We were repainting a sign outside the Boys & Girls Club in downtown Gary, Indiana. Busy street, busy sidewalk, and we rolled 3 stages of scaffolding into place.
I should have pulled a permit to work on the sidewalk. That is the law, but costs $100, and also opens yourself up to code enforcement people extorting money from tradesmen. We were only working a few hours, so I didn't.
Told the guy working with me that if we get rolled up on, tell them that you are the art teacher at the club. Should be OK.
Sure 'nuff, the code guy pulls up asking questions about a permit.
Painter : "I'm just the new art teacher sprucing up the sign"
Code Man: "And who's this ?." Pointing at me wearing my painter whites.
Painter: "Oh, he's on work release."
Good times.