Beyond all help

A customer approaches the counter and holds up a book.

"Excuse me," he says, "Is this book eight dollars or two dollars?"

I look at him.  He is pointing directly to the price tag on which is clearly indicated an 8.

I study his face for traces of a smile, some indication of humour or irony.
There is none.

"Eight." I sigh, tiredly, fantasizing about the bottle of wine I will quaff once I get home.
"That is a figure of eight. It is eight dollars."