Everything was going too well...
Illustration
Everything was going too well in the huge steel plant. Sure enough, just then one important machine stopped working, resulting in a gradual work stoppage for the entire plant. None of the quick fixes worked: the derelict machine was getting power, nothing on it seemed broken or burned, it looked just like new. It had only one thing wrong with it. It wouldn't work. And nothing anyone could do would get it to work. So the fireman called the supervisor who called the plant manager who called in the repairman. The repairman made his way through the plant security system carrying his toolbox. He put the toolbox down next to the offending machine, took out a stethoscope and listened for a moment. Then he took out a small hammer and tapped the machine once in a very precise manner. The machine started right up. A week later the plant manager received his bill for $250. He called up the repairman. "Two hundred fifty dollars is too much for one hammer tap. You submit another bill, and this one better be reasonable." Three days later he got the second bill which said, "Hammer tap, $1. Expertise and experience for placement of hammer tap, $249." -- Mosley
