"Hi!" He exclaimed.
"Hey!" I responded.
"How are you?" we asked in unison, without meaning to. There was suddenly an odd, nearly awkward silence, as we both tried to figure out which one of us should respond first. Or should we ignore the over-used greeting altogether? We neither of us could merely say 'fine', because it would only serve to finalize the gap that just opened between us. One of us needed to come up with something very funny, or brilliant, so we could laugh and go on with a conversation like the friends we were. Only it was too late at night for that. So we exchanged a few halting pleasantries, and walked away, feeling rather puzzled and perplexed.