“I’m just a retired soldier,” said the guy at the counter, buying a beer.

He repeated it, hoping for a reaction.

I had just cashed in my two scratcher lottery tickets. I expected to get $9. I got $25!

I guess I hadn’t noticed, or had forgotten, the extra bonus multiple.

The guy pointed to the expensive lotto tickets at the top of the row, $20 or $30 each, way out of my price range. He said, “Those are the best. I won $200!”

We got to talking, as you do when you don’t know someone.

We talked food. We praised the deli sandwiches. We both agreed.

I said, “And the barbeque! Every Friday. Come early, they run out.”

Chaz said, “The tri-tip is great!”

The guy said, “I gotta try it!”

He said, “I’m new in town. Where you from?”

I said, “Altadena.”

A blank stare.

“Just above Pasadena.”

Blank stare.

“Suburban to L.A.”

He said, “I know L.A. But stay away from Compton and South Central. That’s where the [a word I don’t remember but unexpected in this context] are.”

I thought, I’m glad you told me who you are, and we talked about the weather.