Jamie's Corner: Black Friday...Sales?

 In the movies, I am not the elegant lady that walks down the stairs and charms her guests with grace and beauty. I am the one that trips on her gown, spills wine on her new dress and tries to carry on a conversation with spinach stuck in between her teeth. Years ago, it used to affect my sense of self and make my depression worse. But I no longer see it that way. A writer once told me anything that does not go smoothly in life makes for a good story. I agree. And I have lots of stories.

View the full archive of Jamie's Corner here.

My story this week: Black Friday...Sales?

I don't know about you, but I found Black Friday...well, black? Maybe I was just on a very unusual game show.

Game Show Host: Welcome everyone! We have a very special episode of The Price is Wrong today. I am your host Eric Exorbitant with the lovely Lana Lavish. Welcome to our first guest of the Black Friday edition of The Price is Wrong.

Jamie: Thank you. Would you mind going over the rules of the game again?

Game Show Host: Of course. You must guess the price of an item without going under the amount. Now, since it is Black Friday, you need to estimate that the item is anywhere from 20-40% off its original price. But then don't forget that most items are more expensive this year than in prior years. So, for example, let's take a toaster as an example. The toaster was $25 last year. This year it costs $35. If you calculate a 30% off sales price, then the toaster currently costs $24.50.

Jamie: Hmm...then it's only 50 cents cheaper than last year. Doesn't feel much like a Black Friday. 

Ok, I'm ready to play.

Game Show Host: Ok, the first item is a Kitchenaid Dishwasher! Go ahead and guess the price.

Jamie: Let's see. Last year it cost $700. This year it is about $850. With about 20% off for Black Friday, I'm going to guess $680. 

Game Show Host: Oh, I am sorry. You went under. The correct cost is $720. You guessed the 20% off correctly, but the current cost before the discount is $900. 

Let's do one more. The next item is a large fruit basket. 

Jamie: Ok. Last year the fruit was $60. It is now about $70 but it is 30% off.  So, my answer is $49.

Game Show Host: Oh, wrong. The correct answer is $59.50. The current fruit basket price is $85. Thank you for playing The Price is Wrong. You did not win but you will leave with a wonderful parting gift- a gift certificate for $10 for Barry's Burgers.

Jamie: What am I supposed to buy for $10? A side of fries? 

Game Show Host: What was that?

Jamie: Thank you so much for the great parting gift. I had a great time playing.  

Game Show Host: Join us tomorrow for another episode of The Price is Wrong!