Manny sat in his dismal apartment, a revolver in his hand. "Oh God," he said, "I can't take it anymore. Look at this dump I'm living in! Look at these rags I'm wearing! Look at this ugly face You've cursed me with!" Slowly Manny raised the gun to his temple.

Suddenly, the God appeared, standing next to the coffee table. "Manny, Manny, Manny. Don't you know you've always been special to me? Here..." and God extended a one dollar bill to Manny. "Go forth to the newsstand and buy a lottery ticket, and this very night shall ye win the jackpot. Take that money and buy a fine home, expensive clothing, and a facelift."

Manny went to the newsstand, bought the ticket, and won the jackpot as it was foretold. He bought a house in the Hamptons as well as a penthouse in Manhattan. He filled his closet with expensive suits and sportsclothes. He got a facelift that made him look twenty years younger. It was while attired in one of his Bruno Magli suits and standing on 52nd Street waiting for the driver to bring his Jaguar around, that a bus jumped the curb, killing Manny instantly.

He found himself in Heaven, standing before God. "God!" Manny said, "I did everything you told me. I got the new house, new clothes, the facelift! I was happy for the first time in my miserable life! Why did did you suddenly decide to cut my life short?"

"Tell you the truth, Manny" said God, "I didn't recognize you."