I came back to say I realised I shouldn't even be puzzled because it's his business why he's paying. Maybe I just had to work out what it reminded me of and I think what it is, is like when you see the scene in the movie - the widow/er still setting a place at the table for their recently departed in case they return from the dead.

The whole thing was like some crazy movie where he is the writer, director, cameraman, sound guy and the leading man AND the head of the entire movie studio! It was just too absurd for words but funny now in hindsight.