A Taxi Ride to Dhoby Ghaut

I had to pass some bulky items to my dad’s friend this evening. Because items were bulky, I decided to take a cab there. I got a cab right in front of my block. It took me about 5 seconds to properly sit down in the taxi with those items that I was carrying. While I was busy putting things beside me, cabbie asked me something in Chinese. I assumed he asked where I wanted to go. I answered Strand Hotel. He asked me again in English. I repeated my answer. He said nothing but looking back at me. I thought he didn’t hear me properly. I repeated it third time.

He shouted at me – ‘Close faster!’ as the door was still opened as I didn’t managed to close it yet. I didn’t know why he rushed me. We were not near bus stop nor the traffic lights. But, anyway, I assumed that he was not in very good mood. So, I just kept quiet. Then, we started off for Dhoby Ghaut. I admit that he could really drive nicely. On express way, he drove up to 110 km/h. It took me merely 15 mins to reach my destination.

When we reached the hotel, I gave him 50 dollar note. Taxi fare was only $ 7.60. But I did not have any smaller note. He put my 50 dollar note up against in-vehicle light bulb. I was surprised to see someone conducting such a note check – first time in Singapore. But again, I kept quiet noting to myself that he was someone exceptional. He gave me back my change. And again, he did the check second time. I asked him what was wrong with that note. I told him that I had never heard of any case of fake note in Singapore. He insisted that there were fake *50* dollar note cases. I repeated I never did. Then I just got out of his cab without saying goodbye.

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