Most of us play by the rules, but every once in a while, we may hear about somebody who likes to game the system. They not only break the rules, but they also find a way to do it successfully, and we may look at them with a little envy when we see how easy it is for them.

In the following joke, we hear about a group of individuals who are gaming the system in an amazing way. When others find out about it, they decide that they will give it a try as well. The problem is, they just weren’t as smart as the first group.

Three accountants and three engineers are traveling by train to a conference.

At the station, the three engineers each buy a ticket and watch as the three accountants only buy one ticket.

“How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?” asks an engineer.

“Watch, and you’ll see,” answered an accountant.

They all board the train. The engineers take their respective seats, but all three accountants cram into a restroom and close the door behind them.

Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around to collect tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, “Tickets, 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 engineers see this and agree it is a clever idea. So after the conference, the engineers decide to copy the accountants on the return trip and save some money.

When they get to the station, they buy one ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the accountants don’t buy a ticket at all.

“How are you going to travel without a ticket?” says one perplexed engineer.

“Watch and you’ll see,” answered an accountant.

When they board the train all three engineers cram into a restroom and the three accountants cram into another one nearby. The train departs.

Shortly afterward, one of the accountants leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the engineers are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, “Tickets, please!”