[ WP ] We can decide who gives us birth , but it 's like trying to get on a train during rush hour . The richest woman in the world is about to give birth .

`` Finally decided to take the plunge, huh?'' 
 
 Sam spun around and saw a familiar face standing behind him in line. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. `` Yeah,'' he muttered sheepishly, `` I guess so.'' 
 
 Dave clapped his friend on the shoulder with a resounding *smack* and beamed down at him. `` Sam, you are totally going to be fine. I promise! I've been reincarnated 28 times, and each time was better than the last.'' 
 
 Sam removed his halo and started polishing it nervously with his wing. `` I know, I know,'' he whispered back. `` It's just that my previous life was... well... let's just say it was n't the best.'' He extended a wrist so that Dave could see the garish scar tracing across his lower arm. 
 
 `` Put all that old shit behind you, man.'' Dave shot back. `` So you were abused, so you were poor, so you were alone. So fucking what? That life was 100 years ago. Everyone here is looking for the same thing: a chance at a *new* one.'' His hands gestured sweepingly at the room around them and the rows upon rows of similarly lost souls waiting in line to get another bite at the apple. `` Plus, believe me when I say that the ladies down there are getting hotter and easier with each passing century.'' 
 
 Sam smiled. His friend was amazingly animated for a dead guy, with a thick hearty laugh and an unrivaled passion for getting laid. Although Dave was just shy of 3000 years old, he could still pick up a girl less than a hundredth of his age with just a devilish wink and a lewd joke. 
 
 `` Thanks, Dave. I just hope I have better luck this time.'' 
 
 Dave's brow furrowed. Sam could see gears churning deep inside his head. `` Come with me, Sam.'' Dave's big mitts throttled Sam's arm as he dragged his friend out of line. 
 
 `` Hey, man! I've been waiting all morning!'' Sam protested, but Dave ignored this and kept pulling him up toward the front of the line. His eyes scanned the ticket windows before finally locking onto his target. 
 
 `` Hey there, gorgeous,'' Dave purred at the heavy-set blonde plopped behind a thick layer of plexi and an even thicker layer of makeup. 
 
 `` Dave!'' Her chubby face blushed crimson with a chubby smile. `` Who's your cute friend?'' 
 
 `` Annie, meet Sam. Sam, this is Annie.'' Dave pushed his friend up to the counter. `` We're in need of some *luck*,'' he whispered, stressing the last word. 
 
 Annie let out a small laugh. `` Well, let me see what I can find for you.'' Her plump fingers banged away at a computer terminal as her eyes scanned down through the results. `` You might be in luck, Dave. I do have a handful of expecting mothers. All chest-sized double-D. Perfect for a baby of your... *reputation*.'' 
 
 Sam stared in shock at Dave. `` Double-Ds?'' 
 
 `` What? You might as well have something fun to play with during those early years!'' Dave retorted with a laugh of his own. 
 
 Sam shuddered in disgust as he turned back toward Annie. `` I was hoping for maybe a nice, normal family. Decent income and a safe neighborhood. Anything like that?'' 
 
 Annie's eyes continued to scan before finally settling on one entry in particular. `` This one here sounds perfect! Her bio says that she's an heiress of a major hotel chain and was the star of a major movie that was seen by millions of people worldwide. I think she would make an ideal mother!'' 
 
 `` She might be a little too perfect.'' Sam's smile faded. `` It sounds like she would be in very high demand. Do you really think you can slot me in?'' 
 
 Annie stifled a giggle as she looked up at Dave and Sam. `` Trust me, I think her slot would have no trouble fitting *both* of you.'' 
 

