My Golden Ticket

This Winter I recently visited my parents again but this time with two of my brothers. Since my sisters and I went last Summer, my mom felt that is was only fair to plan a brothers trip. My mom bought a ticket for each of my three brothers. The expectation was that they would acquire a visa and time off of work for the impending trip. Two out of three made good on the deal... but the last little piggy had none.

I would just like to paraphrase the exchange that took place between my mom and brother #3 when he had to tell her that he would not be coming.

Mom: "Josh, did you get your visa?"

Josh: "No mom. I can't go. I'm really busy."

Mom: "What are you talking about? You're unemployed."

Josh: "I am taking an auto class at the community college and I have class once a week that I can't    miss."

Mom: "I already bought your ticket. Surely you can take this class again next semester."

Josh: "I'm also heavily involved in the Occupy Wall Street down in San Diego. They really need me."

Mom: "This is too ridiculous. Get your visa Josh!  If I cancel your ticket I won't get all of the money back."

Josh: "Another reason I can't go is because I have be here to support Ron Paul. I need to put signs up around town and talk to people."

Mom: "Are you even registered to vote?...Wait a minute, are you even allowed to get a visa? You know you have a felony charge and I'm not sure they give those people visas."

Josh: "That charge was dropped to a misdemeanor."

After much discussion it was decided that my brother's ticket would be transferred to my name.