Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House
in D.C.; One from Illinois, one from Tennessee, and a third from
Kentucky . They all go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Tennessee 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 Kentucky 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 Illinois contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the
White House official and whispers, '$2,700.' The official, incredulous,
whispers back, 'You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you
come up with such a high figure?'
The Illinois contractor whispers back, '$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and
we hire that guy from Kentucky to fix the fence.'
'Done!' replies the government official.