Actor Tony Randall, famous for his role as Felix in The Odd Couple, once had an experience that surely was the inspiration for a current credit card commercial. Randall was in a jewelry store in New York City. The store's owner recognized him and became very excited. He declared that Randall was his all-time favorite actor. What a treat it would be for his wife, the man said, if she could talk to the Tony Randall. Randall graciously agreed.

So the man called his wife, and Randall had a short, pleasant conversation with her as she gushed on and on about how wonderful he was.

Finally, Randall came to the point of his visit to the jewelry store. There was a gold necklace in the window that had caught his eye. He'd like to buy it. Would the store accept a personal check?

The store owner hes…