Bill and Bob finally gave up clinging to the remains of their yacht. Bob even had a feeling that it was easier to float without the piece of plastic he had held in his hand, as if it had dragged him down. The island was now much closer, and they had no problem swimming ashore.
"We made it", said Bill. It was not a comment that was supposed to inform Bob of anything in particular. Bill did not doubt that Bob also had observed that they had made it. But he felt that they needed to say something. After all, he had built up a large amount of emotion that needed some outlet.
"Yes", answered Bob. "We made it." He did not have much to add to the subject either, but he did his best: "We really made it."
They had been sailing for about two weeks without GPS and compass. All electronics aboard was broken. There was no way to tell where they were currently, but at least it was land. Hopefully with some people, who could help them contact civilisation.
"What did you manage to rescue?", asked Bob.
"Not much. The shorts I'm wearing."
"Anything in the pockets?"
"My wallet... no, it's gone. Some... no, it is no longer there.... Just this platinum tie clip."
"A platinum tie clip?"
"Yes, I was scheduled for a business meeting next week. No time to go home and change."
"And you needed a platinum tie clip?"
"Well... I did not need it. But it does not take much place, so I thought, why not?"
"Yes, why not? Perhaps we can use it for something."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Bribe the locals to call for a helicopter or something."
"Yes, I suppose so. What did you rescue?"
"The pair of shorts I'm wearing."
"So far we are even."
"And... Dang! It does not have any pockets."
"So that's it?"
"I'm afraid so... No, wait, a piece of string."
"Why did you bring a piece of string?"
"I did not. It got tied up in the zipper somehow. I'm not even sure it comes from our boat."
"OK. We have a tie clip and a piece of string. I think we need to find people."
"I think you are right."
They walked around what turned out to be an island. It did not take much time, which perhaps was a good thing, but there was no trace of any human beings. Not even the remnants of any old cottage or anything. They walked around the island a second time. This time the other way round. They did not see anything different than they had done the first time.
They went through the usual things people do at deserted islands. They discovered how to make fire. They found edible fruits and coco nuts, and a very tasty kind of bananas. They found ways to fish, and they spent a lot of time watching the horizon for ships.
After a few months, Bill had enough. He had not liked the situation at all, but now he had positively enough.
"Give me the piece of string", he said.
"Why? It is useless."
"Not to me."
"What do you want to do with it? It is too short to tie anything securely. It is too weak to use for fishing. It is not enough to make new clothes. It is useless."
"If it is useless, give it to me."
"Oh no! I like it."
"So what do you use it for?"
"Nothing. I just play with it."
"I have seen that. I also want to play with it. I also want to tie it around my fingers, pull it between the thumb and the index, tie a little useless knot and then untie it."
"Well, you cannot. It is mine. You just play with your platinum tie clip."
"One cannot play with a tie clip. One can only clip ties with it. And there is no tie to clip on this island."
"Well, tough."
"Listen, I give you my platinum tie clip for the piece of string."
"Never! That's ridiculous."
"I know it is ridiculous. Your piece of string is not worth 2 cents, and the tie clip cost me 500 dollars."
"It may have cost you 500 dollars, but here it is not worth even 2 cents. It is useless and boring."
"Come on! Let's swap. Once we are saved you can keep the tie clip."
"No way. Who knows if we ever will be saved?"
"I give you the tie clip now, and 10,000 dollars, when we are saved."
"I cannot use 10,000 dollars here."
"No, but you will be able once we are saved."
"If we are saved."
"OK, if we are saved. 50,000 dollars?"
"Nope." Bob may not have fully realised the amount Bill offered, but he was not going to give in under any circumstances.
"My car. My house. My shares. Every single cent on my bank accounts."
"Including the Swiss ones?"
"Of course."
"You really do not think we will be saved, do you?"
"We may..."
"Or not."
"... or not", Bill agreed.
"Then I do not see any reason to give you the piece of string."
"Out of kindness then? Because we are stuck here together, and we need to help each other, we need to co-operate to be able to survive, and you can help me out of my desperation by simply giving me the piece of string. An act of charity?"
"For charity?"
"Yes!"
"And for all your fortune?"
"Yes! That too."
"And the tie clip?"
"Absolutely!"
"OK then."
"Really?"
"Yes, here it is."
Bill grabbed the precious string with eager hands, and tied it around first one finger, then around another one, and not only was he smiling. He felt genuine happiness, for the first time for several months.
Later that afternoon, a ship came and saved them.
Bill today lives in a cardboard box in a shady part of his home town. He still has the piece of string. He still is very happy.