I bought a lot of rubbish things that kids buy: skateboards and

Host: The light inside the café was soft, casting gentle reflections on the table where Jack and Jeeny sat. The sounds of the city outside seemed distant, almost muted by the warm comfort inside. The flicker of the overhead lights created long shadows on the walls, and the murmur of quiet conversation from nearby tables mixed with the occasional clink of cups and the sound of the rain outside.

Jeeny, her fingers gently tracing the edge of her cup, was lost in thought for a moment before her gaze shifted toward Jack.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote by Tom Felton today: ‘I bought a lot of rubbish things that kids buy: skateboards and clothes and typical teenage stuff. And, as soon as I could, I wasted a lot of money on cars—BMW's mostly—for myself and my family.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “I mean, it sounds like a pretty typical story for someone with money, right? The stuff we buy when we’re young, the things we think will bring us happiness—it's always these fleeting desires. Cars, clothes... they’re all just temporary fixes for something we don’t understand at the time.”

Host: The rain outside had begun to fall harder, a steady rhythm against the window, as if it matched the pace of their conversation. Jeeny, her gaze steady, took a small breath before responding.

Jeeny: “But don’t you think it’s interesting how we often seek things to make us feel better, even though we know they’re not going to bring lasting happiness? Felton talks about wasting money on things that didn’t satisfy him. It's easy to judge those purchases, but I think it’s also a reflection of the way society pushes us to chase external things instead of finding meaning from within.”

Jack: “Yeah, but that’s the thing, Jeeny. When you’re young, you don’t know that. You think all these material things are going to bring you the joy or the sense of accomplishment you’re looking for. I mean, he was young, probably caught up in the lifestyle that came with fame. The cars, the clothes—they’re just the symptoms of something deeper, a way of filling a void, even if you don’t know what that void is.”

Host: The café felt like a quiet haven, the world outside disappearing behind the mist on the window. Jeeny’s eyes were soft, but there was a quiet depth to her words as she spoke again, her voice a gentle counter to Jack’s cynicism.

Jeeny: “I agree, but I think it also speaks to the pressure we feel to be validated by what we own. When you’re surrounded by expectations, whether they’re from society, family, or even yourself, it’s easy to get caught up in the idea that things define you. But the more you chase them, the more you realize they can’t fill what’s missing. It’s like buying things because you think it’ll make you feel better, only to find that it doesn’t change anything in the long run.”

Jack: He thought for a moment, taking in the truth of what she was saying. “Yeah, I get that. You chase the wrong things for so long that you forget what you’re really after. But the problem is, once you’re on that track, it’s hard to break free from it. There’s a pressure to keep upgrading, to keep buying, because that’s how you show success. It’s like you’re trapped in this cycle, constantly trying to fill a hole with things that just can’t fit.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And I think that’s what Felton is trying to say. He bought all those things because he thought that’s what would define him or make him happy. But in the end, it’s not the things that make you who you are. It’s how you find meaning in the simpler things, the experiences, the relationships, and the way you grow as a person. You don’t need to prove anything through what you own.”

Host: The light in the café seemed to dim a little, the depth of their conversation settling in. Jack, usually quick with a response, sat still for a moment, reflecting on the words Jeeny had said. His fingers were no longer drumming on the table, and his gaze was softer, more reflective.

Jack: “Maybe that’s the real challenge, isn’t it? Letting go of the need for validation from things, from the external world. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting more—wanting the cars, the clothes, the status—but I guess the real question is, what happens when you stop chasing that? What’s left?”

Jeeny: “What’s left is you. What’s left is finding yourself without all the distractions. True happiness doesn’t come from things—it comes from how you view yourself, from what you do with your life, from the impact you make, and the way you grow. It’s about realizing you don’t need anything extra to feel complete.”

Host: The rain outside had softened, its steady rhythm now a faint background, as the conversation between Jack and Jeeny lingered in the air like a quiet revelation. Jack’s earlier skepticism had melted into something deeper—an understanding of how the things we chase don’t always define us, and that the path to fulfillment often starts with letting go of the idea that success is measured by possessions.

As the café settled into a comfortable silence, it felt as if they had touched on something real—the idea that happiness doesn’t come from filling a void with things, but from finding meaning beyond the material, in the experiences and connections that truly shape us.