Wow. I understand the emotion of denting your Apple toys. I dropped an iPod, and cracked the plastic case, and got some road rash on the metal. I would have been too embarrassed to try to take it in to get it fixed. Maybe I should have. *shrug*
But in your case, you are at the entire mercy of the Apple Store staff, and managers. If it looks like it was deliberately damaged, it's unlikely that they will do much. It depends on your presentation, and how you come off to their staff.
Case in point, I witnessed a 'spoiled' girl bring her second MBP in for 'soda damage'. The Genius took it back, opened it, was apparently amazed at the amount of soda still inside the machine, and indicated that it had at least one other soda incident that didn't kill it. They declined to cover it under Apple Care. With a history like that, and the location where the store is, and the average household income for that area, I'm sure the mom went home, lectured her spawn about liquids and electronics, and bought her a new one, walking out without one to 'make a point'.
I came in, in a suit, with a psychotic iMac. It was a refurb, and a few weeks prior, started getting 'weird'. It would shutdown, it would have screen 'tearing', it would just not be having a good day, and it gradually got worse. I had a project I was working on, and had the suit for a meeting, and took a chance. The Genius took it back, came back out, asked more questions, and disappeared for quite a while. He came back with a sad look on his face. Maybe more shocked? He explained that it was so unstable that they couldn't even get the diags to run on it. He said they wouldn't know where to start in replacing parts, and would likely end up replacing everything, and then, he kinda joked, it might not ever run right after that (possessed?). They offered the chance for them to 'fix' it, or I take home a brand new iMac, fresh out of the box (without the box). I walked out with a new iMac, and a stronger opinion on Apple Care. Did the suit help? Possibly, but the system was freaking out, obviously majorly toasted. I asked if that was why it was refurbed, and he thought about it for a minute, actually, and said that they unfortunately, there in the store at least, did not have access to that information. But I was happy.
But be nice to the staff. Be EXTRA nice to the staff. If you come in all huffy, they will likely send you away. If it looks like it was intentional, and they will know, having 'seen it all', they will turn you away. If you are calm, explain the issue, admit any fault on your part, and they agree, you can get them to work with you. Yeah, one quick story, related to another visit to the Center Of The Universe: Guy comes in, all 'edgy'. Kinda hostile. 'The Apple Care phone people wouldn't help me! I couldn't get them to understand what happened, it's not what it looks like! Hah, the Genius was already skeptical. They pulled up the conversation based on the serial number. Apparently the guy was a major butthead. The local Genius disappeared for a few minutes, presumably to give him time to cool off, and came out and denied him any support. He started posturing, and raising his voice. Yeah, bad move. A couple other Geniuses came over, and the guy finally left. 'I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER APPLE PRODUCT EVER AGAIN!' and they all sighed, I'm sure.
EDIT: My post is more along the lines of respect the Apple Store staff. They have seen it all, and should be treated with respect. Saying that someone would disable an Apple device to get it swapped for a cosmetic issue is also pretty nuts, IMO. From the beginning, I've advocated for the use of cases. If you don't want your stuff damaged, be good to it, and get it cased. It's not going to stop all damage, but it's better than having broken toys. /end