Contractors Rule

Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One
from New Jersey, another from Tennessee and the third, Florida.
They go with a White House official to examine the fence.

The Florida 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 New Jersey 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?"

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