Public Works

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 Minnesota. All three go with a White House official to examine the
fence. The Minnesota 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: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit
for me." The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says,
"I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100
profit for me."

The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the
White House official and whispers, "$2,700." The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even
measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high 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.