Quote 13 "Did I mention I don't like you very much?" Cheaper By The Dozen (2003)
"Did I mention I don't like you very much?" Harry V. Thornton muttered under his breath as Dr. Smyth droned on in his sing-song monotone as he sauntered around Billy's office complaining about Lee and Amanda's latest case.
Dr. Smyth stopped short beside Harry and asked, "What did you say?"
Harry looked up at him and watched the tendrils of smoke from his cigarette swirl above his head. "I said, did I mention I don't like you very much. You are one pompous ass if you ask me."
"I didn't ask you anything," Dr. Smyth countered, clenching his teeth down on the cigarette holder.
Harry pushed himself out of the chair and stood toe-to-toe with Dr. Smyth. Harry poked one finger at Dr. Smyth's suit jacket and stated, "You act so high and mighty all the time like you've never had to make a split decision in the field." Dr. Smyth smoothed his jacket lapel without replying. "I bet you've never even been in the field. You've spent most of your career living high on the hog in some fancy Capitol Hill apartment," Harry continued.
"I'm not saying I haven't had the extreme pleasure of being the recipient of some rather lavish digs now and again thanks to the higher-ups," Dr. Smyth replied. He took a single step back to try to create space between them.
Harry countered with a step forward of his own, "And when was the last time you actually had a case of your own? I know for a fact, it wasn't when I was still here and I haven't been gone that long that an old dog like yourself could slip through the cracks of my memory."
"Harry, I think you've proven your point," Billy interjected from behind his desk.
"Not yet, I haven't!" Harry shot back. "Austin Smyth, the man who crawled his way up the chain of command without ever having stepped foot in the field. The man who pays more attention to the socialites and senators than the men and women who are truly protecting this country."
Dr. Smyth ground his teeth against the holder, his face beet red, completely speechless.
"And to add insult to injury, DOCTOR Austin Smyth, but what is that doctorate actually in? Hmm? Care to share with the rest of the class?" Harry waited a beat then stated, "No? Good, then I'll share, because your so called doctorate is in Foreign Economics."
Dr. Smyth stepped away, smoothed his tie, then said, "Well, William, I see you and Harry have everything under control with today's debacle. Be sure to tell Scarecrow and Mrs. King to watch themselves next time."
Billy stood slowly and said, "I'll pass the message along. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a staff meeting I need to attend to."
Dr. Smyth left the office quickly without further comment. Harry took one look at Billy and asked, "What staff meeting?"
Billy smiled, sat back down and said, "There is no staff meeting. I just couldn't watch him squirm any longer." Billy chuckled then added, "Although it's fun watching him on the other side of the coin."