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Generic event illustration for Lottery
event

Lottery

The lottery grants couples a limited chance to have children; a recent large drawing has pleased several residents.

Story so far

A winning couple receives a year in which to try for a child, within a system intended to let parents have two children to replace themselves. Deaths can create new opportunities: Holston and Allison’s opportunity passed to another couple before their year ended, and Dr. Nichols said the lottery moved on after his premature son died without officially counting as born. Juliette disliked lotteries following so closely on deaths and preferred fixed dates.

Mission Jones contrasted an earlier baby boom after violence with the smaller number of births tied to natural deaths and lottery wins. He and Allie discovered her pregnancy after their ticket expired, though she said conception had occurred within their permitted window. Most recently, Lukas reports that a large lottery held during the week pleased a number of residents.

Role

It regulates opportunities for couples to have children, linking new births to the population’s losses.

Relationships

Lukas — Lukas reports that the recent large lottery pleased a number of residents.
Mission JonesBk 2 — Mission Jones and Allie learned of their pregnancy after their ticket expired; she said conception was within the permitted period.
AllieBk 2 — Allie says her pregnancy began within the permitted lottery window.

Earlier in this series

Also appears in books you've already read — spoiler-safe to their endings:

Sources — 1 recorded facts, by chapter
Chapter 1
  • Lukas reports that a large lottery held during the week pleased a number of residents.
Character portrait