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Pony: I wasn't born yesterday
9.14.2005
There is a certain type of person who believes that the world is full of cheating types. That there is no such thing as unselfish acts. I call them the "I wasn't born yesterdays", mostly because of this story:
My friends were roomates at this apartment around Bloor and Christie. They have a mutual friend who makes short movies. On a weekend they were both going to be out of town, they offered her the use of their apartment as a set.
On the second day of the shoot, the landlord showed up and demanded money for the use of his property. His "share" of the rental.
"But we aren't paying to use the apartment. They are letting us use it for free because they are both away!"
The landlord laughed and demanded $500 or he would "call the cops".
"I wasn't born yesterday," he said. With little alternative, the crew (almost all musicians and waiters) had to come up with the cash and give it to the landlord.
Sometimes, when I am trying to understand things, like why people vote for inept and mean- spirited leaders, I wonder if they are suffering from a lack of information, or whether we just have totally divergent values.
But then I think of that story about the landlord. In a world where there is no such thing as public service without a selfish agenda, where everyone is potentially out to exploit you, you must believe you need someone who is really good at playing that game. Someone who "wasn't born yesterday".
Do you think that is it?
