Instant karma doesn’t wait for the guilty to escape unscathed. These three stories show how people who thought they could get away with wrongdoing were served poetic justice on the spot. In a world where bad behavior often seems to go unchecked, there are moments when karma strikes swiftly and undeniably. These three stories highlight instances where dishonesty, arrogance, and judgment were met with immediate consequences, proving that sometimes justice doesn’t wait for the courts.
The dinner rush at Sizzling Steak was in full swing, and I was rushing between tables, trying to keep up. Being a new hire, I was still finding my rhythm. That’s when I noticed a middle-aged man in a kimono and overcoat walk in. He smiled warmly as I approached. But Andy waved me off, laughing. “He’s just a tourist. He won’t know the difference,” he said, smirking. I knew it was wrong, but I felt trapped. I was afraid of losing my job.
I reluctantly served the cold steak to the man, whose name I later learned was Higashi. “This isn’t what I ordered,” he said, pointing to the plate. I tried to explain, but Andy stepped in. “Hold on a second, Jackie Chan,” he barked at Higashi. “This is your order, right? Eat it! “Higashi had no idea what was going on. Feeling confused, he stood up to leave.
That’s when a wad of cash fell from his wallet. He had hundreds of dollars in there. I could see how Andy’s eyes lit up and he was suddenly smiling. I watched as he quickly apologized to Higashi and promised him a “luxurious experience.” He even shoved a $100 bill into my hand to make me go along with his scheme. In no time, Andy replaced the cold steak with a fancy meal of grilled salmon, teriyaki chicken, and sake. I waited for Andy to get busy so I could open his locker and take out all the money. I quickly hid all the cash in my pockets and walked out of the back room.
Once I was sure Andy wasn’t around, I rushed to Higashi’s table and handed him the cash. “This is your money,” I said, trying to make him understand.
Just then, a police officer walked into the restaurant, with Andy grinning beside him. “They stole my money!” Andy claimed, showing the CCTV footage of the time I took out money from his locker. It made me look like I was the thief, and I had no idea how to defend myself.
But before I could say anything, Higashi spoke up. In perfect English. “Actually, officer, it’s Andy who stole my money,” Higashi said calmly. He pulled out a business card and revealed that he was a journalist, here to write about the restaurant. The best part was that he had marked the bills with a special chemical that turned blue when it came in contact with water. The officers immersed the bills in water, and the blue marks proved they belonged to him. I still remember how Andy’s face went pale when the officer handcuffed him. He kept apologizing but it was too late.
