[txusa03]

The Contractor

Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One is from
the Philippines, another from Mexico and an American.
They go with a White House official to examine the fence. The American
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."

Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can
do $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."

The Filipino contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the
White House official and whispers: "$2,700."

The official, incredulous, says, "What? You didn't even measure like the
other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"

"Easy," the Pinoy explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the
guy from Mexico."