Rene: Why are you sitting here just staring into space?
Francis: I’m pondering life.
Rene: That sounds profound.
Francis: I’m examining my life from a metaphysical standpoint. I’m not sure I really exist. Maybe my entire life is an illusion and there’s no such thing as reality.
Rene: Okay. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?
Francis: I’m better now that I’ve made some decisions about my epistemological outlook on life. I’m allowing reason and logic to guide me.
Rene: That’s great, but you still seem a little distracted.
Francis: That’s because I’m wrestling with some major questions about ethics and morality. It’s not easy always trying to do the right thing.
Rene: I can understand that, but could you get me…?
Francis: But then I think that perhaps the only thing that matters in life are esthetics, and I should devote my life to creating beauty.
Rene: That’s a nice idea, but have you given any thought to how you’d pay the rent? You could start by getting me a cup of coffee.
Francis: Ah, I see you’re a realist. Do you want your usual or do you want to hear the specials?
