It was in February 2014 that John Dang found a mystery note promising $300 if he returns a year later, specifically on May 27, 2015, at the café where he found it.
The handwritten note was not signed but John felt it was for real, especially after netizens encouraged him to go back to the café when he posted the note on Reddit.
There were many who encouraged him to go back so he could find the answers to this mystery note and get the $300 reward but many also warned him it might just be a prank or even something straight from horror flicks.
He might even become an unknowing target to a serial killer!
John had a year to weigh the pros and cons of returning to the café to claim his prize. So, he got a little impatient and made a counteroffer to the mystery note writer.
If this person would meet him on July 2014, he wouldn’t ask for the entire $300 but would only get $200.
He patiently waited on the date he wrote on the note but the mystery writer did not make his/her presence known.
Perhaps the counteroffer insulted the mystery note writer because on the designated date John would be rewarded, May 27, 2015, this person did not arrive.
John waited in the café the entire day, arriving just before it opened and going home after closing time but the mystery note writer did not arrive.
Well, if he/she did, there was no indication that the prize will be honored.
With the note going viral on Reddit, John felt it was but appropriate that he make live updates throughout his wait.
In his first post last year, he had covered the passcode with his thumb but he revealed it in another photo of the note in his live updates on Reddit.
Throughout the day, John posted updates of his wait at the café. After posting a shout-out for someone to send him food as he was getting hungry and did not like eating more pastries, some people soon sent him boxes of pizza!
There were also several supporters who arrived to keep him company but they were all dismayed when closing time arrived and the mystery note writer never appeared to give the prize money.
Still, for John it was an epic adventure where he met new friends and supporters. After closing time, he posted this:
“Looks like thats it everyone. 11pm Original Note Creator didnt show up. Thank you for all of your support Reddit, and Special Thanks to all those who have came out and sent us food! You people are amazing!!!! /u/Dangjasondang”