In Case You Run into Bernanke this Weekend . . .

As we head into the long Fourth of July weekend, my favorite financial joke:

Albert Einstein dies and goes to heaven. He's greeted warmly and told he'll have four roommates. As he's settling in, the first roommate walks up and says, "Professor Einstein, what a great pleasure. I hope we can be friends — I have an IQ of 160. Einstein replies, "That's fine. We can talk about the theory of relativity."

After a while the second roommate comes in. "Professor Einstein, what a privilege," he says. "But my IQ is only 140." "Excellent," replies the great man. "We'll discuss higher mathematics."

Soon the third roommate introduces himself. "I'm happy to meet you, Professor. But I hope you won't mind that my IQ is only 120." "Not at all," says Einstein graciously. "We'll have many discussions of literature and art."

Finally, the last roommate comes in. After a moment he shyly says, "Professor Einstein, this is a great honor. But I really should tell you the truth:  My IQ is only 80." At which Einstein breaks into a delighted grin and says, "That's wonderful! Tell me — which way are interest rates headed?"