The priest requests that he be allowed to die facing up so he'll be looking toward heaven when he dies. The blade of the guillotine comes speeding down but suddenly stops just inches from his neck. The authorities take this as divine intervention and release him.
Next the drunkard comes to the guillotine. He also decides to die face up, hoping to be as fortunate as the priest.
Again the guillotine blade comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from his neck. The authorities release him as well.
The engineer is next. He, too, decides to die face up.
Again, they slowly raise the blade of the guillotine, when suddenly the engineer yells out, "Hey, I see what your problem is."