Bottle of Water
I had just done my bargain shopping at Costco and was
feeling a bit of a dry mouth from some free sample of
synthetic ravioli they were pushing. As I cleared the
checkout I noted a big drink dispensing machine containing
plastic bottles of cold Kirkland water for only $.99. I was
thrilled to find just what I wanted and for only a dollar!
As I left the store sipping away on that delicious water, I
was suddenly struck by something I had read on Bach is
Dead about "paying for convenience." Here I was
drinking plain water that I had just paid a dollar for. And
I considered that a bargain. It was the convenience (and
the plastic bottle) I paid for, I'm sure the water was
free.
I could have walked 40 feet to a drinking fountain and
gotten a drink of water and spent that $.99 on a song that
would have given me pleasure over and over.
But I got to take the water with me to my car. After all, I
thought, I can always download music for free, as I tossed
the empty plastic bottle on the ground.