The first applicant (5) (be) a journalist. He (6) (light) a cigarette, (7) (think) for a moment and then he (8) (say) "twenty two". The second applicant (9) (have) a degree in engineering. He (10) (take) out his calculator, (11) (press) a few buttons, and (12) (show) the answer to be between 3,999 and 4,000. The next applicant (13) (work) as a corporate lawyer. He (14) (state) that two and two (15) (can) only be four, and (16) (prove) it by reffering to the well-known case of Gates v Monopolies Commission. The last applicant (17) (turn) out to be an accountant. The businessman again (18) (put) his question, "What is two and two?" The accountant (19) (get) up from his chair, (20) (go) over to the door, (21) (close) it, then (22) (come) back, and (23) (sit) down. Finally, he (24) (lean) across the desk, and (25) (whisper) in a low voice, "How much do you want it to be?"