I received a current booking on 22 Jan'07 to pick up a lady passenger from Ngee Ann City Taxi Stand for Pasir Ris St. 71. I didn't talk much to the lady as she seem tired. As I am not very sure of exactly where St. 71 is, the lady agreed to guide me when we reach Pasir Ris. After she alighted at about 10.35pm, I turned out from carpark and turn right into St. 71 again with the intention to go to Changi Airport to pick passengers.
Immediately after I turned right, a big burly Malay man (about 1.78m tall) waved for my cab in the opposite direction. He have tattoos from his neck down to his arms and legs. (I can see the tattoos on his legs because he is wearing bermudas not skirts, ok). As I could not make a U-turn because of the road divider with a 750mm railing, I stopped my cab for this guy. I was actually hesitant to pick him for safety reason (you know what I mean?), but decided to take the chance. Despite his imposing size, he manage to jump over the railing and speedily get into the front seat of my cab. He seems to be in a hurry and told me to go to Yishun. "Eh, which part of Yishun are you going Sir?" It was intentional on my part to ask him and confirm my suspicion that he is not what I suspected (a robber) and also to make sure that he knows what he is talking. He went blank for a moment as I proceed to drive forward (Aha, I got him square on this question, I thought). After an agonising wait of about 10 to 15 seconds for an answer, he blurted out, "North Point, go by TPE". "Ok" was my reply as I continue driving towards TPE. Just as I was about to exit towards TPE, he asked, "Uncle, where are you going?" "I thought you said go by TPE?" "Yes, but this is going to Changi Airport." "Oops..." I apologise to him and made a U-turn. "I am not very familiar with this area, could you guide me to TPE exit towards Yishun?"
I reach the exit of TPE in less than 2 minutes. As I drove along TPE, crazy thoughts went through my head. What if he wanted to rob me? Can I take him on? Physically, I may not be able to (He weighs something like 90 to 95kgs). I comfort myself that all Comfort taxis are installed with a panic button for cases like this on the right side near the accelerator pedal. Will it be too late to depress the button as he can see what I am doing from the front passenger seat? Will this be the end of my taxi driving career? What will happen to my family? Throughout the journey, there was no conversation. He probably can sense that I am uneasy.Sheesh, and I really am.
It was a relief that we are nearing North Point. As I was about to turn right at the traffic lights, he told me to proceed ahead. He did not intend to go to North Point. God, now this is really getting to be more than a suspense as my earlier thoughts ran through my head again. "Turn right at the next junction, into Yishun Ring Rd and stop at the corner of the junction." "OK" was my reply. Phew, that was close. I am not suppose to stop my cab at the corner of the junction as it is against the traffic rule but at least he didn't asked me to stop at some secluded place. I stopped my cab at the corner of the junction as asked and stopped the meter. It shows $12.60 but I told him $12.00 as I had made a wrong turn at the start of the journey and gave a discount. "No lah Uncle, cannot lah! You also cari makan mah!" He paid me the full fare. I thanked him for the fare and generosity and drove off.
Wow! That was some experience. Again, come to think of it, if he had wanted to rob me, he would have taken the back seat. It is easier for him to hold me at ransom from the back. But then again, he would not be able to see what I am doing with my leg. Oh well, I have to move on. This is one experience that I will definitely remember. I have to be more cautious in future.
Cheers!
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