A Programmer and an Engineer are sitting next to each other on a longflight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Engineer and asks ifhe would like to play a fun game. The Engineer just wants to take a nap, sohe politely declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few winks.The Programmer persists and explains that the game is real easy and a lottafun. He explains „I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer,you pay me $5. Then you ask me a question, and if I don’t know the answer,I’ll pay you $5.“ Again, the Engineer politely declines and tries to get tosleep. The Programmer, now somewhat agitated, says, „OK, if you don’t knowthe answer you pay me $5, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll pay you$50!“This catches the Engineer’s attention, and he sees no end to this tormentunless he plays, so he agrees to the game. The Programmer asks the firstquestion. „What’s the distance from the earth to the moon?“ The Engineerdoesn’t say a word, but reaches into his wallet, pulls out a five dollarbill and hands it to the Programmer.Now, it’s the Engineer’s turn. He asks the Programmer „What goes up a hillwith three legs, and comes down on four?“The Programmer looks up at him with a puzzled look. He takes out his laptopcomputer and searches all of his references. He taps into the Airphone withhis modem and searches the net and the Library of Congress.Frustrated, he sends e-mail to his co-workers — all to no avail.After about an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50. The Engineerpolitely takes the $50 and turns away to try to get back to sleep.The Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the Engineer and asks“Well, so what’s the answer?“Without a word, the Engineer reaches into his wallet, hands the Programmer$5, and turns away to get back to sleep.
