The Long Flight

A Programmer and an Operator are sitting next to each other on a long flight from LA to NY. The Programmer leans over to the Operator and asks if he would like to play a fun game. The Operator 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 Operator 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 Operator'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 Operator 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 Operator'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 lap top 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 Operator and hands him $50. The Operator politely takes the $50 and turns away to try to get back to sleep.

The Programmer, more than a little miffed, shakes the Operator and asks "Well, so what's the answer?"

Without a word, the Operator reaches into his wallet, hands the Programmer $5, and turns away to get back to sleep.

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