The latest film i have watched “Thank You For Smoking”, introduced me to a new LEGAL OCCUPATION, a Lobbyist. What does he do? He “Talks” for his living. Literally, a Lobbyist is a person who represents a group (like a Union Leader) and persuades the government bodies to enact legislative laws which are profitable for the group. It is an art to persuade someone to act in a manner where you have the edge.

Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart), happens to be the cheif Spoksperson for Academy of Tobacco Studies. He speaks for the cigarettes which kill 1200 people in America in a single Day. He apparently promotes cigarettes but never states so. All he does is to filter out the truth and project a picture where in he has everybody’ s attention drawn and proves the other person to be wrong. Because if the other person is wrong, then he would be right. Nick has a 12 year old son, and like every father, he wants to be a role model for his boy. Take a look at the dialogue between the pair. His son is Joey Naylor. they are discussing Nick`s profession, and Nick defends himself as thus:

Joey: So, what happens when you’re wrong?.
Nick: Well,Joey, I’m never wrong.
Joey: But you can’t always be right.
Nick: Well, if it’s your job to be right, then you’re never wrong.
Joey: But what if you are wrong?.
Nick: Okay, let’s say that you’re defending chocolate and I’m defending vanilla. Now, if l were to say to you “Vanilla’s the best flavor ice cream,” you’d say…?.
Joey: “No, chocolate is.”
Nick: Exactly. But you can’t win that argument. So, I’ll ask you. So you think chocolate is the end-all and be-all of ice cream, do you?.
Joey: It’s the best ice cream; I wouldn’t order any other.
Nick: Oh. So it’s all chocolate for you, is it?.
Joey: Yes, chocolate is all I need.
Nick: Well, I need more than chocolate. And for that matter, I need more than vanilla. I believe that we need freedom and choice when it comes to our ice cream, and that,Joey Naylor,that is the definition of liberty.
Joey: But that’s not what we’re talking about.
Nick: Ah, but that’s what I’m talking about.
Joey: But… you didn’t prove that vanilla’s the best.
Nick: I didn’t have to. I proved that you’re wrong and if you’re wrong, I’m right.
Joey: But you still didn’t convince me.
Nick: Because I’m not after you. I’m after them.

Here “them” is referred to the others, the onlookers who are not directly involved in the argument, but are impressed by the argument. Nick teaches his kid to Argue and not involve himself in a negotiation to win. When in the movie, Joey asks her mom for something, which she refuses, he gives an argument which stuns her mom. Nick is surprised when Joey has what he wants, and Joey just says… “I was not negotiating dad, I arguing”. If you have a proper argument you are never wrong. You need not convince them, if you just prove them wrong, even when they are right, they’ll be taken aback and the battle will be won.
My Favorite dialogue : Michael Jordon plays Ball, Charles Manson Kills, I talk.
Have a look at the trailer of the film here : Thank you for Smoking