When “the check is in the mail” turns into a public masterpiece of petty justice: The story of the painter who turned a building into a giant unpaid invoice.

We’ve all been there—waiting for a payment that never seems to arrive. But in 2020, Dean Reeves, a professional painter from Bolsover, England, decided he had enough of the “I’ll pay you tomorrow” routine. After allegedly being stiffed on a £500 ($645) bill for painting the exterior of the former North Star Club, Reeves didn’t call a lawyer. He grabbed his black paint and a ladder.

Frustrated and determined to make his point, Reeves took to the very canvas he had just painted. His bold message read: “Want your house painting? Don’t be like Terry, pay the bill! Now you will!” The text, written in stark black paint, stood in sharp contrast to the freshly painted cream walls.

The “Don’t be like Terry” slogan quickly became a viral sensation, landing Reeves on the front pages of national newspapers.

The story resonated with tradespeople and the public alike, sparking a massive debate about worker rights and professional conduct. Featured prominently in outlets like The Daily Mirror and The Sun, Reeves’ actions were praised by some as an act of genius and criticized by others as vandalism.

In Reeves’ own words, he decided to take action after being told repeatedly that payment was coming, only to be met with silence. The building, which was being converted into flats, served as a six-foot-tall public reminder of the importance of honoring agreements.

If a client refused to pay you, would you do the same or is this going too far?