Friday, October 5, 2012

Dark Side V

Sometimes I worry people might get the wrong idea and think I'm nice. So it's time to share another darkside story to nip that in the bud.

Today's entry is from my time working as an assistant manager at a fast food place during high school. I primarily worked the closing shift, which required me to complete a daily sales and activity report. It included a variety of information, including the sales/cash reconciliation, a description of the weather and mention of any special circumstances which might have affected sales (like if the Burger King across the street burned down).  Once a week I also had to complete an inventory.

The store's other assistant manager at the time was a fellow named Paul. He was older than I was and had a different attitude towards the job. He thought the job made him cool and he acted like a jerk (I think of him everytime I see that cliche portrayed in a movie or show).  He ended up being fired for stealing. But just before that happened, I did something unfortunate to him.

When he worked afternoons, Paul would pre-sign the daily report that I had to complete at closing--so it would appear HE had done the work. I talked with him about it. He kept doing it. I warned him it was a type of fraud. He kept doing it. He was the manager's pet (I was the under-age hard worker), so making him eat a mushroom was not an option.  

One night as I finished a report Paul had signed (taken credit for), I received an inspiration. I decided to let him take credit for something interesting. I wrote that the weather had been really #$%^&* that day.

A week later Paul received a letter from headquarters informing him he would receive a reprimand if he used such colorful language again. He was confused. I told him it was the universe telling him he shouldn't sign reports I'd be completing.  He understood and stopped pre-signing my reports.  Soon it didn't matter. Within a few weeks the manager caught Paul stealing and fired him. It broke the old guy's heart. He'd taken a real liking to Paul (for some reason).

It was an evil thing for me to do. Even at 17 I should have been able to find a more adult way of handling the situation. I feel bad about it now, but for some reason I was smiling as I wrote this. Hmmm...

Have a great weekend--it's a 3-day weekend for me!

16 comments:

  1. Haha, that was an awesome idea! What an obnoxious prick...excuse the language. He deserve what he got in the end. =)

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  2. Personally...my opinion is that those who take credit for other's work put themselves at risk of pretty much.....anything. And using colourful language was perfect.

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    1. It is a low thing to do. When people mistakenly give me too much credit for something, I always set the record straight...usually giving others more credit than is completely accurate.

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  3. LOL! How sad for the manager. Not for you though. I wouldn't have felt any remorse whatsoever but then again my devilish side does come out more often.

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    1. Where would we be without our devilish sides??? Well, maybe better off, but life would be much less fun. :)

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  4. serves that bastard right! i would have done the same thing!!

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    1. It feels good to give karma a hand once in a while! :)

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  5. Actually it seemed like a very good way to deal with the situation. It was non-confrontational, didn't directly result in the guy getting fired, and accomplished what you wanted done without the guy getting mad at you. Well done!

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    1. Thank you Kristie! I prefer being direct, but it's good to be flexible and have a plan B. :)

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  6. Crafty crafty Rick. People should know not to cross you! I hope you enjoyed your weekend and are enjoying your extra day off

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    1. No one should cross anyone. :) Now I mostly let karma work through others while I spend too much of my time working.

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  7. You evil, Rick, you evil! LOL. I think that dude had that coming. :D

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  8. To me, nothing is considered evil as long as the person deserves it.

    Pats Rick on the back... You are still Mr Nice Guy to me coz your evil is supported!

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    1. Thank you Jo! You're very sweet. :)

      I read once that pure goodness can't battle evil, that it takes someone with a little dirt on their soul.

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