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 real easy
and a lotta fun. 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 to 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'll pay you $50!"

This catches the Engineer's 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, but 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 on four?"

The Programmer looks up at him with a puzzled look. He takes
out his laptop computer and searches all of 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
his co-workers -- all to no avail.

After about an hour, he wakes the Engineer and hands him $50.
The Engineer politely 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