Ira and Abe, now in their eighties, first met in grade school. Their relationship now is playing cards, playing jokes and making bets. One day Ira calls Abe and says, "I bet you that mine is longer soft than yours is hard. A thousand dollars." Abe replies, "How can that be? If you know anything about biology you..." Ira interrupts, "I called for a bet, not a lecture. Mine is longer soft than yours is hard... a thousand dollars... YES OR NO?" Abe says, "OK OK! I'll take that bet. How long is yours soft?" Ira answers, "Eleven years."