Chains Of Command

My buddy works for a General Contractor doing framing and renovations. One of their clients is absolutely LOADED (fourth house, luxury cars, expensive gadgets constantly being delivered) but every time the contractor asks for a payment, the guy gives nothing but lip service.

Weeks of work go by. The addition is framed out, materials stacked, labor hours piling up, and still no check. The General Contractor has had enough.

One afternoon, after yet another excuse, the contractor waves my friend over.

Contractor: “Grab the chains.”

Friend: “…the chains?”

Contractor: “Yep. Hook them around the framing. Fasten the rest to the truck.”

So, my friend does it. They’re big, heavy-duty chains looped right through the wood beams, clanking as they’re dragged toward the pickup. By now the sound has gotten the homeowner’s attention.

He storms outside, red-faced.

Homeowner: “What the f*** do you think you’re doing?!”

Contractor: *Calmly, not even looking up from the truck hitch.* “If you don’t have the check in my hand in the next minute, I’m leaving the site, and I’m taking all my work with me.”

There’s a frozen silence, except for the clinking of the last chain tightening. The homeowner’s bravado collapses. He panics, runs back inside, and less than sixty seconds later comes out waving a check like a white flag.