A and Not-A go mountaineering
A: Hopefully this is the last time, Not-A, that you and I will ever go mountaineering together. What an ill-fated adventure. Our ropes snapped and we fell 7 metres. Now, had we not landed safely, here on this tree branch, we would have fallen another 700 metres onto the rocks below to certain death.
Not-A: I hate you.
A: Be that as it may, I have sent a distress call to the rescue crew. Their helicopter should be here shortly and we will be saved.
Not-A: Here is my pocket saw.
A: Yes, I can see that. What are you going to do with it?
Not-A: I am going to saw away this entire tree branch.
A: Please don't do that.
Not-A: You sound opposed to the idea.
A: Yes, I am opposed to the idea! Because it is a terrible idea.
Not-A: You sound very, very opposed to the idea. Therefore I like the idea much more.
[Not-A begins to saw away at the tree branch.]
A: If you saw away this tree branch on which we are both sitting, you and I will fall to oblivion.
Not-A: You sound firmly, implacably opposed to the idea. Somehow I find that the more you try to convince me that I am wrong about it, the more convinced I become that there must be a way in which it is exactly the right thing to do.
[Not-A continues to saw away at the branch.]
A: You are insane! I am willing to physically fight you unless you stop what you are doing this instant!
Not-A: Aha! I knew it! You have proven me absolutely right!
[The branch is nearly sawn away.]
A: Fine! Enough! I can't take it any more! I have changed my mind! That's it for me with this life! Keep sawing! Just get it over with quickly!
Not-A: You sound like you agree with what I am doing.
[Not-A stops sawing.]
A: Yes! I agree! Please keep going! End it all! Plunge us to our dooms! Goodbye! Goodbye to everything! Just let this madness end!
[Not-A throws away the saw.]
Not-A: Look! Here is the helicopter! The rescue basket has been lowered right next to us!
[A pause]
Not-A: Will you climb in with me?
posted by TiR at 7:01 AM
