Author's Note: After hearing about Garry Marshall's passing, I learned that, early in his career, he was a writer for The Dick Van Dyke Show. That led me to start thinking about the show, and an idea for a crossover that I've wanted to do FOREVER. I finally bit the bullet as it were, and began writing. As usual this turned out longer than I meant, and it's obviously not finished! Please review!

Rob couldn't believe he was doing this as he stepped onto the elevator. But, when his former boss called and "suggested" this job to him, he'd had no choice but to say yes. He and Laura had traveled halfway across the country, just so Rob could possibly get another job as a television writer.

Feeling shy, he got on and tried to walk to the back corner of the elevator. But then he realized he wasn't alone. A young woman smiled at him, and his heart immediately stopped. It wasn't just that she was beautiful, although she certainly was. This woman, whoever she was, looked exactly like Laura. "Uh, hi," Rob said.

"Hello," Mary replied. "You seem awfully nervous. Are you here for a job interview?" She could still remember how nervous she'd been the first time she walked into this building. But it had turned out to be the best thing that had ever happened to her.

"Yes," Rob blurted out suddenly. "I'm here to talk to the station manager about writing for the Chuckles the Clown Show. My old boss heard that there was an opening, so he told me to fly all the way out here and try for the job."

"Oh, well, I'm sure you'll be fine," Mary said, smiling once again.

Rob found that he couldn't take his eyes off this woman. The resemblance really was remarkable. How was this possible?

Mary felt uncomfortable, the longer this man looked it her. She was used to men glancing at her, but this was somehow different. And it was made all the more awkward because she couldn't walk away. She glanced over, noting that there were still several floors before she would reach the newsroom.

"You're probably wondering why I keep looking at you," Rob said. "It's just that you look so much like my wife. It's uncanny!"

Well, that's a line I haven't heard before, Mary thought. "Really?" she asked, wanting to be polite.

"Yes," Rob said, fumbling as he reached for his wallet. "I have a picture here." He found a photo of himself, Laura and Richie, holding it so that Mary could see.

Seeing the picture, Mary couldn't deny the resemblance. "Wow. She does look an awful lot like me."

"Laura's never going to believe this when I tell her. I've told her some crazy things before, but not anything like this!" He laughed.

"I wouldn't blame her," Mary said.

Rob still couldn't believe he was talking to a woman who could've been Laura's sister, if he didn't know she was an only child. "By the way, what's your name?" he asked, offering her hand.

"Mary Richards. I'm the associate producer of the 6:00 News." Mary shook his hand, feeling an odd connection to him already.

"Wow," Rob said. "That's impressive!" Suddenly he remembered what he was here for. To interview for a job.

Mary noticed the sudden change in his body language. "I know starting a new job can be nerve-wracking. I felt the same way the first time I walked into the newsroom. But now, my co-workers are practically my family!"

Rob nodded. "That's how I used to feel about Buddy and Sally, my two co-writers from The Alan Brady Show."

"Alan Brady? Wasn't he the bald man who had that variety show a few years ago? I used to watch that! I loved all those sketches about husbands and wives. They seemed so real, although I wouldn't really know. I've never been married."

"Well, I have, and a lot of those sketches were based on stuff that happened at home – much to my wife's annoyance! By the way, my name's Robert Petrie. But everyone calls me Rob." He found himself tripping over his words, still in shock over the amazing resemblance to Laura.

Mary smiled, once again noting how well they were hitting it off. The elevator bell dinged, and Mary realized it was her floor. Though she knew she had to get back to work, she almost didn't want to say goodbye to Rob. "I know this might sound crazy, but do you and your wife have plans for tonight? Because, if not, you could have dinner at my place. I mean, since you two are new in town, and I wouldn't mind having some company for a change."

Rob was surprised at the offer. They'd only just met, and here this woman was, asking him to dinner. But still, he couldn't deny she was easy to talk to. She'd nearly made him forget about the job he hoped to get. "Well, sure. Laura and I were planning to have a quiet dinner at our hotel, but your offer sounds a lot nicer!"

"Good!" Mary reached into her purse, searching for a paper and pen. "I live at 119 North Weatherly," she said, scribbling it out for him. "And here's my number, in case you and your wife change your minds."

Rob gratefully accepted the paper from her. Now he knew, even if this job didn't work out, at least one thing had come out of this trip. He'd met the second most beautiful woman in the world, and he couldn't wait to see Laura's reaction when she saw Mary in person!