Despite a tight fit, Reno employees save customer $100,000

A Reno, NV, accounting firm came in to mail their quarterly tax statements and the secretary used the Automated Postal Machine, as was her practice.

But the top piece -- and the most important one -- slid off the top of the pile behind the heavy machine. She couldn't reach it and she couldnt leave it, because the IRS would have imposed a $100,000 penalty if it were late.

A number of employees did their best to get to the piece, but the machine was too heavy and too close to the wall.

But Supervisor Bob Lastine rigged up a system to fish the mail out using two pieces of wire. A little ingenuity and a happy customer.