raises her head to look him in the eye when she hearts the stern tone turn soft ..... what happened?

"Because you won the prize, Dorie! The ten digits that you wrote down.

It's all correct!!! I will go collect the money in the morning, damn!! Dorie, this is a bunch of money!! I never thought that I'll get my luck from someone like you, god!"

Dorie felt like she got hot soup thrown in the face, and not just any soup, it's her special tomato soup – This is a joke, right? – unlucky people like her have a chance to win?

And this is an evil joke right --?

The only luck she has in her life, got stolen by Robert right in front of her face.

Because yes, she can't laugh – just because he gave one coin more than her to the boy!

Dorie stopped crying, stopped the pitiful weeping sound, stopped putting her head down to the table – she stood up tall, looked directly in the eye of the lord of her life, certain stimulation that was only a small feeling in the morning, now became courage braver than any storm.

"Sell it to me," she said in full volume

Robert releases his hand from his wife's, shocked expression on his face when he heard the change in her tone, and even more shocked when she placed one coin down in front of him.

"What did you say?"

"You can steal my luck

Just because of one extra coin, and now I want to buy my luck back with one extra coin as well. Return the ticket to me, Robert"

The other side laughed, picking up the ticket from his pocket as the answer.

Dorie calmly looks at him, like a big wave under the ocean "Return it, honey" she whispers

Robert's hair stood up on end when he was stared at by Dorie's harsh eyes. Coldness ran up his spine when he saw her face without tears or her grin. It's the first time that he feels she is an equal to himself -- -- No, something is telling him that she's even above him.

And without preparation, Dorie jumped across the table to him, her shaking hands now like a free bird flying in the air straight to his neck. It's strong and filled with power, tightly compressing his tendons and airway. Closing off his breathing and sound.

Robert watches that face, shocked. His fear now overtaking his conscience. There's no longer any cowardness in his wife. Dorie doesn't care that she's pulling his soul out of his body. She's not scared to multiply her strength further.

The strength that came out of her is more than what a weak lady is capable of.

Robert knows at that moment, how much he miss judged Dorie, and how fatal of a mistake he made. At this time, there's no chance he'll survive from her hand -- --

Dorie watches Robert's quiescent body, a purple hand mark around his neck, looking back with wide eyes

She picks up the ticket from his shirt pocket and then stands up.

She didn't take a long time to pour two bottles of her special tomato soup

The first bottle --- she uses as an exchange for handing the ticket, cashing in the money before morning.

The second bottle --- She uses for hitchhiking drifters

"Where did you come from?" The male drifter asked while navigating the reins. This woman looks friendly, amiable, and harmless.

"Came from this town, I want to head to the next town. Can you bring me there?" Dorie said

"With pleasure. What will you do there?"

"Nothing much – I don't plan on doing anything –

I will find time to read the books I want, wash new clothes I have tailored, and burn this outfit. Then I'll open a tomato soup restaurant"

The guy said that her soup is very delicious, her business will definitely boom.

"Oh, and I agree that you should burn your outfit. Please don't mind me, but… I think it looks uglier than mine"

Dorie laughed

"Right, if my husband sees this …. He'll …"

Then the carriage went along disappearing into the darkness.