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
Within a week of the lockdown, Leo received an unexpected request from a client.
He Visited the Leasing Office
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!
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.
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. He tried to assure her that he was capable of fixing the wall, but she slammed the door in his face.
“Here We Go Again“
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.
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.
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.
He Heard Angry Shouts Echoing
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 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!
Leo Embarks on an Epic Journey
The property manager arrived, holding a document that the resident had signed, granting Leo the authority he needed to proceed.
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.
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!
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.
The Price of Demands
True to his word, Leo closed up the wall, leaving no trace of the task he had just undertaken. 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 $1000+ 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.
Perhaps, in the end, the resident would learn a valuable lesson from this escapade.
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The post Resident’s Plea to Tear Down the Wall for “Prized” Baseball Ends With a $1,000 Whiff – Costlier Than the Ball Itself! first appeared on Fistful of Dollars.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Krakenimages.com. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Reddit