Then What?

Laura brought home a tape from the Wilds by Rich Tozour called Where Are You Going. The beginning starts out interesting, a discussion between a University of Mechanical Engineering professor and his student:

Professor: What are you going to do after you graduate this coming spring?

Student: Well, I got a job lined up at an engineering firm.

Professor: That’s great, so when you get the job there, then what?

Student: Well you know (a girls name) in the class?

Professor: Yes

Student: Well we just got engaged. So, she and I are getting married.

Professor: Great! Then What?

Student: Well, uh, we’d like to work with that company for awhile, but afterward I’d eventually like to start my own business, have my own engineering firm.

Professor: Good! Then what?

Student: Well you know, my girl and I talked about it, once we get  married, we’d like to have kids. Raise a family.

Professor: Good! Then what?

Student: Well, I don’t know, I’d like to work a few years, and then I guess, eventually, I’d like to retire.

Professor: Good. Then what?

Student: Well I guess we’ll raise our kids and get them off to college.

Professor: Good, then what?

Student: I don’t know, once we retire… I don’t know what to retired people do? I guess we’ll get a motorhome, travel the country, and see all the stuff all the stuff that we built.

Professor: Good, then what?

Student: Well I guess we’ll visit the grand kids and see them grow up.

Professor: Uh huh, and then what?

Student: (almost laughing) I don’t know, I guess we’ll die!

Professor: and then what?

Have you ever thought about “and then what?”