Bill Watson wrote:
Why did I go to Runway 5? Because that's where the tower told me to go.
But as any tailwheel pilot knows ( and all other pilots should know
too), you are PIC and always decide what runway is acceptable. I've
refused such clearances before, even with the threat of "we may not be
able to clear you for takeoff for quite some time (KRDU 32025G..)"
Stoooopid!

I have had to argue with the tower to get a runway into the wind when
there was no other traffic. Sometimes, one has to wonder what those guys
in the tower get paid to do. ;-)