A Programmer and an Engineer are sitting next to each other on a very
long flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Engineer
and asks if he would like to play a fun game. The Engineer just wants
to take a nap, so he politely declines and rolls over to the window to
catch a few winks.
The Programmer persists and explains that the game is really easy, and a
lot of fun! He explains "I ask you a question, and if you don't know
the answer, you pay me $5." Again ,the Engineer politely declines and
tries to get some sleep.
The Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says, "OK, if you don't know the
answer you pay me $5, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you
$50!!!!!" This catches the Engineer's complete attention, and he sees
no end to this torment unless he plays, so he agrees to the game.
The Programmer asks the first question. "What is the distance from the
earth to the moon?" The Engineer doesn't say a word, reaches in to his
wallet, pulls out a $5 and hands it to the Programmer. Now, it is the
Engineer's turn. He asks the Programmer: "What goes up a hill with
three legs, and comes down with four?" The Programmer looks at him with
a puzzled look. He takes out his laptop computer and searches all his
references. He taps into the Airphone with his modem and searches the
Net and the Library of Congress. Frustrated, he sends E-mail to all his
co-workers and friends he knows. All to no avail.
After an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50. The Engineer
politely takes the $50, and turns away to go back to sleep. The
Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the Engineer and asks,
"Well, so what IS the answer?"
Without a word, the Engineer reaches into his wallet, hands the
Programmer $5 and goes back to sleep! |
