Drank Water at Son's Restaurant, Fined $10,000, I Smiled

I worked as the chef at my son's restaurant for five years. Up before dawn, home late every night, never a single day off, and never a dime in wages.

Then one day, parched from the rush, I grabbed a bottle of water off the shelf and drank it.

My daughter-in-law saw. And right there, in front of everyone, she handed me a fine.

"Dad, the store has rules. Employees aren't allowed to take merchandise for themselves. You just drank a bottle of water, so that's a ten-thousand-dollar fine. Cash, or transfer?"

I stared at her, not believing it.