An hour later, Sonic and Tails were still chowing down on the coconuts.
"You ever watch that show Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island?" Sonic asked.
"Never heard of it," said Tails.
"Oh, man," said Sonic, "You were deprived. Let me guess, your parents never bought you Gogurt either?"
"What's that?" said Tails.
"You know? Gogurt: the grab-and-go yogurt. It came in a tube. You could freeze 'em, too," said Sonic.
Tails shook his head.
"Oh, man," repeated Sonic, "So what did you do for fun when you were a kid?"
"Mostly just disassemble and reassemble household appliances," said Tails.
"Lame!" said Sonic, "What a nerd!"
"Well, hey," said Tails, "Looks like it worked out for me in the end."
"I guess," said Sonic.
"I came close to making six figures last year," said Tails.
"Yeah, well, do you know how many rings I collected last year?" said Sonic, "A lot."
"Where do you find those things, anyway?" said Tails.
"Around," said Sonic, "They're literally like everywhere. Floating in mid-air. I don't think you've been looking hard enough."
"I guess not," said Tails, "Besides, what's the point of them?"
"How many times do I have to explain this?" said Sonic, "They are my health. When I get hit, they all go spilling out everywhere and I have to recollect them before getting hit again, or else I'll die."
"That makes no sense," said Tails.
Sonic shrugged his shoulders.
"So you've never been hit twice in succession then?" said Tails.
"I mean, if I had been, I'd be dead," said Sonic, "Did I not just explain that to you?"
"What if I hit you?" said Tails, "Would your rings go spilling everywhere?"
"You're not strong enough," said Sonic, "No offense, but you're kind of weak sauce, Tails. Maybe you should try hitting the gym."
Tails, offended by Sonic's remark, made a fist and punched Sonic in the arm as hard as he could. But no rings came spilling out.
Sonic laughed.
"But what about their monetary value?" Tails asked.
"What do you mean?" said Sonic.
"You know," said Tails, "Do the rings work as money? Could you go to the store and pay in rings?"
"I don't think so," said Sonic, "I've never tried it."
"Are they made of real gold?" said Tails.
"I don't think so…" said Sonic, "But they sure look like they are!"
"Hmm," said Tails, "Well, anyway, changing the subject, shouldn't we get going back to Puerto Rico?"
"I guess," said Sonic unenthusiastically.
"We gotta fill up on gas first, though," said Tails.
"Say, Tails," said Sonic, "What do you think will happen to mankind once the fossil fuels run out?"
"Well, if and when that happens, we're fucked," said Tails.
"It's going to happen," said Sonic, "Sooner or later."
"Well, hopefully, we'll be dead by then," said Tails, "Let's go find a gas station and get the hell out of here."