The Big Lebowski

In the opening scene of 1998's *The Big Lebowski*, Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski buys a carton of half-and-half at Ralph's grocery store by writing a check for a mere 69 cents. This absurdly small amount highlights his complete lack of cash and financial nonchalance, but the joke runs deeper upon inspecting the check's details. While President George H. W. Bush gives an August 1990 press conference on the store's television, the Dude dates his check September 11, 1991, meaning he postdates a sub-dollar check by more than a full year to avoid bouncing it.