How Disappearing Ink Taught a Pen Thief the Ultimate Lesson in Office Petty Revenge
Let’s face it: every office has at least one. The Serial Pen Thief. That coworker who, despite a perfectly functioning supply cabinet, seems to have a gravitational pull toward anything not nailed down—especially writing utensils. Most of us grumble and buy another pack, but one Redditor on r/PettyRevenge decided to fight back… with a little harmless science and a whole lot of style.
What happens when you swap your pilfered pens for ones filled with disappearing ink? Chaos, confusion, and the kind of sweet satisfaction that only true petty revenge can bring. If you’ve ever dreamed of getting back at the office supplies swiper, buckle up—this story is a masterclass in mischievous creativity.
The Case of the Vanishing Pens
Reddit user u/MiddleNebula8320 shared their tale of pen-based woe. Like many of us, they noticed their pens had the mysterious habit of vanishing from their desk. At first, they chalked it up to forgetfulness—maybe they’d loaned one out, or maybe it rolled under a stack of folders. But then the real culprit came into focus: a coworker who, suspiciously, always seemed to have the exact same pens.
Now, confrontation isn’t everyone’s style. And in the world of office politics, a direct accusation can sometimes backfire, turning a minor annoyance into an all-out HR saga. Instead, our hero took the high (or perhaps delightfully low) road—by swapping out their usual pens for a batch of disappearing ink pens.
The plan? Simple but brilliant. Leave the pens out as usual. Wait. Watch. Sure enough, the pen thief struck again, grabbing one right before a meeting. As the meeting dragged on, the thief diligently took notes, blissfully unaware of their impending doom.
The Disappearing Act
Halfway through, the magic happened. The ink—designed to vanish after a short time—started doing its thing. Where once there were notes, soon there was nothing but blank paper. The thief’s growing confusion was visible to all, as he stared at his previously full sheet and realized he was, quite literally, left with nothing to show for his work.
Meanwhile, our revenge architect tried desperately not to burst out laughing. No one else seemed to notice the drama unfolding, but the moment was delicious. The best part? The pen thief never touched their desk supplies again.
Why Does This Petty Revenge Work So Well?
There’s a reason this post racked up over 23,000 upvotes and hundreds of comments. It’s the perfect blend of harmless fun and satisfying comeuppance.
1. No direct confrontation.
Instead of an awkward call-out, the prank lets the thief out themselves—no drama required.
2. It’s creative and memorable.
Disappearing ink isn’t something most adults expect outside of a magic show. The surprise factor is off the charts.
3. It’s a victimless crime.
No one gets hurt, no property is damaged, and the lesson is learned with a side of humor.
4. The message is crystal clear.
Some lessons are best delivered not with words, but with a little bit of mischief.
Petty Revenge: The Unsung Hero of Office Justice
Let’s be honest: petty revenge stories like these are the unsung victories of office life. They don’t change the world, but they do make the daily grind a little spicier. There’s an art to balancing justice and humor—one that this Redditor absolutely nails.
And, honestly, haven’t we all fantasized about pulling off the perfect prank on a coworker who just can’t keep their hands to themselves? Whether it’s food mysteriously disappearing from the fridge or office supplies taking flight, there are plenty of opportunities for a little playful payback.
What’s the Best Petty Revenge You’ve Seen?
So, next time someone “borrows” your stuff a little too often, remember: you could go to HR, or you could go to Amazon and buy a pack of disappearing ink pens. The choice is yours.
Have you ever orchestrated a petty revenge at work—or been the (hopefully good-natured) victim of one? Share your best stories in the comments! After all, laughter is the best revenge.
If you enjoyed this tale of office hijinks and poetic justice, check out the original post here, and don’t forget to pass along your favorite petty revenge strategies. Who knows? You might just inspire the next viral office legend.
Original Reddit Post: My coworker kept stealing my pens, so I swapped them out.