Three engineers and three accountants are traveling by train to a
conference. At the station, the three accountants each buy tickets and
watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket. "How are three
people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an accountant. "Watch
and you'll see," answers an engineer. They all board the train. The
accountants take their respective seats but all three engineers cram
into a restroom and close the door behind them.
Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around
collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket,
please." The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a
ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The accountants
saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the
conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return
trip and save some money (being clever with money, and all). When they
get to the station they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To
their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all. "How are
you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed accountant.
"Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer. When they board the train
the three accountants cram into a restroom and the three engineers
cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward,
one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the
restroom where the accountants are hiding. He knocks on the door and
says, "Ticket, please."