nick's brain

i was testing out some of those google interview questions on nick the other day during a long drive, and i was reminded yet again that he is a TOTAL WEIRDY. his brain is simply not normal.

e: "why are manhole covers round?" [snigger, snigger... who doesn't know this one??]
n: well, duh. a circle is the smallest shape that covers the largest area. you want those holes as big as possible without taking up a ton of space, right?
e: ... ...uh, what? have you seriously never heard this question? no! it's so the cover can never fall in the hole. obviously.
n: dude, have you never heard of a square?
e: nick. think of a square. tilt it. what happens?
n: [thinking] oh my gosh--you weren't putting a hinge on the square! i can't even conceive of someone being stupid enough to put a square lid on something without a hinge! no. they're circle so the tunnel is conveniently shaped and as large as possible.
e: [...?]

e: okay, next question... "how much should you charge to wash every window in chicago?"
n: [immediately] domestic AND commercial?
e: uh, yes. every window. what is wrong with you?
n: there's a HUGE difference! that really changes things! commercial windows are WAY easier and less time-consuming!
e: mm. well, yes. every window in chicago, what do you charge?
n: do i have to do it by myself, all in one day?! [geniune worry here; brain has forgotten that we're in the realm of the hypothetical] because i'd have to charge, like... a penny each for the job i'd be able to do if that were the case!
e: what? no! just... c'mon, what would you charge?
n: what a stupid question! i'd charge each person the highest rate they'd pay, duh! i don't know the market in chicago, but if it were in dallas, probably 6 bucks per window, for a residence, and that's for inside and out. so probably more in chicago. and, wait--am i also washing the window sills?

in case you're interested, the "correct" answer is a simple "10 bucks per window," so, in the end, he followed the train of thought they're supposedly looking for; he just took a weird route. then again, most people interviewing with google have probably never actually worked as window washers before.