gistfile1.py

#*****************************************************************
# In this game, there's a valid node called "Chair"
#     - This will print "node isn't null" therefore verifying our 
#       assumptions that queue_free will not null the reference
#     - You can even use the reference before this function is 
#          done executing (but don't do this in a real game)
func _ready():
	var node = get_node("Chair")
	if(node != null):
		# This will not null our reference.  
		#   In fact we may still use the reference 
		#   after queuing the free, as it is a delayed execution 
		#  (not recommended though, as I am not sure if queue_free() is threaded)
		node.queue_free()
		if(node != null):
			print("node isn't null!")
			# This actually works!
			print("node name is: "+ node.get_name())
		else:
			print("node is null")
		node = null