He met General Powell and Taggart, partners in business, who were ready to buy his invention. After inspecting and testing the machine, both General Powell and Taggart wanted to buy the invention from Edison.

Taggart started to negotiate with Edison and bring the price down. Hence, he asked Edison "How much do you expect to sell the machine and patents to us?"

Edison did not have any price at his mind and was thinking how much to tell. Hence, he turned towards Powell and asked him "General, Could you consider a fair price for me? How much do you propose?"

Thinking that Powell might be too generous towards Edison, Taggart quoted "Will twenty thousand do?"

Hearing the words, Edison was shocked, muttering the words "How much? Twenty thousands? Twenty thousands?" He could not even believe the words that his invention worth so much.

Seeing that Edison seems to be reluctant, Taggart thought it was low and thought Edison was not ready to sell. Hence, he increased the price to "Thirty thousands dollars". Again the inventor was more confused and more thoughtful about "Thirty thousands. Hence, he started counting the numbers for thirty thousands and slowly spelled "Thirty thousands, thirty thousands without knowing what to tell ".

Then the Powell said that it would be fair enough to cut the deal at "Forty thousands". Edison, relieved from the shock, readily accepted the deal!

When the deal was over, Taggart informed Edison "Do not boast yourself too much! I was ready pay up to $60000 for you. Since you have accepted $40000, we settled!"

Edison replied "When I came here, I was ready to accept the machine at $2000, but you gave me $40000." and went out.