Windy City Weasels

I'm posting this at Ted McClelland's request and with the consent of Nate Cockerill. Enjoy.

As every Weasel knows, Nate Cockerill and I have had our differences. But I want to use this forum to thank Nate for putting his Diplomacy skills to work to save me $1.05. The other night, I visited Nate's place of employment, Half Price Books, to buy a copy of Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee. I showed Nate my selection, and he led me to the register. There, Nate did what Nate does best: He lied.
"This is a former employee," he told the clerk. "He should get the 15 percent discount."

Thanks to Nate's trademark deadpan prevarication, my $6.99 book became a $5.94 book.

"Nate," I said, "you're the best liar I've ever met."

"It got me third place in Seattle," he mumbled.

I have nothing but gratitude for the two-faced discount Nate gave me. But I still won't believe anything he tells me in a Diplomacy game.