Councillor: “What’s your problem Hal?”

Hal: “I like bikes”

Councillor: “How is that a problem?”

Hal: “Liking bikes is not the problem, but I like to buy new bikes, sometimes I think I am out of control.”

Councillor: “Hmmmm, I see. What makes you think you are out of control?”

Hal: “Well, I always think that my most recent bike will be the last bike that I buy for a while because I already have a lot of good bikes, but then something comes along and, I don’t know, I got to buy a new bike”

Councillor: “What compels you to buy more bikes?”

Hal: “I’m not sure. I think it may have something to do with weight.”

Councillor: “You don’t look overweight to me.”

Hal: “Not me, the bikes, I like bikes that are light, ride well, and…. well, and are sexy, but not in a kinky sort of way, you know what I mean.”

Councillor: “Oh totally. I know what you mean. I think your problem is not with new bikes, but with weight; any ideas what may have brought this about?”

Hal: “Carbon”

Councillor: “Carbon?”

Hal: “Yeah, carbon. I like what carbon does to the weight of a bike.”

Councillor: “I see. So your problem is not so much that you like bikes, a lot, your ‘problem’ is more to do with the weight of the bike, in particular, that carbon makes for light bikes.”

Hal: “Yeah, I think that is it.”

Councillor: “So, have you acted on this compulsion of yours lately?”

Hal: “Yes I have….”

Councillor: “Oh!”

Hal: “I know. Say, how tall are you?”

Councillor: “6 foot 3 inches.”

Hal: “You wouldn’t want to buy a Niner Jet 9 would you? Hardly ridden.”