One day, in line at the company cafeteria, Joe said 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 replied.
“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 collected a urine sample and took it to Wal-Mart. He deposited ten dollars,
and the computer lit up and asked for the urine sample. He poured the sample
into the slot and waited. Ten seconds later, the computer ejected 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 at Wal-Mart."
That evening while thinking how amazing this new technology was, Joe began wondering
if the computer 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. J
Joe hurried back to Wal-Mart, eager to check the results. He deposited ten dollars,
poured in his concoction, and awaited the results
The computer printed the following:
- Your tap water is too hard. Get a water softener from aisle 9.
- Your dog has ringworm. Bathe him with anti-fungal shampoo from aisle 7.
- Your daughter has a cocaine habit. Get her into rehab.
4 Your wife is pregnant with twins. They’re not yours. Get a lawyer. - If you don’t stop playing with yourself, your elbow will never get better. Thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart.
