have you met John Smith?

Have you met John Smith lately?
Before I introduce you to the more serious international clan of the family John Smith, here is something you can try out.
An individual wagered that he would ask the same question of fifty persons and receive the same answer from each. He went to first one and then another, until he had reached the number of fifty. And this is how he won the bet.
He whispered, half audibly to each, "I say, have you heard that Smith has failed?"
"What Smith?"queried the whole fifty one after another, and it was decided that the bet had been fairly won.