The Supreme Son-in-Law
Back in the living room, Howard looked at his son-in-law with regret and said, "Elio, you know how it is. Your mother-in-law calls the shots here, and I can't do much about it."
Elio nodded and replied, "Dad, I get it. You've always been kind to me."
Thinking about how his father-in-law was also under his wife's thumb, handing over nearly all his salary and keeping just a little for himself, Elio felt for him. He pulled out a wad of cash, about five hundred, and slipped it into his father-in-law's hand, whispering, "Take this for yourself. Hide it well and use it to enjoy a smoke or a drink."