17-year-old Andrew, a rich brat used to getting his way, often treats others badly.
After seeing him taunt a flight attendant, his dad decides it’s time for a lesson in respect.
“Can you hurry up?” Andrew griped as he passed an old man helped by a young flight attendant.
The man walked with difficulty, but Andrew mocked him and rushed to his seat.
As the plane took off, Andrew, a regular flyer since a kid, opened the window shade. Bored, he wanted to get home after his first boarding school semester.
He got up for his tablet, leaving his bag sticking out of the overhead bin.
The attendant who helped the old man came over.
“Your bag’s out. You didn’t close the bin right, sir.” “Then fix it. It’s not my job,” Andrew replied rudely.
The stewardess stayed calm, closed the bin, and left. Andrew, still grumpy, ate peanuts and spat them out. He called the attendant rudely. “These peanuts are gross! Get me something better!” he demanded, throwing the bag at her.
The attendant, upset but polite, said, “Sir, calm down and don’t throw things.” “I’ll do what I want!” Andrew snapped. “You’re here to serve me. Get me good food, not these bad nuts. Now, go!”
Nearby passengers were shocked at Andrew’s behavior.
The old man he mocked spoke up. “Young man, don’t talk to her like that. She’s doing her job well. Be nice.” “Why should I? She can’t do her job,” Andrew retorted, snapping at the attendant. “Hurry up with my snack! Don’t just stand there!”
The attendant left in tears but stayed calm.
“Your parents must be disappointed,” the old man said, going back to his magazine. “Mind your own business, old man!” Andrew said. “I paid for this flight. I deserve good service.”
When the attendant brought pretzels, Andrew pushed the tray away. “I want something better!” “That’s all we have, sir,” she said, crying.
Andrew’s insults got another passenger’s attention. A woman confronted him. “How dare you talk to her like that? Show some respect!” “If she did her job well, I wouldn’t complain!” Andrew argued. “She’s a bad servant!”
The attendant cried. Andrew’s mean words shocked the passengers.
An old passenger near Andrew frowned. “Somebody should teach you a lesson, young man. I’ve watched you. This is wrong.” “I agree,” a man in a nice suit said from behind Andrew. “You’re rude. She’s doing well, but you don’t know respect.”
Andrew was shocked. He turned and saw his dad. “DAD?? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE??” he gasped. “ANDREW??” His dad, Steven, was also shocked.
“I had an economy flight delay and took this one. I thought I heard you. I can’t believe it’s you making a fuss!” Steven was angry. Andrew stood still, silent. “But…dad…” Andrew stuttered.
“Shut up and APOLOGIZE TO HER now!” Steven said. “I’ll teach you manners at home. Now, say sorry!”
Andrew mumbled an apology. “Sorry!” He didn’t like being scolded in public.
After the flight, Andrew followed Steven home nervously. Steven took him to his study. “You made me proud today,” Steven said sarcastically. “Is this why I sent you to boarding school? To be bad? I’m disappointed. Your behavior must change.” Steven shut the door and faced Andrew.
“I don’t see the big deal, Dad,” Andrew argued. “She’s not important. She’s paid to serve us, and she wasn’t good.” “How she does her job isn’t your problem, Andrew. Being rich doesn’t mean you can mistreat others,” Steven said, crossing his arms. “And son, you’re nothing without my money. You need a reality check.” “What does that mean?”
“You’re not going back to boarding school. You’ll go to public school and work during breaks.” “Work? Are you kidding?” Andrew was shocked.
“No, I’m not. You’ll be a janitor in my company!” “A JANITOR? No way, Dad. I can’t!” Andrew protested.
“You have no choice. I’ll cut off your privileges – cards, laptop, car, phone, clothes. You’ll wear simple stuff and earn a living,” Steven said firmly. “I should’ve taught you manners after your mother died. It’s time you learned how hard life is. It’s now or never. You must respect people.”
“But Dad, why a janitor? My friends will laugh,” Andrew protested.
“This is the result of your actions. You need to learn respect,” Steven replied. “If you quit, you’ll lose everything!”
Andrew started his janitor job the next day, embarrassed. He struggled with basic tasks.
His supervisor, an old woman, laughed. “That’s not how you hold a mop. Stop laughing! I’m not used to this,” Andrew snapped. “Do your job, or I’ll fire you!” “You won’t,” the woman said. “I know your dad. He wants me to fix you. Now, work!”
Andrew mopped slowly. “Even sloths are faster. Speed up!” the woman said. Andrew grumbled and cursed while cleaning. His hip hurt, and he was tired from heavy buckets. The woman watched him, so he couldn’t rest.
A passer-by hit him with a bottle in the food court. “Hey, watch it! How dare you?” Andrew yelled. The guy ignored him. Andrew chased him, but the man pushed him. “Filthy janitor.”
Andrew was embarrassed. Another man scolded him for no wet floor sign. Andrew apologized and fixed it.
A woman with a boy asked him to clean vomit. “WHAT??! Are you kidding? I can’t touch that…No way!” Andrew was disgusted. “It’s your job. Do it,” she said. “I’m not touching it. It stinks…” Andrew protested.
“If you don’t, I’ll report you and get you fired!” she threatened.
Andrew wiped his tears, put on gloves, and cleaned. He was disgusted and helpless. The day got worse. His assistant gave him more tasks when he tried to rest. “Give me a break. I’m tired,” he begged. “We work, not rest. Clear the bins now.”
Andrew dragged bins and cleaned the lounge. Stairs for escalator duty made him dizzy. He found a spot and sat, his head in his hands.
A woman kicked him. “Get out of the way, lazy fool. I’ll report you for sleeping.” “I wasn’t sleeping,” Andrew said. “I’ll get you fired. How dare you talk back?” she left.
Andrew cried. He understood his dad’s lesson. He knew how it felt to be mistreated.
He saw a woman. He recognized her and ran after her.
“Hey, wait,” he said, tapping her arm.
She was shocked to see him in a cleaner’s uniform. “You? Oh god, not you again! What are you doing here?” Her hand covered her mouth.
“I’M SORRY FOR MOCKING YOU YESTERDAY!” Andrew said. “I was bad. I insulted you. But you served me with a smile. I’m ashamed. I promise to be nice. Please forgive me.”
The stewardess was surprised by his change. “I’m glad you realized your mistake,” she said.
Andrew didn’t say more and left to finish work.
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