Benchmark: timing 1000000 iterations of $, @...
         $: 131 wallclock secs (130.77 usr +  0.00 sys = 130.77 CPU) 
@ 7647.01/s (n=1000000)
         @: 149 wallclock secs (149.56 usr +  0.00 sys = 149.56 CPU) 
@ 6686.28/s (n=1000000)