Reply #15: Not outrageous kindness, but two years ago at Treasure Island casino

[Awsi Dooger]

Some guy I barely knew from the sportsbooks came up to me at 1 AM, asking for a $15 loan so he could finish playing a bonus slot machine. I was playing a similar machine when he approached me. I gave it to him and he said to meet him in the sportsbook and he would repay the 15 bucks.

Ten minutes later I walked over there and it was obvious why the guy needed the 15 dollars; he had conned two women to play the machine and then abandon it on the verge of the bonus. They had figured out he hustled them and now they were smack behind him while he played the machine. He saw me and asked for more money. One of the women followed him and was furious, saying they knew exactly what happened and that I must be involved if I gave him money. I threw my hands up in innocence but the woman didn't buy it.

After he got the bonus (winning $70+) the guy ran over, handed me the $15 and said, "the heat is on." The women went straight to casino security and I joined them, insisting I had no idea he had done anything wrong when I loaned the $15. They took us upstairs to the security office and it was 2 hours of hell. I had to write out a statement and wait for security to examine the tape. The women, tourists from Virginia, were desperate for a scalp and I was the only remaining candidate. One security guy after another took me aside and questioned me, including the chief of security. Luckily I knew two of the security undercover guys and they realized I was a sports betttor and not a hustler. Finally they reviewed the tape and cleared me. The women were furious, emphasizing why would I give money to a near-total stranger if not involved. The casino showered them with comps but they left the security office still barking at me.