Taking advantage of her customers' freedom from immediate payment constraints, Norma increases her prices for wine and beer, the most-consumed beverages. Her sales volume increases massively.

A young and dynamic customer service consultant at the local bank recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and increases Norma's borrowing limit. He sees no reason for undue concern, because has the debts of the alcoholics as collateral.

At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert bankers transform these customer assets into Drink Bonds (DKB), Alk Bonds (AKB), and Puke Bonds (PKB). These securities are then traded on markets worldwide. No one really understands what these abbreviations mean and how the securities are guaranteed, and even though their prices continuously climb, the securities become top-selling items.

One day, although bond prices are still climbing, a risk manager from the bank decides that the time has come to demand payment of the debts incurred by the drinkers at Norma's bar. But the customers cannot pay off their debts. Norma therefore cannot fulfill her loan obligations. She files for bankruptcy.

DKB and AKB drop in price by 95%. PKB performs better, stabilizing in price after dropping by 80%.

The suppliers of Norma's bar, having granted her generous repayment due dates and having invested in many of her securities, are faced with a new situation. Norma's wine supplier claims bankruptcy, and her beer supplier is taken over by a competitor. The bank, desperately short of cash, turns to the government for help.

The bank is saved, following dramatic round-the-clock consultations with leaders of both political parties.

The federal funds required for the bail-out are obtained by a new tax levied on non-drinkers.