Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Can ChatGPT Write Obituaries?

 Can ChatGPT write obituaries?

Yes, ChatGPT can write obituaries. Obituaries are a kind of writing that summarizes the life and legacy of a person who has passed away, so as a language model, I can write an obituary by using the information provided to me, such as the person's name, birth and death date, family and professional achievements, etc. The obituary written by chat GPT can be used as a starting point and may need to be reviewed and edited by a professional before publishing. Additionally, the obituary may have to follow specific guidelines, formats, and styles according to the media where it will be published.

 

Write an obituary for an 87-year-old woman. She died of a stroke. She was married twice, and had five children, four, which survived her, and nine grandchildren. She worked as an elementary school teacher. Her favorite activities were cooking, knitting, and she was the church organist in her parish. 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of [Name], an 87-year-old woman who passed away peacefully on [date], after suffering a stroke. [Name] was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a respected member of her community.

Born on [date], [Name] was the daughter of [parents' names] and grew up in [hometown]. She graduated from [college name] with a degree in education, and began her career as an elementary school teacher. She taught for [number of years] years, inspiring countless children and leaving a lasting impact on her community.

[Name] was married twice, first to [husband's name], with whom she had [number of children], [names of children], and later to [husband's name], with whom she had [number of children], [names of children]. She was blessed with [number of grandchildren] grandchildren, [names of grandchildren], who will always cherish the memories of their beloved grandmother.

In her free time, [Name] enjoyed cooking, knitting, and was an active member of her church community. She was the church organist for [number of years] years at [church's name], where she shared her love of music with her congregation.

[Name] will always be remembered as a kind and gentle woman, who dedicated her life to helping others. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her memory will live on forever.

The family will receive friends at [funeral home name], [address], on [date and time]. A funeral service will be held at [church's name], [address], on [date and time]. Interment will follow at [cemetery's name], [address].

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [charity's name], [address].

Please keep [Name] and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

 

Could you rewrite the obituary with more humor.

It is with heavy hearts, but a smile on our face, that we announce the passing of [Name], an 87-year-old woman who left this world on [date], after a long and adventurous life. [Name] was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a respected member of her community, who always had a witty remark or a funny story to tell.

Born on [date], [Name] was the daughter of [parents' names] and grew up in [hometown]. She graduated from [college name] with a degree in education, and began her career as an elementary school teacher. She taught for [number of years] years, inspiring countless children and leaving a lasting impact on her community. She was known for her innovative and creative methods, but also for the occasional prank, always leaving her students smiling.

[Name] was married twice, first to [husband's name], with whom she had [number of children], [names of children], and later to [husband's name], with whom she had [number of children], [names of children]. She was blessed with [number of grandchildren] grandchildren, [names of grandchildren], who will always cherish the memories of their beloved grandmother and her infamous knitting needles, which always had a way of finding the most ticklish spot.

In her free time, [Name] enjoyed cooking, knitting, and was an active member of her church community. She was the church organist for [number of years] years at [church's name], where she shared her love of music with her congregation, and also her love of improvising during the hymns.

[Name] will always be remembered as a kind and gentle woman, who dedicated her life to helping others, but always with a touch of humor and a sense of fun. Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her memory will live on forever.

The family will receive friends at [funeral home name], [address], on [date and time], where you can share your funniest story about [Name]. A funeral service will be held at [church's name], [address], on [date and time], where we can raise our voices and sing along with [Name], one last time. Interment will follow at [cemetery's name], [address], where [Name] will finally rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to [charity's name], [address], because [Name] always said "It's better to give than to receive, unless you're receiving a good laugh."

Please keep [Name] and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time, but also in your hearts with a smile on your face.


Please re-write in a verbose, Victorian style

 It is with the utmost sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved woman of 87 years of age. Our dear matron, who had lived a long and fulfilling life, succumbed to the cruel grasp of a stroke. She was a woman of great fortitude and virtue, having been married twice and having given birth to five children, four of whom have survived her passing. Her legacy endures in the nine grandchildren who will forever cherish her memory.

Throughout her life, she was a devoted and dedicated educator, having spent many years instructing young minds as an elementary school teacher. Her passion for learning was surpassed only by her love for her family and her devotion to her faith, which was evident in her unwavering commitment to her parish as the church organist.

In her leisure hours, she was a woman of many talents, taking great joy in cooking and knitting. Her home was a warm and welcoming place, always filled with the scent of freshly baked goods and the sounds of her laughter and song.

Her absence will be felt deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones and in the lives of those she touched through her work and her kindness. May she rest in peace.


What are considered some of the funniest funerals in history?

There have been several notable examples of funerals throughout history that have been considered to be humorous or lighthearted. Some examples include:

Hunter S. Thompson's funeral: The journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson was known for his eccentricity, and his funeral reflected that. His ashes were launched from a cannon at his ranch in Colorado, in a ceremony attended by friends and family, including Johnny Depp.

Frank Sinatra's funeral: The singer and actor Frank Sinatra was known for his larger-than-life personality, and his funeral was no different. His casket was carried by pallbearers including his closest friends, such as Tony Bennett and Jack Nicholson.

Spike Milligan's funeral: The British comedian and actor Spike Milligan had a unique request for his funeral, he wanted it to be a celebration of his life, rather than a mourning. His service was held in a circus tent and included music, laughter and a clown-led parade.

Robert Benchley's funeral: The actor and writer Robert Benchley was known for his wit, and his funeral was no different. His epitaph read "Robert Benchley, 1887-1945, He wrote himself out."

Doug Anthony's funeral: The Australian politician Doug Anthony had a humorous request for his funeral, he wanted his ashes to be spread over a pub in the Australian outback, where he loved to drink.

These funerals, while not the norm, have become famous for their uniqueness and lighthearted approach, and have contributed to the legacy of these personalities, celebrating their lives in an unconventional way.


Did the writer Robert Benchley die of alcoholism?

According to the available historical records, Robert Benchley died from alcoholism, specifically from the complications of cirrhosis of the liver. He was known to be an heavy drinker and his alcoholism was a significant factor in his premature death, He died at the age of 58 in 1945. He was a writer and humorist, and a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of New York City writers, critics, actors and wits who were a major influence on American comedy during the 1920s and 1930s. Although his alcoholism was a serious problem, it didn't prevent him from achieving great success and leaving a lasting legacy in American literature and comedy.

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Georgie was one of the most famous clowns in the United States.  Born in 1907, he briefly attended college at the University of Delaware in drama, before moving to Jacksonville, Florida in 1927 to join the circus.  He apprenticed to some of the greatest clowns of the day.  He developed several novel tricks using glasses of colored water, for which he was well-known.  In the 1950s, he traveled and performed both in Europe and Japan.   In 1940, he married Abbie, who was also a clown.   She soon retired and devoted herself to home-making.   Georgie had 7 children, six outside his marriage.   He retired in 1967 and died in 1990 at the age of 83.


With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Georgie, the beloved clown who brought laughter and joy to audiences around the world. Born in 1907, Georgie had a passion for the circus from a young age and pursued his dreams by attending the University of Delaware for drama before apprenticing with some of the greatest clowns of his time.

His talent for creating novel tricks using glasses of colored water earned him a reputation as one of the most famous clowns in the United States. In the 1950s, he toured both Europe and Japan, delighting audiences with his comedic performances.

In 1940, Georgie married Abbie, a fellow clown, and together they created a loving home. Though Abbie retired from the circus to focus on homemaking, Georgie continued to perform and touched the lives of many with his humor and kindness.

Georgie was a devoted family man and a proud father of seven children. He retired from performing in 1967, but his legacy as a clown and performer lives on. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 83, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of clowning.

We will always remember Georgie's contagious smile, his mischievous tricks, and his unwavering commitment to spreading joy wherever he went. May he rest in peace.


Write a family Christmas letter for the year before Georgie died.   I iterated it several times by asking that details be adding (the fire, the Vespa, the skydiving...).

Dear Family and Friends,

As the holiday season approaches, Georgie and I wanted to share some exciting news with you all. This year has been full of surprises, including the discovery of a biological daughter that Georgie had been unaware of for 25 years. We have been overjoyed to welcome this new addition to our family and have been getting to know her and her family. She has brought so much love and joy into our lives and we are grateful for this unexpected blessing.

Unfortunately, this year has also had its challenges. I was working in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes, when a large kitchen fire occurred. We are grateful that no one was hurt and that our insurance covered all the damages.

In addition to the kitchen fire, our daughter Jennifer announced that she had been abducted by aliens. Although we were initially concerned, her hallucinations responded well to psychiatric medication and she is doing much better.

On a brighter note, Georgie had to give up driving due to cataracts but instead of feeling discouraged, he got himself a Vespa and has been getting around town on that. It's been a fun change for him and he loves the freedom it gives him. As a Vespa owner, he has even been able to get a 15% discount on his skydiving lessons! We are so proud of him for embracing new experiences and trying new things.

And to add to his list of exciting adventures, Georgie was thrilled to be cast as a minor character in season six of his favorite television show, Lucifer. He has always been a huge fan of the show and to be a part of it is a dream come true for him.

Our children and grandchildren continue to bring us happiness and we are proud of their accomplishments. Our eldest son, John, continues to do well in his law firm and our daughter, Sarah, and her family continue to bring us joy.

As we look ahead to the holidays, we are filled with gratitude and excitement. We are grateful for our friends and family, and the love and support you have shown us. We hope that you are all well and enjoying the festive season.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

With love and appreciation,


Georgie and Abbie


 

Monday, January 30, 2023

ChatGPT Can Get Facts Simpy Wrong

Many have remarked that ChatGPT can give lucid answers in which key facts are simply wrong.   

The following is from a technical area, but is a good example.  I asked ChatGPT the Medicare payment rate for a hospital-based medical procedure.  Initially it said it couldn't answer.  When I asked again, with more background info in the question, it DID give me a paragraph-length answer, but the key fact (a dollar value) was completely wrong.  There was no clear explanation for where the erroneous dollar value came from.

The text is exactly as generated. CHATGPT came up with a fluent response, except it quotes a Medicare price of $716 when the correct answer was $1369.

Click for the full discussion.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

CHATGTP: Questions about Stanislaw Lem

Stanislaw Lem, a Polish writer who originally trained as a physician, became famous for a large body of innovative work in science fiction in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Over a few minutes, I asked CHATGTP to answer 19 stream of thought questions about Lem.  The answers are below (17,000 words).

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  1. How can one describe the short stories of Stanislaw Lem?
  2. How many short stories did Stanislaw Lem write?
  3. Who are some individuals who have spoken highly of Stanislaw Lem?
  4. Is Baranczak’s monograph about Stanislaw Lem available in English?
  5. Describe the plot of one famous short story by Stanislaw Lem. You can pick the story.
  6. Please give a couple of examples of the use of humor in Stanislaw Lem short stories.
  7. Did the author, Stanislaw Lem win any major awards?
  8. Did the Polish author Stanislaw Lem ever practice medicine, or was he able to make a living from his writing.
  9. About 10 or 15 years ago, most of the books of Stanislaw Lem were out of print in the United States. Why did this happen?
  10. Have the books of Stanislaw Lem ever been published as e-books?
  11. What years were the peak decades for the productivity of the Polish author Stanislaw Lem?
  12. Please discuss the differences between the early works of Stanislaw Lem, and the late works of Stanislaw Lem.
  13. Did Stanislaw Lem describe why or how he got interested in being a writer?
  14. Did the Polish writer Stanislaw Lem ever discuss his medical training and the period of his life when he actually worked with patients and provided medical care?
  15. The Polish author, Stanislaw Lem, and the American author William Carlos Williams were both trained as medical doctors before becoming writers. Are there any other similarities between them?
  16. Did the American poet William Carlos Williams discuss his medical training at his work as a clinical physician?
  17. How many novels did Stanislaw Lem write?
  18. Are any of the essays of Stanislaw Lem well-known?
  19. Discuss the book by Stanislaw Lem  One Human Minute.

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Click to read the Q&A.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

ChatGPT Takes Groucho Marx to the Moon

It is Apollo 11, and the rocket is about to take off, and will land on the moon in a few days. This trip is special, because one of the three astronauts is Groucho Marx!

Please write a movie script.


Act 1:

We open on a shot of the Apollo 11 rocket on the launchpad, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. The camera pans over to Groucho Marx, dressed in an astronaut suit and cracking jokes with the other two astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well boys, I hope you're ready for the ride of your lives. I've been practicing my moonwalk all week, and let me tell you, it's out of this world."

The crowd laughs, and the three astronauts board the rocket. As they prepare for launch, Groucho's jokes keep the tension at bay.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "I hope they have a mirror on the moon, I'd like to see if this suit makes me look fat."

The countdown begins, and the rocket takes off, launching into space.

Act 2:

We see the astronauts in their capsule, floating in zero gravity. Groucho's jokes continue to lighten the mood, but there is also a sense of seriousness as they approach the moon.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "I wonder if there are any moon rocks that look like cigars. That would be out of this world."

As they land on the moon, Groucho is the first one to step out of the capsule, and takes a moment to look around at the barren lunar surface.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well, it's not the Copacabana, but it'll do. "

Act 3:

As the astronauts explore the moon, Groucho's jokes take on a different tone as he reflects on the enormity of what they are doing.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "You know, when I was a kid, I never thought I'd end up on the moon. I thought I'd be lucky to end up on the Borscht Belt."

As they plant the American flag, Groucho turns to Armstrong and Aldrin,

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "You know, this is one small step for man, one giant leap for Groucho-kind."

The three astronauts laugh and share a moment of triumph before re-entering the capsule and heading back to Earth.

Act 4:

As they return to Earth, Groucho continues to crack jokes, but there is a sense of sadness as they say goodbye to their incredible adventure.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well, I guess it's back to Earth for us. I hope they have good cigars back on terra firma."

As the capsule lands, the crowd erupts in cheers, and Groucho, Armstrong, and Aldrin are hailed as heroes.

Act 5:

In the aftermath of the mission, Groucho is interviewed by the press and becomes a national celebrity. He continues to make appearances and give speeches, but there is a sense of longing as he reflects on the experience.

Groucho: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "I may have left my heart on the moon, but at least I have my sense of humor."

The movie ends with a shot of Groucho on stage.


## Art from Canva text-to-image.

ChatGPT Writes, "Charlie's Car Repair Shop."

Please write a movie script about Charlie, who owns a car repair shop. His shop is in Louisville, KY. He is 65 years old and has worked there since age 18. He has owned the shop since age 30. The shop deals with a wide variety of people and car problems every day. The movie script should include five or six customers, why they are interesting people, and what kind of car problems they bring to the shop. Since this is a neighborhood car shop, some of the customers know each other. All the car problems are solved by the end of the day.


Canva AI text to image

Script for the movie: "Charlie's Auto Shop"

Opening shot of a car repair shop, with the sign "Charlie's Auto Shop" hanging above the entrance. The camera pans over the various cars in the garage as the sound of tools and engines fill the air.

Narrator: (voiceover) Meet Charlie. He's been working in his shop for over 40 years. He's seen it all. From the everyday maintenance to the craziest car problems.

The camera cuts to Charlie, a 65-year-old man with a kind face and greasy overalls, as he greets his first customer of the day.

Charlie: (voiceover) Good morning, sir. How can I help you today?

Customer 1, Tim: (voiceover) My car won't start. I think it's the battery.

Charlie: (voiceover) I'll take a look.

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he lifts the hood of the car and begins to diagnose the problem.

Charlie: (voiceover) Sure enough, it's the battery. I'll have it replaced in no time.

The camera cuts to Tim, a young college student, as he thanks Charlie and pays for the repair.

Tim: (voiceover) Thank you so much, Charlie. I don't know what I would do without you.

Charlie: (voiceover) No problem, son. That's what I'm here for.

Next, Charlie greets Customer 2, an older woman, Mrs. Williams with a luxury car.

Charlie: (voiceover) Good morning, ma'am. How can I help you today?

Mrs. Williams: (voiceover) My car is making a strange noise. I'm not sure what it is.

Charlie: (voiceover) I'll take a look.

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he takes the luxury car for a test drive to diagnose the problem.

Charlie: (voiceover) Ah, it's just a loose belt. I'll have that tightened up in no time.

The camera cuts to Mrs. Williams, who thanks Charlie and pays for the repair.

Mrs. Williams: (voiceover) Thank you, Charlie. You always take such good care of my car.

Charlie: (voiceover) It's my pleasure, ma'am.

Charlie then greets Customer 3, a middle-aged man, John with a classic car.

Charlie: (voiceover) Good morning, sir. How can I help you today?

John: (voiceover) My car won't shift gears. I think it's the transmission.

Charlie: (voiceover) I'll take a look.

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he inspects the transmission and makes the necessary repairs.

Charlie: (voiceover) It was just a small adjustment. Your car should be shifting like new.

The camera cuts to John, who thanks Charlie and pays for the repair.

John: (voiceover) Thank you, Charlie. You're a master of your craft.

Charlie: (voiceover) I appreciate that, sir.

Charlie then greets Customer 4, a group of teenagers, Sara and her friends, with a beat-up car.

Charlie: (voiceover) Good morning, kids. What can I do for you today?

Sara: (voiceover) Our car won't start, we think it's the alternator.

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Charlie: (voiceover) I'll take a look.

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he inspects the alternator and makes the necessary repairs.

Charlie: (voiceover) Yep, it was the alternator. All fixed now.

The camera cuts to Sara and her friends, who thank Charlie and pay for the repair.

Sara: (voiceover) Thanks Charlie, we couldn't have done it without you!

Charlie: (voiceover) No problem, kids. Always happy to help.

The camera then cuts to Charlie's final customer of the day, Customer 5, a man named Mark with a brand new car.

Charlie: (voiceover) Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you today?

Mark: (voiceover) I just wanted to get my oil changed before I head out of town.

Charlie: (voiceover) Of course, I'll have that done in no time.

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he performs the oil change and checks the rest of the car to ensure everything is in good condition.

Charlie: (voiceover) All done, sir. Your car is good to go.

The camera cuts to Mark, who thanks Charlie and pays for the service.

Mark: (voiceover) Thanks, Charlie. You're always so thorough.

Charlie: (voiceover) It's my job, sir.

The camera then cuts to the exterior of the shop, as the sun sets and Charlie packs up for the day.

Charlie: (voiceover) Another day, another set of problems solved. It's always something different, but that's what keeps things interesting.

The camera pans out as the sound of the garage door closing and the "Charlie's Auto Shop" sign turns off.

Narrator: (voiceover) Charlie may not be a flashy, big-city mechanic, but his years of experience and his dedication to his customers make him one of the best in the business.

Closing shot of the shop with the sign "Charlie's Auto Shop" and the end credit rolls

END.


Please re write, now with Charlie having the personality of Groucho Marx.

Act 1:

The movie opens on Charlie, the owner of Charlie's Auto Shop in Louisville, KY, as he sings and dances his way into the shop.

Charlie: (singing) "Hello, I'm Charlie, and I'm here to say, I'll fix your car in the U.S.A!"

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he greets his first customer of the day, a woman named Karen with a broken down car.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well hello, beautiful lady! What seems to be the trouble with your car today?"

Karen: "My engine won't start and I'm late for work!"

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Don't you worry, my dear. Charlie's on the case. Let's take a look under the hood, shall we?"

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he inspects the engine and makes the necessary repairs.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Ah-ha! The problem was just a simple spark plug issue. Easy fix."

Karen: "Thank you so much, Charlie!"

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "The pleasure is all mine, my dear. Now, off to work with you! And be sure to tell all your friends about Charlie's Auto Shop."

Act 2:

The camera then cuts to Charlie's second customer of the day, a group of teenage girls, including a young woman named Sara, who's car won't start.

Sara: "Charlie, please help us! We're supposed to go to the mall but our car won't start!"

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well, well, well. Looks like we got a little bit of a predicament here. Don't you worry, kids. Charlie will fix it in a jiffy."

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he inspects the alternator and makes the necessary repairs.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Yep, it was the alternator. All fixed now."

The camera cuts to Sara and her friends, who thank Charlie and pay for the repair.

Sara: "Thanks Charlie, we couldn't have done it without you!"

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "No problem, kids. Always happy to help."

Act 3:

The camera then cuts to Charlie's final customer of the day, a man named Mark with a brand new car.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you today?"

Mark: "I just wanted to get my oil changed before I head out of town."

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Of course, I'll have that done in no time."

The camera cuts to Charlie, as he performs the oil change and checks the rest of the car to ensure everything is in good condition.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "All done, sir. Your car is good to go."

The camera cuts to Mark, who thanks Charlie and pays for the service.

Mark: "Thanks, Charlie. You're always so thorough."

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "It's my job, sir."

Act 4:

As Charlie works on the cars, his customers, who are also his friends, come in and out of the shop, catching up with Charlie and each other. Mark stops by, who is an old school friend and Sara, who is a neighbor, comes to pick up her car which Charlie fixed last week. They share some small talks and gossip.

Meanwhile, Charlie is hard at work on Karen's car, a classic convertible that she inherited from her grandfather. She's excited to finally have it running again, but is worried about the cost.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Don't you worry about a thing, Karen. You're not just paying for parts and labor, you're paying for my expertise. And let me tell you, I am a master of the trade.

Karen thanks Charlie and tells him to take his time, she trusts him completely. As they talk, the storm outside begins to pick up and Charlie jokes that they should all head to the storm shelter, but they all laugh and tell him not to be ridiculous.

The phone rings and Charlie answers. It's a panicked customer who is stranded on the side of the road because of a flat tire. Charlie promises to be there as soon as he can, but warns that it might be tricky getting out in the storm.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Looks like the weather's taking a turn for the worse, but don't worry. I'll get you back on the road in no time.

Charlie finishes working on Karen's car, and she thanks him again as she gets behind the wheel. The rest of the customers also get their cars back, and as they drive off, Charlie looks on with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.


Act 5: As Charlie closes up shop, a group of his regular customers, including Karen, Sara, and Mark, come by to thank him for his help and invite him for a drink to celebrate the end of the day.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "Well, well, well. Looks like I've got some company for a nightcap. How can I resist such an invitation?

The group heads to a local bar, where they laugh and share stories while Charlie regales them with jokes and impressions.

As the night wears on, Charlie raises a glass in a toast.

Charlie: (in a Groucho Marx voice) "To cars, to friends, and to always keeping the engine running, both in our vehicles and in our lives."

The group clinks glasses, and the film ends with a shot of the group laughing and enjoying each other's company as the music plays out.