Forwarded message::
| > A programmer and an engineer are sitting next to each
| > other on a 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's the distance
| > from the earth to the moon?' The Engineer doesn't say a word,
| > reaches into his wallet, pulls out a five-dollar bill and hands
| > it to the Programmer. Now, it's 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-mails to
| > all his co-workers and friends he knows. All to no avail.
| >
| > After over an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50.
| > The Engineer politely takes the $50 and turns away to get back
| > to sleep. The Programmer, more that 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.
-- withheld C. L'withheld dcl@clearlight.com http://www.clearlight.com/~dcl