[Setting]
It’s a nondescript afternoon, the kind of day where the sun is out but not particularly noteworthy. Elliot is walking through the park, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, contemplating his mediocre lunch. The breeze is too weak to be refreshing, the park too empty to distract him from the lingering taste of his disappointing tuna sandwich. His mind drifts lazily until—
Mysterious Stranger (leaning casually against a tree, smirking): “Exactly what I was hoping for!”
Elliot pauses mid-step, frowning slightly as he turns to look at the source of the voice. The man standing there looks… ordinary at first glance. But his silver hair catches the sunlight oddly, almost shimmering, and his long coat, unseasonably suited for fall, seems to flow unnaturally in the mild spring breeze. He looks like he might be the punchline to a joke Elliot didn’t hear.
Mysterious Stranger (before Elliot can respond, launching into a sprawling narrative): “You know, it’s funny you’re here. Reminds me of this one time—oh, ages ago, back when kingdoms rose and fell in the blink of an eye. There was this emperor… what was his name again? Ah yes, Emperor Lucius the Unready. Not a bad guy, really, but terribly unlucky. So there he was, on the eve of a great battle, standing in front of his army… and he suddenly realizes he’s forgotten something—not his sword, mind you—no, the man forgot his pants. Absolutely hilarious.”
Elliot (blinking, incredulous): “Wait, what?”
Mysterious Stranger (continuing without missing a beat, clearly enjoying Elliot’s confusion): “Right, so there’s Lucius, standing pants-less in front of his entire army, and you know what? He decides—in a moment of pure desperation, mind you—to pretend it’s all part of the plan. He tells his soldiers that going into battle without pants is a sign of bravery, a symbol that they’re so fearless they’ll face the enemy with nothing but their wits and tunics. And… here’s the wild part—his soldiers buy it. They march into battle, no pants, all of them, looking like the most ridiculous parade you’ve ever seen.”
Elliot (raising an eyebrow, skeptical): “And what does this have to do with me?”
Mysterious Stranger (grinning mischievously): “Everything, my dear Elliot! The whole thing ended up in their favor—the enemy was so baffled by the sight of an entire army marching pants-less that they fled in confusion. It’s all about embracing the unexpected, you see? That’s where the magic happens—where coincidence thrives. Just like now.”
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Elliot (sighing, rubbing the back of his neck): “Right… and who exactly are you?”
Mysterious Stranger (grinning, eyes twinkling): “Oh, who am I? Well, I’m the God of Coincidence, of course… or maybe not. Funny how things work, isn’t it?”
Elliot (frowning, trying to piece together the point, visibly confused): “Wait… What?”
Mysterious Stranger (smiling brightly, as if they’re old friends): “Oh, I’m saying that maybe the best things in life are a little messy. A little unpredictable. Maybe it’s not about making sense of everything—maybe it’s about enjoying the nonsense. Who knows, maybe that’s why we’re here today.”
Elliot (confused, squinting, clearly exasperated but also hooked): “Wait… are you saying this is all some kind of coincidence?”
Mysterious Stranger (grinning wider, eyes glinting like a flipped coin in mid-air): “Could be! Or maybe not. That’s the fun part. Anyway…” (gesturing vaguely, as if the details aren’t important) “you and I meeting like this—it’s either nothing, or it’s everything. And honestly, does it really matter which one?”
Elliot (groaning, shaking his head): “You’re seriously impossible, you know that?”
Mysterious Stranger (laughing, giving a playful shrug): “Oh, I know. But trust me, Elliot—embrace the chaos. It’s where the good stuff happens.”
Elliot (sighing deeply, trying to decide whether to walk away or stick around): “Yeah, sure. Why not. This day can’t get any weirder, right?”
Mysterious Stranger (clapping his hands together, still grinning): “That’s the spirit! Oh, and remember—nothing is ever really a coincidence, except when it is.”
Elliot (watching as the Mysterious Stranger begins to turn away, a hint of suspicion creeping into his tone): “Wait, hold on. You never actually answered me—who are you?”
Mysterious Stranger (pausing mid-step, turning back with an exaggerated flourish): “Oh, Elliot. I told you already.”
Elliot (crossing his arms, irritation bubbling just beneath his voice): “Yeah, something about being the ‘God of Coincidence,’ but that doesn’t exactly scream real to me. Should I be expecting Zeus next, or maybe Santa Claus?”
Mysterious Stranger (grinning, almost as if caught red-handed): “And yet, here we are. Isn’t it fascinating how disbelief and curiosity can live side by side? You’re already wondering, aren’t you?”
Elliot (scoffing, rolling his eyes): “Wondering if I should’ve skipped lunch, maybe. But seriously, who—”
Mysterious Stranger (cutting him off, stepping closer, voice turning conspiratorial): “Why not let the answer reveal itself in time? After all, Elliot… isn’t that what makes it fun?” (leans in slightly, voice dropping to a playful whisper) “See you next time.”
Elliot (stammering, his heart jumping): “Wait… what?!”
Mysterious Stranger (already strolling off, waving over his shoulder, footsteps strangely silent): “Exactly.”
[End Scene]