Solution?

What you do is this: you schedule a meeting, with MOM AND DAD, together, along with the client. You explain to mom and dad that it's been a real pleasure representing their [son] [daughter], and it's a real shame that the other side, unreasonable bastards that they are, won't give in on that one point, the used stereo. You explain that principles are principles, and that we have to go to trial, because it just can't be helped...etc.

You do not mention ONE THING about the fact that the stereo, if bought new, would cost about six hundred bucks. You DO mention that mom and dad should bring in about two thousand to cover the trial, since we've only the one issue to deal with, that used stereo, and that we've probably got us a sure winner here. The money should be in by Friday. Thanks a lot. See you soon. G'bye now. Move them out of the office.

If this meeting has been scheduled properly, nine or ten in the morning, you can count on two facts:

1. The parents will have one of those loving conversations (you know, "meaningful" time) with their beloved child, and

2. You will receive a telephone call, before the end of the day (remember, schedule the meeting early), advising that maybe, just maybe, we could give in on this one issue, and "what was it you said about tossing a coin?", and, in any event, there isn't going to be any trial over some used stereo.

Isn't that nice?