An unusual incident at a gas station has left even experienced law enforcement officers questioning reality, illustrating that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.

Last week, Irvine Police reported that a man nonchalantly entered a local gas station and demanded $55 worth of gas, adamantly refusing to pay for it. Police humorously noted that it was a “bold move with these gas prices.”

When gas station attendants turned down his demand, the man persisted, stationing himself at a pump in anticipation of receiving the free fuel he seemed to expect.

However, the fuel never flowed.

Upon arrival, officers found themselves in a peculiar standoff, relying on negotiation and patience to resolve the situation. The encounter took a bizarre turn when the man began questioning the very existence of money as a concept.

“I sincerely believe that money as a unit of payment is not real,” the man is heard stating in a video of the incident, released by Irvine Police.

The officers tried talking sense into the guy, explaining reality versus his personal beliefs, but he wasn’t having it.

“OK, you can believe that dude but this is reality,” the officer says. “If you want gas, you go pay for gas with cash or debit card, if you’re not going to do that, then you get out of here.”

Despite efforts to defuse the situation, authorities say there’s only so far talk can go.

When someone refuses to follow lawful orders, police noted, the consequences are — unlike the suspect’s theory about cash — very real.

The incident is just the latest reminder that in law enforcement, no two calls are ever the same.