May 1, 2012
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Barry, the Naive Patron of a Manhattan Street Vendor
Barry’s first visit to New York City, and by golly if he wasn’t going to buy a souvenir from one of Manhattan’s famous street vendors to mark the trip.
A Korean man selling watches seemed as worthy a recipient as any of Barry’s eager patronage.
Lee: You want buy watch, only ten dolla, ten dolla you buy watch.
Barry picked up a silver watch with gold inlays around the face. “Rollex” was inscribed on the back.
Barry: Wow, a Rollex! Surely this isn’t ten dollars.
Lee: No, you pay fifteen for dat watch, dat watch top of da line, you pay fifteen.
Barry: Fifteen! Wow. And this is a real Rollex?
Lee: It say Rollex, don’t it? Of course it real.
Barry: It just seems like such a low price for a Rollex.
Lee: I offa my customas very good price, always best price in Manhattan, buy da watch, only fifteen dolla.
Money was exchanged. Barry beamed. He was the proud owner of a Rollex, the authenticity of which his wife strongly contested by pointing out the two l‘s, and the 3 and the 9, which were swapped.