(Strip Number 4072, Original Publication Date, 30 September 1981)
Panel 1: As John tightens the screws on some appliance in a manner that reminds us that Lynn has no idea how people hold a screwdriver, Mike tells him that Lawrence gets two dollars allowance a week while he only gets a dollar.
Panel 2: Tentacle-Fingered John says that they'll give him more but he'll have to work for it.
Panel 3: Mike replies by saying "You mean if I rake the lawn, wash the car and brush the dog, you'll PAY me?"
Panel 4: His saying that he'd rather have the dollar causes John's face to become a mask of rage.
Summary: This is owing to his belief that his son is a lazy, ungrateful brat who won't help out. The problem is that he's completely God-damned unaware that the incessant caterwauling he and Elly do about how housework is this Terrible, Awful Thing that makes them miserable affects how Mike sees the world; it's sort of appalling to know that these schmucks run around getting pissed off at their children without realizing or admitting that the kids are only living the beliefs they themselves show they hold to be true, good and beatiful by living them. Simply put, Teenaged Mike lives in a messy room because he thinks that cleaning is the Worst Thing Ever; he believes that because John and Elly say it is non-stop.
