[stomachmonkey]

Many many years ago, late 80's, one of the big NY radio stations was doing a giveaway of 944's. 1 a week for the summer.

Only 25 contestants per week.

I got one of the spots one week but the problem was you needed a valid license to claim it which at the time I did not have. Long story, I was like 19 and liked to drive fast.

So I made a deal with my boss, he would collect the car, give me his DeLoreon and sell the 944 and use the proceeds towards a Ferrari he was looking at.

That weeks give away was at a mall in Jersey. All entrants picked a key from a bowl and whichever key started it got the car.

I was number 12 in line and pick our key. As soon as I pulled it I knew. My boss looks at me as says "what's wrong". I replied, this thing would not start a lawn mower.

It was real Porsche key blank that looked like someone cut two notches in using a flat file.

Needless to say the car was won before we even got a chance to try.

Afterwards most of the entrants all went to the bar in the mall to commiserate.

Eventually the winner came in.

Girl in her early 30's, had just gotten divorced, needed a few thousand in dental work and had no insurance because she was unemployed but was starting a new job in a week but her car had just died for good and she had no way to get there.

Her mom covered the taxes and she had made a deal with a car dealership to trade in the 944 for a new econobox plus the diff in cash.

We all heard her story and the whole bar erupted with cheers and congratulations.

My boss looked at me and said, "we wanted it but she needed it, it was not going to change our lives but it will hers"

We were good with that.