I've read "Entrance Fee," a short little chit of a story by Alexander Woolcott, a few times, and I just don't quite understand it.
Here we have an army garrison in France all plying for the attention of one Cosette, a pin-up girl. Somehow they get it in their heads that they'd each have to earn 5,000 Francs in order to have enough cash to take her out on a night on the town. They despair that they cannot raise that money, until one clever dick realizes that with 1,000 in the garrison, each could raise five francs and then dole the pot out by lottery.
So they do that. A country bumpkin wins the lottery. Their commanded, amused at their machinations, provides extra cash. The soldier and Cosettte have their night on the town. She's so amused by the tale she gives him back his five francs. End of story.
Anyone else out there read it? Can anyone explain why this is so darned funny, because I just don't get it.
Monday, May 16, 2011
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When she says that she was so touched and proud, she adds that he can go back and tell the other cadets that it didn't cost him a thing. Then she reaches for the money that he brought with him. The reader (and probably the cadet) is expecting her to return the five thousand francs that he brought her. But instead, she only gives him back the five francs that he personally spent. So her generosity is not as great as it appeared.
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