A friend in town called for the obligatory stroll down Michigan Avenue to The Art Institute. Normally this would prove to be a relaxing and somewhat highbrow pass time. But Cari’s not your run-of-the-mill “we were roomies at college” drop in buddy; she’s the unholy completion of my ninja powers. Alone we’re nothing, together we are an invincible power to be reckoned with and today we’re feeling especially turbo-charged because of our good friend and favored sidekick, Venti Vanilla Latte.

Giggling like the caffeine-soaked dorks that we are, we ambled our way to the museum discussing the common policy of “suggested donations”. What *is* a “suggested donation” and what keeps you from paying anything but? Now I am not one to keep a straight face. Can’t do it. I knew in order to investigate this idea of “suggested donations” it was going to require a pro with poker face abilities to rival the ages. It didn’t take much convincing, so we shuffled our way up so many steps, through the front door, and up to the “donations” counter.

“Hello. I would like to pay $10 for a ticket.”
“The suggested donation is $12.”
“I’m aware of that and thank you. I would like to pay $10.”
“Are you a student or anything?