How to Outsmart a Cocky Co-Worker: The Legend of Factory Kevin and the Locked Doors

There are few things more satisfying than a well-executed dose of petty revenge—especially when the recipient has been getting a little too big for their boots. Today, we’re diving into a gem from the r/PettyRevenge archives: the story of “Kevin by name & Kevin by nature,” where a quick-witted factory worker taught a cocky upstart a lesson he’d never forget.
If you’ve ever had a colleague who runs their mouth a little too much, you’ll find this story both cathartic and downright hilarious. Let’s set the scene: a bustling factory, a cocky young hotshot named Kevin, and a clever veteran who knew that sometimes, the best way to win a fight is to never throw a punch at all.
Kevin: The Factory’s Resident Big Mouth
Our story’s narrator, in their early 20s at the time (and now a wise 50), worked alongside their brother in a factory that was basically two industrial units mashed together. But the real star—or, perhaps, the unwitting villain—of this tale is Kevin: skinny, cocky, and oh-so-confident in his own abilities. You know the type. Every workplace seems to have one.
One day, word spread around the factory floor: Kevin was bragging that he could take our narrator in a fight. Not just in private whispers, but apparently with the gusto of a kid who never learned that barking dogs rarely bite. The narrator could have confronted him, but in the real world, a fight on the job means one thing—unemployment.
What to do? Accept the challenge without throwing a punch, and humiliate Kevin in the process.
A Fight Without Fists
Here’s where the story takes a delightful turn. The narrator casually accepts Kevin’s offer of a fight. Kevin, not expecting his bluff to be called, is suddenly in the spotlight. He’s told to meet out back in the fenced yard for their “showdown.” Kevin, grinning like he’s just won the lottery, marches outside to await his big moment.
But instead of following, the narrator pulls a move worthy of TV prank royalty: they close and lock the big factory door to the yard, trapping Kevin outside. Then, for good measure, they dash to the front and lock the factory floor door too. The only way back in? Through the manager’s office.
Picture this: Kevin, primed for combat, now stuck outside, forced to climb a fence, then shuffle through reception and—worst of all—knock on the manager’s door to plead his case. Not exactly the triumphant return he had in mind.
Why We Love Petty Revenge
There’s a reason this story racked up over 600 upvotes and had the r/PettyRevenge crowd in stitches. It’s the perfect cocktail of harmless humiliation, poetic justice, and strategic brilliance. No one got hurt, no jobs were lost, but a lesson in humility was served—ice cold.
It’s also a reminder that sometimes, the best way to deal with a workplace blowhard isn’t escalation, but redirection. By turning Kevin’s bravado against him, the narrator avoided a messy confrontation and instead delivered a story that would echo through the factory for weeks (and now, thanks to Reddit, the internet forever).
Lessons from the Locked Door Debacle
- Outsmart, Don’t Outpunch: Physical confrontations rarely end well, especially at work. But using your wits? That’s a win for everyone (except maybe Kevin).
- Let Actions Speak Louder: Sometimes, the best way to silence a braggart is to let them talk themselves into trouble.
- Petty Can Be Powerful: We often think of “petty” as a negative, but in the right dose, it’s just the right tool for the job.
As for Kevin? The story ends with him thoroughly embarrassed, a little less cocky, and—crucially—never talking smack to our narrator again.
Have you ever served up a slice of petty revenge at work? Or had a “Kevin” in your life who needed to be taken down a peg? Share your stories in the comments below! And remember: sometimes, the best comeback isn’t a punch—it’s a locked door and a lesson well learned.
Original Reddit Post: Kevin by name & Kevin by nature