Displayed gas prices broke into four digits here yesterday. The one station that posts the actual price was okay, as were the few stations which had forseen the need to upgrade their signage (was this really a surprise?), but most displayed no price or "02.9".

Some people say the world will run out of oil and we'll all have to walk, but it won't happen that way. It'll just get more expensive. Gas will no longer be sold at pumps, and will instead come in 50 ml hand-milled crystal bottles, with faux French names painted in gold on the velvet-lined oak gift box. Something like:

L'essence de la terroir, by Yves St. Laurent. Only the finest blend of natural fossil hydrocarbons, extracted from the rich rock beneath the sands of Kirkuk. Energy-rich, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour notes, this 90 octane fuel is suffussed with the beauty of sunshine on ancient seas. Suitable as a premium solvent, a traction motor fuel for your finest vehicles or for tasting on its own. Contains less than 5% ethanol fillers. Return for deposit where required by law. Not tested on animals. Copyright 2012 ExxOOCToTexaconBP