One day, in line at the company cafeteria, Joe says > >> > > to Mike behind him, > >> > > > >> > > "My elbow hurts like hell. I guess I'd better see a > >> > > doctor." > >> > > > >> > > "Listen, you don't have to spend that kind of > >> > > money," Mike replies. > >> > > > >> > > "There's a diagnostic computer down at Wal-Mart. > >> > > Just give it a urine > >> > > sample and the computer will tell you what's wrong > >> > > and what to do about > >> > > it. > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > It takes ten seconds and costs ten dollars . . . A > >> > > lot cheaper than a > >> > > doctor." > >> > > > >> > > So, Joe deposits a urine sample in a small jar and > >> > > takes it to Wal-Mart. > >> > > > >> > > He deposits ten dollars, and the computer lights up > >> > > and asks for the > >> > > urine > >> > > sample. He pours the sample into the slot and waits. > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > Ten seconds later, the computer ejects a printout: > >> > > > >> > > "You have tennis elbow. Soak your arm in warm water > >> > > and avoid heavy > >> > > activity. It will improve in two weeks. Thank you > >> > > for shopping @ > >> > > Wal-Mart." > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > That evening, while thinking how amazing this new > >> > > technology was, Joe > >> > > began > >> > > wondering if the co mputer could be fooled. > >> > > > >> > > He mixed some tap water, a stool sample from his > >> > > dog, urine samples from > >> > > his wife and daughter, and a sperm sample for good > >> > > measure. > >> > > > >> > > Joe hurries back to Wal-Mart, eager to check the > >> > > results. He deposits > >> > > ten > >> > > dollars, pours in his concoction, and awaits the > >> > > results. > >> > > > >> > > The computer prints the following: > >> > > > >> > > 1. Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener. > >> > > (Aisle 9) > >> > > > >> > > 2. Your dog has ringworm. Bathe him with anti-fungal > >> > > shampoo. (Aisle 7) > >> > > > >> > > 3. Your daughter has a cocaine habit. Get her into > >> > > rehab. > >> > > > >> > > 4. Your wife is pregnant. Twins. They aren't yours. > >> > > Get a lawyer. > >> > > > >> > > 5 If you don't stop playing with yourself, your > >> > > elbow will never get > >> > > better! > >> > > > >> > > Thank you for shopping @ Wal-Mart!!!
