The Firmness of Our Beliefs

SCENE: Dentist's office. PATIENT is laying in chair, slightly nervous but not showing it. DENTIST swivels around after consulting x-rays.

DENTIST: Well, we could save the wisdom tooth but it would require a root canal and those run fifteen hundred dollars. Now, it's entirely up to you. If you want to keep your teeth I understand. We'll do whatever you want if that's what you want.

PATIENT: You know, it's always been my goal in life-- (raises arms and smacks a fist into his palm to emphasize his words) to keep my wisdom teeth.

DENTIST: That's a worthy goal. We can do that.

PATIENT: However, what was that you said about fifteen hundred dollars?

DENTIST: (laughs; mimics the hand smacking) How quickly our goals can change!