Since the subject has come up, I got to thinking about what I consider a good conversation. The one that follows was the first one that came to mind.
It's fiction, written by the brilliant Joss Whedon, but I think it captures the essence of a truly good conversation. It's from the first episode of the TV series "Firefly," and requires a bit of a setup for those who might not have seen the series. It's the first private conversation between a man of God and a whore. Shepherd Book is a Shepherd, a 60-ish Christian holy man on a walkabout, on leave from his Abbey, just walking the universe like Caine in Kung-fu. On a whim, he has booked passage on Serenity, the spaceship home (unbeknownst to him) to a band of outlaws. In the scene just before this conversation takes place, Shepherd Book was being introduced to the members of the crew and other passengers by Mal, the Captain. Someone asks, "Will the Ambassador be joining us?" Enter Inara. The camera pans up to reveal one of the most beautiful women in the universe, dressed in an elegant gown. She walks down the stairs with a grace that defies description and extends her hand to Book. He stammers, stunned by both her beauty and her grace, "I didn't expect to be meeting royalty." Inara doesn't get it, and someone has to explain to her that she was referred to earlier as the Ambassador. Mal says, "She's a whore, Shepherd." Others explain that she's a Companion, which in this future world is the counterpart of a highly-trained geisha. She is their 'Ambassador' because many planets wouldn't let them dock there unless they had a Companion on board to ply her trade on that world while they're there doing their outlaw business. Mal and Inara trade a few witty barbs, and the awkward moment is mainly forgotten as Inara leaves. In the next scene, we see Inara in her shuttle, kneeling topless before a basin of water, bathing herself. Shepherd Book knocks, and then enters, carrying a tray. Inara: Sinjin. [something Chinese, probably 'Enter'] Book: [seeing her topless] If I'm intruding... Inara: [not embarrassed in the least, gracefully pulling up the top of her gown and standing up to greet him] Not at all. I expected you. Book: Couldn't really say the same. Inara: So. Would you like to lecture me on the wickedness of my ways? Book: I brought you some supper, but...if you'd prefer a lecture, I have a few catchy ones prepped. Sin, and hell-fire. One has lepers. Inara: [laughing] I think I'll pass. [takes the tray] Thank you for that. Book: The captain said you might like it. I was surprised at his concern. Inara: For a lowly whore. Book: It was unjust of him to say that. Inara: Believe me, I've called him worse. I expect he was was more interested in making you uncomfortable than me. Book: He isn't wildly interested in ingratiating himself to anyone. Yet he is very protective of his crew. It's odd. Inara: Why are you so fascinated by him? Book: Because he's something of a mystery. Why are you? Inara: Because so few men are.
