Metamorphosism

Relationship Tip #3

One of the main advantages of the modern cylinder lock is the fact that it is not necesary to alter the boltwork to change the cylinder. In fact, changing your average door lock requires the removal of exactly one screw, removal of the cylinder, going to the hardware store or the lock guy with the cylinder (best) or measurements of said cylinder (if you want to lock your door while you are absent) showing the length of cylinder and the distance right and left from the moveable pin part so you get the right replacement. Depending on the cylinder, it costs (where I live) between €30 (for example, for my cellar door where the key broke off in the lock) and €150 (for the posher front door the lock of which decided not to work).

You get, usually, a set of 3 keys with the new cylinder. If you need more than that, have them made right away, otherwise you forget and it's a hassle. If you get the cylinder directly from the key guy (which I fear is more expensive, but unfortunately the hardware store doesn't always have the most expensive models in stock) have the key made right there. Otherwise, run to Mr. Minit or whoever is closer and have it done. Don't procrastinate.

Then you take the new cylinder straight home and stick it in the hole and with a minimum of fiddling about it should be possible to replace the screw you removed from the original cylinder and you're done, except for testing all the keys, especially the new spares you had made, to avoid, say, your daughter coming home late at night while you are still out and spending, say, three hours in the back yard because her key won't fit into the lock.¹

Changing a lock is that easy. It makes you feel handy, and could be a simple and relatively inexpensive way to, for example, change the dynamics in a relationship. Secretly changing the host's lock is also a good icebreaker at parties, so make a habit of carrying a philips screwdriver and several of the most common cylinder locks with you every time you go out.
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¹ On the other hand, such a misfortune does make a good story -- especially when you return to the Mr. Minit three weeks later without a receipt, and ask to have the spare keys made properly, which Mr. Minit, who turns out to be a nice guy, does without protest, even listening to your story of the Defcon lockpicking seminar you read about and totally agreeing that kids make far better lockpickers than adults and showing no surprise at all that the article mentioned that an 11 year old girl at the seminar was an expert lockpicker after 15 minutes (at which point an image of Gamma fencing loot floats through your mind) -- an even better story than, say, "my nearly-grown daughter spent 15 minutes waiting one afternoon..." which would more closely correspond to the "objective facts".