Trombonists and Trumpet Players

Three Trombonists and three Trumpet players are traveling by train through Europe on a brass choir tour. At the station, the Trumpet players each buy tickets and watch as the three Trombonists buy only a single ticket among them.

"How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks a Trumpet player.

"Watch and you'll see," answers the Trombonist.

They all board the train. The Trumpet players take their respective seats but all three Trombonists 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 Trumpet players saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the performance, the Trumpet players decided to copy the Trombonists (as they always do) on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the Trombonists don't buy a ticket at all.

"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed Trumpet player.

"Watch and you'll see," answers a Trombonist.

When they board the train the three Trumpet players quickly cram into one restroom, and then the Trombonists quickly cram into another one nearby. The train departs.

Shortly afterward, one of the Trombonists leaves their restroom and walks over to the restroom where the Trumpet players are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Ticket, please....."