I would be annoyed too. While others may consider it impolite to refuse, I think it's particularly rude to be unprepared and expect a stranger to hand over their laptop. You shouldn't have to pay for their short-sighted inconvenience.
I propose putting a horribly disturbing image on your desktop background. It doesn't necessarily have to be disgusting to you, just something you wouldn't want a boss to see. I strongly doubt anyone will want to use your computer after seeing it, and will probably avoid asking you, or decline once offered.
Put the personal back into PC.

It's pounds, not USD (assuming that was the $ you meant) so it's a little more drastic than that.
Also, I doubt they'd allow an ounce to be used, this should be able to be done with a drop or two, similar to paintings only needing the tiniest sliver off the side. It could be the lab guys ask for an ounce and test the remainder of their empty glass, I know I would...
What I'm interested in is who would want to open a bottle that hasn't been opened in so long just to test it? I find it difficult to believe this test wouldn't require near immediate consumption after opening to not change the flavor. I don't drink the cheap stuff, but 20,000 for a bottle is a little hard to swallow ;)

Contrary to what I expected to be the best environment, the computer lab in college was where I did my best work. Many nights I was at home, with my computer and had to drive for 45 minutes to go to the lab just to be free of entertaining distractions. Since entering the rat race while remote work is available I still prefer to come in late night and sit in a relatively empty office coding without distractions. I haven't tried much else, coding outside doesn't work too well for me and lobbies/public areas are too noisy. As far as mindset goes, I need a looming deadline and plenty of smoke-breaks to step away and rethink my work. There is something about being around productive people that pushes me to do more work as well. A group of students hacking away or a solid team lets me work longer and find motivation to keep going.

It's a good point. There's a difficulty with most groups to understand/relate to the nerd culture. I'm not surprised that a politician went with a slick greasy lawyer over someone who could accurately represent us but was out of touch with the administration.

Surely I'm not the only one who doesn't want children.

Damn, all those people were olympians too?