Benchmark: timing 1000000 iterations of $, @...
         $:  3 wallclock secs ( 2.86 usr +  0.00 sys =  2.86 CPU) 
@ 34 +9650.35/s (n=1000000)
         @: 11 wallclock secs (10.16 usr +  0.00 sys = 10.16 CPU) 
@ 98 +425.20/s (n=1000000)