Male and female brains

[Potter]

In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their

family member lay gravely ill in the room next door. 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, very risky but it is the only hope. Insurance will cover the

procedure, but 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 smirked.

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 explained to the entire group,.......

"It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down the price of

the female brains, because they've actually been used."