The next day at about 630pm I started to get ready for my first day of work.
I took a backpack with me. Inside I put a half eaten loaf of bread, a bottle of water, a wooden baton, a flashlight, a waterproof windbreaker , a small can of WD40 and a quarter bottle of cheap whisky.
Next I got dress up. I wore a black cargo pants with a black round neck shirt. I put on my former army boots, hang a lanyard over my neck with my whistle on it and off I went.
Head up straight to Tg Halt hawker centre and ate my dinner.
I arrived at about 730pm. Since it was early, I rode my bike round the area to familiarize myself with the location. I identified and took note of the back gate and side gates in case of emergency.
I zoom back to the main entrance where the guard house is. I tap my bike horn gently to get the attention of the guard. The gate started to roll open.
Day guard “ Hey you must be Charles my night shift relieved”
Me : “yes I am”
Day guard : “good that you are early, let me brief you”
Me “ sure”
The short briefing took about 7 minutes.
Me “ Ok sir , you better get going . I can figure out the rest later and read the SOP manual on the table”
Day guard “ok “ …. He kick start his Vespa and off he went.
I locked up the gate and myself comfortable. The guardhouse was in a mess. I did some basic cleaning and dispose a stack of old yellowish newspaper. Clear out the trash bin and make tidy the desk.
It was only 845pm after I had read the SOP manual.
I took my wooden baton and flash light along to do my foot patrol around the premises.
Took note where the nearest fire extinguisher was how to turn on the fire hose.
After about 45 mins , I head back to the guard house. Inserted the phone charger into the socket to charge my HP. I tune in to the internet radio for some music.
“it is going to be a LONG nite “ …. I talk to myself.
Took out the whisky bottle and had a cap whole of it to keep myself warm.
I walk to the bus stop and board the very first bus that arrived.
It has been a long time since I took a bus, after working in this trade.
I got down at Selegie Road area and took a walk. Just window shopping, I realized than most of the shops are not even open yet for business.
Found a kopi shop across the road and order some stout to drink.
A lot of things went thru my mind. After working my ass out for this company, I would be accused of taking company funds. The last thing I was worry about is income. I could easily work as a free lance Limo driver doing assignments for other smaller company.
My only concern is that if word got out, my reputation as driver would be at stake.
After downing four bottles of stout, I went back to do some window shopping. Only to realize is already lunch time. The office crowd has already come out to have lunch and is getting crowd. i hop onto another bus just to avoid the crowd and get some aircon.
I have no idea where the bus was heading.
The bus finally pulled over at change village. I step down. Took a leak , and went to the hawker centre to have Nasi Lemak. After lunch I walk over to the seaside with two cans of stout. I sat on the sand and just enjoying the view. Never realized the feeling of sun ray hit on you is not so bad after all. I roll up my white long sleeve and unbutton my top button to soak up the sun ray.
I look at the time is only 330pm. Whoa… time passes that slowly when you have nothing in hand to do. I shake of the sand as I stood up and head to toilet to wash my hands and face.
The first night and second night went by. By the 3rd night I was feeling the strain of it.
The sign of old age. Used to be able to work 24hrs without sleep back in camp. Now I am struggling.
I reached the factory at 745pm to relive the day shift guard.
At 1am I was feeling sleeping already. I took out e bread to eat and drink some water.
Did another round of foot patrol before heading back to the guardhouse.
Had two caps of whisky. set my hanphone alarm timer to 45 mins. I need to catch some zzz.
I KO even thg the place was cramp . sitting down on that old discolor plastic chair .
I woke up at look at my watch it was 330am.
Goodness me… I KO for 90mins . I did not even hear the alarm.
This is not good. I stood up to do another round of foot patrol.
I took my wooden baton and insert at the back of cargo pants. Took the flashlight along.
I was about to start when I notice a black open top mazda MX5 come to an abrupt halt at the front gate.
The headlights were shining directly at me I couldn’t see.
I used my hand to block some of the light.
The driver then flick e high beam light .
I move to the centre of the gate , took out my flash light and flash back at the car.
The driver must have got irritated and blast his horn three times.
I took out my baton pointed towards the car. Took the whistle from my lanyard and blew the whistle. I followed the football referee style whistle…. THRRE long whistle … usually to indicate the match has come to end.
Somehow the driver understood. The driver off the engine and came out. I notice there is a lady sitting next to the driver seat.
Young man : “ hey you idiot arh, open the gate. ….
Me “ may I asked who are you”
Young man : “ U new arh, I am the boss son. Now open the gate!! he barked
Me : “Can I see your staff pass pls”
Young man “ what pass ? I don’t have”
Me “sorry then I can’t let you in “
He storm off to the car and came back with his pass.
Young Man “here” …… a strong smell of hard liquor smell hit my face as soon he came up to me.
I look at it. He is a staff here.
Me : “what about that lady, can I see her pass too”
Young man “ hey old man. U trying to be funny is it”
Me : “ no I am not. I have to record all visitors’ particulars in my log book. I got your car number, and your name. But I don’t have hers.
By this time the lady spoke out angry in mandarin. Her ascent gave her away. She isn’t local.
The young man shouted back at her asking her to shut up.
Young man : “old man open this guy immediately , if not I will have you replaced first thing in the morning”
Me “since you say I am an old man. Why don’t you just co operate with me and make old man job easier. Show me her staff pass I record it down, and you can enter.
Young man : “ if I don’t ?”
Me : “ then I cant let you in and you have to leave”
Young man “ ok you win! But I am not leaving … this is public road. What can you do”
Me “ as a security personal I can do nothing. However I could call the police for assistance. I would tell them you are trying to enter the premises with an illegal immigrant. The police will come down. they will take down both of your particulars. I would also tell the officer that there is a strong alcohol smell from your breath. They will conduct the test on you, and if you failed the breath e test they will bring you back to station. I am sure you don’t want to wake your dad up to bail you out should you be charge with drunk driving. Right , young master !
The young man gave me the middle finger sign. He went back to the car, reversed the car and sped off.
I stay alert for the next hour, just to make sure he didn’t return to cause trouble.
I took bus number 2 knowing it will lead back near my home area.
Sat on the upper deck of the bus and fell asleep most of the journey.
As the bus ride was slow I decided to hop off near town area to take the MRT back to Commonwealth train station.
Had a simple makan as I did not want to come down again later for dinner.
Spend the whole night watching TV .
Woke up to the alarm clock, I forgot I need not get up that early. Off the alarm and went back to zzz.
Got at 10am, have some biscuit and instant coffee. After that I end up spring cleaning the house.
I did manage to clear out three large trash bags of unwanted stuff.
At about 12 noon I went to the hawker centre to have my lunch. On the way back I bought a copy of the newspaper.
I reach home and flip the classified job section.
I read a particular section.
“Urgently required temporary one man show Night shift guard required at Tuas Factory. 8pm to 8 am
”
I made the phone call and was asked to come down for an interviewed.
The interview was at office near to Novena Area. I rode my bike down.
Front recep girl …. “Pls fill this up”
Me “ok”
I took 5 minutes to fill up the form as I skip most of the section and fill up the personal particulars and NOK.
Interviewer “ Mr Charles, can I address you this way?”
Me : “yes u may ”
Interview : “ Hey buddy , you leave out most part of your form unfilled ?”
Me “ yeah I figure out that is a temp job to replace your regular night shift staff”
Interview “ yes you are right”
Me “there u go , u just need someone to do the job. You don’t need to all the details”
Interviewer : “ ok at least filled up this part on National service.
I took the pen and filled up reluctantly because I knew what was coming.
The Interviewer took back the clipboard and look thru the form again.
Interviewer “ Hey buddy, you are over qualified man !” You are former Staff Sgt in the Military Police . U should have a bright future…… he went on and on.
I put up my hand and stop him.
Me “ sir whatever happened in the past is of no importance to me now. All I need is a temp job, do I get the job or not?”
Interviewer : “ no I think u are mistaken friend, I can used a person like u. I can offer you an asst operations manager job anytime”
I cut him off him …
Me “ Sir I am not keen. I just want this job. I got my own bike. I don’t need your transport to send me there daily. “
Interviewer : “ hey if u want it u got it.. 120 dollars per shift. No uniform. Start tomorrow. Cover the job for me for 5 days. Your pay will be transfer to your bank account after your assignment. Deal ?”
Me “ Deal “
I stood up, shake his hand and left the office.
I got back home at 9am after work.
Took a shower and went to bed.
It was about 2pm when I got up. I check my phone and got more than ten miss call from a particular number.
I called back and identified myself but was told that no one was looking for me.
Took a ride to Ghim MOH market to have my favorite chicken rice stall.
As son I reached home my phone rang .
One of the asst ops manager for the security firm called me.
Asst ops manager " hey friend , why u don’t answer HP har "
Me " I just reported back from night shift, of course I need to rest so my HP is on silent mode. "
Asst ops manager " U come down to office immediately "
I change to my jeans and t shirt . Head straight down to office.
I went to office to look for the asst ops manager.
He saw me and ask me to come to his desk.
Asst ops manager " here is a cash CHQ of 360 dollars for the three days U have done. On top of that here is 30 dollars cash for your bike petrol. U need not report for work anymore.
I signed the invoice took the cash and CHQ . Immediately , I walk out of the office without looking back. I reached back home and went back to bed straight .
I woke up at 9pm feeling hungry . Order home delivery macs as I was feeling lazy.
My HP rang . It was a overseas call.
Me " hello "
Lady voice " hellos Charles how are u?"
I recognized that slang .
Me " how are u Miss V?"
Lady V " I coming back to Singapore soon for a golf event , could you come and pick me"
Me " errhhhh" …. I hesitated
Lady V " tsk … What’s the matter you don’t want to pick up? " …. Sounding Impatient.
Me " is not that, I am no longer working for the same LIMO company . So maybe you should get your PA to liaise direct with the LIMO company instead.
Lady V " what ! … What happen ? … She sound very concern. When did this happen ?
Me " I am ok. I am just doing some temp job. I left the job three days ago."
Lady v " oh I see. Ok Charles i will get my PA to get it done. Sorry I got a conference call coming in I got to go.
I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye and the line went off.
The next day at about 630pm I started to get ready for my first day of work.
I took a backpack with me. Inside I put a half eaten loaf of bread, a bottle of water, a wooden baton, a flashlight, a waterproof windbreaker , a small can of WD40 and a quarter bottle of cheap whisky.
Next I got dress up. I wore a black cargo pants with a black round neck shirt. I put on my former army boots, hang a lanyard over my neck with my whistle on it and off I went.
Head up straight to Tg Halt hawker centre and ate my dinner.
I arrived at about 730pm. Since it was early, I rode my bike round the area to familiarize myself with the location. I identified and took note of the back gate and side gates in case of emergency.
I zoom back to the main entrance where the guard house is. I tap my bike horn gently to get the attention of the guard. The gate started to roll open.
Day guard “ Hey you must be Charles my night shift relieved”
Me : “yes I am”
Day guard : “good that you are early, let me brief you”
Me “ sure”
The short briefing took about 7 minutes.
Me “ Ok sir , you better get going . I can figure out the rest later and read the SOP manual on the table”
Day guard “ok “ …. He kick start his Vespa and off he went.
I locked up the gate and myself comfortable. The guardhouse was in a mess. I did some basic cleaning and dispose a stack of old yellowish newspaper. Clear out the trash bin and make tidy the desk.
It was only 845pm after I had read the SOP manual.
I took my wooden baton and flash light along to do my foot patrol around the premises.
Took note where the nearest fire extinguisher was how to turn on the fire hose.
After about 45 mins , I head back to the guard house. Inserted the phone charger into the socket to charge my HP. I tune in to the internet radio for some music.
“it is going to be a LONG nite “ …. I talk to myself.
Took out the whisky bottle and had a cap whole of it to keep myself warm.
The first night and second night went by. By the 3rd night I was feeling the strain of it.
The sign of old age. Used to be able to work 24hrs without sleep back in camp. Now I am struggling.
I reached the factory at 745pm to relive the day shift guard.
At 1am I was feeling sleeping already. I took out e bread to eat and drink some water.
Did another round of foot patrol before heading back to the guardhouse.
Had two caps of whisky. set my hanphone alarm timer to 45 mins. I need to catch some zzz.
I KO even thg the place was cramp . sitting down on that old discolor plastic chair .
I woke up at look at my watch it was 330am.
Goodness me… I KO for 90mins . I did not even hear the alarm.
This is not good. I stood up to do another round of foot patrol.
I took my wooden baton and insert at the back of cargo pants. Took the flashlight along.
I was about to start when I notice a black open top mazda MX5 come to an abrupt halt at the front gate.
The headlights were shining directly at me I couldn’t see.
I used my hand to block some of the light.
The driver then flick e high beam light .
I move to the centre of the gate , took out my flash light and flash back at the car.
The driver must have got irritated and blast his horn three times.
I took out my baton pointed towards the car. Took the whistle from my lanyard and blew the whistle. I followed the football referee style whistle…. THRRE long whistle … usually to indicate the match has come to end.
Somehow the driver understood. The driver off the engine and came out. I notice there is a lady sitting next to the driver seat.
Young man : “ hey you idiot arh, open the gate. ….
Me “ may I asked who are you”
Young man : “ U new arh, I am the boss son. Now open the gate!! he barked
Me : “Can I see your staff pass pls”
Young man “ what pass ? I don’t have”
Me “sorry then I can’t let you in “
He storm off to the car and came back with his pass.
Young Man “here” …… a strong smell of hard liquor smell hit my face as soon he came up to me.
I look at it. He is a staff here.
Me : “what about that lady, can I see her pass too”
Young man “ hey old man. U trying to be funny is it”
Me : “ no I am not. I have to record all visitors’ particulars in my log book. I got your car number, and your name. But I don’t have hers.
By this time the lady spoke out angry in mandarin. Her ascent gave her away. She isn’t local.
The young man shouted back at her asking her to shut up.
Young man : “old man open this guy immediately , if not I will have you replaced first thing in the morning”
Me “since you say I am an old man. Why don’t you just co operate with me and make old man job easier. Show me her staff pass I record it down, and you can enter.
Young man : “ if I don’t ?”
Me : “ then I cant let you in and you have to leave”
Young man “ ok you win! But I am not leaving … this is public road. What can you do”
Me “ as a security personal I can do nothing. However I could call the police for assistance. I would tell them you are trying to enter the premises with an illegal immigrant. The police will come down. they will take down both of your particulars. I would also tell the officer that there is a strong alcohol smell from your breath. They will conduct the test on you, and if you failed the breath e test they will bring you back to station. I am sure you don’t want to wake your dad up to bail you out should you be charge with drunk driving. Right , young master !
The young man gave me the middle finger sign. He went back to the car, reversed the car and sped off.
I stay alert for the next hour, just to make sure he didn’t return to cause trouble.
I got back home at 9am after work.
Took a shower and went to bed.
It was about 2pm when I got up. I check my phone and got more than ten miss call from a particular number.
I called back and identified myself but was told that no one was looking for me.
Took a ride to Ghim MOH market to have my favorite chicken rice stall.
As son I reached home my phone rang .
One of the asst ops manager for the security firm called me.
Asst ops manager " hey friend , why u don’t answer HP har "
Me " I just reported back from night shift, of course I need to rest so my HP is on silent mode. "
Asst ops manager " U come down to office immediately "
I change to my jeans and t shirt . Head straight down to office.
I went to office to look for the asst ops manager.
He saw me and ask me to come to his desk.
Asst ops manager " here is a cash CHQ of 360 dollars for the three days U have done. On top of that here is 30 dollars cash for your bike petrol. U need not report for work anymore.
I signed the invoice took the cash and CHQ . Immediately , I walk out of the office without looking back. I reached back home and went back to bed straight .
I woke up at 9pm feeling hungry . Order home delivery macs as I was feeling lazy.
My HP rang . It was a overseas call.
Me " hello "
Lady voice " hellos Charles how are u?"
I recognized that slang .
Me " how are u Miss V?"
Lady V " I coming back to Singapore soon for a golf event , could you come and pick me"
Me " errhhhh" …. I hesitated
Lady V " tsk … What’s the matter you don’t want to pick up? " …. Sounding Impatient.
Me " is not that, I am no longer working for the same LIMO company . So maybe you should get your PA to liaise direct with the LIMO company instead.
Lady V " what ! … What happen ? … She sound very concern. When did this happen ?
Me " I am ok. I am just doing some temp job. I left the job three days ago."
Lady v " oh I see. Ok Charles i will get my PA to get it done. Sorry I got a conference call coming in I got to go.
I didn’t even have the chance to say goodbye and the line went off.
The next morning I drove to a car wash kiosk off mei ling street.
Me " the usual …. water , no soap, soap only on rims . No wiping after ta"
The guys nod his head , understanding what I wanted.
I drove the car out of the bay.
A foreign Chinese looking lady came to my car. I have seen her a few times before . I wind down the window.
Me " NI HAO ? …. In my Broken slang mandarin.
MILF car washing lady " HAO HAO…. you change car again " ….speaking in very fast pace mandarin.
I just nod my head in return as my mandarin speaking is really hopeless.
I took out ten dollars to,pass to her. She knew I don required the car to be wipe dry.
She wanted to pass me my change back.
I sign language back to her using my hand to bring a " imaginary " drink to my mouth… And said " KOPI"
She understood that the change is a small tip for her to buy coffee.
The lady look around . Put her hand in the waist pouch and pull out a free car wash coupon.
I took it and place in my centre console. I wake to say thank you as the Q behind is staring to form up.
Drove e car back out and went to Alexandra village for some Prata.
I arrived and park the car . I took e car wash coupon to have a closer look.
Me " silly woman …. This coupon has expired "
I flip to the back side of it and notice a HP number and two Chinese word character .
It must be her name and HP number …. Talking to myself.
I recorded in down in my HP and dispose the coupon away. Stay out, took a clean cloth and start to wipe the car .
Walk over to have my breakfast after I am done.
" can I meet u at 930am at e famous vegetarian noodle stall near your place"
I look at my SMS. It is my boss…. Former boss to be correct .
I q up for two sets of vegetarian bee hoon.
Me " here boss my treat , try this bee hoon"
We finished the bee hoon and took hot beverages.
Boss " the bee hoon is good stuff , real and authentic"
Me " let’s get straight to the point, how can I help u "
Boss " Charles , come back and work for me"
Me " no boss. I was accused of something I did not do. This is very serious . I was even threaten that the case will be refer to the police. "
Boss " don worry, I know you didn’t do it. "
Me " then why did you take so long to even call me back and seek clarification on this matter.
My boss lower his head .
Me " boss , tell me the truth. I know is not about my dismissal.
BOSS " ok…. Ms V PA called and requested for your service …. Charles they are our big clientele. I can’t afford to lose them. Pls help me on this"
Me " I will not come back to work for you, however this is the last time I am helping you. I will be charging you as a private contractor. My rates are 700 dollars per day and you have to book my services for minimum of 5 days."
Boss " that is very high, the market rate is about 500 dollars. "
Me " 700 dollars , include my personal car, petrol , parking charges , ERP . Everything . U need not provide me anything. U think about it" …. I heading back first boss.
Boss " is ok is ok. Deal !
He stood up shook my hand and we parted ways.