This page was last updated on April 25, 2002.
WANNA SEE A BUCK DISAPPEAR? My brother and I used to work in
a liquor store in a rough neck of the woods when we were teenagers, and
we've seen our share of con artists trying to swindle an extra buck out
of us. I don't think either one of us have ever seen a con that was
ever that impressive. The ones that usually got away with anything
were the ones that outright stole from the store, like shoplifters or robbers.
One time, our boss Jim was actually hit on the head with a crowbar!
No kidding. Well, anyone could steal in such a cowardly way.
The only time I was ever impressed by someone stealing a buck was when
someone stole it by using mere words. And it was an imaginary buck to boot.
The dollar was stolen in a perplexing little riddle. I can't for
the life of me remember who told me this riddle, but I remember being
quite impressed at the time. You're lucky, because you have the
luxury of seeing it in print to help you figure it out, whereas I did not. Here it is:
Three men walk into a cheap motel to rent a room. The clerk
at the front desk tells them the room will be $30. So they each fork
out $10 apiece and hand it to the clerk. The three tired men go to
their room and find that it's filthy. They go back to the front desk,
demanding a new room. The clerk says that it's the only room left.
The owner hears the three men complaining and feels a bit sorry for them.
So the owner takes the clerk to the back room and tells him to give them
a $5 discount. The clerk goes back to the front desk about to refund
them the $5, but then changes his mind. The unscrupulous clerk decides
to pocket $2 and refund them $3. He hands them each a dollar.
So now each person actually only paid $9 instead of $10. Ok, $9 times
three equals $27. Now, remember, the clerk pocketed $2. So,
$27 plus the $2 equals $29. Hmm... they started off by paying $30.
What happened to that dollar??? POOF! Gone.
AKI'S WORLD!