The Key to Petty Revenge: How One Summer Job Snafu Locked Out a Whole Store
There’s something timelessly satisfying about a well-executed act of petty revenge—especially when it involves the classic workplace drama of favoritism and a dash of 1970s mall nostalgia. Imagine this: you’re a responsible high school senior, trusted to close up a clothing store, only to have your hours cut in favor of the boss’s niece. What’s a jilted teen to do? For Reddit user u/high_steppa, the answer was as sneaky as it was simple: “Key? What key?”
This is the story of how a single key—and a little bit of grudge-fueled creativity—managed to lock an entire store out of business for half a day, all before security cameras made mall mischief a thing of the past.
When Favoritism Opens Doors (and Locks Others Out)
Let’s set the mood: It’s the groovy 1970s. Bell bottoms are in. The mall is the place to be, both for shopping and for scoring that all-important summer job. Our protagonist, u/high_steppa, had landed a sweet gig at a clothing shop, entrusted with the rare responsibility of closing up shop—a sign of serious trust for a teenager.
But as is often the case in the world of retail, things took a turn when the manager hired his niece, Katy. Suddenly, shifts started disappearing, hours shrank, and our protagonist was left with little more than a sliver of the schedule. Complaints fell on deaf ears, met only with a “too bad, you can quit.” So, quit they did—but not without stewing in the injustice.
The Slow Burn of Petty Revenge
Anyone who’s ever been slighted at work knows the sting, and sometimes, the only balm is a little poetic justice. High_steppa didn’t rush—oh no, this was a slow-cooked act of revenge. Weeks went by, resentment simmering, until one fateful night when opportunity knocked.
Both high_steppa and Katy were closing their respective stores. Knowing the shop’s secret key-hiding spot (tucked right under the rolled-down gate), our former employee waited until Katy had left, then casually strolled by, scooped up the key, and—here’s the pièce de résistance—tossed it into the mall trash on the way to the parking lot. No security cameras, no witnesses, just the satisfying thunk of retribution.
The Fallout: A Locked Store and a Manager’s Meltdown
The beauty of this petty revenge is in its simplicity—and its fallout. The next morning, while the mall buzzed to life, Katy’s store remained dark, its metal gate stubbornly locked. With only one key in circulation, and the manager out of town, the shop missed out on precious hours of business. Eventually, the manager had to cut his trip short and dash back to rescue the situation.
And, in a move that deserves its own slow clap, high_steppa played innocent when confronted: “My goodness, No. Sounds like Katy needs to be more responsible!” If ever there were a masterclass in poker-faced pettiness, this was it.
Why Petty Revenge Stories Hit Home
Let’s be honest: most of us have dreamed of serving up some righteous comeuppance to an unfair boss or an undeserving coworker. High_steppa’s story resonates because it’s both harmless (no one got hurt, unless you count egos) and relatable. We’ve all seen managers play favorites, and we’ve all fantasized about ways to tip the scales—if only for a moment.
Plus, there’s something charmingly old-school about this tale. In the age before digital security and endless surveillance, workplace shenanigans took real ingenuity. No emails, no text trails—just a key, a trash can, and the satisfaction of knowing you evened the score.
Lessons from the Lost Key
While we don’t officially condone tossing out company property (let’s not give HR a heart attack!), there’s value in this story beyond the giggles. It’s a reminder to managers everywhere: treat your team fairly, or risk inciting the quiet wrath of the wronged. As for the rest of us, sometimes the best revenge is the story you get to tell years later—preferably on Reddit, where the internet can give you the slow clap you deserve.
What’s Your Petty Revenge Story?
Have you ever pulled off a low-stakes act of workplace mischief? Or wished you had? Share your tales of (mostly harmless) rebellion in the comments below—let’s keep the spirit of mall-era revenge alive!
If you enjoyed this retro slice of justice, check out the original post here, and don’t forget to lock up your workplace secrets… or at least hide them better than under the gate!
Original Reddit Post: Key? What key?