MtnGoat: Is this the right room for an argument?
j_b:(pause) I've told you once.
MtnGoat: No you haven't!
j_b: Yes I have.
Mtn: When?
j_b: Just now.
M: No you didn't!
j: Yes I did!
M: You didn't!
j: I did!
M: You didn't!
j: I'm telling you, I did!
M: You didn't!
j: Oh I'm sorry, is this a five page argument, or the full week?
M: Ah! (taking out his wallet and paying) Just the five pages.
j: Just the five pages. Thank you.
j: Anyway, I did.
M: You most certainly did not!
j: Now let's get one thing perfectly clear: I most definitely told you!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh no you didn't!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: No you DIDN'T!
j: Oh yes I did!
M: Oh look, this isn't an argument!
(pause)
j: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
(pause)
M: It's just contradiction!
j: No it isn't!
M: It IS!
j: It is NOT!
M: You just contradicted me!
j: No I didn't!
M: You DID!
j: No no no!
M: You did just then!
j: Nonsense!
M: (exasperated) Oh, this is futile!!
(pause)
j: No it isn't!
M: Yes it is!
(pause)
M: I came here for a good argument!
j: AH, no you didn't, you came here for an argument!
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
j: Well! it CAN be!
M: No it can't!
M: An argument is a connected series of statement intended to establish a
proposition.
j: No it isn't!
M: Yes it is! 'tisn't just contradiction.
j: Look, if I *argue* with you, I must take up a contrary position!
M: Yes but it isn't just saying "no it isn't".
j: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
j: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!
j: Yes it is!
M: No it ISN'T! Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just
the automatic gainsaying of anything the other person says.
j: It is NOT!
M: It is!
j: Not at all!
M: It is!
The Arguer (j_b) stops.
j_b: Thank you, that's it.
MtnGoat: (stunned) What?
j: That's it. Good morning.
M: But I was just getting interested!
j: I'm sorry, the five pages are up.
M: That was never five minutes!!
j: I'm afraid it was.
M: (leading on) No it wasn't.....
j: I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to argue any more.
M: WHAT??
j: If you want me to go on arguing, you'll have to pay for another five
pages.
M: But that was never five pages just now!
Oh Come on!
Oh this is...
This is ridiculous!
j: I told you...
I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you PAY!
M: Oh all right. (takes out his wallet and pays again.) There you are.
j: Thank you.
M: (clears throat) Well...
O: Well WHAT?
M: That was never five pages just now.
j: I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid!
M: Well I just paid!
j: No you didn't!
M: I DID!!!
j: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
j: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
j: YOU didn't!
M: I DID!!!
j: YOU didn't!
M: I don't want to argue about that!
ad nauseum....