Doing something mediocre and mundane, such as taking the mrt, can be a real eye opener sometimes…
Just recently, a ride on the mrt inspired me to expose the open secrets and truths about the queer behavior of normal Singaporeans once about thirty or so of them are confined together within a train cart…
Reaching the jurong east platform, I chose a comfortable spot to stand. And there was this particular group of people already waiting anxiously for the train’s arrival. They stood their ground, not budging and only just a hair’s breadth away from the yellow line. They did not seem to heed any kind of warning signs and painted boundaries demarked by boxes and arrows at their feet. And they stare death in the eye, oblivious to the dangers of the speeding train as it zoomed past them, barely missing them by inches. As the train gradually slowed down, their sharp eyes darted across moving windows, their vision suddenly focused on a particular prized seat within the cart. The door opened and like rugby players, they blocked outgoing passengers and at the same time, maneuvered past them with astonishing skill and speed. Basic courtesy and manners were non-existent in their dictionaries, as they sit on their newly acquired thrones and flashed victorious smiles at people who did not manage to find a seat. I call them, the guild of the thieves…
The second group of people that walked in is the peasants, normal, hardworking citizens who deserve some rest after a day’s work. The peasants were clearly in no hurry to join the thieves in their trivial quests as they sat whenever there were seats available and did not mind standing at all. An elite few (including me), were the ones to enter last. This self-proclaimed high and mighty lot rode in with an air of vigor, dignity and respect. Their morals are way above that of the thieves, and the earthly pursuits of seats are inconsequential in their hearts and minds. Instead, they chose their own spots and planted themselves firmly on the ground, trusting in their strength and innate abilities to stand for hours without end. They are the white knights in shiny armor…
Sometimes, the circumstances do change. Occasionally, the frail and hapless victims who needed rescuing came into the scene. They include the disabled, young children, pregnant women and old folks. As an old folk entered, the knights scanned around the train for anyone willing to join their ranks. Oh, another guild previously not mentioned was the guild of the mages. That was because they always try their best to stay silent and hidden from sight. When discovered, the mages constantly channel invisibility enchantments and cast artificial sleep spells on themselves. They attempt to ward off intruders who attempt to threaten their selfishly acquired lands and riches with self-proclaimed blamelessness and innocence…
The situation is getting tensed. The knights’ hands moved to their sheaths, ready to draw their swords and slain the nearest thief in the vicinity (By slaying, I mean using the power of speech to openly criticize and embarrass a nearby inconsiderate person into giving up his or her seat). Suddenly, a heroine emerged from among the crowd and rescued the old folk. She gave up her seat willingly and unconditionally, much to everyone’s relief. Usually, her self-sacrifice will not be wasted, as the rescued will thank the heroine and she will join the noble knights’ ranks. But, the tale did not end there…
The frail old man exclaimed that he did not need rescuing at all. He politely declined and explained to our fellow heroine that he would be alighting at the next stop and did not need to sit. Just as he thanked her for the kind gesture, a shadow instantaneously flashed across our eyes and reappeared on the seat that she gave up. It was…
Another nauseating, shameless scum of society…
A thief…
Alas, there was nothing anyone could have done in time to stop it. Another win for the guild of the thieves…
Time passed, and my long journey came to a halt. As I prepared to leave the train, I sighted several thieves had already set up blockages at the entrance. With my big, green army bag as a shield, I bashed past them, almost knocking them down in the process, while swinging and slashing away with my sword at the same time. It was a bloodbath…
“ Let us get out of the train first lah, you fucking cheebyes….”
