You work as a waiter/waitress and your boss deducts from your paycheck an absurb amount of money; he says that it's based on dishes which in reality, he himself broke. You know you're getting ripped off.

Start looking for a better job.  LIfe is too short.

man that manager sounds like a gosh dern prick

good advice. he is a maggot. the rags sound like a keen idea, but i think I just want my money! you can't reason with a liar! hmm rags are sounding better and better to me!

First thing you should do before small -claims court is settle with him this time.  From then on, if you break a dish get someone to sign as a witness. It is hard to break dishes in a restaurant without someone hearing it. If you are a good worker and don't steal from him, he should not charge you for broken dishes since it would be an accident. Your boss sounds like a MAGGOT to me. Maybe if you find out he is scamming you, flush some rags in the toilet at his place of business.  Since you are a female get a male friend to flush rags in the men's room toilet if boss doesn't lay off of you.