Naw. She wasn't smiling. I was smiling. Irony does that to me.
(Still smiling).
You know, there was more she said. She had "worked in oncology," she said. So while she was talking, I tried to figure out... Receptionist? After-hours maid service? Couldn't figure how an oncologist would make the career move to night clerk in a city with Baltimore's rep. "Worked in oncology"? Hmmm.... Lots of non-oncologist ways to be associated with an oncologist's office. But yeah, I'm sure an oncologist would agree with her position. So, geez. I'm not serious.
But I like to poke a little. It's fun.
I had interrupted to ask here and there, things like, "So, yes, smoking causes cancer. Oh, yes. No argument there. But what's the incidence?" ... and ... "You've read about the differences between pipe smoking and cigarette smoking?" (just tossing those out there, and did see that the questions shook her confidence a little, made her wonder if she really *did* have all the facts).
But then she quickly looked away from me, said "You have a nice day," dismissing me. *Me* smiling broadly, because I hadn't said anything about her choice of occupation. But it *was* on my mind to. (Not quarrelsome. Just... pokey).
Not really having a debate. Just... playin'.
(Old guys get that way, I think. Old guys who smoke pipes, maybe even more so?).
