BigBull,
Sorry, was driving all day and missed your gas poll. Prices varied from 1.399 regular 1.479 midgrade 1.569 at a discount station in a local town known for cheap gas prices to 1.499-1.589-1.639 in Hershey, always a little higher due to tourist trade. I wasn't paying close attention but the Philly area seemed similar to Hershey prices.
The Harrisburg Patriot ran a front page story on the "ridiculous price of gas" and statements from many folks on how they are going to curtail their driving.
Based on the traffic on the Turnpike, Sheerkill Expressway etc., I'd say that was mostly huff and puff consumers blowing smoke. Non truck traffic was close to normal for a Sunday. 18 Wheeler traffic was down noticeably however, even for a Sunday. Average speed of traffic was down slightly.
Whenever I go down to Philly (not really enough for an scientific study) I count the truck traffic in the opposite lanes (which shows I am either a compulsive oil company investor or something, ggg).
Truck traffic on Interstate 81 was close to normal, with more trucks driving in 70's "convoy" fashion, probably to save fuel, I'd guess.
As for the riddle, obviously the night clerk was a relative of a member of the Federal Reserve and the five dollars was just "created" anyway, as a favor from Uncle Al to help out a nephew in a bind.
The real moral of the story is if the three guys had any business smarts, they could have complained enough about being overcharged to get the room for half price at most.
VBG
Edit, OOPS, I got my "BIGS" mixed up with the hotel story!
Roebear |
