In the Hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their
family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and
somber. I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news," he said as he surveyed the
worried faces. "The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a
brain transplant. It's an experimental procedure, semi-risky, and you will
have to pay for the brain yourselves." The family members sat silent as
they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked, “Well,
how much does a brain cost?" The doctor quickly responded, "$5,000 for a
male brain, and $200 for a female brain." The moment turned awkward. Men in
the room tried not to smile, avoiding eye contact with the women, but some
actually looked. A man, unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the
question everyone wanted to ask, "Why is the male brain so much more?" The
doctor smiled at the childish innocence and so to the entire group said,
"It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of the
female brains, because they've been used."
