The scene: Starbucks on Brookline Ave, a little before 3 pm on Thursday.

A line of caffeine-seekers spills out the door. Baristas hustle to keep up.

Suddenly a man strides in. He shouts, "I'M RICH! I'M RICH!" and flings fistfulls of dollar bills into the air. They flutter like fat green snow, propelled upward by the store's fan system.