In a classroom, a history teacher posed the question of what the students wanted to be when they grew up. The answers were typical aspirations like lawyers and doctors, reflecting society's high expectations. However, one student, Norman, expressed a humble desire to become an office employee, prompting laughter from both the teacher and classmates. This interaction highlighted the disparity between ambitious dreams and ordinary aspirations.

Years later, the roles reversed as most of those students became office employees, while Norman Mailer, who understood the reality that not all dreams materialize, pursued a more unconventional path. This juxtaposition underscores the theme that societal norms often overshadow individual aspirations, and that sometimes, embracing the mundane can be a wiser choice than chasing unattainable goals.