Fred On The Move

Wow, didn't realise I have not written anything since 5 Dec'06. That's a long time. Guess I am pretty busy with my other personal things or I am just plain tired because of the coming festive season.

Nothing really interesting to write this time round but I do want to bring out an interesting incident on 12 Dec'06. I received an advance booking on 11 Dec'06 to pick up a passenger at Raffles Town Club (RTC) on 12 Dec'06 at 7.15am. I set off early at about 6.30am from home hoping to pick up a fare before the appointed time. As I drove along Bt Batok Ave 6 towards Jln Jurong Kechil, Anak Bukit and Bt Timah Road, my hopes started to fade as I near my appointed place RTC. Okay, I am a bit early at 6:45am. I did the next best thing and that is to take a rest as I have only 4 1/2 hours sleep the night before. I tried but couldn't sleep in the cab. Oh well, might as well do some stretching exercises to loosen up the muscles.

When the appointed time is due, a lady is waiting somewhere near the door entrance for her, presumably husband to check out at the counter. Actually, I didn't realise that RTC has guest rooms until the doorman told me there are 40 rooms. So embarrassing. Cab driver and yet don't know.

What made me record this is that not more that 15 words were exchanged between me and the couple throughout the journey. As the man approach my cab, I greeted him as usual. The following are the excerpts.

Me: "Morning Sir"
Man: Nodded his head and said "ehmm"
I then help him to load his 2 luggage bags. At that moment, the lady also approach my cab and boarded from the left. The man didn't realise she had boarded on the left and also proceeded to board on the left but soon realised his wife is already inside. He then proceed to board on the right.
Me: "Which Terminal Sir"
Man: "Terminal 2"

As we moved off, throughout the entire 25 minutes journey, there was this deafening sound of silence. I dared not speak a word from the body language I observed of the couple. The couple were not even speakng to each other. Fortunately, I have my trusty radio to accompany me and equalise the environment, if not it would be a torture.

We reached Terminal 2 at about 7:45am. The man asked, "how much?" "$21.30", I said. "Receipt please", he said. "Sure", I said and I proceeded to print it.

Boy, such was the mood of some people. So serious early in the morning. Understandably, most people tend to be more serious in the early morning rush hour. The afternoons tend to be more relaxed as I have observed. Possibly because it's after work and the stress level has gone down.

Well, I got to log off for now as the time approaches for me to prepare for my next shift work coming up at 12noon. I still make a quick run to the barber at about this time.

I'LL BE BACK!!!
Cheers.