can't buy me integrity

[serene]

I've been a temp for most of my life. Almost said "most of my adult life,"
but I started temping when I was 16. In all that time, I've had two
policies:

1) I never work for free.

2) I never accept pay for hours I haven't worked (beyond the contracted
four-hour minimum, and even then, I offer to work the hours, or if I like
the employer, I just waive the minimum).

This means that I often have situations like today. The boss is closing
the office an hour early, and he made it clear to me that the department
would pay me for that hour. I presented my timecard to him just now with
39 hours on it, instead of 40, along with a note thanking him for the
offer, but telling him it's unnecessary.

He was really confused, and I told him about my two policies. He doesn't
understand why I wouldn't just take the money.

I figure that I buy more with that fourteen dollars (gross) than money can
buy. I buy my integrity, along with clear evidence to my employer that I
am the kind of person who's not out to take advantage.

That's priceless.