[ WP ] A new god is born , and he promises you his support in exchange for you making his religion known .

Cheryl was having a quiet cup of coffee on her lunch break when a man asked if the second seat at her table was taken. She was n't enjoying her crossword and welcomed the prospect of a conversation. He did n't look like a crazy person. He was well dressed, well fed and had excellent posture. If there were to be an earthly incarnation of a god in the 21st century, this is probably what it would look like. Of course it was ridiculous, but she decided to play along. 
 
 `` You really expect me to believe that you're a god?'' 
 
 `` I know that it seems like a ridiculous claim in this day and age, but if you humour me, I can make it worth your while.'' 
 
 `` I'd be interested to see some evidence of your divinity.'' 
 
 `` I'm afraid I ca n't do that. I do n't have any power yet.'' 
 
 `` If you do n't have any powers, what exactly makes you a god?'' 
 
 `` It's my nature. I have the capacity to become as powerful as any other god, but I need adherents to give me strength.'' 
 
 He certainly seemed more down to earth than she would have expected a god to be, but she had no intention of getting sucked into a cult. 
 
 `` Which god are you even supposed to be?'' 
 
 `` I'm me. All the other god jobs are already taken. I'm new.'' 
 
 There was an almost otherworldly charm to the man. He did n't seem particularly articulate or intelligent, but there was something about his eyes that made his bizarre claims almost believable. 
 
 `` I'll need some animal or crop sacrifices to get me started of course. That's how all the big guys got going. Once you have enough followers, you can thrive on just prayer and belief, but they all needed a kickstart in the beginning. You can really get a leg up with a human sacrifice, not much staying power though. 
 
 `` If you could give me a hand here, I'd see you well looked after in the long run. My first devotee would have pride of place in my church. It does n't have to be anything big, just a little alter, or even some prayers would help.'' 
 
 The conversation was starting to take a turn down crazy street and in-spite of the handsome stranger's je ne sais quoi, Cheryl was starting to become visibly uncomfortable. Perhaps the man was the god of social cues, because he rose and picked up the unfinished half of his strawberry parfait. 
 
 `` Well, there is a Neil Gaiman signing this afternoon and I think I might find a receptive audience there. Thanks for your time.'' 
 
 *** 
 
 Cheryl did n't think of the handsome stranger again until hours after she got home that evening. She was making a week's supply of greek salad when the lunchtime conversation returned to her mind. Cutting onions was always the worst part of making a salad, but if she lit candles on the counter, her eyes did n't sting as bad. 
 
 The tableau on and around her cutting board reminded her of the man's entreaty. On the spur of the moment, she took up a bell pepper and laid it between her two candles. Thinking of the man, she crushed the pepper under her fist and dumped it into the garbage. 
 
 Nothing happened. Feeling rather silly, she finished making her salad, one pepper short. She was gladder than usual that she lived alone. 
 
 *** 
 
 Having struck out at the Neil Gaiman signing, the man was heating up a can of baked beans on his camp stove. He ate leaning agains the rear side door of his 1996 Dodge Caravan, when he felt a tingle. 
 
 `` That's a start.''
