Word for Word

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 22, 2001

'Mir' could unleash big crunch

From a press release on the www.tacobell.com Web site. Taco Bell serves nearly 40-million consumers each week in more than 7,200 restaurants nationwide. One taco costs 74 cents and the current U.S. population is 283,828,993. That's $210,033,455 in tacos.

- Times staff writer

Taco Bell is offering a free taco to everyone in the United States if the core of the Mir space station hits a floating Taco Bell target placed in the South Pacific.

Taco Bell has created a 40- by 40-foot target, painted with a Bell bull's-eye and bold purple letters stating: "Free Taco Here." The floating target will be placed in the South Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia in advance of Mir's descent."

"Taco Bell is capturing the imagination of millions of people as they eagerly await Mir's return to Earth," said Chris Becker, vice president of brand communications, Taco Bell Corp.

If the core of Mir hits the designated Taco Bell target upon its re-entry, every person in the U.S. will have an opportunity to obtain a coupon for a free taco, valid at participating Taco Bell restaurants. Coupon distribution, redemption and offer details will be made available to consumers on the Taco Bell Web site and in press materials should this event occur.

Taco Bell has purchased an insurance policy to cover the anticipated cost of the free taco redemption should the core of Mir hit the target.

Word for Word is an occasional feature excerpting passages of interest from books, magazines, Web sites and other sources.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.