As I sat on a portion of a couch with my Grandfather who was sitting in a Lazy Boy watching television on a black and white tv once told me… “Kid, if you are going to be a thief be a good one, if you steal a tv, steal a color tv, the penalty is all the same…” At least that is as near as my memory of that moment exists in my recall of being a child.
I worked as a deck hand for United States Steel many years ago at the ripe old age of eighteen. They paid me an incredible amount of money for what I did at the time, or so I thought. One day in Chicago I went to shore with another guy. He was farther up the ladder than I was and made a good thirty percent more than I did. As we wandered around a little slice of town where the cab dropped us off, he wanted to go into the dime stores. I thought that was a little odd, but we had nothing else to do with our time. We went into two of them and one small shoe store, and maybe a corner market. He never bought anything though, just wandered around and left. When we were back on the boat he started emptying his pockets of pencils, ten cent notebooks, erasers, and other small trinkets. He told me he could not help himself. He said he had been shoplifting like that for years. He said he stole small stuff, because it was the theft, not the item that satisfied his need.
I hung around and experienced the receiving end of other thieves through the years. I can say firmly, it has not been an uplifting experience. Nothing is ever stolen that hurt badly, but replacing things someone stole from you is at least an inconvenience. I imagine most of the stolen items were sold off at a small part of their worth. I hope whatever money the thieves were paid for the risk and their trouble made it worth it.
Recently I was at work, and sitting in an employee cubicle, where we take our breaks, and do a little surfing if we wish. We were given mugs a few weeks ago, and mine walked off, so I was using a replacement to enjoy a cup of tea with. Lately eating or drinking anything remotely warm makes my nose start running. I am not sure why, but it is annoying. I locked up the computer which really was not necessary because there were over a dozen idle computers already. But locking the computer, I left my cup, and notebook while I went in search of Kleenex.
I came back a few minutes later, and there was a contract employee sitting at my spot drinking the last of his soda. I stopped and looked at him. The light turned on and he said something to the effect that he was sitting in my spot and I was the one who locked the computer? I nodded yes. After a short pause he said, “and that is your mug?” Again I nodded yes. I thought that was an odd question…. He stood up saying, “I guess I let you have it then.” Again an odd phrase, but it was early, and I am a little slow sometimes.
I am a little slow, but it dawned on me after a few minutes what his intent had been, and why he was where he had no business being. In a round about way this brings me back to my Grandfather and his statement about stealing a color television. My mug can be purchased within five minutes of where I was sitting for less than a ten dollar bill. That is an important thought.
If that individual had been more daring or I had been a few seconds later, his intent would have cost him his job. I would have had no recourse but to turn him in as a thief to security on site, and report him to my boss. Of course it would have rolled up the chain and back down to his boss who would have to remove him from the site. I doubt his company would keep a thief on the payroll fwiw. He was essentially getting ready to put his livelihood, integrity, and future on the live for an object he could have bought with the money he probably earns eating his lunch on company time. Not the brightest light on the tree if I do say so.
Some people steal because they have to, and some because they want to. For the second group, all I can say is their decision making processes are very weak. Risking your job, home, family, and possible freedom for a trinket that could be bought for a few dollars is beyond stupid. As a little kid, I did not understand what my Grandfather was telling me. I thought then it was about the price difference. Over the years I have come to understand it is about so more, that the price has little to do with the act itself.
That person should be grateful I came along when I did. Rather I think, he is bitter he did not act in time and told himeself next time he will be quicker.
