Love Transposed

Cupid X, Senior Cupid Extraordinaire, studied the five cadets standing at attention in front of him.
“You will be assessed for promotion to Full Cupid by a Valentine’s Day challenge,” he informed them. “The Cupid who is successful in pairing off the most unlikely couple will not only earn full status, he will gain a position as my personal assistant, a fast track career move toward becoming a Senior Cupid.”
All five shiny, red-cheeked faces glowed with excitement. Their wings beat faster, and more than one chest puffed up with determination. Cupid X hid his smile behind the clipboard in his hands.
“You have until midnight on Valentine’s Day to finish this assignment. I will expect all reports on my desk no later than five p.m. on February fifteenth. Any questions?”
A chubby, round arm waved from the back. “Sir, is this how you moved up from being a cadet?”
Ten interested ears perked up to hear the answer. Cupid X’s chest filled with pride. The story of how he won his first promotion was one of his favorites. He’d been hoping someone would ask so he had an excuse to tell it.
“I did indeed move up after winning a similar challenge.”
The young Cupids were bouncing. They leaned forward, obviously eager to hear more.
Cupid X cleared his throat and slipped into his storytelling voice. “The place was New York City, USA, on Planet Earth—the time: the year nineteen-eighty-one...”