US college student Walter Carr found himself in a pickle after his car broke down before his first day of work at removal company Bellhops.
Without an alternate mode of transport, Mr Carr began a 32km night trek on-foot through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama to make it to his first job in the morning.
Along the way, an officer from the Pelham police force noticed Mr Carr's determination to make it on time on his first day and decided to pick him up and take him to breakfast.
Jenny Lamey, the customer waiting for a removalist at her home at 8am, instead received a knock at the door at 6.30am from the officer and Mr Carr.
She explained the bizarre episode and paid tribute to Mr Carr's eagerness in a Facebook post.
"He proceeded to tell us that he had picked up 'this nice kid' in Pelham early this morning," said Ms Lamey.
"The nice kid, Walter, said that he was supposed to help us with our move today."
"He WALKED ALL NIGHT to get from Homewood to Pelham. Because he needed to get to work. For those reading this that are not local, that's over 20 miles."
While waiting for the removal crew to arrive, Ms Lamey said she offered Mr Carr a rest, but he declined and went straight to work.
Mr Carr also told her how his family had moved to Houston, Texas, after their home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
"I can't imagine how many times on that lonely walk... in the middle of the night did he want to turn back. How many times did he wonder if this was the best idea," Mr Lamey said.
"But he walked until he got here! I am in total awe of this young man!"
Hearing of his new employee's efforts, Luke Marklin, the chief executive of moving company, Bellhops, decided to drive from nearby Tennesee to meet Mr Carr.
After hearing his story, Mr Marklin handed Mr Carr the keys to his own 2014 Ford Escape.
"I am honestly blown away by him," Mr Marklin said.
"Everything he did that day is exactly who we are - heart and grit."
Mr Carr told reporters on Monday he was grateful to have been given the opportunity to work.
"This was the first job in a long time to give me an opportunity to get hired," he told AL.com.
"I wanted to show them I got the dedication. I said I'm going to get to this job one way or another.
"I want people to know this - no matter what the challenge is, you can break through the challenge. Nothing is impossible unless you make it impossible."
Mr Carr is due to graduate from college later in the year with a health sciences degree, and he said hoped to join the US Marines.
