"God, as you know, it is Rick's Destiny to write a book about Fate.  However, for the past 18 years, things have been pretty ho-hum in his life, a dry spell of sorts.  I hate to say this, but Rick's life has been normal for so long, his interest in Fate is starting to wane.  I am afraid his book will be stale.  Rick needs something to perk him up."

God raises an eyebrow.  "That doesn't make any sense, Penelope.  What about all those lucky breaks I gave Rick to help him build the dance studio?  Worst dancer I have ever seen.  Good lord, I had to move two mountains in order for that guy to succeed!"

"Oh, God, please don't get your feelings hurt.  You know by now how humans are.  They get so preoccupied with Reality, they lose track of what matters most.  Rick is so busy running his studio, he doesn't give much thought to the spiritual realm these days.  Please don't take this the wrong way, but you may have ignored him.  Other than the time Rick's daughter mysteriously sunk to the bottom of the swimming pool, nothing significantly weird has taken place in the past 17 years.  That is a long spell in human terms.  So much time has elapsed since that flurry of Supernatural Events during his Magic Carpet Ride, Rick's interest in Fate has pretty much gone into hibernation.  How about a new miracle?  We need something to wake him up so he can get to work on that book." 

God frowns and thinks for a moment. 

"What a shame.  Over the years, I have intervened in his life many times.  One would think with a list of 100 events, Rick would not require any further prodding.  And it is not just Rick that upsets me.  Why is it so hard for humans to maintain their Faith?  Here's an example.  I went to great trouble parting the Red Sea for Moses.  You would think a Miracle like that would convince everyone of my existence for eternity, but no, everyone expects another miracle."

"Don't take it so hard, God.  With humans, Seeing is Believing."

"You're right, Penelope, but it still bugs me.  Every time I turn around, those goofy humans are clamoring for another Miracle to bolster their Faith.  Faith should not require a daily vaccine."

God nods.  "Okay, the Obliviate Spell worked for Joanne, so I can do that to Marla as well.  Let's make Rick hide in plain sight.  However, I have another problem.  Ever since Love Boat became popular, falling in love on cruise trips has become a boring cliche.  My concern is their love story will lack sufficient Supernatural impact.  Can you think of a way to spice it up?"

"Let's try this.  Rick and Marla meet on the cruise ship, fall in love, and then the ship hits an iceberg and sinks!  Rick will save Marla from drowning.  That will get someone's attention for sure."

God laughs.  "Whoa, girl, calm down.  I've already given that idea to James Cameron.  Besides, the world is not ready for an iceberg in the Gulf of Mexico.  I don't mind tipping my hand every now and then, but subtlety is typically my preference."

God frowns.  "I haven't checked lately, but Rick was not much of a dancer back when I had to move two mountains to get his career started."

"Don't worry, God, he's improved over the past 20 years."

"What about his Epic Losing Streak?  Rick has always been pretty clumsy when it comes to women.  Do you think anyone will believe Rick is charming enough to sweep a beautiful woman like Marla off her feet?"

Penelope's brow furrows.  "Rick had a certain charm back in the Eighties, but ever since his divorce at Christmas time, he has been in a funk.  Maybe you could perk him up on the night he meets Marla in the Disco.  Try giving him some witty conversation about freeways."

"Freeways?"

"Marla thinks Rick has a one-track mind about his business, so we need to find some way for Rick to show he is smarter than he looks.  Marla is a very impatient woman who drives all over Houston for her job.  Freeway congestion and construction delays drive her crazy.  Ordinarily a conversation about Freeways is no way to win a girl's heart, but Marla is so weird, I predict this odd topic will get her attention."

"Okay, if you say so, 'freeways' it is.  It will take some effort, but I can give Rick a charm boost if necessary.  However I'm not so sure about this.  Don't you think your scenario is getting a bit complicated?  First I have to make Rick invisible to Marla, then I have turn a former nerd into some sort of charming prince.  Besides, what makes you think a Cinderella-remake on a cruise ship will make people think about Fate?"

"Yes, it is getting complicated, but that is necessary.  For a coincidence to be Meaningful, it has to be kind of weird, don't you agree?"

God nods.  "Yes, I see your point.  I have a suggestion.  Go talk to Charles.  If you want ideas on Weird Coincidences, look no further."

Penelope squeals with delight.

"You read my mind, didn't you!  I was talking with Charles Dickens just the other day.  He said people go crazy over coincidences, especially the juicy ones.  Charles says there are a lot of people who subscribe to the theory that a spectacular coincidence which ignites a totally unexpected romance is a sign of Divine Intervention.  Charles said this tendency is even more effective when the coincidence is perceived as the answer to a prayer.  If we make Marla's surprise appearance in the Disco seem like the answer to Rick's 'Wish Upon a Star', I bet a lot of people will raise an eyebrow."

"Will that be enough?"

"We can always add another Coincidence for good measure." 

"Like what?"

"Let's have them fall in love one night, then make everything under the sun go wrong the next day.  Just when Rick is so miserable he is ready to jump overboard, we will put Marla right in front of his cabin door.  That is bound to shock people."

"When you say everything goes wrong, what do you have in mind?"

Penelope giggles with malicious joy.  "Yes!  I've already thought of that.  Charles gave me a plot twist that no one will see coming, not even Rick."

"Is it a coincidence?"

"Of course it is.  Everything Charles suggests revolves around coincidence."

"Good point.  So what is your plot twist?" 

"How about we make the villain a beautiful blonde named Ashley?  No one will ever see that coming."

"Please explain."

"Let's give Ashley a forbidden secret and let her leak her secret to only one other person in the world, a big-mouth named Jane.  Jane will turn around and spill the secret to only one other person in the world, Marla.  People love stories that revolve around gossip!  Some say Gossip is the most powerful force in the Universe after God, Gravity and Guilt."

God raises an eyebrow.  "You have a deliciously evil mind.  Do you have any idea how much trouble that will cause?"

Penelope blushes.  "Oh, God, I am just a sweet, innocent angel.  I got that evil idea from Charles!"

God shakes his head in mock disgust.  "That does not surprise me.  Okay, so how many coincidences do we have so far?" 

"Four.  Rick hiding in plain sight, Cinderella meeting in the Disco, Ashley's Secret, and Marla standing at Rick's door."

"Will four coincidences be enough to convince people that Fate exists?

"That should be enough for people who already believe in Fate, but we probably need something else if you want the skeptics to climb on board.  Deep down, I think we need one more thing, something totally unbelievable."

"Do you have something in mind?"

"No, but Charles does.  He told me that he is the Master of Coincidence.  He practically invented the use of outrageous coincidence to advance his plots."

"I know all about those coincidences.  His books became best-sellers.  So what is his problem?"

"His books sold well, but Charles was heavily lampooned in the process.  The leading critics of the day slammed him for lacking the creativity necessary to come up with plausible explanations.  So here comes J.K. Rowling.  Her Harry Potter characters cast spells, drink potions, hide in plain sight, make people forget things, and fly about on broomsticks.  I remember Charles ranting to me.  'Does anyone make fun of J.K. Rowling?  No!  Of course not.  They make movies and build theme parks in testimony to her brilliance!  Everyone praises her coincidences, but make fun of mine.  It just isn't fair!!' 

Don't tell Charles I said this, but his nose is seriously bent out of shape.  He says it is unfair that Joanne Rowling has passed him on several lists of Great Novelists.  Mr. Dickens is very competitive.  He wants to show Joanne. Rowling that he still has what it takes when it comes to the Grand Plot Twist.  When I told him about Rick's novel on Fate, his face lit up like the sun.  He says he has an idea so weird no one will believe it."

"Has he told what it is?"

"Not exactly, but it has something to do with a Gypsy."

God smiles.  "Whoever said 'Vanity, thy name is woman' never met Charles.  I accidentally gave him too much talent, so he turned into the most egotistical writer of all time.  However, if he is willing to help with your Cinderella story, by all means take advantage of his skill.  Knowing Charles, whatever he comes up with is bound to be a doozy.  Keep me informed."