We received a call from a client who asked us to remove some old iron radiators that had been used to heat his 1930s Cape Cod-style house. He warned us that one was quite heavy and he was afraid to try to move it. We brought in a heavy-duty hand truck with plenty of tiedown straps and placed cardboard on the hardwood floor to avoid scratching or damaging it. He hovered over us the entire time, reminding us that it was quite heavy and dangerous and to please be careful.

We strapped it onto the hand truck and tilted it so we could roll it to the door. He reminded us again of the danger. We rolled it over and prepared to take it out of the house. Another warning from the client. Why is this guy so nervous? We brought it down step-by-step, one level at a time, making sure that it didn’t slip or fall or catch any of our fingers. He told us he was impressed so far. We finally got it to the truck and onto the lift gate, where we hoisted it into the back and strapped it down securely. When I walked back to the front door, the client raised his hand and I instinctively slapped it, thinking that we are guys and the guy thing to do after such an impressive feat is high five. He smiled at me and told me to take another look at his hand. I studied it for a few moments before I caught it – he was missing the tip of his pinky. Apparently, he hadn’t hired professionals the first time round.