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?