After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift.

How about some perfume? he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50.

Thats a bit much, said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30.

Thats still quite a bit, Tom groused.

Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle.

Tom grew agitated, What I mean, he said, is Id like to see something real cheap.

So the clerk handed him a mirror.