Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

Flying our Bonanza from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Morristown, New Jersey at 6,000 feet with a big thunderstorm to the west, we were handed off to New York approach:

Me:
Approach, Bonanza Eight Zero Lima level 6,000, heading 270.

Approach:
Bonanza Eight Zero Lima, descend and maintain 5,000.

Me:
Okay to stay at 6,000 for a better view of the weather ahead?

Approach:
Whaddever, sure, stay at 6,000.

Later, we were close to some buildups when approach turned us right to 280 degrees.

Me:
Eighty Lima, would really rather turn left about 10 degrees to stay out of the buildups ahead.

Approach (Exasperated Tone):
Okay, do whatever vou want to do. Just let me know when you're done.