The Dow plummeted again Monday, dropping as much as 800 points before regaining some ground to close down 365 points. The market's gyrations have seized a lot of attention in the Washington, D.C. area.
"Everybody's talking about the same thing," said Carlos Serarols, a landscape contractor whose business employs 20 people. Serarols is concerned the toll the market turmoil is taking on the economy.
"I've been here in this country for about 27 years and this is the first time this has happened like this. So drastic," he said.
D.C. Resident Kathleen Smith is also stunned by the state of the economy.
"Whoever takes over the White House, they have a big problem on their hands. And it makes me wonder, how will they solve it?" she asked.
Paula Richberg, a tourist from Texas, called home to check on her stocks after learning the Dow Jones Industrial Average had plunged more than five hundred points by early afternoon.
"I just bought some stock about four or five days ago," she said.
Outside the bureau of engraving and printing, there was a long line of tourists, all hoping for an up-close look at how money is made.
"They do print money. We do get to see how they do it. Hopefully, they don't print too much," said Brian Pickard, Tempe, Ariz.
"Maybe they can print $700 billion," joked Mark Weber of Phoenix, making a reference to the recently enacted financial bailout plan.
President Bush (web|news|bio) sought to calm the markets Monday, telling investors the economy is going to be "just fine" in the long run but that the taxpayer-supported economic rescue plan will take time to work.
But few people on D.C. streets expected any positive changes soon.
"The dollar will be worth a penny in about two months," observed Paulina Casado, a tourist from Miami.