The RM50 "My car broke down trick"

As I as driving home after visiting that customer, the traffic light turned to red and as usual, since everyone stopped, I had to stop as well. And that's when I noticed a haggard looking Malay chap. The way he dresses, you could assume only two things. This was because he has a pair of khaki pants, a shirt (T-shirt?) and an outer coat, like those worn by golfers, unbottoned. He wore it as if its a coat. Its a bit shabby as if he did not washed for days or working like crazy. And then, there is his unkempt beard and uncombed hair. Anyway, after walking about in the divider, he knocked on my car.

And this is where I got my defenses up. The way he knocked was what alerted me. If you're in a desperate need of help, you would rap your knuckles on the window glass or, tap gently with your finger tips. But no, he used the back of his fingers and knocked on the lower part of the door, presenting a non-urgent but devil-may-care attitude. And so, in case he wants to put a knife into the window as I wound down, I just opened the window a fraction.

Man: Hay, hey can you help me? (His English was quite good)
Me: Sure, how can I help you?
Man: My car, my car broke down. (He did not point where)
Me: OK, this is emergency. Yeah, I can help you.
Man: No, no. RM50. I need RM50 for the car.
Me: Never mind, I can take you there. Where's your car?
Man: No, no. Just RM50. Need to pay workshop. (He looked scared now)
Me: Never mind. Here, you can sit at the back, I'll take you there
Man: No, no. Just RM50 they guy is there.
Me: Come, come, you look tired. Where is he? I can U-turn now (I'm calling his bluff)

Finally, the light is about to turn green and the man is unsure of what he want to do next to get the RM50 from me.

Man: No, No. I just need RM50, you have or not?
Me: No, man. Sorry. My Wife left me and my Dog just died
Man: Ok, OK. (And he left without saying anything else, not even a thanks)

And I know he does not have a car. And there is no workshop guy. And as I looked behind with me side mirror, he has disappeared.

This is how they work. They will come to you, with sob stories or other sad things to get you to part with your cash to help them catch a bus to go back home/repair his car/lost in the city, etc. Some would sound convincing and some has a lot of holes like a kitchen sieve. And it is up to you to either give them the money (Like RM50 for a taxi to anywhere or just for MacDonalds) or "help" them. And then, the rest is up to you. But sometimes, you also have to be aware if they have an accomplice or is a girl or old lady as their advantage would be to cry in public, making you the bad guy regardless of the story. Cry rape and you're still the bad guy regardless. Or you get held up at knife-point by their accomplice/s. As all the doors in the car was locked, only I could do this without any repercussions. But then, I had a very bad day already and nothing can make it worse because I am willing to release my unmanaged anger.

Some experiences I had, which most would go away.

RM50 for a taxi.
"Really? Let me take you there and save the money"

RM50 for a taxi to Ipoh
"Sure, I help you today, and when you have the money, you pass it to another person. Or GOD will punish you"

RM50 for workshop guy (today)

Dude, where's our van?

As I drove into the office, I saw one of my tech standing outside the door, looking bored. So, I asked him what's wrong and where is the van. Normally, the van would be parked nearby the office as the parking area outside the office would be full the previous day due to the Karaoke patrons. But since today is a Monday, the van should be parked in front.

"Van's missing, Boss."

And then everything went nuts. I went up to the office, put my stuff on the table and activated my Notebook. I saw my two other technicians sitting on the their tables doing their usual morning nothings, as if nothing has happened. So, I went down and told the tech that I would be driving my car around the blocks to see if the van happens to be nearby or not.

By the time I came back, Boss is already in the office and start to take stock of what is missing in the van. We worked out the list and assessed our loss. In the meantime, I chided one of my tech because they always liked to leave customer's place early, dump the van in the company and leave everything in it. So, business have to go one and I gave the Hyundai's key to the younger tech and told him to move the remaining tools and ladder into it. Yep, back to the old days of being the taxi driver again.

Then I went back to my table and discovered my Notebook hanged. As emotions were running high, I banged onto the table.

And as they say, "All Hell broke loose"

The young tech thought I was pissed off at him and challenged me while the Boss though everyone was against him and he scolded everyone. I thought the young tech was out of line and went to him. But eventually, other techs calmed us down. In the end, I took the voluntary forced leave to cool off. And then, I asked the young tech, what happened as I only banged the table because of the notebook. He refused to answer and I asked again. My Boss, thought we're going to start a fight and so, we were suspended for two days. Fuck, man.

So, my Boss told me to pack everything and leave the office.

But because the young tech threw the Hyundai's remote to the ground,
the area where the LED was, was destroyed. So, after using the clips,
luck was on my side and I can repair it. But Boss said not to do anything
by just leave the office while he gave me the spare remote.

So now, not only am I angry for everything this morning, I will be given a suspension letter later too. Wow, a suspension letter for asking a question. But knowing my Boss, he will put it as banging on the table.

And on my way out, he said, "Can you go to this customer on the way ?"

I stared at him for a full 5 seconds, my mouth twisted as if to say, "Are you joking? You suspended me and now you want me to work?"

And with all controlled emotions and force I culd muster, I said, "OK"

Now, what can I do with one and a half day of nothing?

Note: Already my Wife's not speaking to me for days due to the Seremban work which stretched everyone's wits. And now I am having second thoughts about attending the company's Annual dinner which extended the invitation to my Wife and kids. I can say, that the Seremban work caused all this since we were working under pressure to complete it within days.