Chapter Four
"Just came back from seeing Dr. Bellows," Tony Jr. said to Roger Jr. later that day.
"What did he want?" Roger Healey asked.
"Just gave me my annual checkup, why?"
"I try to avoid that ancient prying psychiatrist whenever I can."
"He's not bad. Besides, he's . . .
"I know, Trudy's old man. Besides that, he's a quack."
"A quack?"
"You know he told me I have an abnormal obsession with money?"
"Of course you do. You take after your old man. You know every year or so your dad tries to get my mom into some crazy get rich quick scheme of his. A few years ago, I heard him begging mom to buy him a villa in the French Rivera."
"If my dad came up with the idea, then whatever it was it would of worked. You know I get my business sense from him."
"What business sense?"
"Who do you think was eighth grade assistant class treasurer?"
"Na, Really?" Tony said sarcastically.
"When I finish college, I'm gonna go into business and become a billionaire. Like Trump."
"Well I'm gonna work hard to become an astronaut, maybe I'll be the first man on Mars. My dad and yours were one of the first who landed on the moon. You ought to try out too."
"Well your making giant leaps for mankind out in space, I'll stick to making cash for myself on earth."
"Yeah, sure, you do that," said Tony sarcastically.
"What makes you so sure your gonna be an astronaut?"
"Dr. Bellows promised to recommend me to the program."
"Your sure relying a lot on that old nut. But, you know, quacks stick together."
"I wouldn't talk if I were you. Thinking you, the guy who always broke, leaching off me so he'll have money to take out his girls, can be a billionaire."
"And how about you. Mental illness runs so thick in your family that it's a miracle I've let you be my best friend."
"How's that?"
"I remember the time just after your old man and woman had a big fight. Your old man looked to see if you old woman was in that small bottle sitting on the mantle, and looked in ketchup bottles and pencil boxes for her all night. That is, until she called from the hotel."
"That's nothing compared to your dad, who thinks he met your mom while chained up in a dungeon in a castle in the woods, over a pot of boiling oil. On their first date, he thinks they roasted marshmallows over the fire under the pot of boiling oil."
"Oh yeah?" said Roger Jr.
"Yeah," said Tony Jr, slugging Healey.
The two started fighting, only stopping when a gorgeous brunette in a green miniskirt suddenly appeared, and asked them "Are you fighting because of me, darlings? It's not nearly time yet."