Two government economists were returning home from a field meeting. As with all government travelers, they were assigned the cheapest seats on the plane so they each were occupying the center seat on opposite sides of the aisle. They continued their discussion of the knotty problem that had been the subject of their meeting through takeoff and meal service until finally one of the passengers in an aisle seat offered to trade places so they could talk and he could sleep.

After switching seats, one economist remarked to the other that it was the first time an economic discussion ever kept anyone awake.

occupy:
(空間を)占める

opposite sides of the aisle:
通路の両側

knotty:
難しい

経済討論

政府の経済担当官二人は、出先の会議から帰宅途中だった。公務での移動は皆そうであるように、二人は機内の一番安い席を割り当てられ、お互いが通路に隔てられたそれぞれの側の中央の席に着いていた。二人は会議の主題だった難しい課題を討論し続けていた。離陸のときも、機内食のときも、ぶっ通しで討論し続け、ついに通路側の乗客が席を代わろうと申し出た。そうすれば二人は話しやすくなるし、その乗客は眠れる。

席を代わった後、経済担当官の一人が同僚に言った。初めてだよ、経済の議論を聞いてて寝入らなかった人って。