[Setting]

It’s a crisp morning at a local park. Elliot is seated on a bench, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. He’s enjoying the relative peace and quiet, watching the joggers and dog walkers pass by. He takes a deep breath, momentarily forgetting all about coincidences, gods, and cursed umbrellas.

Suddenly, a loud bleating cuts through the park. Elliot stiffens, his eyes widening as he slowly turns toward the sound.

Elliot (mumbling to himself, already resigned): “No. No, it can’t be.”

Coming around the bend in the path is a very familiar goat, lazily trotting along as if it owns the entire park. Behind it, a young woman is chasing after it, calling out in exasperation.

Woman (panting, running to catch up): “Stubborn… goat… stop already!”

Elliot sighs deeply, rubbing his temples as if trying to fend off the inevitable headache. Before he can even finish his thought—

God of Coincidence (appearing on the bench next to him, out of nowhere, grinning): “Ah, there it is. I knew it’d find you again. Isn’t it marvelous, Elliot?”

Elliot (groaning, not even surprised anymore): “The goat. Again. Is there some reason it keeps showing up, or are you just doing this for your own amusement?”

God of Coincidence (chuckling): “A little of both, perhaps. You see, this goat has a remarkable knack for being in the right place at the right time—or, depending on perspective, the wrong place at the right time. And today, it’s led us to a most intriguing encounter.”

The young woman finally catches up, panting as she grabs the goat by the collar and pulls it to a stop. She looks up at Elliot and the god, giving them an embarrassed smile.

Woman: “Sorry about that. He’s… well, let’s just say he has a mind of his own.”

God of Coincidence (nodding sagely): “As all great beings do. He’s quite the character, isn’t he?”

The woman raises an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the god’s attire—a bright green vest that looks like it belongs at a fishing tournament, paired with striped socks pulled up over their shoes.

Elliot (sighing, gesturing to the goat): “So, what’s the story this time? Am I supposed to help this goat find enlightenment or something?”

God of Coincidence (smiling enigmatically): “Oh, not quite. Today, it’s more about her.” (gestures towards the woman)

Woman (frowning, pointing at herself): “Me?”

God of Coincidence (nodding, eyes twinkling): “Indeed! You see, dear lady, this is no ordinary goat. It’s been part of quite a few… shall we say, legendary encounters.”

Elliot (rolling his eyes): “Please don’t start with the goat-and-saxophone story again. I swear, if I hear one more story about a goat jamming to jazz…”

God of Coincidence (laughing): “Oh, not to worry. Today’s tale is entirely different. In fact, it’s about a chance meeting—a moment where two strangers cross paths, and everything changes.”

Elliot (suspicious): “Oh, so now we’re talking about us? Are you trying to say my fate is tied to this goat?”

God of Coincidence (grinning): “In a manner of speaking, yes. But more importantly, it’s tied to our friend here.” (nods to the woman)

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Woman (looking bewildered): “I’m… sorry, what? I don’t think we’ve met before.”

God of Coincidence: “Not yet, no. But you will. Let’s see… what’s your name?”

Woman (hesitating, then cautiously): “It’s Claire.”

God of Coincidence (clapping their hands together in delight): “Claire! How marvelous. Elliot, this is Claire—the woman whose goat once decided the fate of a very important delivery van.”

Claire (confused, pulling the goat closer to her side): “Wait, what? My goat… what?”

Elliot (sighing deeply, shaking his head): “Don’t try to understand it. It’s pointless. Just… roll with whatever he says. It’ll make it easier.”

Claire looks at Elliot and then at the god, clearly baffled. She opens her mouth to say something, but the god jumps in, eyes sparkling.

God of Coincidence: “You see, Claire, your goat here—quite the adventurous spirit, by the way—was involved in a little escapade that caused a van full of pineapples to spill across a street. And those pineapples, in turn, led to a series of events involving a very famous saxophone and, ultimately, to this precise moment.”

Claire (blinking, trying to keep up): “Wait, you’re saying my goat caused… pineapples? Saxophones? What does that even mean?”

Elliot (patting the bench next to him, inviting her to sit): “Just sit down. Trust me, it’s easier if you’re sitting when he starts these stories.”

Claire, still looking skeptical, sits down cautiously, keeping a tight hold on the goat's collar. The goat, seemingly oblivious, starts nibbling on the grass by her feet.

God of Coincidence (leaning forward, gesturing expansively): “It’s all very simple, really. Your goat—stubborn as it is—decided one day to stand in the middle of a road. A delivery van swerved to avoid it, spilling pineapples everywhere. Now, one of those pineapples ended up being picked up by a street vendor, who then gifted it to a woman carrying a red umbrella…”

Claire (cutting in, confused): “A red umbrella?”

Elliot (nodding, looking weary): “Always the red umbrella. Don’t question it.”

God of Coincidence (nodding, continuing): “And that red umbrella changed hands several times before finding its way into the possession of a parrot enthusiast, whose nephew just so happened to buy a saxophone—the very saxophone that played a key role in inspiring this lovely goat’s musical tendencies.”

Claire (raising an eyebrow, glancing at Elliot): “Is he… serious?”

Elliot (shrugging): “He’s always serious, and never at the same time. It’s a thing. Just let him finish.”

God of Coincidence (smiling warmly): “The point, dear Claire, is that it all led to you meeting Elliot today. Two strangers, brought together by coincidence, or perhaps something more. You see, your goat’s stubbornness has a way of nudging people into places they never thought they’d be.”

Claire (nervously laughing): “Okay, but… now what? I’ve met Elliot, and we’re… what? Supposed to become friends?”

God of Coincidence (winking): “Ah, or perhaps more. You see, sometimes, an unexpected meeting in a park—caused by a wandering goat—can be the start of something quite delightful.”

Elliot (deadpan): “Are you matchmaking now? With a goat?”

God of Coincidence (grinning widely): “I prefer the term facilitating fate. You never know where a stubborn goat might lead you, Elliot.”

Claire (laughing, shaking her head): “This is officially the weirdest thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

Elliot (nodding): “Welcome to my life. It only gets stranger from here.”

The god stands up, dusting off their strangely mismatched outfit, looking at Elliot and Claire with a satisfied smile.

God of Coincidence: “Well, my work here is done—at least for now. Remember, everything’s connected if you look at it the right way. I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. And keep an eye on that goat, Claire. It’s got a knack for creating opportunities.”

The god winks, turning and strolling away, humming a jaunty tune that somehow seems familiar—maybe something involving a saxophone. Claire watches them go, still holding onto her goat, then turns to Elliot with a bewildered smile.

Claire: “So, do you, like, know that guy?”

Elliot (sighing deeply, looking at the sky as if for help): “You could say that. He just... shows up, tells stories, and then my life gets weird. But hey, at least the goat didn’t start dancing this time.”

Claire (laughing, nodding): “I guess there’s always that. So, Elliot, want to help me get this guy back to his pen?”

Elliot (finally smiling, standing up): “Sure. Why not. After all, it’s not every day a goat leads me to... whatever this is.”

Claire (grinning): “An adventure?”

Elliot (rolling his eyes, chuckling): “Yeah, let’s go with that.”

[End Scene]