Programmer & Analyst


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

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

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

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