Crystal blue skies and a bright golden sun welcomed a glorious spring morning. Rainbow rays floated through pristine stained glass windows, casting beautiful patterns on marble floors. Though still early in the day, the corridor was crowded with people going about their business.

Cupid didn't have time for niceties, ignoring shouted "hellos" and "hey, what's up?" His eyes were set determinedly on a doorway at the end of a long hall. Cupid, like everyone else, knew a summons into His presence equated haste. You didn't dawdle.

Arriving at last, Cupid knocked three times in quick succession before opening the portal to enter the massive conference room. At once he noticed a group of people seated around the table, speaking in whispered tones. Cupid stopped in mid-flight, his wings slowing until he almost fell from the air. "I'm sorry," Cupid stammered. "I didn't realize you were already in session."

"It's all right Cupid. We've been waiting for you," God assured him. "Come in and have a seat so we can begin."

Cupid hung in the doorway a moment, amazed as always at the round table in the middle of the room. The massive table was made of solid gold with twelve thrones positioned equally around its perimeter. There were silver inlays depicting fairies, unicorns, and cherubs dancing along its edge and in the center, a full moon with beams of light reaching fingers of silver to touch on smiling faces.

Many years ago, when King Arthur first set into motion his idea of a governing council in Camelot, God sat up and took notice. What a wonderful idea for sharing the burden of leadership, God had thought. He ordered the massive table built, and set about appointing members to his very own round table council. When Arthur died, God made him a member of The Benevolent Order of Heavenly Souls. He joined a distinguished group of council members who were God's advisors, and while it was an honor to serve, there was one drawback ... you had to be dead.

Pulling himself together, Cupid slowly floated forward to join the others, trying to figure out what could be so damn important. He had so much work to do, with Valentine's Day only a month and a half away. Cupid would love to tell the boss he didn't have time for this, however, the last time he'd been so bold his wings were singed before he could escape the path of God's wrath.

Deciding silence would be the best course of action, he took his seat between Jupiter and Zeus, and, along with the others, waited for God to tell them why he'd called this emergency meeting.

God relaxed deeper into his throne as he waited for Cupid to take his seat. He surveyed the group and was pleased to see all eleven members of the council in attendance. Getting them in one place at the same time always took a lot of effort. However, this issue needed to be dealt with. Once Cupid took his seat, God sat forward and picked up a little golden bell sitting in front of him. With a quick tinkle, he called the meeting to order and everyone fell silent, turning to look in his direction.

"I have called you here today to discuss the lack of true love in the world," God stated, as a collective moan rang out from the crowd around the table. "I know you think we've covered this issue before, but I'm telling you, I want something besides flying arrows responsible for true love."

Holding his hand up to forestall any comments, God continued, "I've been informed by Queen Guinevere," he nodded slightly to the lady on his right, "that she heard they are singing a new song on earth. I'm not sure of the exact wording, but I believe they refer to Cupid as stupid, and beg him to stop shooting arrows at them." God paused for a moment to let their whispers die down again.

Looking at Plato, he addressed his next comment to him, "Plato, you're familiar with sonnets and such. Perhaps you've heard this new song."

"My apologies, Sir; however, I must admit, since 'Rap' became the norm on earth I've turned off all receiving devices in my quarters. I just can't stand mindless noise. I'll state here and now however, I'm not surprised they think Cupid is stupid. I've been saying it for years!"

A loud roar of disapproval rose from the group as many voiced their objections to Plato's statement.

"That will be enough!" God's tone quickly silenced the group. "You all need to respect each other during this meeting, otherwise nothing will be accomplished."

Looking across the table at the newest member of The Benevolent Order of Heavenly Souls, God spoke again, "George, you're most familiar with these Americans. Can you give us any insight into what we might be doing wrong?"

George sat up straighter in his chair and cleared his throat. "Having followed the ways of my successors to the presidency for the last two hundred and six years, I can tell you several of them used astrologers. Mind you, I don't hold with such nonsense, however, I believe one recent president consulted a personal astrologer for every decision he made."

God noticed this statement brought a look of surprise to most of those seated around the table. "I take it from your expressions that this is news to most of you?

Raising his hand, Ra-Atum, Egyptian God of the Sun, waited for God to call on him.

"You have something to add, Ra?"

"Yes. I believe astrology has been around for many centuries. It's a noble occupation and one I think we could use for our purposes."

"Fiddle-faddle!" shouted Juno, Roman Queen of the Gods. "Have you watched the television commercials lately? There's one woman claiming that if you call her, she can read your future over the phone, and all it will cost is three dollars and ninety-nine cents a minute. Fiddle-faddle, I say."

Once again, God rang his golden bell to bring order back to the room. "I didn't plan on a long-winded discussion. What I want is to give Cupid instructions for getting true love back on course before February fourteenth."

God waited for everyone to settle down again before continuing. "I think George hit the nail on the head with the astrology angle. Therefore, here's what we're going to do. Cupid will assume human form and go to San Francisco. He'll advertise himself as a singing astrologer, specializing in reading people's astrological charts at parties," God paused to make sure everyone was following along. "While he gets things set up, the council will pick a couple for Cupid to work with. If he's successful, we'll continue until we bring true love back to the world. I believe this will solve the problem of arrows once and for all."

"This has to be the stupidest idea I've heard in centuries," exclaimed Hera, Goddess of Marriage. "Do you plan to dress him in an ape suit too?"

Looking sternly at Hera, God stated, "Don't be ridiculous madam, he'll wear regular human clothes and blend in with the people of San Francisco nicely."

"Oh dear, have you seen the people in San Francisco lately, Sir?" Queen Guinevere appeared shocked by this idea.

"Listen to me!" God's voice exploded over the room. "We could spend the next six days talking about this, which I refuse to do. The last time I took six days to do anything it made the history books. I'm positive Cupid is smart enough to adapt to anything San Francisco can throw at him, so let's just agree to try this and see what happens.

Cupid remained silent throughout the discussion taking place around him. Stupid Cupid! He'd heard the song and after listening to it twice, he'd made a special trip to earth to shoot several arrows into the backside of the singer.

He wasn't happy with the decision of the council, however, he knew it would do no good to argue with the all-mighty dead ones. Once they made up their collective minds something was broken, it didn't matter what you did to prove them wrong. At least with this plan he'd get to spend some time on earth in human form.

Yes, he thought to himself, time away from the day-to-day dealings of politics on Uranus. No more flying around naked, shooting arrows at thankless people. Best of all, he could enjoy the pleasures of a human body for as long as this experiment took. Cupid smiled. With a couple of minor adjustments, this might just be the best plan after all, he told himself.