"I am Richard!"

Some months back while waiting for my wife on one side of Rochor Canal Road, I noticed a man on the other side of the road smiling and waving enthusiastically in my direction as he walked towards me. I looked behind to make sure he was waving at me. He grabbed my hand, shook it firmly and went: "I am Richard ... Richard lah! Can still remember or not?"

I looked at him, lost for words, trying to figure out who this person was. He was in khaki shorts and slippers. "Richard? From where?" I asked.

"Richard ... your renovation contractor!"

Feeling the pressure to maintain composure and politeness, I said "Oh ... How's things?" while still trying to figure out which contractor did what renovation for which house of mine! Not that I owned many houses but I did have quite a few renovations done to some of the houses I did own in the past!

"Not so good, lah." Pointing to a corner coffee shop across the road, he said: "Just went for a job interview there ... they asked me to start next week." Then switching to Hokkien, he continued: "How to tahan until next week?"

I was getting very uncomfortable now but before I could utter another word, he said: "Tell you what. Lend me $50. I pay next week after I start work." Without blinking, he continued: "Come drink coffee anytime when I on duty here. I won't collect money from you."

That was it! I couldn't tahan anymore and told him: "Sorry. I cannot help you. And good luck to you." As I walked away, I saw him crossed to the other side of the road (from where he came) just as my wife was crossing the road to where I waiting.

"Who's that guy? Your friend?"

I looked at her. "He is Richard! My renovation contractor!" And sighed. (I have never had a contractor named Richard.)


email : peterchanglc@gmail.com