One day a man was standing on a busy bridge in London majestically greeting the passers-by as if they were his subjects. He waved a parchment scroll ceremoniously in the air while imperially proclaiming the bridge belonged to him. Another man who happened to be crossing the bridge, started watching him incredulously and eventually went up to him:
1st man: Welcome one and all - this bridge is mine.
2nd man: Come on – this bridge is not yours.
1st man: Yes it is ..
2nd man: No it isn’t ...
1st man: Yes it is!
2nd man: No it isn’t!!
1st man : Yes it is!!!
1st man: Errr … OK
2nd man: How much do you want for it then?
1st man: £2 million.
2nd man: OK - will you take a cheque?
1st man: Yes, that's fine.
2nd man: (holding his cheque book) do you have something to write with?
1st man: Yes here (offering a pen).
The second man wrote a cheque for £2 million, detached it and held it out. The two men exchanged the cheque and the scroll, shook hands and congratulated each other warmly
Eventually, the first man (no longer the proud owner of the bridge) walked away. A third man who had been watching the whole scene went up to the second man.
3rd man: Excuse me, I could not help watching what just happened and I am totally confused. I cannot believe that either of you were serious. The cheque for £2m wasn't real and the other chap was not the owner of the bridge, so what was the whole thing for?
2nd man: The Pen!