A married woman is having an affair. Whenever her lover comes over, she puts her nine year old son in the closet.
One day the woman hears a car in the driveway and puts her lover in the closet, as well. Inside the closet, the little boy says, Its dark in here, isnt it?
Yes it is, the man replies.
You wanna buy a baseball? the little boy asks.
No thanks, the man replies.
I think you do want to buy a baseball, the little extortionist continues.
OK. How much? the man replies after considering the position he is in.
Twenty-five dollars, the little boy replies.
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS?! the man repeats incredulously, but complies to protect his hidden position.
The following week, the lover is visiting the woman again when she hears a car in the driveway and, again, places her lover in the closet with her little boy.
Its dark in here, isnt it? the boy starts off.
Yes it is, replies the man.
Wanna buy a baseball glove? the little boy asks.
OK. How much? the hiding lover responds, acknowledging his disadvantage.
Fifty dollars, the boy replies and the transaction is completed.
The next weekend, the little boys father says Hey, son. Go get your ball and glove and well play some catch.
I cant. I sold them, replies the little boy.
How much did you get for them? asks the father, expecting to hear the profit in terms of lizards and candy.
Seventy-five dollars, the little boy says.
SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS?! Thats thievery! Im taking you to the church right now. You must confess your sin and ask for forgiveness, the father explains as he hauls the child away.
At the church, the little boy goes into the confessional, draws the curtain, sits down, and says Its dark in here, isnt it?
Dont you start that shit in here, the priest says!
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Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough. Og Mandino