To be run over is one thing. By an ambulance is another. What were the chances that Mel, crossing the street to a donut shop that Thursday, would be run over by an ambulance racing with Sylvia Greenbaum to the hospital? So, there were two casualties – Sylvia, who fell in her apartment but managed to call 911, and Mel, who never ordered his coffee and jelly donut that day.

Given enough time and enough rope, such things will happen. The universe goes on for trillions of years. Then, for trillions more. People like Mel, here on the planet Earth or other similar planets in the known universe – never mind what is beyond the observable – will try to get donuts and be run over by emergency vehicles. Others will fall in their apartments and call 911. So, the stage is set.

Coincidence? No more coincidental than when Mel, having recovered after months in acute, then subacute rehab, again thought of going for a donut. After rehab, it was good to stretch his legs. He looked forward to the coffee and jelly. In rehab, the coffee was poor. The donuts were stale.

To be run over by a fire truck, racing to put out a fire – what are the chances? In this universe, there’s a good chance such an event will happen. And happen again. And, again… And, to Mel.

Sylvia Greenbaum had made it back to her apartment after her pacemaker insertion. Her heart ran as well as it could. However, she had neglected the roast in her oven, set to a high temperature. So, the fire started in her apartment. So, she called 911…