Cash Song Comes to Life When Assembler Steals Bike ‘One Piece at a Time'
Zhang worked as an assembly line worker at a motorcycle manufacturing plant in Chongqing, China. He had always wanted his own motorcycle, but on his wages he could never afford to own one. So in 2003, he got the idea to steal all the parts for the bike over a period of time and assemble it at home.
Five years later, he finally completed the motorcycle with the stolen parts. Unfortunately, when he took it out for a ride, he was immediately pulled over by the police. Upon further investigation, the police discovered that Zhang didn’t have a drivers license, nor did he have ownership papers for the bike.
The man then admitted to police that he stole the motorcycle. He was fined, put on probation and ordered to return the bike to the factory.
No word on whether Zhang was fired from the motorcycle factory or not. He was lucky, I suppose, to avoid a trip to Folsom Prison. Personally, I hope he’s still walkin’ the line.
“One Piece at a Time”
Well, I left Kentucky back in ’49
And went to Detroit workin’ on an assembly line
The first year they had me putting wheels on Cadillacs
Every day I’d watch them beauties roll by
And sometimes I’d hang my head and cry
’Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black.
One day I devised myself a plan
That should be the envy of most any man
I’d sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand
Now getting caught meant getting fired
But I figured I’d have it all by the time I retired
I’d have me a car worth at least a hundred grand.
[CHORUS]
I’d get it one piece at a time
And it wouldn’t cost me a dime
You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town
I’m gonna ride around in style
I’m gonna drive everybody wild
’Cause I’ll have the only one there is around. ...