Dear Friend Indeed

Rockamellon:  You say that but I do not feel as though I led us here.  In fact, I feel it has been you who has driven us here.

 

Socrato:  Ah, but my dear friend Rockamellon, it is you who has provided us with all the information and all the ideas for our discussion.  I have only applied logic to those ideas.  Do you disagree with my logic, Rockamellon?

 

Rockamellon:  I don't, Socrato.  I don't like the way your logic makes me feel but I don't disagree with it.

 

Socrato:  Perhaps your emotion is a signal that there is more to uncover.  What else is there in friendship besides keeping one another company?  Surely there must be something more that gives friendship value beyond merely saving money on therapy?

 

Rockamellon:  Surely there is, Socrato and I appreciate your gesture toward helping me find it - though I suspect that it is just that - a gesture and that you mean to monetize any facet of friendship that I manage to bring to light.

Socrato:  I am merely seeking to discover if there is any kind of value other than monetary value.  Can you think of a more effective way to explore this conundrum other than to examine the things that most people think sacred like family, love and friendship?

Rockamellon:  You mean to go for the soft spot, Socrato?

Socrato:  I suppose so, yes.  Why not start with the things that people value that seem the farthest removed from monetary value?  If those "soft spots" as you call them can be boiled down to monetary value then surely everything else of lesser importance also can be boiled down.

Rockamellon:  It is a vicious trap you are laying, Socrato.

Socrato:  The trap of logic must always be air tight, my friend.  But we delay... what else is there of value about friendship?