A humorous extract from B.Bryson's, A Walk in the Woods
The setting: Bryson and his companion Katz have been hiking the Appalachian Trail and decide to take a cab from Gatlinburg, USA:
Bryson: 'How much would it be to take two of us to Ernestville?' I enquired.
Cabguy1: 'Dunno', came the reply.
This threw me slightly.
Bryson: 'So how much do you think it would be?
Cabguy1: 'Dunno.'
Bryson: 'But it's just down the road.'
There wasa considerable silence and then the voice said:
'Yup.
Bryson: 'Haven't you ever taken anybody there before?'
Cabguy1: 'Nope.'
Bryson: 'Well, it looks to me on my map like it's about twenty miles. Would you say that's about right?'
Another pause.
Cabguy1: 'Might be.'
Bryson: 'And how much would it be to take us twenty miles?'
Cabguy1: 'Dunno.'
I looked at the receiver.
Bryson: 'Excuse me, but I just have to say this. You are more stupid than a paramecium.'
Then I hung up.