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.