507 – Guarding One’s Privacy
I went to visit my old friend, Mina, whom I hadn’t seen in several years. It was one of the strangest afternoons of my life!
Dan: Hi, Mina, it’s really good to see you.
Mina: Dan, come in. Hurry!
Dan: Uh, okay. Why do you have four locks on your door, and why are all of the curtains drawn?
Mina: I like my privacy. And anyway, I think there’s a peeping Tom around this apartment building and I don’t want him to get a peek into my apartment.
Dan: Oh, okay. I noticed that your name isn’t on your mailbox. I wasn’t sure I had the right apartment number.
Mina: Do you think I would voluntarily give people that information? They are constantly trying to invade my privacy. All I want is anonymity, but I have to be on guard all of the time. These days, I only give out personal information on a need-to-know basis.
Dan: No offense, but isn’t that a little paranoid? You act as though everybody is out to get you.
Mina: Aren’t they? Haven’t you noticed? We constantly have to disclose our most personal information on forms and to anyone who comes to our door. If I didn’t know you were coming today, I wouldn’t have opened my door at all.
Dan: You mean you live here in seclusion, like a hermit?
Mina: Of course not! I have plenty of friends. Come and meet them all.
Dan: Wow, you must have 10 birds and 20 cats!
Mina: Yes, that’s right. But, rest assured, none of them will breathe a word of what you say here today!