One Day, One Room

House, M.D. "One Day, One Room":

Cuddy is trying her best to get House to fulfill his clinic hours, a task he loathes. One of the patients, Eve, turns out to be a rape victim, and House attempts to pass her on to another doctor, as his lack of decency and tact would surely be a detriment. But she insists she wants House. 

Eve says she wants to talk, and House tries every which way to deflect a serious conversation. She keeps on asking him questions about his own experiences. 

House: They're out there, doctors, lawyers postal workers some of them doing great some of them doing lousy. Are you going to base your whole life on who you got stuck in a room with?

Eve: I'm going to base this moment on who I'm stuck in a room with. It's what life is. It's a series of rooms and who we get stuck in those rooms with adds up to what our lives are. 

Circumstances beyond our control—although, in higher Entity's control—place us into situations with different people. The only control we do have is in our choice of behavior and our choice of words. 

Whether it is a government bureaucrat, an annoying neighbor, or a bad date, I try to remember that I can learn something from everyone, from anyone, even someone I would rather avoid.

As for more pleasant companionship, am I making the most of my interactions? Am I gleaning all I can by being in this moment, by maintaining concentration on the here and now?