Got company. $100 missing. Here's what I've done.

[Howard Beale]

My sister, brother and his 14 y.o. son are here for the entire Thanksgiving week. Last night I cashed out for $1,927.00. I got 3 $500 chips and the rest in cash which I stuck in my pocket. My money is usually rubberbanded with a small leather license/card holder but I just left that extra cash loose. Today when I took the loose money out to pay at Starbucks there was only $327. Of course it had to be the 14 y.o. but I can't prove it, if I bring it up the entire week will be totally screwed, my mother will be upset for the rest of her life and I'd pay way more than $100 to avoid either of those things. Plus, I've got to admit, there're are far too many things that I can remember doing at that age that make me cringe all these years later but, still, $100? Although, adjusting for inflation, and considering that he must've thought 'Well there's only one 20 and four 100's so I guess I've got a better shot at the 100.....'

So here's what I've done. I can't think of anything else to do but I'm open to suggestions.

I have a metal box with a lock that I keep my checkbook, extra credit cards and other sensitive stuff in when the cleaning people or other workers are in the house. My money will now be locked up. I put a piece of paper in my pocket with a note that says 'Put it back'. I'm shutting down my computer and won't give him the log-in password and am treating him coldly which is VERY much different from the way it normally would be. I can't think of anything else except to tell my brother when they leave but he's wound so tight that I don't want to even though I probably should.

So: Thoughts?

[XXXNoahXXX]

Howard (not your real name),

I think everyone here knows you are basically a social retard, so we will cut you some slack.

Why not just approach the kid directly and ask him? Why the dramatics? Just say you left some money out and now its missing and you wanted to know if he was playing a joke on you by hiding it. That way he can play along and return it w/o admitting to stealing.

[traz]

If you approach anyone, you better be damn sure it was stolen

[Howard Beale]

[ QUOTE ]
If you approach anyone, you better be damn sure it was stolen

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course, that's the hell of it. Did the cage short me? Did I drop it somewhere? The answer to both is 'I don't think so' but that isn't good enough. My mind (and I'm pretty sure I'm typical) starts to create doubts. So I'll keep my mouth shut.


(And not get that massage I was wanting on Friday)

Plus: Social retard? wtf, I'm more normal than most on here.

[XXXNoahXXX]

HB,

I kid, I kid. Just make a comment at dinner like "yeah and i was playing poker, cashed out for $1900 but when I got home, I only had $1800 in my pocket. strange, huh?" then make not-so-obvious eye contact with the kid, and gauge his response.

[Howard Beale]

[ QUOTE ]
HB,

I kid, I kid. Just make a comment at dinner like "yeah and i was playing poker, cashed out for $1900 but when I got home, I only had $1800 in my pocket. strange, huh?" then make not-so-obvious eye contact with the kid, and gauge his response.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, tx and tx for going along w/ my 'running gag' (I DO use it sparingly). That's decent advice and I'll see if I can slip it in.

[astroglide]

[ QUOTE ]
I kid, I kid. Just make a comment at dinner like "yeah and i was playing poker, cashed out for $1900 but when I got home, I only had $1800 in my pocket. strange, huh?" then make not-so-obvious eye contact with the kid, and gauge his response.

[/ QUOTE ]

many people already think poker gains = funny money. if i were actually trying to recover my loss instead of lay blame, i think i would avoid directly mentioning poker. it's already hard enough to defend a position of need an alleged thief when money was taken from what they would probably consider a large roll of cash.

the kid avenue just doesn't sound like it would work, and i can't make any assumptions about your relationship with your brother or his disposition. the first idea that comes to mind is to openly search for the money in front of everyone, like after dinner. encourage people to see it as a problem that they can help you solve, and don't accuse anybody of anything. it must simply be lost, and you must have lost it. maybe your brother will approach you and say theft has been a problem in his household. it also gives the kid a chance to "find" it or get scared and confess to his father, etc. minimal risk to potentially open doors.

i'd also pitch the note. i think a thief might just get analysis paralysis and hope for the best when actually confronted, but only virtually.

[evagaba]

[ QUOTE ]
then make not-so-obvious eye contact with the kid, and gauge his response.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this. Your a live poker player right? You should know right away if he took it or not....

Also, I remember when I was 14, I stole a roll of dimes from my grandmas house. ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE!! LOL at this..my mom had me help her look through the garbage for the empty dimes wrapper, which I had indeed put in the trash. I also found it and put it into my pocket. I still remember what I bought with that $10. A giant sized special edition Fantastic Four comic and CANDY!!!

[oe39]

[ QUOTE ]
HB,

I kid, I kid. Just make a comment at dinner like "yeah and i was playing poker, cashed out for $1900 but when I got home, I only had $1800 in my pocket. strange, huh?" then make not-so-obvious eye contact with the kid, and gauge his response.

[/ QUOTE ]

or put on an elaborate play in which a 14-year-old pours poison in a sleeping uncle's ear.

[MC Chris]

[ QUOTE ]
Plus: Social retard? wtf, I'm more normal than most on here.


[/ QUOTE ]

i dunno. i mean, how old are you? and you still live with moms?