If You Give Them Too Much Attention, the Terrorists Win

Girlfriend, pointing at the base of a tree: Look! Look! There's a rat and a squirrel fighting!
Boyfriend: No!
Girlfriend: Yes there is! Look! There's a fucking rat attacking that squirrel!
Boyfriend: Shhhh. Don't talk about the rats. Don't pay attention to them.
Girlfriend, pointing at passerby: Look at her, she saw them! She knows what I'm talking about.
Boyfriend: Ignore the rats.

--Washington Square Park East