Had a client try something similar with old baseball cards. Told him I'd list them on eBay for a month, any money made goes toward his bill. Set a clear date to settle the rest in cash. He paid up quick once I laid that out.

When I built a retaining wall in high winds, I learned the hard way that temporary supports need extra weight. paule53's idea to tie bricks is smart, but in really gusty conditions, the ties can pull on wet mortar and mess up the alignment. Honestly, what worked for me was laying heavy bags of sand against the base on both sides until the mortar cured. Also, setting up a simple windbreak from plywood or a tarp tied to stakes can cut the force by half. Cleaning up and starting over sucks, but next time try adding mass instead of just braces.

Ever accidentally label a tape wrong and get a total surprise? I once got three episodes of a cooking show instead of Dragon Ball Z. My own handwriting trolled me harder than any cliffhanger. The wait was brutal but the wrong show shock was a whole other level of suspense.