UPDATE: Mega Millions Jackpot Tops $600M, Largest in History

Updated 1:59 p.m., March 30, 2012: The Mega Millions jackpot is now up to $640 million.

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Tiny slips of paper bearing big dreams are flowing from neighborhood shops, exciting merchants and sparking imaginations.

With the jackpot for the 42-state Mega Millions lottery accelerating past the $500 million mark on Thursday, hopeful wagerers in Ditmas Park are plunking down sums large and small in hopes of hitting it not just big, but huge.

At the Cortelyou Superette near the Westminster Rd. intersection, manager Salin al Shawish was fired up about the turnout.

"Sales are going very good. People are going crazy," he said.

"Everybody is getting interested. As soon as they see the balance, half a billion dollars? Everybody is interested."

But the huge stakes have actually made him reluctant to spring for a ticket.

"Me? I don't want to play — because I don't want to die. I'm going to catch a heart attack as soon as they turn on the screen.

Your last chance to pick up a ticket is 10:45 p.m. on Friday. The drawing will take place at 11 p.m.

What would you do with that kind of swag? Tell us in the comments.