#chance encounter plot

A meet cute is a fictional scene, typically in film or television, in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time in a way that is considered adorable, entertaining, or amusing.

A) Muse A reluctantly braves the cold weather to head to the local supermarket on a snowy day; Muse B is salting the sidewalk as Muse A walks by and feels pretty bad when Muse A slips on a patch of black ice they missed.  

B) Muse A is down on their luck after getting some bad news while at the winter festival. Muse B is a vendor at the festival who takes pity on Muse A after overhearing their situation and offers Muse A a delicious treat on the house. 

C) Muse A has never been skiing before but is determined to try it, especially since everyone else in their friend group has already gone. Muse B is the ski lift operator who has to rescue Muse A after they freak out and refuse to get off the lift.

D) Muse A is an aspiring figure skater who likes to practice skating at their local outdoor rink. Muse B is an avid hockey player and likes to practice at the same rink. Neither muse likes to share.

E) Muse A comes from a warmer climate and has never seen snow before, so imagine their delight exiting the airport to their first snow fall. Muse B is completely over the freezing temps and digging their car out, but can’t help noticing how in awe Muse A is when it begins to snow. They strike up a conversation about it while waiting for a rideshare.

F) Muse A spends hours each day building elaborate snow/ice sculptures in the park. Each night, a disenchanted Muse B destroys them on their walk home. One night, Muse A camps out to catch Muse B and confront them.  

G)  Muse A accepts a dare from a friend to run through the snow at a ski lodge in their underwear, only to find that they're locked out when they return to their cabin. Muse B is the friendly staff member who rescues them from the cold and makes it their duty to help keep them warm.

H) Muse A gets stuck on the side of the road during a blizzard; Muse B has snow tires and tries to pull their vehicle out of the snow.  When they make no progress, Muse B offers to drive Muse A to their destination.

I)  Muse A and Muse B are neighbors who have never met.  When a winter storm knocks out the power to their building, Muse A, terrified of the dark, lets out a bloodcurdling scream.  Next thing they know, Muse B is banging on the door to make sure they're okay.

J)  Muse A's car breaks down on a deserted stretch of road in the middle of snow storm. There's no cell service, so they decide to trek to the gas station they'd seen a few miles back to try and get help. Muse B is driving by when they see Muse A struggling against the elements and offers to help.

K)  Muse A is doing their best to keep their child entertained as they wait in line at a bakery for a winter-themed birthday cake. The little one slips free from Muse A’s grasp and runs up to Muse B ahead of them in line to ask if they want to attend their party. To Muse A’s surprise, Muse B says they’re available.

Plot 170: Heist Help

A meet cute is a fictional scene, typically in film or television, in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time in a way that is considered adorable, entertaining, or amusing.

A) At a weekend barbecue of a mutual friend, Muse A and Muse B touch hands as they both reach for the last drink in the cooler. 

B) At the beach, a particularly strong wave knocks the swimsuit right off of Muse A; Muse B is the first person to wander near enough for Muse A to discreetly ask to borrow their beach towel.

C) Coming home to a broken A.C. yet again, Muse A strips down to their underwear to stave off heatstroke and calls their friend to bring over a spare fan; Muse B (any relation to the friend) shows up with the delivery instead and is unexpectedly greeted by a half-naked Muse A.   

D) Muse A is desperate to find relief from the summer heat and decides to sneak in to the local country club’s private pool. Muse B is an employee of the country club and spots Muse A just as they pop through the just-big-enough hole in the fence near the edge of the property.

E) While on a camping trip with a small group of friends, Muse A wanders off to use the bathroom; they get turned around somehow on the way back and end up at Muse B’s tent.

F) Rained in for the night, Muse A orders food for delivery; Muse B arrives with Muse A’s order but gets caught out in the terrible storm when their car refuses to start. Muse B turns to Muse A for temporary refuge. 

G) Muse A notices Muse B in line behind them when they purchase an ice cream cone from the vendor at the park. When it’s Muse B’s turn to order, the vendor announces that they’re sold out, so Muse A offers to share theirs with Muse B. 

Plot 150: Sea-side Secrets

It’s the final summer before Muse A and all of their friends move in separate directions, figuratively and literally, in pursuit of higher education, job opportunities, etc. So Muse A and friends pool all of their money together and rent a house in the nearest seaside town to have an unforgettable last hurrah. When the group arrives at their destination, they’re a bit underwhelmed by the house. The accommodations aren’t as pristine as the online ad claimed, but it’s on the beach and the boardwalk within walking distance offers plenty to do so it’s not a total loss. Restless and low on groceries well after midnight, Muse A and pals stroll to a 24 hour snack stand/diner at the start of the nearby pier. When someone at the table sends a dish back to the kitchen, the cook (Muse B) comes to the table with a re-fire and a sincere apology. Muse A can't help but have a weird feeling wash over them as the friendly cook chats with their group and offers them advice on things to do while they’re in town. There’s an eerie resemblance and particular mannerisms that Muse A recognizes as similar to their own. It takes Muse A a few days and a little bit of lowkey stalking, but they ultimately come to a stunning realization. The kind cook is actually Muse A’s long-lost parent whom they thought had passed away because that's what they were led to believe by the single parent who raised them. 

Mini Plots: We Met on Public Transportation

A) Muse A scoots over to make room for Muse B since the rest of the seats on the bus are taken. A minute or two after Muse B sits down, they fall asleep and lean into Muse A’s shoulder. Muse A tries to be polite and ignore the stranger sleeping on them, but then Muse B starts to drool on their jacket.

B) Muse A is minding their own business, taking the train home after a long day when some jerk suddenly snatches their bag and runs. Muse B sees what’s happening and springs into hero mode, rushing off the train to grab the thief on the platform. When the train doors close, Muse B rushes to catch it at the next stop and reunites a super-impressed Muse A with their stolen bag.     

C) Muse A settles into their business class seat on the plane, anticipating a long but peaceful flight across the country. That is until Muse B occupies the seat directly behind theirs with their crying bundle of joy  in tow. After nearly 15 minutes of non-stop noise, Muse A turns around to complain. When Muse A comes face to face with Muse B (a single parent who’s obviously struggling), they suddenly have a change of heart.   

D) Muse A opts to take the ferry into the city since their usual train is out of service. Several minutes into the ride, they start to feel seasick. Muse B kindly offers assistance since they used to have the same problem the first couple of times they rode the ferry too. Conversation flows nicely between the pair, until another wave of nausea unexpectedly hits Muse A and they get sick on Muse’s shoes. 

E) Muse A takes notice of Muse B’s instrument case when Muse B comes to stand by them on the train. The pair strike up a conversation about music, a shared passion, and Muse B mentions that they’re actually on their way to a gig right now if Muse A wants to come. When Muse A agrees, they don’t realize yet that Muse B is a subway musician who lives off tips from kind commuters. 

F) Muse A decides to be a Good Samaritan and pay for Muse B’s fare when Muse B’s pass keeps getting rejected. Muse B is grateful and promises to repay the kindness if Muse A gives them their contact info. Muse A is reluctant at first, but Muse B seems harmless enough. Muse B, who is actually quite wealthy and is just having an off day, plans to make good on their promise.   

G) Muse A is distracted when an out-of-breath Muse B takes a seat by them on the train. When they finally glance over at their seat companion 2 stops later, they catch sight of smeared blood on Muse B’s fingers/clothes. Muse B signals for Muse A to keep quiet then and they calmly lean over to inform Muse A that they’re going to need their help getting away because they’ve just committed a crime.