Flash prices should be fairly cheap.

Young men dash around the big bright room, frantically signaling their trades and nervously scanning the rows of computer screens flashing prices.

In the public's mind, however, nothing so symbolizes the glamour and the frenzy of today's international auction market as John Marion in black tie presiding over record-breaking art sales as Sotheby's big board flashes prices in five foreign currencies - most importantly, yen.