This is the tale of Leo, a worker navigating the challenges of the COVID lockdown. It all began when his company issued a notice to clients stating that they would only undertake occupied repairs in cases of emergencies. But as always, one client thought the rules didn’t apply to them.
The Mysterious Request During Lockdown
Within a week of the lockdown, Leo received an unexpected request from a client.
Fix and Fetch
They insisted on an occupied repair to fix a hole in their wall, and they wanted Leo to retrieve an autographed baseball that had mysteriously found its way inside!
He Needed More Information
Eager to fulfill his duties, Leo visited the leasing office the following morning, seeking information about the task at hand.
Sparse Details
Unfortunately, the details provided were sparse, leaving Leo in the dark about the hole’s location and what he was about to encounter.
A Valuable Treasure
All he knew was that the resident wanted the ball back desperately because it was autographed and supposedly quite valuable.
The Resident Was Expected to Pay
Additionally, they wanted him to keep the repair as minimal as possible since the resident would foot the bill.
Little did Leo know what awaited him – a challenging resident, to say the least.
Rudeness and Disdain
Leo made his way to the apartment and introduced himself to the resident, only to be greeted with rudeness and disdain.
She Slammed the Door!
He tried to assure her that he was capable of fixing the wall, but she slammed the door in his face.
His Supervisor Would Speak to Her
Feeling frustrated, Leo returned to the leasing office and recounted the encounter to the assistant maintenance supervisor (A.M.S.). The A.M.S., well-acquainted with such situations, sighed and said, “Here we go again. Let’s go. I’ll talk to her.”
Negotiating Entry
Together, Leo and the A.M.S. approached the resident, determined to find a resolution.
Despite her initial resistance, the A.M.S. convinced her to let Leo carry out the repair.
Gaining Entry Into the Resident’s Apartment
With a disapproving look, she reluctantly granted them entry. Leo began his work by spreading out drop cloths and plastic, preparing the area for the repair.
Feeling Around in the Hole
He enlarged the baseball-sized hole, enabling him to see and feel around in search of the precious ball.
Daunting Discoveries
However, as Leo examined the wall more closely, he discovered that it was a staggered wall—an architectural design featuring two walls with an inch of space between them, often used for noise reduction or concealed plumbing.
Not a Simple Task
This meant that finding the ball would be a daunting task.
The Resident’s Demands
Leo shared his findings with the A.M.S. and explained that he would need to open the wall even further to have any chance of finding the baseball.
OPEN THE ENTIRE WALL!
The A.M.S. went to negotiate with the resident, but all Leo could hear were her furious shouts echoing through the apartment. “I DON’T CARE IF HE HAS TO OPEN THE ENTIRE WALL! I WANT THAT D**N BALL!”
Moments later, the A.M.S. motioned for Leo to step outside while he made a phone call.
Extraordinary Instructions
Leo’s boss called a minute later, giving him a clear instruction: “Once you receive the green light, do whatever it takes to find the ball and keep track of your time.”
Opening Pandora’s Wall
That was when the gravity of the situation dawned on Leo, and he realized he was about to embark on an extraordinary journey – to open up a wall in pursuit of a single ball!
The Resident Had Signed Off on the Destruction
The property manager arrived, holding a document that the resident had signed, granting Leo the authority he needed to proceed.
He Embarks on an Epic Journey
Leo began dismantling the lower half of the wall, carefully removing insulation and scouring every inch in his quest.
Success at Last!
After what felt like an eternity, success finally came knocking. There it was, wedged between the plumbing and a neighboring wall stud – the elusive baseball.
Ungrateful Anger
Eager to share the good news, Leo informed the resident that he had found the ball, expecting gratitude and appreciation.
She Was Now Angry About the Wall
However, her reaction was far from what he had envisioned. She erupted in anger, conveniently forgetting her previous nonchalance toward the state of the wall!
Reminded She Had Told Them to Destroy the Wall
The A.M.S. promptly reminded her that she hadn’t cared about the extent of the repairs when she demanded the ball’s retrieval.
He Fixed the Wall, Leaving No Trace
True to his word, Leo closed up the wall, leaving no trace of the task he had just undertaken.
The Price of Demands
Unbeknownst to the resident, the document she had signed ensured that she would bear the full cost of the repairs.
Consequently, what should have been a $200 job ballooned into a $1,000+ expense!
A Worthless Autograph
To add insult to injury, the autographed baseball turned out to be worthless, its autograph belonging to college players who never made it to the pros.
Would She Learn Anything From the Experience?
Perhaps, in the end, the resident would learn a valuable lesson from this escapade.
Walmart Employee Terminated After 16 Years As She Exposed Dark Side of Retail Online
Platforms like TikTok have become a popular outlet for users to share behind-the-scenes revelations about various industries, shedding light on their harsh realities. From Domino’s delivery drivers exposing their meager tips to Instacart shoppers calling out fraudulent refund attempts, these revelations can have unintended consequences when higher-ups take notice. Walmart Employee Terminated After 16 Years As She Exposed Dark Side of Retail Online
Die Quickly, Quietly and CHEAPLY: Doctors Expose Dark Truths About Profit-Driven US Healthcare System
A doctor’s video exposing the profit-driven motives of health insurance companies and their alleged disregard for patient well-being goes viral, sparking discussions about the need for healthcare system reform. Die Quickly, Quietly and CHEAPLY: Doctors Expose Dark Truths About Profit-Driven US Healthcare System
Passenger Called Out “Emotional Support Dog” Seated Next to Her Genuine Service Dog on Flight
Remember that time when people were trying to pass off all sorts of creatures as emotional support animals to bring them on airplanes? From peacocks to tortoises, goats to monkeys, and even turkeys, it seemed like anything could be labeled as “emotional support” to justify its presence. Passenger Called Out “Emotional Support Dog” Seated Next to Her Genuine Service Dog on Flighasdt
“It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
Confronted by an entitled customer, this quick-thinking cashier makes sure he has a change in attitude. She complies with his requests and without breaking a rule ensures their transaction is anything but convenient. “It’s Legal Tender!” – Obnoxious Customer Gets EXACTLY What He Demanded From This Cunning Cashier
“Not Silenced” – Huge Protests After Judge Orders Newspaper to Destroy Electronic Data Going Against the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press
In a recent decision, a judge has ruled that Kansas authorities must delete all electronic copies of a small newspaper’s files that were made during a police raid on its office and has people questioning the police department’s understanding of the First Amendment. “Not Silenced” – Huge Protests After Judge Orders Newspaper to Destroy Electronic Data Going Against the First Amendment and Freedom of the Press
The post “Here We Go Again” – The Costly ‘ Wall Smashing’ Pursuit of a Worthless Autographed Baseball first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Dmitry Kalinovsky. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.