Dreams vs Potential

A: You're trying to tell me that you became an engineer because that's what you always wanted when you were a kid?

B: Yes.

A: What, like, you enjoyed drawing circles and shit?

B: No, you idiot, that's not it.

A: I know, so how exactly is it that a kid knows what an engineer does? Let alone knowing what a specific field of engineering is concerned with. That's what you're saying, right? You became an engineer because that's what you always wanted when you were a kid?

B: Yes.

A: So yeah, it's a legitimate question. How does a kid know what an engineer does, that when you were a kid, you knew you wanted to be an engineer? Like you saw a movie or something?

B: Something like that.

A: So if you wanted to be a stripper when you were a kid, you would grow up to be one?

B: Why would any kid want to be a stripper?

A: I don't know. Why would a kid want to be an engineer?

B: Are you saying that being an engineer is the same as being a stripper?

A: No, but wait a minute, are you saying that no stripper ever wanted to become a stripper when he or she was a kid?

B: No, I don't think so.

A: So what, you look down on strippers?

B: Sure I do.

A: Because you're an engineer?

B: No, because being a stripper isn't a good thing.

A: And what, being an engineer is?

B: Sure it is, are you saying otherwise?

A: I'm not saying anything. I'm just not sure on why you think, or better yet how you're convinced that you wanted to be an engineer ever since you were a kid, but no stripper could have wanted the same thing when they were kids too.

B: How can you even assume that, did you ever think about becoming a stripper?

A: No, but I never thought about being an engineer either.

B: But you're not an engineer. So it works out.

A: Not really, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a driver.

B: What, like a race driver?

A: No, like a driver who picks up your kids from school and shit.

B: Why did you want to be that?

A: Why did you want to become an engineer?

B: Are you saying that being an engineer is the same as being a driver?

A: I would say the same skills are involved, yes.

B: Beg your pardon?

A: I mean, kids are kids. They want silly shit. Some kids want to grow up to be birds.

B: Now you're just being silly.

A: And what, listening to the 5 yr old kid inside you who wants to be an engineer isn't silly?

B: What's your problem?

A: Nothing. I just don't expect people to take shit like "I always wanted to be .." this or that seriously.

B: Then why did you choose to become a linguist?

A: I never said I wanted to be a linguist. Just because you were a boring kid wanting to be an engineer doesn't make me a boring kid who wanted to be a linguist.

B: What, you wanted to be a doctor?

A: No, I wanted to be a pilot.

B: Why didn't you become a pilot then?

A: Because I grew up. I'm not a 6 year old kid anymore. That's my point, when you're a kid, you want things that seem cool at the time.

B: What's so cool about being a pilot?

A: For me it was about fucking flight attendants.

B: But you said you were six year olds at the time.

A: Yeah and I told you I wasn't a boring kid. That's what occupied my mind.

B: So .. what are we exactly talking about here?

A: Nothing, I just don't see how you can have the nerve to say that you carried out a thought you had when you were a kid. Like you didn't grow up or something. I mean, you're practically admitting that you never matured and are now fulfilling some thought you had when you were a baby.

B: It's called having a dream. Asshole.

A: Well excuuuse me, but just because I had a dream about being a footballer doesn't make it plausible that I grow up to be one.

B: Why not?

A: Because dreams are just thoughts. Potential isn't.

B: What's potential?

A: It's the difference between you, an engineer here, and John, an engineer in Britain. He builds bridges. You draw circles in school.

B: But it's about fulfilling a dream.

A: So your dream was what exactly, that you can be called x the engineer?

B: No, of course not.

A: Then what was your 'dream'?

B: To become an engineer.

A: And I suppose you're okay with a doctor saying he or she became a doctor so he can help people?

B: Sure I am.

A: So what, you're saying only a doctor helps people?

B: No, but only doctors help people in a certain way.

A: But when you're a kid and want to be a doctor, you don't know how doctors do their jobs. So how can you say "I became a doctor because I like to help people".

B: That's what doctors do. It's common sense.

A: No it isn't.

B: Okay, whatever. So what now, if not pursuing a dream, what do you expect people to do?

A: Make the best of their potential.

B: How do they do that?

A: They don't think about what they wanted back when they were toddlers.

B: What if someone saw that his potential lays in his becoming an engineer, like me for example?

A: When was the last time you built a bridge, designed a stadium, or whatever?

B: That's not the only thing engineers do you asshole.

A: Humor me. It's an example. Are you saying that potential is only dependent on a dream?

B: What? No. What?

A: Nothing, just forget it.