From info@vem.com.au Wed Jun 11 11:01:00 1997
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 1997 10:46:20 +1000
Subject: programmer & engineer

 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 lot of 
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 Aerophone 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 and goes back to sleep.