Okay,
Alice is trying to get some
MacGuffin from Bob, but Bob doesn't want to give it up for free. Alice really doesn't have anything of value to offer, but she doesn't want to just let Bob walk away with the
MacGuffin. In desperation, she says "I'll be your best friend!" This
Stock Phrase is the staple of every character who fails at negotiation.
Examples:
Film
- Chasing Amy
Alyssa: If you come and pick me up, I'll be your best friend.
- Death Proof
Zoe: [to Kim] I'll be your best friend! [makes several other offers before reaching a deal]
- In a negative fashion, Tom Hanks, in The Money Pit extracts a loan from the 12 year old, super rich, rock star by telling him, "If you don't loan this money, I won't be your friend any more!" He got the loan.
Literature
- The Pigeon tries this in the children's book Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus.
Video Games
Western Animation
- Chowder episode "The Garage Sale"
Mung Daal: We're not open yet.
Birdman: Aw come on, let me look. I'll be your best friend!
- Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Zorak: Moltar, take off your helmet... show me your true face.
Moltar: No.
Zorak: C'mon... I'll be your friend.
- The Simpsons has this exchange when Homer hired a guy to chase Sideshow Bob out of Town:
Man: Now don't you fret. When I'm through, he won't set foot in this town again. I can be very, very persuasive. reloads his gun
[Scene change to a bar]
Man: whining C'mon, leave town!
Bob: No.
Man: I'll be your friend?
Bob: No.
Man: Aw, you're mean!
- One Butterfinger ad had Milhouse use this to try and get Bart to share his candy bar. Bart's response: "You already are."
