History Speaking of Wedgwood
I recently experienced this little exchange with my checker—a friendly teenage girl—at the Wedgwood QFC, after placing some cash on the counter.
My friend: “Look—someone signed that dollar.ā€¯ (There was a big red scribble on it.)Me: “Oh yeah! Maybe it was someone famous. Maybe it was George Washington. I should hang on to it. It should probably be in a museum or something.ā€¯
…pause…
…pause…(At this moment in her shortish life, the checker has never met a huger fucking fool. My gaffe makes her uncomfortable. She stares at the floor, unsure of whether or not to take my “famous dollar.ā€¯)
Checker: “Uhmmm……Please say you’re kidding.ā€¯
Me: “What?ā€¯
Checker: “……………You do know George Washington died before that bill was even made, right?ā€¯
I fessed up to “kidding,ā€¯ then made a joke about my public school education. Then she asked—if I know so much about presidents—could I name the first five? As it happens, yes. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk. That’s eleven, sucker. STUFFED.
Don't forget the first King George. GWB, a descendent, was named after him.