After the anti-trust hearings, Bill Gates recently compared the software market with the soft drink
market. He says Microsoft is stuggling to survive but that the beverage giants will be on top forever because the Department
of Justice doesn't pick on them. Of course, Bill should be careful not to give Coke any ideas. We might end up with a scenario
like the following:
Joe: (Walking into McDonald's) Hi, I'd like a Big Mac.
Cashier: Okay, here's your Big Mac and here's your Coke. That'll be $3.99.
Joe: Uh, I don't want a Coke.
Cashier: Sorry, they're bundled.
Joe: What? I'm not paying for a Coke!
Cashier: You don't. The Coke is free.
Joe: But wasn't a Big Mac $2.49 last week?
Cashier: Sure, but this latest Big Mac is far more innovative. It's got integrated Coke!
Joe: I already bought a Snapple across the street... I'm not going to drink the Coke.
Cashier: Then you can't have the burger.
Joe: Okay, fine, I will pay the $3.99 and throw the Coke away.
Cashier: Oh, you can't do that. They're seamlessly integrated. Totally inseperable.
Joe: How can that be? They're two totally separate things!
Cashier: No, watch. (Takes the Big Mac and dunks it in a tank of Coke) See?
Joe: Why did you just do that?
Cashier: It's to benefit the customer. Otherwise you'd end up with two different, inconsistent tastes.
This way you're assured of a continuous taste across all your food.
Joe: AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!
