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It was the first quarter, the Bears were already losing to the 49ers, and there was virtually no traffic on the Tri-State Tollway when Pat Summerall got my attention. Game or no game, a detour seemed in order.

This was no ordinary bathroom scale he was talking about; it was the True Value Hardware Value of the Week. Less than 6 bucks and so many features.

”Sturdy.” Oh, good. ”Accurate.” Maybe not so good. ”An analog readout . . . ”

An analog readout? For $5.98? What would The Sharper Image charge? Is there a True Value near Willow Road?

”. . . with large, easy-to-read figures.”

Never mind, Pat. Seems analogous to that thing with the dial that`s under the sink already.