Here Hans encounters what is perhaps the first disruption to his easy, effortless existence: the Consul informs him that he’ll have to get a real job if he wants to continue living the comfortable life he’s grown accustomed to. But even this doesn’t add all that much conflict to Hans’s easy life: things simply fall into place for him when an acquaintance of his great-uncle’s offers him a promising opportunity. This scene also establishes Joachim as a foil for Hans: while Hans likes the easy life and “tire[s] easily,” Joachim seems to value hard work and honor. That Hans, whom the narrator has emphasized is not particularly smart himself, should look down on Joachim for not choosing a job that demands intellectual rigor, paints Hans in a rather negative light—at least Joachim is doing something useful with his life. Hans has yet to begin his career in earnest.