[Setting]
It’s early afternoon, and Elliot is on his lunch break from his not-so-exciting office job. He’s on his way back to work, holding a takeout bag that smells suspiciously of overly-greasy Chinese food. He approaches the entrance to a tall, glassy office building. The revolving door glints in the sunlight, almost beckoning him.
Elliot (to himself, sighing): “Alright, just get through the revolving door, no surprises… no weird gods... just back to work.”
He puts a foot into the revolving door, pushing forward and—thump. Elliot collides directly into someone. He looks up, rubbing his forehead, and comes face to face with a man in an oversized trench coat, holding a saxophone.
Saxophone Player (cheerfully, slightly out of breath): “Oh! Sorry, mate. Bit of a squeeze, eh?”
Elliot blinks, disoriented. The man is, inexplicably, still trying to get his saxophone through the door, as if he hasn’t considered the logistics of it at all. Elliot steps back, allowing the man to awkwardly maneuver out of the revolving door, the saxophone catching on the glass several times.
And, just as Elliot finally manages to push through and make it outside—
God of Coincidence (suddenly appearing, leaning casually against the door frame): “Elliot! I see you’ve met him. Splendid timing, wouldn’t you say?”
Elliot (groaning, holding the bridge of his nose): “You. You said something about a saxophone player and a revolving door, didn’t you?”
God of Coincidence (grinning like they’ve won some kind of bet): “Indeed I did! Isn’t it wonderful how things come together? The coin flip, the adventure... and here you are, face to face with the saxophone of destiny.”
Saxophone Player (raising an eyebrow, turning to Elliot): “Do you know this fella? He’s been following me all morning, saying something about, uh… fate?”
Elliot (turning to the god, exasperated): “You followed him? Really? Is this your idea of an ‘adventure’?”
God of Coincidence (nodding enthusiastically, as if the answer is self-evident): “Absolutely! I told you, Elliot, everything is connected. And wouldn’t you know it, this very saxophone is quite special indeed. Why, it once belonged to a rather famous parrot enthusiast—you remember the one, yes?”
Elliot (staring blankly): “No. No, we’re not doing this again. No parrots, no goats, no umbrellas.”
Saxophone Player (looking slightly confused but intrigued): “Parrot, you say? Funny thing—I do know a bloke with a parrot. Likes to sit on the sax case while I practice. Always pecking at the reed.”
God of Coincidence (with a satisfied nod): “See, Elliot? Everything aligns if you’re willing to look at the pieces. Or perhaps, if you’re just willing to have a bit of fun.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Elliot takes a deep breath, resisting the urge to fling his greasy takeout into the street. He’s tired, and he knows exactly how these moments go—there’s no point fighting it.
Elliot: “Okay, fine. What’s the story this time? Is it about him?” (gestures to the saxophone player) “The saxophone? Or the parrot?”
God of Coincidence (considering for a moment, then leaning in, whispering theatrically): “All three, naturally. You see, years ago, there was this very saxophone—it belonged to a man who took it to the park every Saturday morning. One day, he found himself in quite the peculiar situation. There he was, playing a beautiful rendition of ‘Fly Me to the Moon’—apt, considering—and along waddles a particularly curious goat, the same stubborn goat we’ve discussed before.”
Elliot (deadpan): “The goat. Of course.”
God of Coincidence (ignoring the sarcasm, continuing): “The goat became entranced by the music—almost as if it was swaying along. People gathered to watch, and soon, the man found himself surrounded by an audience, all cheering for this strange impromptu goat-and-sax duet. Now, the curious part—one of those people happened to be a woman with a very familiar red umbrella.”
Elliot (throwing his hands up): “Enough with the umbrella! How does it always come back to that cursed thing?”
Saxophone Player (scratching his head, glancing at the god): “This… doesn’t make much sense, does it?”
God of Coincidence (smiling, looking delighted by the confusion): “Oh, it’s not about making sense—it’s about seeing the connections, whether they’re there or not. So, this woman with the umbrella was so charmed by the performance that she decided to buy the saxophone after the man decided to retire from playing. She gave it to her nephew—who, funnily enough, had a parrot that adored music. And that very parrot inspired this young saxophonist here—”
Saxophone Player (interrupting, pointing at himself): “Me?”
God of Coincidence (nodding): “Precisely! Inspired him to take up the saxophone himself. And here he is, trying to make his way through a revolving door with that same saxophone.” (pauses, looking proud) “It all comes full circle.”
Elliot (folding his arms, unimpressed): “So, this is supposed to be some kind of profound moment? The goat, the umbrella, the parrot—it all means something?”
God of Coincidence (grinning mischievously): “Does it need to? Or is it simply delightful enough as it is, a series of small coincidences that somehow led to us all standing here, right now, with a saxophone that’s seen more adventure than most?”
The saxophone player chuckles, clearly entertained by the story, even if he doesn’t entirely understand it. He lifts the sax to his lips and starts playing a playful, slightly jazzy tune—one that seems to capture the absurdity of the situation perfectly.
Saxophone Player (between notes, to Elliot): “You know, mate, maybe there’s something to this. I mean, if nothing else, it’s a good laugh, yeah?”
Elliot sighs, but a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. He knows it’s pointless to argue with the god—this is how it always goes. Coincidences, connections, nonsense. But maybe, just maybe, there’s something oddly charming about it all.
Elliot (grudgingly, nodding): “Yeah… a good laugh.”
God of Coincidence (beaming): “Now that’s the spirit, Elliot! Life is much more enjoyable when you let yourself see the coincidences for what they are—a little bit of magic in the mundane.”
Elliot (sighing, shaking his head as he watches the saxophone player riff away): “Or maybe just a goat who likes jazz.”
God of Coincidence (laughing): “Perhaps. Either way, I think today’s adventure is just about wrapped up. Unless, of course, you’re in the mood for a pineapple?”
Elliot (groaning, walking away): “No more pineapples, please. I’ve had enough coincidences for one day.”
God of Coincidence (calling after him, smiling): “Until next time, Elliot! The coin will bring us together again soon. You can count on it.”
[End Scene]