True enough. I think the point my dad was making was that the equation at the end of the scenario is correct. Each man was, in fact, out $9 from pocket, and the only other dollar is the assistant's. 3 X 9 = 27 plus one is 28, and this math is correct.........I think.
There are no other dollars. Maybe my dad's point is that math can sometimes mislead and has to be deeply analyzed?