The only thing bigger than the jackpot are the dreams of those buying Mega Million Tickets.
And with a record jackpot of at least $540 million, Massapequans rushed to retailers to give themselves a chance at the big prize.
"I've seen people here that I've never seen before," said Frank Martin as he manned the register at the in East Massapequa.
Martin, has worked at the convenience store for 13 years and said the customers came pouring in from the early morning hours on Thursday morning.
But in addition to selling the tickets, he's also hoping to come away with the prize money.
"I have half the money spent already," he said,"I'd buy a business, a house, a couple of cars and take care of my family."
Martin's customers also have some big ideas on how to spend their pile of cash if they luck out. Many of them involve going to warm sandy beaches.
"Tahiti!" said Matt Lindbom, 42, of Huntington as he walked out with his ticket. "Or I'd buy a house in Montauk."
Olson Redhead, 73, of Massapequa, wished for a return to his homeland of Grenada. "I would go to the Caribbean and buy a hotel and share it with other people," he said.
Marv Westman, 67, of Massapequa wants to help other people.
"If I won I'd pay off my debts, get rid of the down payments on my house, then I'd want to do stuff for those less fortunate," he said. "But I'd want to make sure the money went to the people who are supposed to get it."
Sandra Vacirca was more than a little confused as she entered the store.
"It's my first time," she said. After being told that the easiest way to enter would be to enter is to buy a quick pick ticket, she explained why she was trying Mega Millions for the first time.
"I just had a funny feeling," Vacirca said. "I collected money from my colleagues at I just went in and said, 'Give me two dollars.'"
The physical education teacher, who grew up in Massapequa said she'd "give some money back" to the school, which is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary," if she won.
"Then I'll pay some bills, and live happily ever after."
