Dreams of a New Normal...

[AlexEN]

...
And you say, "Tough head cold but it won't be fatal; thanks for asking." The tone is itself tough -- notice that there's no pronoun "I".

The tenor is cooperative -- you texted me, I texted you, I don't pretend that you don't exist (thought balloon, you heartless scum-sucking pig), and I acknowledge and validate your inquiry into my personal well-being (thought balloon, though I suspect it's totally self-serving).

...Nuttin' pers'nal -- jus' bidness.

I always love Smiley's "thought-balloons"!

Don't know if I agree with the "Thanks for asking"...

But, the last part

...Nuttin' pers'nal -- jus' bidness.

...is what it all boils down to... whether or not one is wearing Lederhosen...