the answer to everything

This is from Marsh Whitfield, by way of Sherry Gottlieb --

It is a slow day in the small Minnesota town of International Falls, and the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody is living on credit.
 
A rich tourist visiting the area drives into town, stops at a motel, lays a $100 bill on the desk and says he wants to inspect the rooms before selecting one for the night.
 
As soon as he walks out with a few keys, the motel owner grabs the bill and runs next door t...