"Absolutely not, Howard" Tony said.
"Oh c'mon Tony."
"No, No, No, No." Tony emphasized by shaking his head and crossing his arms like a 4 year old.
"It's just until we can find a more permanent situation for him."
"Pernament situation? You mean like jail? Why don't we just let him start there? I mean that's like his future anyway."
Howard sighed. He knew Tony would be a hard sell but he was hoping that he could get him to see the light. "That's what I'm trying to help him avoid."
"Are you serious? Do you know what this will do to me socially? You're causing me to commit social suicide. I'm seventeen years old and you are putting me in a situation where I'll be social leper."
"It won't be that bad. You're being dramatic."
"DRAMATIC? I'm being dramatic? Why? For not wanting a psychopathic drunk moving into my home. No, no, it's not gonna happen. If he moves in, I move out."
Howard knew Tony was overreacting so he decided to play the game with him.
"Ok, do you want me to give your grandma a call? Let her know you'll be moving to Wisconsin? When to expect you?"
"Are you serious? You expect me to move out?" Tony asked neurotically "I can't believe this…you invite an orphan to move into our home and you're kicking me out. Great!"
"I'm not kicking you out. You're the one that said you were leaving." Howard shrugged as he pointed out.
"I wasn't serious. You weren't supposed to call my bluff. You're supposed to give me what I want…that's the way a guilt trip works. Oh my God man, have you learned nothing about being a parent all these years?"
Howard chuckled and looked at his son."Look Tony, it's temporary. The kid has no place to go. It'll work out. I promise."
"You promise." Tony repeated throwing his hands in the air and asking the ceiling "He promises?"
"C'mon Tony, it's just a place for him to stay until he figures out his family situation. It's not like we don't have the space. It's the right thing," Howard tried to explain further. He noticed the expression on Tony's face softening. He was relenting.
" Well then I guess your mind is made up. Fine. But I want it on record that I am not happy with this. Remember when you didn't let me keep that stray dachshund? Next time I find a stray dog, I'm damn well bringing it home and keeping it. And you can't stop me!"
"Ok son, you have a deal. Next stray dog you run across, you can keep."
"And he can move it but he cannot move into my floor. You need to give up one of yours. And don't even think that he's going to drive my car."
"No Tony, he most definitely will not drive your car. His license is suspended."
Tony looked at his dad like he was insane "You do realize you don't actually need a license to be able to operate a vehicle?"
Howard sighed "Trust me, he won't be driving anywhere."
Tony sighed thinking of the drama of the Odinson family"Dad, I hope you know what you've gotten us into."
"Me too, son. Me too."