April 7, 2012 3:59 PM PDT
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House.
One is from Chicago, another is from Tennessee, and the third is from
Montana. All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Montana contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring,
then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job
will run about $900. That's $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100
profit for me."
Next the Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then
says, "I can do this job for $700. That's $300 for materials, $300 for my
crew and $100 profit for me."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or do any figuring, but leans over
to the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "But you didn't even measure like the
other guys. Or do any figuring. How did you come up with such a high
estimate figure?"
The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we
hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official.
