My dad, Pete, is a 55-year-old hardworking plumber with hands that reflect years of dedication to his craft. He treats every job as if he’s working on his own home, ensuring every detail is perfect. One day, he found himself working for the Carlyles, a couple who seemed pleasant at first but quickly revealed their entitled nature. They had selected every detail for their bathroom renovation, from the tiles to the fixtures, and my dad took pride in bringing their vision to life.
As the job neared completion, the Carlyles attempted to take advantage of my dad’s dedication. They claimed the tiles were wrong, even though they had picked everything themselves. Worse, they declared they would only pay half of what was agreed. My dad, known for his patience and fairness, initially tried to reason with them. However, Mr. Carlyle’s dismissive attitude — “Just finish the job and get lost, Pete” — made it clear that they were intent on cheating him.
The Creative Revenge Plan
After two weeks of hard work, my dad was understandably furious. Still, he kept his cool and didn’t let them see his frustration. Instead, he devised a plan that would teach them a lesson. He finished the job as requested, but with a twist. Instead of using water to mix the grout, he used sugar and honey. The grout looked perfect when it dried, leaving no clue that anything was amiss.
A few weeks later, the consequences of my dad’s clever plan began to unfold. Thanks to his friend Johnny, who lived next door to the Carlyles, my dad learned that ants had started invading the grout lines. The Carlyles were puzzled but didn’t realize what had caused the problem. Soon after, cockroaches joined the party, much to the Carlyles’ dismay. They spent a fortune on pest control, but the bugs kept returning.
Ongoing Pest Issues
Despite their efforts, the Carlyles couldn’t rid their home of the infestation. Pest control sprays seemed to have no effect, and in their frustration, they blamed the chemicals for damaging the grout. The irony wasn’t lost on my dad, who couldn’t help but chuckle at their predicament. He continued to hear updates from Johnny, who shared how the Carlyles were at their wits’ end. Mrs. Carlyle even encountered a cockroach during a dinner party, which must have been incredibly embarrassing for her.
Mr. Carlyle’s attempts to solve the problem were equally futile. He bought every bug spray he could find, turning the house into a chemical war zone, but the bugs returned as soon as the smell faded. The couple eventually had to consider redoing the entire bathroom to eliminate the issue, but the damage was already done. The sugar residue in the grout ensured that no matter what they did, the pests would keep coming back.
A Lesson in Fairness
As my dad explained his actions to me, I couldn’t help but feel a little conflicted. Wasn’t his response a bit harsh? After all, bugs invading someone’s home is a serious problem. But my dad’s perspective was clear — the Carlyles had tried to cheat him out of his hard-earned money and insulted his pride in his work. “In this business, reputation is everything,” he said. “If I let them get away with it, word would spread, and others might try the same.”
While I understood his point, I also realized that this wasn’t just about money. It was about respect for his craftsmanship. The Carlyles’ entitlement had pushed him to take drastic action, and in the end, they paid the price for their disrespect. They might have won a short-term battle by underpaying him, but my dad made sure they didn’t get away without consequences.
The Ongoing Impact
Even after more than a year, the Carlyles continued to suffer from the effects of my dad’s creative revenge. They considered selling their house just to escape the constant pest problem, unaware of the true cause. It wasn’t something my dad was proud of, but he felt it was necessary to protect his reputation and ensure that others didn’t think they could take advantage of him.
In the end, the Carlyles learned a valuable lesson — one that came with ants, cockroaches, and endless frustration. As my dad and I sat on the patio, laughing over Johnny’s updates, I realized that sometimes, standing up for yourself requires more than just words.
