"Can I get a bottom of wine..."
A drunk had wandered into the dentist office in downtown Baltimore while we were waiting to have our teeth cleaned.
"I'm sorry, sir. You're going to have to leave," said the blond woman at the desk. "This is a dentist office. You come here to get your teeth worked on. This isn't a liquor store."
"Wha...? I'm s'posed to be here... I think...my mother sent me down here..."
"What?"
"My mother..."
"Wait a minute," said an older woman behind the desk. "That's Henry. That's Ms. Rogers son."
The man was very drunk. His eyes were out of focus. He was about 40 years old...wearing what looked like a hunting jacket. Wobbling as he stood before the desk.
"Okay..." continued the blond woman. "Henry...we're not going to work on your teeth if you're drunk. You come back straight...and we'll take you.
"Besides, your appointment is for tomorrow at 9:30...not today. You run along...and come back tomorrow at 9:30...and come back sober...okay?"
"Henry," the older woman took up the conversation. "Do you have bus fare? How you gonna get home?"
"Bus fare...why? I'm not going anywhere..."
"Yes you are..." said the blond woman...and she escorted him to the door and pushed him outside.
Until next time,
Bill Bonner
for The Daily Reckoning Australia
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About the Author
Best-selling investment author Bill Bonner is the founder and president of Agora Publishing, one of the world's most successful consumer newsletter companies. Owner of both Fleet Street Publications and MoneyWeek magazine in the UK, he is also author of the free daily e-mail The Daily Reckoning.
Comment by Biker Pete on 22 May 2009:
I always enjoy reading Bill's anecdotes, but wondered about its relevance early this morning when DR (the US version) arrived. I figure that my first conclusion (things-are-getting-bad-in-the-US) was probably just a little imprecise. Anyone help with this one...?!
Comment by Gino on 23 May 2009:
Now I could be wrong, but I see the story as a metaphor describing the developing Chinese relationship with the USA. The US (Henry) being drunk on easy credit, fronting up (at the dentist) for service, only to be shown the door by the blond woman (China) while she points out that being drunk in public is inappropriate behaviour and will not be tolerated in the business environment she controls.
But who's the older woman of this little drama?
Comment by John on 23 May 2009:
I'm reading the metaphor as it relates to the US being "drunk" on borrowing and spending and believing that it can fix its economy before it "sobers" up.
Comment by Biker Pete on 23 May 2009:
Interesting interpretations. I wondered if the 40 yo, now homeless, has moved back in with mom. He's lost his car, too. He's wearing a hunting jacket. Why? Is the metaphor a prediction of where we're headed, fast.... a comment on housing, Detroit, cost of living... ? But I appreciate your interpretations, Gino and John. Both are highly appropriate... !
Comment by Greg Atkinson on 23 May 2009:
Perhaps Bill has just gone a little Jean-Paul Sartre on us? This is what happens when you think too much.
Comment by Biker Pete on 23 May 2009:
We may in fact be confusing mere anecdotes with parables. Bill often provides snapshots of his travel experiences and family life. This _may_ indeed be one, Greg. I've found his snippets about his daughter's film career very interesting... and his life in rural France enviable (can't wait to get re-immersed...). Likewise his Argentinan adventures, but it has been easy to interpret the two latter recount forms as comparisons to the US economic scene. The stress of writing a daily 'reckoning' may require some light anecdotal relief, as you say. I put out a weekly newsletter for over thirty years... and at times it sartred a little... !