The night had already dragged on when Linda, an entitled guest, demanded special treatment. I’d stayed past my shift to assist maintenance with a late-night pool chemical treatment, and had already closed the pool after giving guests the usual friendly warnings. Everyone respected the 10 p.m. closing—except Linda.

She stormed over, dripping wet with two kids in tow, insisting the pool stay open longer. “We paid GOOD MONEY!” she shrieked. I politely pointed to the posted hours and explained the chemical treatment. Unimpressed, she huffed away. Minutes later, Kyle, the new front desk clerk, radioed to say he gave her the gate key. I was livid—he didn’t check with anyone.

Soon, Linda and her posse were cannonballing into the pool… right into the freshly treated water. The chlorine was still high and harsh, causing itchy skin and burning eyes. Linda panicked, pulled her kids out, and demanded to know “who poisoned the pool.” Then she called me, furious, claiming I did it on purpose. I calmly reminded her the policy was clear.

Things escalated when she left a voicemail threatening to “ruin” me and “call the police.” I forwarded everything to my manager, Ray. When officers arrived, Linda tried to spin the story, but the footage and voicemail told the truth.

Turns out, she’d tampered with the emergency gate lock after Kyle’s key failed. That alone got her trespassing charges and a lifetime ban from the hotel chain.

Her kids? Fine. Kyle? Humbled. Me? Off the clock, smiling.

Karma doesn’t miss—especially not after hours.