On June $1,2023,$ Brady purchased an option to buy $1,000$ shares of General, Inc. at $$40$ per share. He purchased the option for $$3,000.$ It was to remain in effect for five months. The market experienced a decline during the latter part of the year, so Brady decided to let the option lapse as of December $1,2023.$ On his $2023$ tax return, what should Brady report?

a$.$ A $$3,000$ long$-$term capital loss.

b$.$ A $$3,000$ short$-$term capital loss.

c$.$ A $$3,0001231$ loss.

d$.$ A $$3,000$ ordinary loss.