...notice that we reserve help for those who DON'T need it?

First of all, I'm sorry for the story gap. There will be a new one up soon.

So, as I was walking down the hall after class, I noticed a student curled up on a bench outside the ticket office. He had been there for a while I think. There was nobody bothering him, of course, or asking him to get up - move along. Had that been a homeless man, not only would security most likely have been brought in, but on a personal level, I probably would have felt very uncomfortable as would most others that were walking through that hall (I assume). It made me think, it's interesting how the fact that the student had a place to sleep and didn't actually NEED to be sleeping on the bench made it ok whereas if someone who did not have a place to sleep and actually needed to sleep there, it's unacceptable.

Side points:
1. Yes, there is a higher probably of a homeless man being a threat than a student.
2. Yes, the student "belongs" here and therefore is not technically loitering.

I often think of this when a stranger asks me to borrow a quarter or, I ask a stranger to borrow a quarter when I'm a few cents short at the check out line or something. Because that person doesn't actually need the quarter, you are to happy to give it to him. Change that into a homeless person who would truly benefit from it (arguably), and you are more likely to ignore him.

I think that is because it's socially acceptable to ignore someone who is out begging, but if the guy in line asks if you have an extra quarter, it would be rude to ignore him.

This may become very pertinent to this blog because there's a good chance that Sean will soon be out of a place to live...although, he'll be happy to just keep living!

...notice that we reserve help for those who DON'T need it?

First of all, I'm sorry for the story gap. There will be a new one up soon.

So, as I was walking down the hall after class, I noticed a student curled up on a bench outside the ticket office. He had been there for a while I think. There was nobody bothering him, of course, or asking him to get up - move along. Had that been a homeless man, not only would security most likely have been brought in, but on a personal level, I probably would have felt very uncomfortable as would most others that were walking through that hall (I assume). It made me think, it's interesting how the fact that the student had a place to sleep and didn't actually NEED to be sleeping on the bench made it ok whereas if someone who did not have a place to sleep and actually needed to sleep there, it's unacceptable.

Side points:
1. Yes, there is a higher probably of a homeless man being a threat than a student.
2. Yes, the student "belongs" here and therefore is not technically loitering.

I often think of this when a stranger asks me to borrow a quarter or, I ask a stranger to borrow a quarter when I'm a few cents short at the check out line or something. Because that person doesn't actually need the quarter, you are to happy to give it to him. Change that into a homeless person who would truly benefit from it (arguably), and you are more likely to ignore him.

I think that is because it's socially acceptable to ignore someone who is out begging, but if the guy in line asks if you have an extra quarter, it would be rude to ignore him.

This may become very pertinent to this blog because there's a good chance that Sean will soon be out of a place to live...although, he'll be happy to just keep living!

Previously on Blog Your Own Adventure...

Sean is a relatively new blackjack dealer in Las Vegas in the middle of his year off befor begininning Ph D work. 9 months into his job he got approached by Jack and Kate who proposed that Sean help them chaet at blackjack. Sean agreed but soon after they began to cheat the casino out of money, his pit boss Frank called Sean into his office. Frank explained that it would be in Sean's best interest to make "donations" to Frank in order to keep Frank from telling anyone about any suspicious activity he may have noticed. In addition to this, Sean was promoted by Frank to the $500 minimum tables. When we last left Sean, he was deciding whether or not to tell Kate that Frank found out about them. It seems that the people have decided that he SHOULD tell her...

...wish you hadn't have listened to the majority?

Sean told Kate exactly what had happened with Frank. He figured, what's the worst that could happen? Now, in your author's experience, people tend to drastically underestimate the worst that could actually happen. This practice is established by years of the worst not ever actually happening. Unfortunately for Sean, this would not be the case.

"Don't worry, Sean, Jack will know exactly what to do."

Jack did. Although only 21, Jack had seen a lot having grown up in VEgas. In addition, he was slightly better at the "what's the worst that could happen" game and had a number of contingency plans. This was no exception.

"Well, Sean, I have good news and bad news. The good news is we're going to keep up the con. The bad news is the money for Frank is coming out of your share."

Sean agreed this was fair. Less because he actually thought it was fair and more because he wasn't sure of the exact protocol for haggling about how to bribe your pit boss to not report your casino cheating to the police. It seemed to Sean that agreeing was the best way to go. "Well, between the two of you and me being moved up to the $500 table, it should be fine."

"One of us," said Jack, realizing he forgot the rest of the bad news. "Yeah, I can't come in anymore, too risky."

"What about me!?" Kate was a quick one.

"Anyway, are there any questions?"

Kate knew Jack heard her. And she knew his answer. She was replacable, he was not.

The next day, Sean didn't see Frank as he sat down at his new $500 minimum blackjack table. He figured that the less time Frank spent over by him, the more plausable it would be for him to claim ignorance if Sean got caught by someone else. Being an irresponsible pit boss is a lot less harsh than aiding and abetting cheating. Kate walked in at her scheduled time and things were going great. Sean didn't even feel that slight pang of worry because there was no chance of him being found out by Frank. Well, Frank already knew.

What Sean was unsure about was how the money exchange was supposed to happen. At lunch time, Sean went over to Frank's office. Frank wasn't there. Instead, he found Joe, Frank's supervisor in Frank's office, cleaning out his desk. Did Frank get fired? This was no good.

"joe, what's going on?"

"I'm sorry we didn't catch you before you went on today. Frank's dead."

"What?"

What? (your author)

Was is das? (random German guy)

"He was killed in a car crash last night. It seems like he lost control of his car and went straight into a tree but the police are still investigating. Go ahead and take the afternoon off if you need to."

Sean called Jack to tell him the news. "Actually, I'm around the corner, I'll pick you up and we'll grab some lunch."

Jack pulled up in a Chrysler Sebring Convertible, silver. Yesterday, Sean was almost positive that Jack was driving a Mustang. From that point on, Sean would be much better at the "worst that could happen game."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, time to discuss. Did Jack kill Frank? Is Sean in danger? Here are your options. Should Sean make an excuse at lunch and disappear? If he does, should he try to take Kate with him? Should Sean call the police? Should Sean assume that he's making too much money for Jack for Jack to hurt him? Lots of decisions to make and only YOU can make them. BLOG YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!!!